Anyone commute on a bike?
Discussion
Looking at a new job about 1hr 30mins from home.
Anyone commute on a bike?
Likely use a car in the really cold/wet months. But will be cheaper and quicker on a bike.
Ultimately might move closer if it works out, but to start with I'll commute. If I get the job of course.
So what do you use?
Anyone commute on a bike?
Likely use a car in the really cold/wet months. But will be cheaper and quicker on a bike.
Ultimately might move closer if it works out, but to start with I'll commute. If I get the job of course.
So what do you use?
My old job used to be a similar commute. 3hrs travelling a day sucks and though it occasionally was nice on a bike, I did prefer the car because it is more relaxing and that was more important than occasionally being faster than the traffic jam
Now work is 20-25 minutes away and I'll sometimes ride because I want to, but the time it takes to get changed at either end means it does take longer than driving.
tl;dr bike is fun, car is easier.
Now work is 20-25 minutes away and I'll sometimes ride because I want to, but the time it takes to get changed at either end means it does take longer than driving.
tl;dr bike is fun, car is easier.
Yes.
Top gadgets that have made my commuting far more comfortable (the brands i'm using in brackets, others are available)
Heated gloves (I like the Five ones, as one button controls both gloves, so you can operate them on the move)
Heated jacket (Macna)
Heated seat (Oxford). This keeps my feet warm
An auxiliary screen that controls the music etc (Carpuride)
A Comms system (Sena) for music/calls
Other than that, buy the best waterproof suit you can afford (Dane), preferably GoreTex Pro as it doesn't soak up the water as much, and dries out much quicker.
Top gadgets that have made my commuting far more comfortable (the brands i'm using in brackets, others are available)
Heated gloves (I like the Five ones, as one button controls both gloves, so you can operate them on the move)
Heated jacket (Macna)
Heated seat (Oxford). This keeps my feet warm
An auxiliary screen that controls the music etc (Carpuride)
A Comms system (Sena) for music/calls
Other than that, buy the best waterproof suit you can afford (Dane), preferably GoreTex Pro as it doesn't soak up the water as much, and dries out much quicker.
the cueball said:
As long as there is no ice/snow on the ground, I'm on my bike.
I have a good split of country roads/motorway, so I'm either having a bit of fun, or filtering through the insane hold ups.
Bike of choice is always (and has been for 20 odd years): Honda Pan European.
Great choice, exactly the sort of thing I was looking for, thanks. I have a good split of country roads/motorway, so I'm either having a bit of fun, or filtering through the insane hold ups.
Bike of choice is always (and has been for 20 odd years): Honda Pan European.
Until fairly recently I was doing a similiar 3 hours a day commuting, 70 miles each way with the vast majority on the motorway bar filtering the last 15 miles or so through London.
Perfectly doable even in winter, just be prepare to get wet and cold in winter, and boiled alive in hotter summers. I would never have stuck it out for so many years if I had to do that commute by car or public transport.
I commuted on a Harley so not the most fuel economic vehicle, but even with a real maths vs 'man maths' calculating against an annnual train ticket of jsut shy of 10k a year I was spending lesss than 7K on fuel, maintenance, insurance etc. so it was about 30% cheaper and a s
teload more reliable and fun than trains would have been!
Perfectly doable even in winter, just be prepare to get wet and cold in winter, and boiled alive in hotter summers. I would never have stuck it out for so many years if I had to do that commute by car or public transport.
I commuted on a Harley so not the most fuel economic vehicle, but even with a real maths vs 'man maths' calculating against an annnual train ticket of jsut shy of 10k a year I was spending lesss than 7K on fuel, maintenance, insurance etc. so it was about 30% cheaper and a s
teload more reliable and fun than trains would have been!
I used to, on a TDM900. My thoughts on the subject:
- Use an older bike with a reputation for reliability, something not too attractive to thieves if you're having to park it in a city centre
- Preferably a bike you can maintain yourself as service intervals are way shorter than cars.
- Fit an autolube or get a shaft drive. I was getting 30k miles to a chain with a scottoiler fitted.
- Heated gear is awesome in cold weather. I made my own heated jacket for about £30
- Handguards keep the wind off the back of your hands which is important, especially if using heated grips that only heat your palms
- Motorways are boring as hell, some kind of music system makes it a lot more acceptable, but I like to have it so I can turn it off for the twisty roads and just use it for cruising on a motorway
- Motorway cruising will square off tyres quicker than you think, use a dual compound.
- Engage brain when filtering on the motorway, it's way too easy when you're doing it every day to start filtering when the traffic slows down and then suddenly realise it's sped back up to 70 and you're happily zooming through the gaps at 90.
- Double bag on wet days. Waterproof bike gear with another set of waterproofs over the top. 2 piece waterproofs are a lot easier tog et on and off than one piece.
- Bonded goretex is awesome. Goretex linings are crap as the outer layer gets soaked, heavy, isn't as warm, and is still wet when leave work in the evening.
- Not enough manufacturers make double cuff gloves. My Eska/Pluvio ones have a neoprene inner cuff that goes inside your jacket and an a cordura outer one that goes outside. The only gloves I've ever had that didn't end up with water running in from my sleeve
- Use an older bike with a reputation for reliability, something not too attractive to thieves if you're having to park it in a city centre
- Preferably a bike you can maintain yourself as service intervals are way shorter than cars.
- Fit an autolube or get a shaft drive. I was getting 30k miles to a chain with a scottoiler fitted.
- Heated gear is awesome in cold weather. I made my own heated jacket for about £30
- Handguards keep the wind off the back of your hands which is important, especially if using heated grips that only heat your palms
- Motorways are boring as hell, some kind of music system makes it a lot more acceptable, but I like to have it so I can turn it off for the twisty roads and just use it for cruising on a motorway
- Motorway cruising will square off tyres quicker than you think, use a dual compound.
- Engage brain when filtering on the motorway, it's way too easy when you're doing it every day to start filtering when the traffic slows down and then suddenly realise it's sped back up to 70 and you're happily zooming through the gaps at 90.
- Double bag on wet days. Waterproof bike gear with another set of waterproofs over the top. 2 piece waterproofs are a lot easier tog et on and off than one piece.
- Bonded goretex is awesome. Goretex linings are crap as the outer layer gets soaked, heavy, isn't as warm, and is still wet when leave work in the evening.
- Not enough manufacturers make double cuff gloves. My Eska/Pluvio ones have a neoprene inner cuff that goes inside your jacket and an a cordura outer one that goes outside. The only gloves I've ever had that didn't end up with water running in from my sleeve
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Thursday 5th February 13:44
JPC63 said:
Likely use a car in the really cold/wet months. But will be cheaper and quicker on a bike.
If you've already got a car its really unlikely that you'll save money overall by using a bike for just 1 hour a day. Unless you have the bike anyway or its free to park and the car isn't.Bikes are only decent on fuel, Tyres will likely only last 8k miles tops, a chain and sprocket 20k. Insurance, tax, kit etc. and you'll never even break even vs a car.
That being said if you've got decent roads there isn't anything better than going home at the end of the day on a bike if the weather is nice.
I'd get as nice a condition VFR 800 as I could find in the year 2000ish vintage.
Yep. I commute long distance on a motorbike. It’s great when it’s warm, and tough when it’s not. It’s amazing in traffic, but illegal to use that capability here in Germany. It’s legal to rip along the autobahn… but using that capability brings up fuel consumption and tyre wear costs to large car levels. So… do it… but keeping a back up car is being kind to yourself.
I go everywhere on the scooter if the weather allows.
Free parking
80mpg
99% of drivers really good towards the bike (Im not in London)
Two up in the summer for weekends away, loads of storage under the seat.
Had a number of scooters, the ADV350 the best so far without spending over 10k.
C400GT the worse.
Free parking
80mpg
99% of drivers really good towards the bike (Im not in London)
Two up in the summer for weekends away, loads of storage under the seat.
Had a number of scooters, the ADV350 the best so far without spending over 10k.
C400GT the worse.
I don't commute on my bike for money reasons, I do it because it takes 26 minutes to get home instead of an hour plus in a car. If it's above 10 degrees and not raining I'll always choose the bike if I can.
If the journey time was similar in a car I wouldn't bother most of the time, I love time on the bikes but commuting isn't exactly the height of fun.
I do live real close to the M25 though.
If the journey time was similar in a car I wouldn't bother most of the time, I love time on the bikes but commuting isn't exactly the height of fun.
I do live real close to the M25 though.
RizzoTheRat said:
I used to, on a TDM900. My thoughts on the subject:
- Use an older bike with a reputation for reliability, something not too attractive to thieves if you're having to park it in a city centre
- Preferably a bike you can maintain yourself as service intervals are way shorter than cars.
- Fit an autolube or get a shaft drive. I was getting 30k miles to a chain with a scottoiler fitted.
- Heated gear is awesome in cold weather. I made my own heated jacket for about £30
- Handguards keep the wind off the back of your hands which is important, especially if using heated grips that only heat your palms
- Motorways are boring as hell, some kind of music system makes it a lot more acceptable, but I like to have it so I can turn it off for the twisty roads and just use it for cruising on a motorway
- Motorway cruising will square off tyres quicker than you think, use a dual compound.
- Engage brain when filtering on the motorway, it's way too easy when you're doing it every day to start filtering when the traffic slows down and then suddenly realise it's sped back up to 70 and you're happily zooming through the gaps at 90.
- Double bag on wet days. Waterproof bike gear with another set of waterproofs over the top. 2 piece waterproofs are a lot easier tog et on and off than one piece.
- Bonded goretex is awesome. Goretex linings are crap as the outer layer gets soaked, heavy, isn't as warm, and is still wet when leave work in the evening.
- Not enough manufacturers make double cuff gloves. My Eska/Pluvio ones have a neoprene inner cuff that goes inside your jacket and an a cordura outer one that goes outside. The only gloves I've ever had that didn't end up with water running in from my sleeve
this- Use an older bike with a reputation for reliability, something not too attractive to thieves if you're having to park it in a city centre
- Preferably a bike you can maintain yourself as service intervals are way shorter than cars.
- Fit an autolube or get a shaft drive. I was getting 30k miles to a chain with a scottoiler fitted.
- Heated gear is awesome in cold weather. I made my own heated jacket for about £30
- Handguards keep the wind off the back of your hands which is important, especially if using heated grips that only heat your palms
- Motorways are boring as hell, some kind of music system makes it a lot more acceptable, but I like to have it so I can turn it off for the twisty roads and just use it for cruising on a motorway
- Motorway cruising will square off tyres quicker than you think, use a dual compound.
- Engage brain when filtering on the motorway, it's way too easy when you're doing it every day to start filtering when the traffic slows down and then suddenly realise it's sped back up to 70 and you're happily zooming through the gaps at 90.
- Double bag on wet days. Waterproof bike gear with another set of waterproofs over the top. 2 piece waterproofs are a lot easier tog et on and off than one piece.
- Bonded goretex is awesome. Goretex linings are crap as the outer layer gets soaked, heavy, isn't as warm, and is still wet when leave work in the evening.
- Not enough manufacturers make double cuff gloves. My Eska/Pluvio ones have a neoprene inner cuff that goes inside your jacket and an a cordura outer one that goes outside. The only gloves I've ever had that didn't end up with water running in from my sleeve
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Thursday 5th February 13:44
And two helmets
i went to london tuesday this week - f'in soaked then travelled to b'ham wednesday - nothing worse than pulling on a soaking wet helmet and then having to wear that all day
I split the commute between car and bike. I work about 30 miles away on mixed roads - 60-70 minutes by car or 45-50 by bike. I doubt you'll save money by using a bike, as has been said any potential saving in fuel soon goes in tyres, chains, servicing, insurance, riding kit, etc. Bikes lose value with mileage more too so you get a bigger depreciation hit if spending decent money on a bike. I use a 2006 Civic 1800 and a 2003 Hornet 900 for commuting, both focus heavily on reliability and are depreciation free at this stage. The 5-10mpg saving in fuel soon goes on service costs on the Hornet. Part of the issue is that we're never as happy to have as boring a bike as we are a car!
Time wise, the 10-20 minutes saved seems good, but by the time I've kitted/unkitted and ungaraged/garaged the bike a big chunk of that has gone as well. Don't forget two extra fuel fill ups in most bikes to get to car range which eat into your time too. The main gain is that it gives more certainty on time, traffic jams that add 30 minutes to the car journey add 5-10 on the bike.
The bike is far more calming at the end of a heavy day though, and I arrive home in a better mood - it's just easier to switch off with no music, heaters, sweets, sat nav, blah, blah, and a need to concentrate fully on riding a bike (I think it we're honest most of us concentrate much less in the car).
Both ends of my journey are on mainline rail stations with a direct link. It just doesn't work as it trebles the cost, and it's Southern Rail so horrendous reliability. If I was five days a week in the office, rather than three, it would only be nearly double the cost but would still be grim reliability.
TLDR: Commuting by bike is great if you can choose when to do it, but do it because you want to. not because you think it will save time or money.
Time wise, the 10-20 minutes saved seems good, but by the time I've kitted/unkitted and ungaraged/garaged the bike a big chunk of that has gone as well. Don't forget two extra fuel fill ups in most bikes to get to car range which eat into your time too. The main gain is that it gives more certainty on time, traffic jams that add 30 minutes to the car journey add 5-10 on the bike.
The bike is far more calming at the end of a heavy day though, and I arrive home in a better mood - it's just easier to switch off with no music, heaters, sweets, sat nav, blah, blah, and a need to concentrate fully on riding a bike (I think it we're honest most of us concentrate much less in the car).
Both ends of my journey are on mainline rail stations with a direct link. It just doesn't work as it trebles the cost, and it's Southern Rail so horrendous reliability. If I was five days a week in the office, rather than three, it would only be nearly double the cost but would still be grim reliability.
TLDR: Commuting by bike is great if you can choose when to do it, but do it because you want to. not because you think it will save time or money.
I've currently got a superduke GT, will probably cost a fortune in tyres if i use it. It's 64 miles using the more direct route, but 74 using motorways which is quicker in a car according to waze, figure the bike on the more direct route will be more fun and quicker.
I would want a bike with a good fairing and ideally shaft drive and good luggage. A workhorse like a Pan European would be a good shout. I've got decent gear, happy to get a bit more.
Car wise, I have one but it's not economical. I haven't worked in the UK for 14 years, so will be a bit of a change for me. I could change it, but i need 7 seats for family duties and prefer a nice car to take them out in.
I would want a bike with a good fairing and ideally shaft drive and good luggage. A workhorse like a Pan European would be a good shout. I've got decent gear, happy to get a bit more.
Car wise, I have one but it's not economical. I haven't worked in the UK for 14 years, so will be a bit of a change for me. I could change it, but i need 7 seats for family duties and prefer a nice car to take them out in.
RizzoTheRat pretty much nailed it.
I did 8 years of 80 mile each way, cambs to docklands.
Heated gloves. Decent gear.
Easy to maintain reliable faired bike.
I bought an old SprintST and piled on 90k miles over 3-4 years.
Shaft drive would be better. You will get through tyres and chains every few months.
Radio/music for the motorway part, very decent earplugs or moulded speakers are a must.
I did 8 years of 80 mile each way, cambs to docklands.
Heated gloves. Decent gear.
Easy to maintain reliable faired bike.
I bought an old SprintST and piled on 90k miles over 3-4 years.
Shaft drive would be better. You will get through tyres and chains every few months.
Radio/music for the motorway part, very decent earplugs or moulded speakers are a must.
Another cambs to london. Z1000SX (does the job)
Good textiles, heated grips (heated gloves would be better).
Quadlock phone mount for nav ( road closures suck if you dont know the area well) decent head phones for music/nav.
Helmet with pinlock to beat the visor fog.
Decent Merino wool base and mid layers, less smell and moisture wicking.
Check what changing facilities and storage they have in the work place. Showers and lockers and somewhere to dry kit etc are a god send on the sttiest of days and so you don't have to carry as much day to day. Krieger 20L has been faultless.
At home I have a glove and boot drier, wet goretex stuff goes in the boiler room. Washing and Waterproofing is done with a nikwax wash in and topped with a fabsil spray ( takes 2 days for drying cycles so done over a weekend)
I got life insurance through Royal London who were 'happy' for me to ride bikes on the commute.
Good textiles, heated grips (heated gloves would be better).
Quadlock phone mount for nav ( road closures suck if you dont know the area well) decent head phones for music/nav.
Helmet with pinlock to beat the visor fog.
Decent Merino wool base and mid layers, less smell and moisture wicking.
Check what changing facilities and storage they have in the work place. Showers and lockers and somewhere to dry kit etc are a god send on the s
ttiest of days and so you don't have to carry as much day to day. Krieger 20L has been faultless. At home I have a glove and boot drier, wet goretex stuff goes in the boiler room. Washing and Waterproofing is done with a nikwax wash in and topped with a fabsil spray ( takes 2 days for drying cycles so done over a weekend)
I got life insurance through Royal London who were 'happy' for me to ride bikes on the commute.
Edited by MDUBZ on Thursday 5th February 20:04
I ride an hour each way in to work (into London from Kent) and have been doing for 15+ years. My thoughts:
Radio in the crash helmet for me is essentials, so Sena comms + carpuride
I run a GS1300 - comfort, shaft drive, long tyre life, very stable and manoeuvrable in traffic are the good commuting traits
Heated grips and seat are essential once you've had them!
Kit-wise I'm, going to disagree with the lads above who say laminated gear is best. I don't like it, not very comfortable and only really useful when it's wet and cold - too hot when it's mild/warm temps. Over the years I've morphed in to drop liner jacket which I wear with either similar or leather pants and if it's really chucking it down I put Scott waterproofs over the top which let nothing through - Scott have stopped making them and sonmow Motolegends got the specs and patterns and have just starting selling the Held copy. For me more flexible kit and layering is better than dropping £1-2k on a laminated suit they you'll use only in the really bad winter conditions.
I have really nice kit from Rukka, Klim, Daytona, Held etc but the jacket I wear the most is an RST Ventilator - about as waterproof as a tissue but AA rated and with Level 2 armour, probably the most ventilated jacket there is with the liner out and warm enough with the liner in for my hour commute in winter. Stick the Scotts over it and it's a waterproof as a £2500k Rukka suit.
Waterproof boots and gloves obvs - my Daytona boots are sooooooo comfy and reliably waterproof
Ear plugs!
I don't commute by bike because it's cheaper or I "have" to, I do it because I prefer it to the train and I love riding motorcycles. There are days when if I had to do it I would really really hate it. There are times I use the train for a break but I'm usually back on the bike quite soon. But if you're doing it because it's cheaper rather then you really want to my guess is it ain't going to work!
Radio in the crash helmet for me is essentials, so Sena comms + carpuride
I run a GS1300 - comfort, shaft drive, long tyre life, very stable and manoeuvrable in traffic are the good commuting traits
Heated grips and seat are essential once you've had them!
Kit-wise I'm, going to disagree with the lads above who say laminated gear is best. I don't like it, not very comfortable and only really useful when it's wet and cold - too hot when it's mild/warm temps. Over the years I've morphed in to drop liner jacket which I wear with either similar or leather pants and if it's really chucking it down I put Scott waterproofs over the top which let nothing through - Scott have stopped making them and sonmow Motolegends got the specs and patterns and have just starting selling the Held copy. For me more flexible kit and layering is better than dropping £1-2k on a laminated suit they you'll use only in the really bad winter conditions.
I have really nice kit from Rukka, Klim, Daytona, Held etc but the jacket I wear the most is an RST Ventilator - about as waterproof as a tissue but AA rated and with Level 2 armour, probably the most ventilated jacket there is with the liner out and warm enough with the liner in for my hour commute in winter. Stick the Scotts over it and it's a waterproof as a £2500k Rukka suit.
Waterproof boots and gloves obvs - my Daytona boots are sooooooo comfy and reliably waterproof
Ear plugs!
I don't commute by bike because it's cheaper or I "have" to, I do it because I prefer it to the train and I love riding motorcycles. There are days when if I had to do it I would really really hate it. There are times I use the train for a break but I'm usually back on the bike quite soon. But if you're doing it because it's cheaper rather then you really want to my guess is it ain't going to work!
Yes, have done for 10 years now, 1hr 15min, 35 mile commute each way.
Not much more to add. Maybe think about the bike?
My Super Adventure is great on the motorway but not so good in the last 8 miles doing 20mph. It's also thirsty in traffic and expensive to service.
My NC750 is amazing on fuel, I can service myself including the valves, but it's not so brilliant on the motorway. The frunk is really handy.
Kit wise, gortex. Don't mess about with anything else.
I look forward to my commute these days. It's a privilege to ride to work and helps clear my head after a crap day.
Not much more to add. Maybe think about the bike?
My Super Adventure is great on the motorway but not so good in the last 8 miles doing 20mph. It's also thirsty in traffic and expensive to service.
My NC750 is amazing on fuel, I can service myself including the valves, but it's not so brilliant on the motorway. The frunk is really handy.
Kit wise, gortex. Don't mess about with anything else.
I look forward to my commute these days. It's a privilege to ride to work and helps clear my head after a crap day.
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