Does anyone commute into central london
Discussion
Hi guys
I am possibly going to have to commute into central london. I live in Newbury which is about 1 hr 15 or so from London by road.
The train is £55 a day and I would need to go in twice a week.
Thinking of getting a Fazer 600 (the old darth vader one) as I had one before and it was a great commuter bike
Financially it makes absolute sense as a Fazer is about £750-£1000 and it would be £400 per month in train. It would be quite a lot cheaper (about £200 a month saving) taking into account fuel and insurance, tyres, etc.
My question is to anyone who commutes into London, what is the deal regarding parking. I see a few of those Motorcycle parking bays but if these are full are you able to just plonk it anywhere (respectfully of course) or do you get shafted by parking attendants?
I am possibly going to have to commute into central london. I live in Newbury which is about 1 hr 15 or so from London by road.
The train is £55 a day and I would need to go in twice a week.
Thinking of getting a Fazer 600 (the old darth vader one) as I had one before and it was a great commuter bike
Financially it makes absolute sense as a Fazer is about £750-£1000 and it would be £400 per month in train. It would be quite a lot cheaper (about £200 a month saving) taking into account fuel and insurance, tyres, etc.
My question is to anyone who commutes into London, what is the deal regarding parking. I see a few of those Motorcycle parking bays but if these are full are you able to just plonk it anywhere (respectfully of course) or do you get shafted by parking attendants?
Used to do it in 2013 and 2014 and will be starting again every day in a few weeks. My commute is along the M40 and into the Wharf, about 60-70 miles. Takes considerably less than 90mins on the K1300s. (Leaving at 4am 
) or about an hour in my car. I don't pay in the Wharf as it is a business thing ( think it's around £3 a day) but when I park in the city I just use indoor car parks which ware free (just a one of charge of £5 for the access ticket), but make sure you bring a lock and get their early. Its not a problem when I arrive so early but it gets very full, very quickly.
I have never parked in one of the outdoor bays so cannot comment.
) or about an hour in my car. I don't pay in the Wharf as it is a business thing ( think it's around £3 a day) but when I park in the city I just use indoor car parks which ware free (just a one of charge of £5 for the access ticket), but make sure you bring a lock and get their early. Its not a problem when I arrive so early but it gets very full, very quickly.I have never parked in one of the outdoor bays so cannot comment.
Edited by turbopowerv10 on Monday 25th April 19:16
Sounds like fun haha.
My start would be 8-9am. I would be looking at arriving at about 8:30 which is obviously peak time.
The motorcycle bay in question is this one on Google Maps - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5028199,-0.10128...
There is also this area underneath but I am not sure what the situation is regarding the parking here , whether it's private only (I suspect a simple "can I park my motorcycle here" would go a long way).
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5033275,-0.10134...
Would parking on this road / around this area be problematic?
In addition, can anyone else think of a better bike for around £1300-£1500 than an old FZS600 Fazer ? Open to suggestions. I've been out of bikes for so long.
My start would be 8-9am. I would be looking at arriving at about 8:30 which is obviously peak time.
The motorcycle bay in question is this one on Google Maps - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5028199,-0.10128...
There is also this area underneath but I am not sure what the situation is regarding the parking here , whether it's private only (I suspect a simple "can I park my motorcycle here" would go a long way).
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5033275,-0.10134...
Would parking on this road / around this area be problematic?
In addition, can anyone else think of a better bike for around £1300-£1500 than an old FZS600 Fazer ? Open to suggestions. I've been out of bikes for so long.
Edited by xjay1337 on Monday 18th April 10:22
I'm down the road near Waterloo/Southbank but I'm luckily provided free underground secure parking at my office. Given I know the fun some have with London bays I do realise how good I have it.
So I'm not that familiar with the onstreet parking situation. There are def bays around the Southwalk Tube station surrounding roads but I couldn't tell you how busy they are or when they get full.
I found this:
http://maps.southwark.gov.uk/connect/southwark.jsp...
and this:
http://www.parkingforbikes.com/
I can't vouch for any accuracy here but suspect the southwalk council map showing yellow motorcycle bays is the most accurate - I'm sure you could call them up to confirm where around southwalk tube you can park.
Don't leave it on the pavement at all you'll get a ticket or worse.
You'll get away only if its private land and you can prove it and of course you have the owners permission to park there.
So I'm not that familiar with the onstreet parking situation. There are def bays around the Southwalk Tube station surrounding roads but I couldn't tell you how busy they are or when they get full.
I found this:
http://maps.southwark.gov.uk/connect/southwark.jsp...
and this:
http://www.parkingforbikes.com/
I can't vouch for any accuracy here but suspect the southwalk council map showing yellow motorcycle bays is the most accurate - I'm sure you could call them up to confirm where around southwalk tube you can park.
Don't leave it on the pavement at all you'll get a ticket or worse.
You'll get away only if its private land and you can prove it and of course you have the owners permission to park there.
xjay1337 said:
In addition, can anyone else think of a better bike for around £1300-£1500 than an old FZS600 Fazer ? Open to suggestions. I've been out of bikes for so long.
Fazers are ideal for what you want. If you are going to be using bike bays, don't spend the extra on getting one in showroom condition as it won't remain like that for very longsjtscott said:
I'm down the road near Waterloo/Southbank but I'm luckily provided free underground secure parking at my office. Given I know the fun some have with London bays I do realise how good I have it.
So I'm not that familiar with the onstreet parking situation. There are def bays around the Southwalk Tube station surrounding roads but I couldn't tell you how busy they are or when they get full.
I found this:
http://maps.southwark.gov.uk/connect/southwark.jsp...
and this:
http://www.parkingforbikes.com/
I can't vouch for any accuracy here but suspect the southwalk council map showing yellow motorcycle bays is the most accurate - I'm sure you could call them up to confirm where around southwalk tube you can park.
Don't leave it on the pavement at all you'll get a ticket or worse.
You'll get away only if its private land and you can prove it and of course you have the owners permission to park there.
OK thanks for that really appreciate it. I think the motorcycle bays should hopefully be OK. There are 2 or 3 around - What I may do is take a half day and ride in when I have it all sorted, and check out the local area. So I'm not that familiar with the onstreet parking situation. There are def bays around the Southwalk Tube station surrounding roads but I couldn't tell you how busy they are or when they get full.
I found this:
http://maps.southwark.gov.uk/connect/southwark.jsp...
and this:
http://www.parkingforbikes.com/
I can't vouch for any accuracy here but suspect the southwalk council map showing yellow motorcycle bays is the most accurate - I'm sure you could call them up to confirm where around southwalk tube you can park.
Don't leave it on the pavement at all you'll get a ticket or worse.
You'll get away only if its private land and you can prove it and of course you have the owners permission to park there.
Fleegle said:
Fazers are ideal for what you want. If you are going to be using bike bays, don't spend the extra on getting one in showroom condition as it won't remain like that for very long
Good thought, I'd like it to be OK condition haha. There's a cat D facelift for £2k (which I would stretch to) which looks like the best option for me at the moment.But plenty of others at lower price.
Yup, certainly looks like it.
I used to drive into Earls Court a few times a month. Was always... um... fun, shall we say (in the car).
I've google mapped my route and it seems quite easy. Go past the big Tescos, turn right, go along the river (one of my old clients is along there) . Could be worse I suppose.
Noisy can is a given haha. As well as heated grips and a tank bag for my nav.
I've just re-jiggled my finances so I need to wait a week or so before I can actively go and buy.
I would be looking for one with stainless downpipes already as the black ones rot (PITA). Quite a few have already been changed.
After that I'd just do a service and make sure everything's good, and fit a rad guard (stone through the rad, no thanks).
I used to drive into Earls Court a few times a month. Was always... um... fun, shall we say (in the car).
I've google mapped my route and it seems quite easy. Go past the big Tescos, turn right, go along the river (one of my old clients is along there) . Could be worse I suppose.
Noisy can is a given haha. As well as heated grips and a tank bag for my nav.
Fleegle said:
Cheers!I've just re-jiggled my finances so I need to wait a week or so before I can actively go and buy.
I would be looking for one with stainless downpipes already as the black ones rot (PITA). Quite a few have already been changed.
After that I'd just do a service and make sure everything's good, and fit a rad guard (stone through the rad, no thanks).
Renn Sport said:
Are you going to brave the M4 then A4... its not fun when the roads start to narrow toward the end of the M4 to the A4.
Sharpen your filtering skills and cat like reflexes. Loud can for London in my humble opinion.
Best of luck on the commute
Is the loud can a safety consideration? Sharpen your filtering skills and cat like reflexes. Loud can for London in my humble opinion.
Best of luck on the commute
xjay1337 said:
Yup, certainly looks like it.
I used to drive into Earls Court a few times a month. Was always... um... fun, shall we say (in the car).
I've google mapped my route and it seems quite easy. Go past the big Tescos, turn right, go along the river (one of my old clients is along there) . Could be worse I suppose.
Noisy can is a given haha. As well as heated grips and a tank bag for my nav.
I've just re-jiggled my finances so I need to wait a week or so before I can actively go and buy.
I would be looking for one with stainless downpipes already as the black ones rot (PITA). Quite a few have already been changed.
After that I'd just do a service and make sure everything's good, and fit a rad guard (stone through the rad, no thanks).
Not sure what route you have planned for the central london bit.I used to drive into Earls Court a few times a month. Was always... um... fun, shall we say (in the car).
I've google mapped my route and it seems quite easy. Go past the big Tescos, turn right, go along the river (one of my old clients is along there) . Could be worse I suppose.
Noisy can is a given haha. As well as heated grips and a tank bag for my nav.
Fleegle said:
Cheers!I've just re-jiggled my finances so I need to wait a week or so before I can actively go and buy.
I would be looking for one with stainless downpipes already as the black ones rot (PITA). Quite a few have already been changed.
After that I'd just do a service and make sure everything's good, and fit a rad guard (stone through the rad, no thanks).
However suggest if you're coming in on Chelsea/Victoria Embankment after Earls Court you get across the river at either Vauxhall Bridge or you could do Lambeth Bridge too if you want to come along Millbank a bit, but you def need to be across the river before Parliament/Parliament Square which is one big delay with its sets of lights.
What I tended to find with doing a regular commute is testing all your possible logical routes on the central london part to see which ones work best both in terms of time/lights/junctions/traffic. Some roads however busy with cars are just easier to filter on than others. Its also good to have all of these learn't because roads gets closed from time to time, ultimately you won't need satnav you'll just learn all the routes/roads unless you really have zero sense of direction.
Hi
I do J8/9 M4 to Central London regularly, one thing I can say is you won't be doing it in anything like 1hr 15mins from Newbury.
I was doing Caversham to Smithfield Market in 1hr to 1hr10 depending on light sequences and the slow'ish filtering speeds once you hit the A4, you can make decent progress but it won't be quick.
As others have said get over the river early as there's less congestion and just play with the routes to find one that works.
Also make good friends with Bob at FWR in Kennington as he will be your best 'repair my puncture' stop as they will be a regular occurrence.
I do J8/9 M4 to Central London regularly, one thing I can say is you won't be doing it in anything like 1hr 15mins from Newbury.
I was doing Caversham to Smithfield Market in 1hr to 1hr10 depending on light sequences and the slow'ish filtering speeds once you hit the A4, you can make decent progress but it won't be quick.
As others have said get over the river early as there's less congestion and just play with the routes to find one that works.
Also make good friends with Bob at FWR in Kennington as he will be your best 'repair my puncture' stop as they will be a regular occurrence.
Baryonyx said:
Renn Sport said:
Are you going to brave the M4 then A4... its not fun when the roads start to narrow toward the end of the M4 to the A4.
Sharpen your filtering skills and cat like reflexes. Loud can for London in my humble opinion.
Best of luck on the commute
Is the loud can a safety consideration? Sharpen your filtering skills and cat like reflexes. Loud can for London in my humble opinion.
Best of luck on the commute
Again just my opinion based on commutes.
OP: Maybe a sport bike from late 90's or early 2000's would be the ticket? Japanese for reliability?
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