What eventually made you start/stop commuting by motorbike
Discussion
Morning All,
I've been commuting into London from Hertfordshire for a number of years and late last year I decided to use the commuter train service on a regular basis as I was bored of the same old route having done it hundreds and possibly thousands of times, and I really did not want to use the motorbike yet again in the winter.
So I decided to stop using the motorbike and took the national rail service into Moorgate which has been quite slow, crowded and expensive but at least I didn't need to faff about winter riding gear and keeping the bike winter ready etc; however as expected one has had to endure people sneezing, coughing without covering their mouth, routinely cancelled/delayed trains and passive aggressive and sometimes just plain rude passengers.
It all came to a head today when this random person in the train literally shoved me aside and took a seat and then had the cheek to glare at me as if I had done something wrong. Comedy part was that I had no intention of taking the seat as I prefer to stand
Anyway, I've decided that braving the cold and managing the odd distracted driver on a mobile phone is far better than commuting in a train. Life is too short to endure a rubbish train service.
Question is have any of you tried other modes of transport when commuting and returned back to motorcycles? Or did any of you have a similar experience using the train/tube and decided that it wasn't worth it.
Sorry if I sound like I am whinging but train travel has been grating on me ever since I started using it regularly.
I've been commuting into London from Hertfordshire for a number of years and late last year I decided to use the commuter train service on a regular basis as I was bored of the same old route having done it hundreds and possibly thousands of times, and I really did not want to use the motorbike yet again in the winter.
So I decided to stop using the motorbike and took the national rail service into Moorgate which has been quite slow, crowded and expensive but at least I didn't need to faff about winter riding gear and keeping the bike winter ready etc; however as expected one has had to endure people sneezing, coughing without covering their mouth, routinely cancelled/delayed trains and passive aggressive and sometimes just plain rude passengers.
It all came to a head today when this random person in the train literally shoved me aside and took a seat and then had the cheek to glare at me as if I had done something wrong. Comedy part was that I had no intention of taking the seat as I prefer to stand
Anyway, I've decided that braving the cold and managing the odd distracted driver on a mobile phone is far better than commuting in a train. Life is too short to endure a rubbish train service.
Question is have any of you tried other modes of transport when commuting and returned back to motorcycles? Or did any of you have a similar experience using the train/tube and decided that it wasn't worth it.
Sorry if I sound like I am whinging but train travel has been grating on me ever since I started using it regularly.
I posted a topic two or three months ago asking for advice about commuting on a bike especially in winter.
I literally start my biker life by commuting on it. (Had some practice and joy riding after collecting the bike but I was riding like a zombie and not confident to do anything)
Living in North London whie working in Canary Wharf which means:
Driving - expensive to park and the A13 + A406 oh my god
Tube - used it for only three days then got cold, need to wait at least 30 mins in or even out of Canary Wharf station to get on a tube at peak hours plus being squished like a potato all the time, absolutely hate it.
Bike - it's cold, it's dark and I'm not an experienced rider, but I very much enjoy cars and bikes.
Guess I don't have much to choose, do I
Now two months into it, got knocked off once at very low speed by an idoit driver (how rare is that), nothing bad thanks to my gear. Don't know if I will still think the same after years of riding the same route everyday but for now I have no intention to leave my bike.
I literally start my biker life by commuting on it. (Had some practice and joy riding after collecting the bike but I was riding like a zombie and not confident to do anything
)Living in North London whie working in Canary Wharf which means:
Driving - expensive to park and the A13 + A406 oh my god
Tube - used it for only three days then got cold, need to wait at least 30 mins in or even out of Canary Wharf station to get on a tube at peak hours plus being squished like a potato all the time, absolutely hate it.
Bike - it's cold, it's dark and I'm not an experienced rider, but I very much enjoy cars and bikes.
Guess I don't have much to choose, do I
Now two months into it, got knocked off once at very low speed by an idoit driver (how rare is that), nothing bad thanks to my gear. Don't know if I will still think the same after years of riding the same route everyday but for now I have no intention to leave my bike.
As I commute a long distance (75 miles door to door) I have the prefect opportunity to to compare bike to train. I use the bike for 7 months and the train for 5. I'd love to use the bike for all 12 months but I can't risk frost/ice as I live in a rural area where roads are not treated. When it comes to a risk of ice I'm too old to bounce and the bike is too expensive to fix!
So, the costs are actually pretty similar because I don't run a "snotty old commuter" bike. Depreciation of the bike is a big chunk of the cost for me and when included makes the train look financially attractive.
Despite the distance, the bike is only about 10 to 15 minutes quicker door-to-door but has the huge advantage that if I leave the office 5 minutes late, I'm 5 minutes later home where, on the train, I'll have missed my usual train and will be half an hour later home.
I don't find the crowded trains/tube any more difficult to handle than the inconsiderate and stupid drivers/pedestrians when I'm on the bike. It's just another situation where I'm having to deal with what are generally slightly selfish and inconsiderate people who just want to get on with their lives - just like me!
While the train delays are slightly more common than traffic delays, they're actually not too bad for me, getting me home or to the office pretty consistently within a general "time window".
Where the bike wins, hands down, is that it's me that's riding it. I decide if I want to gently trundle between the traffic lights or use each section as a drag strip!
I decide to push past the traffic queues or to just sit and wait. I decide if it's the motorway run home or the back roads which will add an extra 10 minutes. That "perceived" level of control makes many a bike journey an enjoyable start/end to the day as opposed to just being yet another necessary trudge to put food on the table and to pay the mortgage.
So, the costs are actually pretty similar because I don't run a "snotty old commuter" bike. Depreciation of the bike is a big chunk of the cost for me and when included makes the train look financially attractive.
Despite the distance, the bike is only about 10 to 15 minutes quicker door-to-door but has the huge advantage that if I leave the office 5 minutes late, I'm 5 minutes later home where, on the train, I'll have missed my usual train and will be half an hour later home.
I don't find the crowded trains/tube any more difficult to handle than the inconsiderate and stupid drivers/pedestrians when I'm on the bike. It's just another situation where I'm having to deal with what are generally slightly selfish and inconsiderate people who just want to get on with their lives - just like me!
While the train delays are slightly more common than traffic delays, they're actually not too bad for me, getting me home or to the office pretty consistently within a general "time window".
Where the bike wins, hands down, is that it's me that's riding it. I decide if I want to gently trundle between the traffic lights or use each section as a drag strip!
I decide to push past the traffic queues or to just sit and wait. I decide if it's the motorway run home or the back roads which will add an extra 10 minutes. That "perceived" level of control makes many a bike journey an enjoyable start/end to the day as opposed to just being yet another necessary trudge to put food on the table and to pay the mortgage. Been in the same job for a few years now. From SE london to NW - approx 17 miles each way.
Commuted first 2 years and a bit on the tube = Expensive, delays, over-crowded, full of sneezing/coughing people etc.
Did a year on the car covering 10k miles = Too much bloody traffic!
I was getting so stressed out spending betweek 3-4 hours on the road in traffic a day, so I finally decided to get a bike (always wanted one since I was a kid)
Since then I have been commuting on a bike (6 months on a 125, then I passed my test 2 years ago)
45-50 mins each way, that is accounting very heavy central London traffic.
It's kept me sane and less stressed for sure. Even when its pouring down/freezing I much rather be on the bike.
As long as you got the right gear, winter commuting is a doddle.
At the moment though, I am back on the car temporarily (and hating it) until my bike gets fixed. Had a little accident last month (non-fault)... missing it a lot!
In a way, the crappy trains/traffic pushed me to finally start doing something I always wanted.
Since I started riding, I have done about 25k miles. A lot of that is commuting, but bikes have also taken me to the Black Forest in Germany, the Lake District, Wales and other smaller UK trips.
Planning some more for this year.
In short = bikes are brilliant.
Just wish I'd done it sooner.
Commuted first 2 years and a bit on the tube = Expensive, delays, over-crowded, full of sneezing/coughing people etc.
Did a year on the car covering 10k miles = Too much bloody traffic!
I was getting so stressed out spending betweek 3-4 hours on the road in traffic a day, so I finally decided to get a bike (always wanted one since I was a kid)
Since then I have been commuting on a bike (6 months on a 125, then I passed my test 2 years ago)
45-50 mins each way, that is accounting very heavy central London traffic.
It's kept me sane and less stressed for sure. Even when its pouring down/freezing I much rather be on the bike.
As long as you got the right gear, winter commuting is a doddle.
At the moment though, I am back on the car temporarily (and hating it) until my bike gets fixed. Had a little accident last month (non-fault)... missing it a lot!
In a way, the crappy trains/traffic pushed me to finally start doing something I always wanted.
Since I started riding, I have done about 25k miles. A lot of that is commuting, but bikes have also taken me to the Black Forest in Germany, the Lake District, Wales and other smaller UK trips.
Planning some more for this year.
In short = bikes are brilliant.
Just wish I'd done it sooner.
Hi,
I live in Carshalton (South Greater London) and am commuting to either the City, or more frequently Knightsbridge. 12 miles or so.
The train to London Bridge (for the City) is quick, direct, but very crowded. The train and 2 tubes to Knightsbridge is a complete pain in the hoop for crowds and delays.
I take the motorbike as often as I can, partially for cost (£12.30 per day for train/tube to Knightsbridge v's £4.50 in fuel for the motorbike) but mainly for flexibility in time and not having to expose myself to carriages full of other rude and plague-ridden humans. I also have to carry a reasonable amount of stuff so it helps if the top box takes the strain and not my back. Door to desk the timing isn't much different.
The downside of the Knightsbridge commute is the parking is 10 mins walk, is sometimes tricky to get a space and of course the getting changed in the winter from waterproofs etc. In the City I have free parking in the office block.
The only times I would chose the train (rather than by necessity e.g. offsites / socials / hungover / bike in for service etc) over the bike is for days of pure laziness. I did prefer to cycle, but got fat and lazy and haven't done that for a while....
I've been knocked off once (gently) and have dropped the bike once due to incompetence. So I'm pretty good at changing brake levers and indicators. Hand guards and heated grips are essential!
I live in Carshalton (South Greater London) and am commuting to either the City, or more frequently Knightsbridge. 12 miles or so.
The train to London Bridge (for the City) is quick, direct, but very crowded. The train and 2 tubes to Knightsbridge is a complete pain in the hoop for crowds and delays.
I take the motorbike as often as I can, partially for cost (£12.30 per day for train/tube to Knightsbridge v's £4.50 in fuel for the motorbike) but mainly for flexibility in time and not having to expose myself to carriages full of other rude and plague-ridden humans. I also have to carry a reasonable amount of stuff so it helps if the top box takes the strain and not my back. Door to desk the timing isn't much different.
The downside of the Knightsbridge commute is the parking is 10 mins walk, is sometimes tricky to get a space and of course the getting changed in the winter from waterproofs etc. In the City I have free parking in the office block.
The only times I would chose the train (rather than by necessity e.g. offsites / socials / hungover / bike in for service etc) over the bike is for days of pure laziness. I did prefer to cycle, but got fat and lazy and haven't done that for a while....
I've been knocked off once (gently) and have dropped the bike once due to incompetence. So I'm pretty good at changing brake levers and indicators. Hand guards and heated grips are essential!
The last 3 winters I've been using a (cheap s
tbox) car for the winter commute. I'm lucky in that my journey from just off J11 M6 into Central Birmingham is generally without incident and I work a lot of shifts, especially lates (afternoons/evenings) which make my parking easier and less expensive (shorter paid periods, free parking at the office after 1900ish - free parking at weekends and on nights) I use the bike when there's no corrosive salt and crud on the roads because it's quicker and there's free parking in the private office car park that has cameras and big loops to lock it to. I found it soul destroying to spend as much time washing the crap off my brakes and cleaning the bike so much in the winter before. Getting in and out of the gear probably took up any saved time over the car but there is no walk from a distant car park and no faffing about moving the car half way through a shift. There's pros and cons of both. Trains are no good to me because the service doesn't meet my needs with regard to shift times. The car was £175 and the first MOT cost £160. Road trax is quite high as it's old, but I've only had to renew front discs and pads in the 16 months I've been running it and that was cheap. I reckon it cost about £1200 all in for a year's use last year and will be less this year. I'll keep it and run it next winter unless something terminal happens in which case it'll go for scrap and I'll look for another one.
tbox) car for the winter commute. I'm lucky in that my journey from just off J11 M6 into Central Birmingham is generally without incident and I work a lot of shifts, especially lates (afternoons/evenings) which make my parking easier and less expensive (shorter paid periods, free parking at the office after 1900ish - free parking at weekends and on nights) I use the bike when there's no corrosive salt and crud on the roads because it's quicker and there's free parking in the private office car park that has cameras and big loops to lock it to. I found it soul destroying to spend as much time washing the crap off my brakes and cleaning the bike so much in the winter before. Getting in and out of the gear probably took up any saved time over the car but there is no walk from a distant car park and no faffing about moving the car half way through a shift. There's pros and cons of both. Trains are no good to me because the service doesn't meet my needs with regard to shift times. The car was £175 and the first MOT cost £160. Road trax is quite high as it's old, but I've only had to renew front discs and pads in the 16 months I've been running it and that was cheap. I reckon it cost about £1200 all in for a year's use last year and will be less this year. I'll keep it and run it next winter unless something terminal happens in which case it'll go for scrap and I'll look for another one.I used to travel by tube and train from Fulham to Dagenham Dock, Most commuters would be travelling everyday. Then we moved to Essex, and when our first boy was born, my wife needed the car (and it was a good excuse to have a bike). Later, when the office relocated nearer, I cycled to work. I sold the motorbike to buy an expensive dining table and six chairs. Now I am retired, I am seriously considering a bicycle/motorcycle again. To be honest, the bicycle would be better for me, their are some decent cycle paths near me.
I used to commute everywhere on my bike.
I had been riding for 10+ years when I decided to start commuting. So got a sensible BMW GS 1200LC. Lovely bike, I could go faster on it down country roads than I could on any of my R1's, R6's Ninjas etc...
Used every day, over summer and winter. I think I used the car maby twice in 2 years.
Clocked up about 40k over 2 years. We already had a little girl and had twins on the way. So decided that the bike was going to be for fun days only.
Then, one fateful winters day; Oxfordshire's finest gritters ran out of grit, on the exit of a rather lovely corner.
I came off, broke my back in a couple of places.
I'm not allowed another bike. And I'm not too sad about that.
I had been riding for 10+ years when I decided to start commuting. So got a sensible BMW GS 1200LC. Lovely bike, I could go faster on it down country roads than I could on any of my R1's, R6's Ninjas etc...
Used every day, over summer and winter. I think I used the car maby twice in 2 years.
Clocked up about 40k over 2 years. We already had a little girl and had twins on the way. So decided that the bike was going to be for fun days only.
Then, one fateful winters day; Oxfordshire's finest gritters ran out of grit, on the exit of a rather lovely corner.
I came off, broke my back in a couple of places.
I'm not allowed another bike. And I'm not too sad about that.
I commute most days by motorbike (Dull but cheap and reliable Honda Deauvile) and although I only go 15 miles or so, it almost halves the journey time because I can filter and make much quicker progress on the bike.
Main reason I love it and the reason I started back when got my first real job is because I hate sitting in traffic. I hate wasting time just sitting in a line of cars.
Main reason I love it and the reason I started back when got my first real job is because I hate sitting in traffic. I hate wasting time just sitting in a line of cars.
I've been commuting into the West End by bike for the best part of 30 years. Come Monday morning if I haven't been out on the bike at the weekend I actually look forward to the commute.
How many train commuters can say that eh!
Tried a bit of going by train in between buying bikes and the most I've lasted is two weeks before the "fk this for a game of soldiers" cut in.
Winter or summer doesn't bother me. Just more layers with some heated gear. When the fun of commuting on the bike dies I'll retire. There's no way in hell I'm getting on a train with the great unwashed on a regular basis. It's just miserable.
Yep I've had the odd spill over the years, never technically my fault but I did put myself into a position where a dick head could take me down so always something to be learn't.
Occasionally I'll get a bit racey but most of the time I'm a chilled live and let live type of commuter.
How many train commuters can say that eh!
Tried a bit of going by train in between buying bikes and the most I've lasted is two weeks before the "f
k this for a game of soldiers" cut in.Winter or summer doesn't bother me. Just more layers with some heated gear. When the fun of commuting on the bike dies I'll retire. There's no way in hell I'm getting on a train with the great unwashed on a regular basis. It's just miserable.
Yep I've had the odd spill over the years, never technically my fault but I did put myself into a position where a dick head could take me down so always something to be learn't.
Occasionally I'll get a bit racey but most of the time I'm a chilled live and let live type of commuter.
Swifty0824 said:
I posted a topic two or three months ago asking for advice about commuting on a bike especially in winter.
I literally start my biker life by commuting on it. (Had some practice and joy riding after collecting the bike but I was riding like a zombie and not confident to do anything)
Living in North London whie working in Canary Wharf which means:
Driving - expensive to park and the A13 + A406 oh my god
Tube - used it for only three days then got cold, need to wait at least 30 mins in or even out of Canary Wharf station to get on a tube at peak hours plus being squished like a potato all the time, absolutely hate it.
Bike - it's cold, it's dark and I'm not an experienced rider, but I very much enjoy cars and bikes.
Guess I don't have much to choose, do I
Now two months into it, got knocked off once at very low speed by an idoit driver (how rare is that), nothing bad thanks to my gear. Don't know if I will still think the same after years of riding the same route everyday but for now I have no intention to leave my bike.
Thanks for the response and I used to do the A13 + A406 to Canary Wharf also some years ago :-).I literally start my biker life by commuting on it. (Had some practice and joy riding after collecting the bike but I was riding like a zombie and not confident to do anything
)Living in North London whie working in Canary Wharf which means:
Driving - expensive to park and the A13 + A406 oh my god
Tube - used it for only three days then got cold, need to wait at least 30 mins in or even out of Canary Wharf station to get on a tube at peak hours plus being squished like a potato all the time, absolutely hate it.
Bike - it's cold, it's dark and I'm not an experienced rider, but I very much enjoy cars and bikes.
Guess I don't have much to choose, do I
Now two months into it, got knocked off once at very low speed by an idoit driver (how rare is that), nothing bad thanks to my gear. Don't know if I will still think the same after years of riding the same route everyday but for now I have no intention to leave my bike.
Sorry to hear about your low speed accident and glad to know that the gear helped.
I've commuted by bike for the last 18 years from 15 to 200 miles / day
the only time anything else worked was driving against the traffic commuting to Milton Keynes in my old E250, every other time either the train faff, cost, service or public pissed me off or the amount of traffic that i'd end up sitting in
the only time anything else worked was driving against the traffic commuting to Milton Keynes in my old E250, every other time either the train faff, cost, service or public pissed me off or the amount of traffic that i'd end up sitting in
When I travelled from north london to south london for university, I did dabble a few times with using the trains in the winter. I didnt mind it - I got to listen to music or read a book, and on the very bad days it was nice to be dry and warm, plus the 10 minute walk either end between door and station was good exercise. But I did find the crowds a bit stressful, and a few times when things went wrong I really struggled to get a good route home. So I flicked between train / bike as it suited me. For 3 years though, I was a dedicated, all-year-round motorcycling commuter. I only stayed home when it snowed.
But these days, I have properly given up riding in winter. I dont work inside the M25 anymore, and I noticed that out in hertfordshire and in essex, it gets much, much colder in the winter than it does in the town or city. Couple that with the longer nights and unlit roads I use, I just decided it wasnt worth the safety risk. I put my bike away end of november, and it stays in my shed until end of feb now. Just 3 months, but it;s better in the shed, on a trickle charger and having servicing done to it than out on the driveway, under a cover, getting damp. I use a car to get to work on those days now.
I quickly realised I actually hated riding in winter. Getting up knowing I'm soon going to be getting cold. If I woke up and heard rain, i instantly felt no motivation to get up. I hated going to do my usual maintenance to my bike to find something was damaged from the tolls of riding on salted roads.
All that being said, march can still get shilly. But I have heated grips and handlebar muffs (much, MUCH, better than handgaurds - keep your hand enclosed, thus no wind chill and also dry if its a bit rainy), plus back at the beginning of november, I bought a heated vest (Kais). So now, as long as its a dry day and the daylight is around long enough...I'll be happy to get out.
But these days, I have properly given up riding in winter. I dont work inside the M25 anymore, and I noticed that out in hertfordshire and in essex, it gets much, much colder in the winter than it does in the town or city. Couple that with the longer nights and unlit roads I use, I just decided it wasnt worth the safety risk. I put my bike away end of november, and it stays in my shed until end of feb now. Just 3 months, but it;s better in the shed, on a trickle charger and having servicing done to it than out on the driveway, under a cover, getting damp. I use a car to get to work on those days now.
I quickly realised I actually hated riding in winter. Getting up knowing I'm soon going to be getting cold. If I woke up and heard rain, i instantly felt no motivation to get up. I hated going to do my usual maintenance to my bike to find something was damaged from the tolls of riding on salted roads.
All that being said, march can still get shilly. But I have heated grips and handlebar muffs (much, MUCH, better than handgaurds - keep your hand enclosed, thus no wind chill and also dry if its a bit rainy), plus back at the beginning of november, I bought a heated vest (Kais). So now, as long as its a dry day and the daylight is around long enough...I'll be happy to get out.
Edited by thatdude on Thursday 9th January 15:02
Harry H said:
Winter or summer doesn't bother me. Just more layers with some heated gear.
Quite interesting that you mention heated gear. I have been thinking of getting Gerbing heated vest and gloves as that is the only solution to the cold that I haven't tried and I suspect this is the only option to staying warm (as opposed to getting progressively colder over time) when the temperature drops below 5 or 6 degrees.Could I possibly ask what heated gear you use?
I started because it took 20 mins off my commute by car by filtering through the standing traffic.
I stopped because it took 19.5 minutes to get the bike out the garage, get all the gear on etc. Giving up warmth, comfort and Radio 4 just wasn't worth it for my particular route. I just adjusted my thinking about sitting in traffic instead.
I wouldn't rule out doing it again if it made sense.
I stopped because it took 19.5 minutes to get the bike out the garage, get all the gear on etc. Giving up warmth, comfort and Radio 4 just wasn't worth it for my particular route. I just adjusted my thinking about sitting in traffic instead.
I wouldn't rule out doing it again if it made sense.
TheCommuter said:
black-k1 said:
As I commute a long distance (75 miles door to door) I have the prefect opportunity to to compare bike to train. I use the bike for 7 months and the train for 5.
That is quite a distance to do on a daily basis. Can I ask what motorbike you use?1 x BMW K1300S Sport - Sold after 3 years and 54000 miles.
1 x BMW K1300S MotorSport - killed by "Bambi" after 3 years an 51,000 miles
Current bike is a Kawasaki H2 SX SE which has done one year and 15,000 miles.
TheCommuter said:
Quite interesting that you mention heated gear. I have been thinking of getting Gerbing heated vest and gloves as that is the only solution to the cold that I haven't tried and I suspect this is the only option to staying warm (as opposed to getting progressively colder over time) when the temperature drops below 5 or 6 degrees.
Could I possibly ask what heated gear you use?
Had Gerbing gloves and an old Keis jacket for the best part of 15yrs that I was fed up of patching up so this Christmas Santa bought me a new set of Gerbings and the Jacket to match and it's bloody loverly. Pricey but quality all the same.Could I possibly ask what heated gear you use?
Had a few of the cheaper gloves before but the heating wire broke easily so Gerbing with the mess heating elements is the only way to go in my book. The old jacket had to go in the end as I started to get hot spots on the wires. Which actually burnt my arm on one occasion. But like I said it had see out 15 winters. Doubt I'll have the same problem with the new one as like the gloves it's a mesh not a wire that does the heat.
I've ridden down to -5 with no problems using heated gear. Although traction does become a concern at that temp:-)
OP weirdly I come into London from Herts on exact same route from WGC into Moorgate, work in Broadgate. To be honest I flip around with train v bike, it's about 50/50. At the moment sitting in the office and looking out i'm pleased I'm not on the bike today. Think the bike is cheaper although I've got free secure parking and purchased my bike so not got HP etc to take into account. From my home it's now £18.70 daily so that's quite a lot really, would generally fill up the bick once a week at say £30 so quite a difference (I know i'm ignoring depreciation, servicing etc.) I'm a miserable old bloke who just gets fed up with public transport after a while and then go back to riding, love it in the school holidays when there is less traffic on the A1.
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