And today's commuting highlight is...
Discussion
mikey_b said:
Torrential this morning. Certainly weren’t many bikes on the Kent-City via Blackwall route! M25 and A2 both busy, went the A2 way as M25 J3 (for the A20) seems to be gridlocked at the moment, and I’m not sure why.
I had to repair my forks over the weekend as one of them started to leak oil quite badly. My fault because I had the forks partially dismantled a few weeks ago to install Hyperpro springs, and didn’t change the seals at the time. Stripping them down more, and replacing all the seals and those copper/PTFE bushes is a very satisfying job though. I also backed the damping on the (Nitron R1) rear shock off a few clicks - ride is noticeably more plush over the appalling London roads now.
Fair bit of standing water all around the A2/M2 today so lots of people suddenly forgetting how to drive at anything above 40mph! Seems to be more traffic using the A2/M2 the last few months due to the M20 works and A249 upgrades too which doesn't help as lots are using J3 to switch across to the A20 route.I had to repair my forks over the weekend as one of them started to leak oil quite badly. My fault because I had the forks partially dismantled a few weeks ago to install Hyperpro springs, and didn’t change the seals at the time. Stripping them down more, and replacing all the seals and those copper/PTFE bushes is a very satisfying job though. I also backed the damping on the (Nitron R1) rear shock off a few clicks - ride is noticeably more plush over the appalling London roads now.
Not as bad as forecast here in Scotland, and a genuine highlight today. At a conference in Dundee at the V&A, and over an hour faster each way on FireBlade vs Scotrail.
A809, A81, A811 combinationsl was largely good, just had to avoid some farmers spreading muck over the road as well as the field. Nice to ride roads I ride for fun to go to work. However it was misty, so no photo out to Ben Lomond at Queen's View.
Had to hose down the bike tonight after my wee one's bedtime though!
A809, A81, A811 combinationsl was largely good, just had to avoid some farmers spreading muck over the road as well as the field. Nice to ride roads I ride for fun to go to work. However it was misty, so no photo out to Ben Lomond at Queen's View.
Had to hose down the bike tonight after my wee one's bedtime though!
Ive got to commute 5 days for the next two weeks! Going back full time is going to kill me!
Thinking of chopping in my commuter scooter for either an Cb500x or Nc750s (manual).
Will only be used to commute 70 mile round trip from rural Kent to Westminster so dull is fine. It just needs to be reliable.
I'm leaning towards the NC because of the frunk and 80mpg. I assume both would be bullet proof.
Thinking of chopping in my commuter scooter for either an Cb500x or Nc750s (manual).
Will only be used to commute 70 mile round trip from rural Kent to Westminster so dull is fine. It just needs to be reliable.
I'm leaning towards the NC because of the frunk and 80mpg. I assume both would be bullet proof.
HairyMaclary said:
Ive got to commute 5 days for the next two weeks! Going back full time is going to kill me!
Thinking of chopping in my commuter scooter for either an Cb500x or Nc750s (manual).
Will only be used to commute 70 mile round trip from rural Kent to Westminster so dull is fine. It just needs to be reliable.
I'm leaning towards the NC because of the frunk and 80mpg. I assume both would be bullet proof.
Also tempted to do the same (albeit NC750x DCT) - the scooter is obviously perfect once you're on London roads, but on the motorway it's a bit breathless - fine at 70mph, but rubbish if you want to "make progress". Thinking of chopping in my commuter scooter for either an Cb500x or Nc750s (manual).
Will only be used to commute 70 mile round trip from rural Kent to Westminster so dull is fine. It just needs to be reliable.
I'm leaning towards the NC because of the frunk and 80mpg. I assume both would be bullet proof.
As for the bulletproof question - yes, they're Honda's. Pal of mine has a 750 DCT and has had no issues with it, come rain or shine. He's not even that bored of it, despite obvious assumptions that it would be dull as dishwater, which is a positive.
Following on from my R1200R being toast I'm not sure what next. I commute 20 miles 2-3 days week into Kensington from Surrey. I have been using my Tiger 1200 which I never intended to as it is a bit of a heifer despite being lighter than the previous model. 250kg is still 250kg.
I was thinking of changing my KTM350excf for a Husqvarna 701 enduro as I don't green lane as much as I'd like so a back roads, off-road capable bike like the Husky might also make a good commuter? It's parked off-street, out of sight during the day.
I was thinking of changing my KTM350excf for a Husqvarna 701 enduro as I don't green lane as much as I'd like so a back roads, off-road capable bike like the Husky might also make a good commuter? It's parked off-street, out of sight during the day.
GM182 said:
I was thinking of changing my KTM350excf for a Husqvarna 701 enduro as I don't green lane as much as I'd like so a back roads, off-road capable bike like the Husky might also make a good commuter? It's parked off-street, out of sight during the day.
I have one - fantastic for back roads and commuting in town - albeit wide barsTyres will have to be a compromise though
I suspect it's highly desirable to thieves - are riders robbed of their bikes whilst riding these days ?
ccr32 said:
HairyMaclary said:
Ive got to commute 5 days for the next two weeks! Going back full time is going to kill me!
Thinking of chopping in my commuter scooter for either an Cb500x or Nc750s (manual).
Will only be used to commute 70 mile round trip from rural Kent to Westminster so dull is fine. It just needs to be reliable.
I'm leaning towards the NC because of the frunk and 80mpg. I assume both would be bullet proof.
Also tempted to do the same (albeit NC750x DCT) - the scooter is obviously perfect once you're on London roads, but on the motorway it's a bit breathless - fine at 70mph, but rubbish if you want to "make progress". Thinking of chopping in my commuter scooter for either an Cb500x or Nc750s (manual).
Will only be used to commute 70 mile round trip from rural Kent to Westminster so dull is fine. It just needs to be reliable.
I'm leaning towards the NC because of the frunk and 80mpg. I assume both would be bullet proof.
As for the bulletproof question - yes, they're Honda's. Pal of mine has a 750 DCT and has had no issues with it, come rain or shine. He's not even that bored of it, despite obvious assumptions that it would be dull as dishwater, which is a positive.
Full as dishwater but very competent. Nothing has gone wrong beyond a few puncture repairs, a rear calliper refurb (left in the elements over gardening leave) and some brake pads
KTMsm said:
I have one - fantastic for back roads and commuting in town - albeit wide bars
Tyres will have to be a compromise though
I suspect it's highly desirable to thieves - are riders robbed of their bikes whilst riding these days ?
Cheers, will go and have a test ride as I've always liked the look of them, though orange is always a possibility.Tyres will have to be a compromise though
I suspect it's highly desirable to thieves - are riders robbed of their bikes whilst riding these days ?
Tyres - TKC80s probably?
Not sure why, but the rider home today was fairly unpleasant with roads being closed, crawling traffic, and lots of people straddling the central white line in efforts to 'see what the hold up is' making filtering needlessly complicated. Also had the fun of following a HGV down a diversion ... onto a bloody rural dirt/gravel road for 10 mins or so.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better and I get out of the office at a good time - need to pick up a new side stand spring - mines gotten as floppy as phillip schofield at a Miss England competition!
Hopefully tomorrow will be better and I get out of the office at a good time - need to pick up a new side stand spring - mines gotten as floppy as phillip schofield at a Miss England competition!
GM182 said:
Following on from my R1200R being toast I'm not sure what next. I commute 20 miles 2-3 days week into Kensington from Surrey. I have been using my Tiger 1200 which I never intended to as it is a bit of a heifer despite being lighter than the previous model. 250kg is still 250kg.
I was thinking of changing my KTM350excf for a Husqvarna 701 enduro as I don't green lane as much as I'd like so a back roads, off-road capable bike like the Husky might also make a good commuter? It's parked off-street, out of sight during the day.
S1000XR - my stock answer to this question I was thinking of changing my KTM350excf for a Husqvarna 701 enduro as I don't green lane as much as I'd like so a back roads, off-road capable bike like the Husky might also make a good commuter? It's parked off-street, out of sight during the day.
Now in my third year of riding big bikes, I find myself blurring the lines between undertaking and filtering. On the A127 this morning I was stuck behind a queue going an indicated 43 in the 50 average speed check in lane 2, with an empty lane 1 , after a few minutes my patience waned and I nipped up the inside.
Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
CacheMonet said:
Now in my third year of riding big bikes, I find myself blurring the lines between undertaking and filtering. On the A127 this morning I was stuck behind a queue going an indicated 43 in the 50 average speed check in lane 2, with an empty lane 1 , after a few minutes my patience waned and I nipped up the inside.
Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
Congratulations on your first ride with a pillion.Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
CacheMonet said:
Now in my third year of riding big bikes, I find myself blurring the lines between undertaking and filtering. On the A127 this morning I was stuck behind a queue going an indicated 43 in the 50 average speed check in lane 2, with an empty lane 1 , after a few minutes my patience waned and I nipped up the inside.
Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
Describing her as a backpack probably didn't go down well either.Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
CacheMonet said:
Now in my third year of riding big bikes, I find myself blurring the lines between undertaking and filtering. On the A127 this morning I was stuck behind a queue going an indicated 43 in the 50 average speed check in lane 2, with an empty lane 1 , after a few minutes my patience waned and I nipped up the inside.
Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
Be very careful taking your wife on the back. I did a couple of times last year and she has now gone and booked a DAS and bought a bike!
That wasn’t the plan when I did mine!
Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
Be very careful taking your wife on the back. I did a couple of times last year and she has now gone and booked a DAS and bought a bike!
That wasn’t the plan when I did mine!
CacheMonet said:
Now in my third year of riding big bikes, I find myself blurring the lines between undertaking and filtering. On the A127 this morning I was stuck behind a queue going an indicated 43 in the 50 average speed check in lane 2, with an empty lane 1 , after a few minutes my patience waned and I nipped up the inside.
I often find myself "filtering" at more than 0.7 leptons on my commute on the M6. I sometimes back off a bit, but not always. I'm just used to it. I might come a cropper one day, but I've had a good life and I'm well insured...On a similar note I overtook 4 bikes on a 10 mile stretch yesterday evening when everything was doing about 40 in congestion. I'll never understand whey people are happy to sit in traffic on bikes.CacheMonet said:
Now in my third year of riding big bikes, I find myself blurring the lines between undertaking and filtering. On the A127 this morning I was stuck behind a queue going an indicated 43 in the 50 average speed check in lane 2, with an empty lane 1 , after a few minutes my patience waned and I nipped up the inside.
Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
Nothing wrong with that. If you are riding/driving in lane one, you're not expected to stop at the end of a queue in lane two if lane one is empty - bearing in mind the usual caveats about the speed limit, caution, and the speed differential.Not the safest action, I know, but in my mind these attitudes to lane discipline and situational awareness mean they are more likely to make other dangerous mistakes and I do not plan on being nearby when they do.
On a lighter note, took Mrs Cachemonet around the block as my first backpack at the weekend and its safe to say she has caught the bug - although she didn't take kindly to my foot-in-mouth comments about how differently the bike handles "with weight on the back"
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/undertaki...
The (Highway) Code states: “In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake."
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