Length of commute?
Discussion
Morning all.
I had bikes for a few years when younger (50/125s), but looking to do my direct access early next year.
I'm looking to commute to work, though it's only ~6 miles through two town centres, with dual carriageway between them. It's pretty traffic heavy while in town, so in the car can take me from 25 mins to an hour.
I cycle it during the summer, but frankly the roads aren't suited to cycling.
I'd use the bike (probably SV650, Hornet etc) for commuting but can't help but think by the time I've gotten gear on and gotten the bike out, I may as well have taken the car.
Granted, the bike will be more fun, and with my car doing ~18mpg it'll probably cost me no more overall to run.
Anyone else have a super short commute?
Should I just stop over thinking it and buy a bloody bike :hammer:
I had bikes for a few years when younger (50/125s), but looking to do my direct access early next year.
I'm looking to commute to work, though it's only ~6 miles through two town centres, with dual carriageway between them. It's pretty traffic heavy while in town, so in the car can take me from 25 mins to an hour.
I cycle it during the summer, but frankly the roads aren't suited to cycling.
I'd use the bike (probably SV650, Hornet etc) for commuting but can't help but think by the time I've gotten gear on and gotten the bike out, I may as well have taken the car.
Granted, the bike will be more fun, and with my car doing ~18mpg it'll probably cost me no more overall to run.
Anyone else have a super short commute?
Should I just stop over thinking it and buy a bloody bike :hammer:
I also have a 6 mile commute and to be honest unless the weather is good enough to not wear waterproofs I don't commute on the bike for the very same reason, takes longer to get kitted up and un-kitted on arrival than the commute. Plus it's not an interesting route. I take the car and if it's not raining, as this morning, I have the roof down 
Getting kitted up for 6 miles might seem a pain.
However, 25min to an hour to do 6 miles in the car must be frustrating every day? Thats between 6 to 12 mph average..
Lets say on the bike you can do 30mph average - should be easily achievable no? Thats 12 minutes.. You should get 50mpg on a small-ish bike instead of 18... Also, as its only 12 minutes you won't need to go OTT with the winter kit as its not long/fast enough to get *really* cold/wet.
And it'll be about the same time every day despite how bad the traffic is - so its easier to plan/judge.
However, 25min to an hour to do 6 miles in the car must be frustrating every day? Thats between 6 to 12 mph average..
Lets say on the bike you can do 30mph average - should be easily achievable no? Thats 12 minutes.. You should get 50mpg on a small-ish bike instead of 18... Also, as its only 12 minutes you won't need to go OTT with the winter kit as its not long/fast enough to get *really* cold/wet.
And it'll be about the same time every day despite how bad the traffic is - so its easier to plan/judge.
I use to commute all year, 8 miles each way, I ended up with a xmax300, cheap as chips to run, would do 95 FLAT out but easily gets to and cruises at 80, loads of storage under the seat which is ideal for commuting and you get good weather protection.
Selling soon if it’s of any interest, only want what’s left on the pcp so would be way under market value.
Selling soon if it’s of any interest, only want what’s left on the pcp so would be way under market value.
Sycamore said:
Anyone else have a super short commute?
Six miles isn't super short, one mile is super short: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...what are the speed limits?
You could just use a scooter and wear casual clothing with some weather protection. Not sure i'd go through the expense and hassle f getting a licence and bike for just commuting so a scooter would appeal. But if you feel like biking could be more then go for it.
My commute is about 9 miles. Traffic can be crap but I don't have free parking for the car at work which is the real motivation for me.
I suit up but my gear is an alpinestars textile over suit so I have my work clothes underneath and getting ready takes no more than 5 mins and about 2 mins to get out of it.
I enjoy commuting by bike more anyway. Hate traffic.
You could just use a scooter and wear casual clothing with some weather protection. Not sure i'd go through the expense and hassle f getting a licence and bike for just commuting so a scooter would appeal. But if you feel like biking could be more then go for it.
My commute is about 9 miles. Traffic can be crap but I don't have free parking for the car at work which is the real motivation for me.
I suit up but my gear is an alpinestars textile over suit so I have my work clothes underneath and getting ready takes no more than 5 mins and about 2 mins to get out of it.
I enjoy commuting by bike more anyway. Hate traffic.
I'd cycle that distance. It sounds lovely.
Mine is 80 miles each way, thankfully only twice per week on average. But it definitely suits something like my blackbird for just covering distance smoothly and quickly.
For a commute in the 15-30 mile range i'd be straight onto a street triple or 600cc sports bike.
Less than 15 miles it's hard to justify the hassle and i'd probably just cycle it (assuming showers at the office)
Mine is 80 miles each way, thankfully only twice per week on average. But it definitely suits something like my blackbird for just covering distance smoothly and quickly.
For a commute in the 15-30 mile range i'd be straight onto a street triple or 600cc sports bike.
Less than 15 miles it's hard to justify the hassle and i'd probably just cycle it (assuming showers at the office)
TheInternet said:
Sycamore said:
Anyone else have a super short commute?
Six miles isn't super short, one mile is super short: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Thanks Gentlemen and Gentlemenwomen,
Still leaning towards getting one either way, I've always liked bikes, it'd make the commute more fun (if not saving a huge amount of time), and I can use it for fun over weekends.
My Dad has always had bikes and we're not super close, so if nothing else it might give us a little extra something in common with each other.
Still leaning towards getting one either way, I've always liked bikes, it'd make the commute more fun (if not saving a huge amount of time), and I can use it for fun over weekends.
My Dad has always had bikes and we're not super close, so if nothing else it might give us a little extra something in common with each other.
Sycamore said:
Thanks Gentlemen and Gentlemenwomen,
Still leaning towards getting one either way, I've always liked bikes, it'd make the commute more fun (if not saving a huge amount of time), and I can use it for fun over weekends.
My Dad has always had bikes and we're not super close, so if nothing else it might give us a little extra something in common with each other.
A bike should be fine, and quicker than the car (or at least, more consistency in the time it takes)Still leaning towards getting one either way, I've always liked bikes, it'd make the commute more fun (if not saving a huge amount of time), and I can use it for fun over weekends.
My Dad has always had bikes and we're not super close, so if nothing else it might give us a little extra something in common with each other.
I commute 14 miles each way on a BMW F800S. No work clothing requirements so I wear Kevlar jeans to ride and work in and have a pair of waterproof overtrousers to slip on in case it rains. A motorbike jacket doesn't take long to put on, and a pair of trainer-style biking boots can also be worn all day.
An alternative method is to wear you suit/work outfit and put an all-in-one waterproof suit over the top.
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