Daily bikers - help needed.
Discussion
Hi all, completely novice rider here, but a fairly sensible 27 years old. Am considering buying a bike for the daily commute, 27 miles. If I was to go ahead with this the bike would need to be used every day in all types of weather.
So I am wondering, what do you do in adverse weather conditions, like ice, rain, and like what we have here today, very blustery winds. Are there bikes/equipment that are better equipped for the daily commute. With things like traction control, ABS etc... to stop numpties like me falling and making bits of bike and self?
So I am wondering, what do you do in adverse weather conditions, like ice, rain, and like what we have here today, very blustery winds. Are there bikes/equipment that are better equipped for the daily commute. With things like traction control, ABS etc... to stop numpties like me falling and making bits of bike and self?
Just about any bike can be used for a daily commute and it very much depends on things like the type of roads you will be travelling on, the levels of traffic, what other uses you would want the bike for etc. as to which would be best for you.
Smaller engine bikes will generally be cheaper to run and easier to handle but may not manage faster roads quite as well and may not give the ‘ease of use’ feeling that a larger engined bike will. Faired bikes offer better weather protection but may be more difficult to ‘squeeze’ through gaps in traffic. Sports bikes may offer more fun on open roads but may be less comfortable around town.
As regards ‘rider aids’, there is little beyond ABS (fitted to a few models) and heated grips (can be fitted to just about any bike.) Other than that, it’s down to the gear you wear to keep you warm, dry & protected and your riding style/ability to handle different conditions.
Smaller engine bikes will generally be cheaper to run and easier to handle but may not manage faster roads quite as well and may not give the ‘ease of use’ feeling that a larger engined bike will. Faired bikes offer better weather protection but may be more difficult to ‘squeeze’ through gaps in traffic. Sports bikes may offer more fun on open roads but may be less comfortable around town.
As regards ‘rider aids’, there is little beyond ABS (fitted to a few models) and heated grips (can be fitted to just about any bike.) Other than that, it’s down to the gear you wear to keep you warm, dry & protected and your riding style/ability to handle different conditions.
patmahe said:
Hi all, completely novice rider here, but a fairly sensible 27 years old. Am considering buying a bike for the daily commute, 27 miles. If I was to go ahead with this the bike would need to be used every day in all types of weather.
So I am wondering, what do you do in adverse weather conditions, like ice, rain, and like what we have here today, very blustery winds. Are there bikes/equipment that are better equipped for the daily commute. With things like traction control, ABS etc... to stop numpties like me falling and making bits of bike and self?
Mostly its down to having the correct weather proof riding kit with an element of protection for any offs. Being warm and dry are the primary things you have to cover off! Also you just need to build your riding skills by going at your own pace and building your confidence levels as most bikes don't have ABS or traction control. Running good tyres that work well in all conditions is a must. e.g. don't make the mistake of fitting sticky road legal track rubber to a bike used all weathers on a daily commute.So I am wondering, what do you do in adverse weather conditions, like ice, rain, and like what we have here today, very blustery winds. Are there bikes/equipment that are better equipped for the daily commute. With things like traction control, ABS etc... to stop numpties like me falling and making bits of bike and self?
Edited by sjtscott on Monday 10th March 15:54
I ride nearly every day unless there's a lot of snow, but this morning I bottled it and took the car after seeing loads twigs and debris flying around as well as lane-changing side winds.
Generally though you'll need waterproofs that actually are waterproof (a rare thing indeed) and a good lid with a "Fog City" or "Pinlock" anti fog device on the visor. Some heated grips or very good waterproof gloves (I always carry two pairs). Some waterproof boots are another essential.
If you can stay dry, even the harshest weather is that much easier to deal with leaving your concentration on the road.
As for bike spec, get what you afford. I'm not a fan of ABS, especially on a bike, but it does serve a purpose, especially for a novice in all weathers. The problem is that you'll not learn to modulate the brakes if you have it, so will bin the first non-abs model you get onto.
As for the bike, just find what suits you and post here to find out if anyone knows of any common faults before you hand over any cash.
All bikes feel different, so what suits one rider won't work with another, so sit on as many as you can before deciding.
Generally though you'll need waterproofs that actually are waterproof (a rare thing indeed) and a good lid with a "Fog City" or "Pinlock" anti fog device on the visor. Some heated grips or very good waterproof gloves (I always carry two pairs). Some waterproof boots are another essential.
If you can stay dry, even the harshest weather is that much easier to deal with leaving your concentration on the road.
As for bike spec, get what you afford. I'm not a fan of ABS, especially on a bike, but it does serve a purpose, especially for a novice in all weathers. The problem is that you'll not learn to modulate the brakes if you have it, so will bin the first non-abs model you get onto.
As for the bike, just find what suits you and post here to find out if anyone knows of any common faults before you hand over any cash.
All bikes feel different, so what suits one rider won't work with another, so sit on as many as you can before deciding.
I think it would also depend on the type of roads, I would feel happier on a trail type bike than a sports bike if I was doing a lot of smaller lanes where the surface may be covered in mud and grit washed down out of fields.
I use a Gixxer 750 for my 30 mile each way commute into London with no problems whatsoever. But it's all on good (if you can describe British roads as such) fairly large A roads.
I use a Gixxer 750 for my 30 mile each way commute into London with no problems whatsoever. But it's all on good (if you can describe British roads as such) fairly large A roads.
Edited by Ail Puant on Monday 10th March 16:03
Ail Puant said:
I think it would also depend on the type of roads, I would feel happier on a trail type bike than a sports bike if I was doing a lot of smaller lanes where the surface may be covered in mud and grit washed down out of fields.
I use a Gixxer 750 for my 30 mile each way commute into London with no problems whatsoever. But it's all on good (if you can describe British roads as such) failry large A roads.
Did you ride in this morn?? I use a Gixxer 750 for my 30 mile each way commute into London with no problems whatsoever. But it's all on good (if you can describe British roads as such) failry large A roads.
Is that 27 miles each way, or your daily total?
I do 35 miles each way, every day. I bottled it today and regretted it as soon as I joined the motorway car park - I could have taken the bike, it wasn't that bad!
Snow is the only thing that stops me usually
I have a Rawland summer 2 piece suit and a thicker Gortex Frank Thomas one for winter. If it rains I wear light waterproof over trousers and over jacket (I keep these on the bike all the time - they're small enough to fold up and stow under the seat)
As for the bike - personally I prefer maintenance free shaft drive faired touring bikes...but the choice is entirely up to you.
I do 35 miles each way, every day. I bottled it today and regretted it as soon as I joined the motorway car park - I could have taken the bike, it wasn't that bad!
Snow is the only thing that stops me usually
I have a Rawland summer 2 piece suit and a thicker Gortex Frank Thomas one for winter. If it rains I wear light waterproof over trousers and over jacket (I keep these on the bike all the time - they're small enough to fold up and stow under the seat)
As for the bike - personally I prefer maintenance free shaft drive faired touring bikes...but the choice is entirely up to you.
I rode in today. Only one bad gust that made things a little unstable, but that's all. Very glad that the trousers for my new Rukka kit turned up this weekend (special order, so had to wait), no problems with the water at all. 
I would get something with a durable finish for year round commuting - doesn't have to be brand new and buy decent kit, comfort really is king.
Steve.
I would get something with a durable finish for year round commuting - doesn't have to be brand new and buy decent kit, comfort really is king.Steve.
oggs said:
Ail Puant said:
I think it would also depend on the type of roads, I would feel happier on a trail type bike than a sports bike if I was doing a lot of smaller lanes where the surface may be covered in mud and grit washed down out of fields.
I use a Gixxer 750 for my 30 mile each way commute into London with no problems whatsoever. But it's all on good (if you can describe British roads as such) failry large A roads.
Did you ride in this morn?? I use a Gixxer 750 for my 30 mile each way commute into London with no problems whatsoever. But it's all on good (if you can describe British roads as such) failry large A roads.
[quote=Hyperion]Is that 27 miles each way, or your daily total?
quote]
It would be 27 each way. I have 2 possible routes to work. 1 along some very poorly surfaced back roads that are largely traffic free or about 7 miles of back roads and 20 miles at nsl. I generally take the NSL road most days as the other road is so bad its usually not worth it.
Thanks all for your advice, will probably leave my actual purchase for a few months so I can get used to the bike in (hopefully) good weather and (again hopefully) have got the hang of it by the time the bad weather kicks in again.
quote]
It would be 27 each way. I have 2 possible routes to work. 1 along some very poorly surfaced back roads that are largely traffic free or about 7 miles of back roads and 20 miles at nsl. I generally take the NSL road most days as the other road is so bad its usually not worth it.
Thanks all for your advice, will probably leave my actual purchase for a few months so I can get used to the bike in (hopefully) good weather and (again hopefully) have got the hang of it by the time the bad weather kicks in again.
others have said it already, if your warm & dry then thats the important part.
i've got resonably cheap lewis textiles (think it was £140 total for jacket & trous) i stay dry in just about anything so waterproof doesnt mean 5 gasquillion quid gear. heated grips are almost a must, if you cant move your hands its kind of hard to ride.
as for the bike, id get whatever your comfy on. i went for a huge one as i cant be bothered to change gear all the time - stick it in top & wind it on works for me. however a smaller bike would be easier to filter, mines a touch wide for some gaps.
i've got resonably cheap lewis textiles (think it was £140 total for jacket & trous) i stay dry in just about anything so waterproof doesnt mean 5 gasquillion quid gear. heated grips are almost a must, if you cant move your hands its kind of hard to ride.
as for the bike, id get whatever your comfy on. i went for a huge one as i cant be bothered to change gear all the time - stick it in top & wind it on works for me. however a smaller bike would be easier to filter, mines a touch wide for some gaps.
oggs said:
Ail Puant said:
I think it would also depend on the type of roads, I would feel happier on a trail type bike than a sports bike if I was doing a lot of smaller lanes where the surface may be covered in mud and grit washed down out of fields.
I use a Gixxer 750 for my 30 mile each way commute into London with no problems whatsoever. But it's all on good (if you can describe British roads as such) failry large A roads.
Did you ride in this morn?? I use a Gixxer 750 for my 30 mile each way commute into London with no problems whatsoever. But it's all on good (if you can describe British roads as such) failry large A roads.
Hello mate, I did indeed, wasn't too bad, the ride home over the QE2 bridge was more entertaining 
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