Should I get back on a bike?

[pembo]

I'm starting a new job next week with a 30 mile each way commute (mostly dual carriageway but can mix it up if I want to). Other than a 5 month period 5 years ago the furthest I've commuted has been about 5 miles as I have just moved closer but that's not likely to happen this time so I'm thinking about getting another bike.

With child ferrying duties (new baby no2) the wife is using the family car more now, so I'm going to be stuck with her Beetle convertible. So I'm thinking about offloading that to get a more bearable car and a bike.

I sold my last (and first) bike 6 years ago as I wasn't really using it, was crap at cornering and had two terrible holidays on it. So I went from a crap car and a bike to a nicer car. Since then I had a son, took up cycling and commuted 2 miles so there has not been any reason or justification for having a motorbike.

So I popped into the local dealer the other day and told them about my break from a bike and they chucked me the keys to a Kawasaki Z300 and sent me out to see how it felt. I had a great time even when it rained a bit and got back thinking it could be a good idea. Now I'm thinking I could go for the Z300 which felt enough for what I need whilst being pretty light but the top of what I'd want to spend (£3k) or I could go a little cheaper and get a slightly older 500cc commuter bike that might handle the trip better.

Any opinions, bike suggestions or 'commuting by bike is terrible' advice?

[Gavia]

Why are we suddenly getting aload of these threads asking more or less the same question. If you want to ride a bike, then buy one. If you only want it for commuting, then it’s unlikely to be cheaper than a car when you factor in tyres amd consumables. There will be some days where riding is either impractical, or impossible. There will be a lot of days where it’s miserable and you’ll need mega expensive kit to keep you dry, warm or both.

Either buy one, or don’t, but don’t expect life to be suddenly perfect as a result.

[Esceptico]

I went through a similar thought process two years ago - although in my case it was whether I should use my existing bike or buy a car as well.

I choose to use a car. Very glad I did in my case. Having to gear up, get it all off at the other end, find somewhere to store it plus concerns about creasing my work clothes all put me off.

In your shoes I would only consider it if the 30 miles were in very bad traffic such that filtering would save you lots of time. Even then I don’t think I would do it. Safe biking - especially filtering - requires a lot more effort and concentration than driving and for me,
first thing in the morning and just after a day’s work are probably two of the worst times of the day to ride. Throw in bad weather, slippery roads, and spaced out commuters on their phones....no thanks.

[WaferThinHam]

If you enjoy it then do it. There's a lot to be said for enjoying your commute.

[Pothole]

"more bearable car". FWP.

[black-k1]

Gavia said:

Why are we suddenly getting aload of these threads asking more or less the same question. If you want to ride a bike, then buy one. If you only want it for commuting, then it’s unlikely to be cheaper than a car when you factor in tyres amd consumables. There will be some days where riding is either impractical, or impossible. There will be a lot of days where it’s miserable and you’ll need mega expensive kit to keep you dry, warm or both.

Either buy one, or don’t, but don’t expect life to be suddenly perfect as a result.

I agree with most of this except the comments about cost. If you want to commute on the cheap then it can be done on a bike with good kit but it will require some effort to get what's needed.

[WarnieV6GT]

Gavia said:

Why are we suddenly getting aload of these threads asking more or less the same question. If you want to ride a bike, then buy one. If you only want it for commuting, then it’s unlikely to be cheaper than a car when you factor in tyres amd consumables. There will be some days where riding is either impractical, or impossible. There will be a lot of days where it’s miserable and you’ll need mega expensive kit to keep you dry, warm or both.

Either buy one, or don’t, but don’t expect life to be suddenly perfect as a result.

Please don't assume that everyone that posts on here spends their life on internet forums and therefore knows every thread that has been posted beforehand.

The guy just wants to confirm in his mind weather it's the right thing to do. You don't have to post ste, you could just ignore and move on.

In fact I should take my own advice...

[Pothole]

WarnieV6GT said:

Gavia said:

Why are we suddenly getting aload of these threads asking more or less the same question. If you want to ride a bike, then buy one. If you only want it for commuting, then it’s unlikely to be cheaper than a car when you factor in tyres amd consumables. There will be some days where riding is either impractical, or impossible. There will be a lot of days where it’s miserable and you’ll need mega expensive kit to keep you dry, warm or both.

Either buy one, or don’t, but don’t expect life to be suddenly perfect as a result.

Please don't assume that everyone that posts on here spends their life on internet forums and therefore knows every thread that has been posted beforehand.

The guy just wants to confirm in his mind weather it's the right thing to do. You don't have to post ste, you could just ignore and move on.

In fact I should take my own advice...

Whether.

[black-k1]

Pothole said:

Whether.

Constructive!

[Gnits]

Whatever you get make sure it is something with decent weather protection, that way the crappy weather is less likely to put you off! It does make for a more consistent commute (depending on roads) as you can skirt most of the queues and overtakes are more available.

[CAPP0]

WarnieV6GT said:

Please don't assume that everyone that posts on here spends their life on internet forums and therefore knows every thread that has been posted beforehand.

The guy just wants to confirm in his mind weather it's the right thing to do. You don't have to post ste, you could just ignore and move on.

In fact I should take my own advice...

Someone on PH quite correctly recently said:

Gavia could start a fight in an empty room

Ignoring all that, OP, I would say do it. I've been biking for a very long time and used to use mine either for fun, or for commuting. However, these days I'm far more likely to use the bike for just about any and every trip I can (i.e. anything where I don't need to carry an 8x4 sheet of board, or two dogs) simply because the levels of traffic, where I am in the South East, are such that every car trip becomes a drag, and the bile is quicker, easier, less stressful.

So, do it, but bear in mind the above and make sure you have a little bit of luggage-carrying capacity. Oh and there's a recent thread for that too, so best do a little search before someone starts jumping on your head for daring to ask that question

[Gavia]

CAPP0 said:

WarnieV6GT said:

Please don't assume that everyone that posts on here spends their life on internet forums and therefore knows every thread that has been posted beforehand.

The guy just wants to confirm in his mind weather it's the right thing to do. You don't have to post ste, you could just ignore and move on.

In fact I should take my own advice...

Someone on PH quite correctly recently said:

Gavia could start a fight in an empty room

Ignoring all that, OP, I would say do it. I've been biking for a very long time and used to use mine either for fun, or for commuting. However, these days I'm far more likely to use the bike for just about any and every trip I can (i.e. anything where I don't need to carry an 8x4 sheet of board, or two dogs) simply because the levels of traffic, where I am in the South East, are such that every car trip becomes a drag, and the bile is quicker, easier, less stressful.

So, do it, but bear in mind the above and make sure you have a little bit of luggage-carrying capacity. Oh and there's a recent thread for that too, so best do a little search before someone starts jumping on your head for daring to ask that question

What’s your problem with me? Others have agreed with what I’ve posted, but you pick the one who doesn’t and quote it and then have a dig. Someone, else decided to go all spelling police, but you ignored that as well, even though that was their only input, whereas I gave advice.

Either way, just drop it, as you’re the one starting fights for no good reason.

[CAPP0]

Gavia said:

What’s your problem with me? Others have agreed with what I’ve posted, but you pick the one who doesn’t and quote it and then have a dig. Someone, else decided to go all spelling police, but you ignored that as well, even though that was their only input, whereas I gave advice.

Either way, just drop it, as you’re the one starting fights for no good reason.

Don't flatter yourself, chap.

I don't even bother reading most threads where your name appears as a poster any more, and the last, and possibly only, time I "had a dig" (translation: explained to a poster why they got a stty response from you for absolutely no reason) was months and months ago. The very fact that you jumped on my reply within a couple of minutes probably shows that you're just roaming around looking for that fight.

If I had the time and your inclination, I'd wager I could find tens if not hundreds of your posts within the last few weeks where you have deliberately posted an argumentative, obtuse or belittling response for no good reason. Anyway, this isn't the place for all that (and neither is anywhere else). Suggest you put the keyboard down, take a few deep breaths, and try and come back pleasant, eh? It's not that difficult, but it does require a touch of maturity.

[Gavia]

CAPP0 said:

Don't flatter yourself, chap.

I don't even bother reading most threads where your name appears as a poster any more, and the last, and possibly only, time I "had a dig" (translation: explained to a poster why they got a stty response from you for absolutely no reason) was months and months ago. The very fact that you jumped on my reply within a couple of minutes probably shows that you're just roaming around looking for that fight.

If I had the time and your inclination, I'd wager I could find tens if not hundreds of your posts within the last few weeks where you have deliberately posted an argumentative, obtuse or belittling response for no good reason. Anyway, this isn't the place for all that (and neither is anywhere else). Suggest you put the keyboard down, take a few deep breaths, and try and come back pleasant, eh? It's not that difficult, but it does require a touch of maturity.

So your approach is to have a pop at me and then call me immature for asking why you’re doing it. There’s nothing in this thread that justified your post, so leave it be. You can leave the patronising comments behind too, “chap” is a classic, as is the “put the keyboard down, take a few bpdeep breaths”. Both suggest I’m frothing at the mouth whilst you’re sitting there as calm as a millpond. Reality doesn’t reflect that, I’m very chilled, whereas your adrenaline levels are probably rising.

There is nothing “stty” about my initial response, you just want to pick me up on anything and everything for some reason.

Oh, and you responded in a matter of minutes to my post too, so I’d suggest the cap fits us both there.

[MrGman]

Have you considered a bigger scooter?

I know they aren't that exciting but they are cheap and do the commuting job very well.

I've got a Xmax 300, average about 85mpg, cheap insurance and tax, does 95mph so more than happy to sit at 70+ on the motorways.

Also you get all the under seat storage which is a big bonus over a regular bike.

[Sterillium]

If you didn't immediately wish you still had a bike when you were doing your longer commute five years ago (when you'd sold your first bike only a year previously) I'm guessing you probably won't miss it on this commute either?

[Scobblelotcher]

Definitely get a bike with good wind protection if you’re doing 30 miles on dual carriageways.

I’d personally get something a bit bigger than a 300 and many second hand bikes with larger capacity are cheaper to buy.

Personally, however I’d only swap a bike for a car if there are significant time savings from filter for 60 miles per day. Saying that I do love to ride but a car offers more safety and obviously weather protection.

[gland]

Just throwing another option into the mix: turn your car commute into a more enjoyable experience.

Get an Audible subscription. Buy some Bluetooth headphones - a cheap pair of Anker in-ear buds would do. Enjoy a reduction in road noise akin to much more luxurious cars and listen to some great books.

[black-k1]

gland said:

Just throwing another option into the mix: turn your car commute into a more enjoyable experience.

Get an Audible subscription. Buy some Bluetooth headphones - a cheap pair of Anker in-ear buds would do. Enjoy a reduction in road noise akin to much more luxurious cars and listen to some great books.

Depends on the commute but into/out of most larger towns. cities, that just means you have something to listen to while sat stationary or crawling in the queue. The commute will still take a lot longer by car, and you'll still have the issues or parking once there.

[WarnieV6GT]

black-k1 said:

Constructive!

What ? Correcting spelling is no longer funny ?

Who would have thought..