Is this commute a good idea on a bike?
Discussion
So, in a few months time I switch jobs and will be living away from home in the week.
The journey will be 130 miles on a Monday morning from Lincoln to High Wycombe and the reverse on a Friday afternoon/evening. I've done it before in a car and it sapped my will to live. It's a bit better now the A1 has been improved (fewer roundabouts and scameras) and I tend to keep away from the M1/A43/M40 route as, frankly, I loathe watching my life idle away on the M40!
I've done a CBT and been riding a 125 for about a year so I'm seriously considering getting a bigger bike and using that for the commute. I can't see a major issue except the journey will be a bit tedious and there could well be several Monday mornings in the dpeths of winter when I play the wimp card and jump in the car!
Firstly, I've never ridden for more than 30 mins or so at a stretch (current bike is a YBR125 so 30 mins is plenty!) and secondly I don't know if it will really save me that much time except those occasions when the roads are gridlocked.
Any thoughts? Also, thinking soemthing with a relatively upright seating position and at least some weather protection so Bandit 600s...any other bike suggestions? Ta!
The journey will be 130 miles on a Monday morning from Lincoln to High Wycombe and the reverse on a Friday afternoon/evening. I've done it before in a car and it sapped my will to live. It's a bit better now the A1 has been improved (fewer roundabouts and scameras) and I tend to keep away from the M1/A43/M40 route as, frankly, I loathe watching my life idle away on the M40!
I've done a CBT and been riding a 125 for about a year so I'm seriously considering getting a bigger bike and using that for the commute. I can't see a major issue except the journey will be a bit tedious and there could well be several Monday mornings in the dpeths of winter when I play the wimp card and jump in the car!
Firstly, I've never ridden for more than 30 mins or so at a stretch (current bike is a YBR125 so 30 mins is plenty!) and secondly I don't know if it will really save me that much time except those occasions when the roads are gridlocked.
Any thoughts? Also, thinking soemthing with a relatively upright seating position and at least some weather protection so Bandit 600s...any other bike suggestions? Ta!
Edited by LeeME3 on Wednesday 16th June 12:34
Used to do Hull>London twice a month, including the depths of winter. And yes, you will occasionally take the car. One trip I ended up with sludgy ice covering every exposed inch, simply because it was light rain and bloody cold.
600 should be fine. Go for fully faired as you can hide from the wind better. Do not buy something with huge plastic panniers as you will cut down on your filtering abilities, and that's the entire point.
Learn to filter. It will save huge amounts of time, as it doesnt simply involve moving between static queues. If you prefer not to filter around and through 70mph traffic, this exercise may be a waste of time.
600 should be fine. Go for fully faired as you can hide from the wind better. Do not buy something with huge plastic panniers as you will cut down on your filtering abilities, and that's the entire point.
Learn to filter. It will save huge amounts of time, as it doesnt simply involve moving between static queues. If you prefer not to filter around and through 70mph traffic, this exercise may be a waste of time.
Hooli said:
Do it. It's worth it just to be able to nip past the retard who cant/wont acclerate/pull out of junctions/steer/drive on the left etc.
Oh & weather protection is for poofs! just wear thermals, multiple layers, a pair of vinyl gloves under the thermal gloves under the winter gloves, an extra pair of socks with the feet cut out on your calves, and stuff some newspaper around your chest between the thermals, the top layers and the windkiller neck tube, but under your textiles.
EFA Oh & weather protection is for poofs! just wear thermals, multiple layers, a pair of vinyl gloves under the thermal gloves under the winter gloves, an extra pair of socks with the feet cut out on your calves, and stuff some newspaper around your chest between the thermals, the top layers and the windkiller neck tube, but under your textiles.
Of course it’s a good idea!! If you have a car as a back up then better still. I commuted all through the winter granted it was nothing like 130 miles, but included one or two day in a couple of inches of snow which was interesting to say the least. This was all on a necked bike in leathers with a fleece underneath and some winter gloves. People’s tolerance of cold varies; some of my mates still have cold hands when out in April.
As the previous poster said filtering isn’t just for use in standing traffic.
As the previous poster said filtering isn’t just for use in standing traffic.
According to Google its a 160 miles ... I would want to do that on 1 tank of fuel, so you need a bike with 200 miles range
Unlike Hooli I am a southern softy
so I want heated handlebars else when its cold its miserable.
I know that Mr Bosch does a better emergency braking system than Mr Gman in Oh s
t mode so ABS is a must.
Seating upright for a 2-3 hrs is nice as is some sort of screen ....
Loads of sports bikes will do it, if you want an Adventure type bike, try an Aprilla Caponard as they offer lots for little cash
Unlike Hooli I am a southern softy
so I want heated handlebars else when its cold its miserable.I know that Mr Bosch does a better emergency braking system than Mr Gman in Oh s
t mode so ABS is a must.Seating upright for a 2-3 hrs is nice as is some sort of screen ....
Loads of sports bikes will do it, if you want an Adventure type bike, try an Aprilla Caponard as they offer lots for little cash
So it may be a bit chilly huh?!?! Heated grips go on the shopping list then...seriously though, decent cold weather gear is a given - any fool can be uncomfortable and all that!
Right, I'm def going to go for it - just need to get some training and my tests booked then start looking for a decent bike.
Good point on the panniers (or lack of) - it's just 'me' (no kit) that needs to be moved so I'll bear that point in mind.
Right, I'm def going to go for it - just need to get some training and my tests booked then start looking for a decent bike.
Good point on the panniers (or lack of) - it's just 'me' (no kit) that needs to be moved so I'll bear that point in mind.
G Man said:
According to Google its a 160 miles ... I would want to do that on 1 tank of fuel, so you need a bike with 200 miles range
I live just South of Lincoln and destination is just North of High Wycombe - exact distance is 135 miles so I reckon I need a tank range of 160+ to be safe. That said I'm guessing I'll have a 15 min break about half-way down anyway.Like the Aprilla suggestion - but are they a bit fragile? I need something pretty tank-like in build quality - even allwoing for holidays and wimping out to the car I'm looking at 40 weeks of 270 miles a week plus some weeks I'll 'pop home' mid-week so way over 10,000 miles pa...albeit mainly in a straight line! I'm thinking comy seating position / weather protection are going to be my main criteria!
LeeME3 said:
So it may be a bit chilly huh?!?! Heated grips go on the shopping list then...seriously though, decent cold weather gear is a given - any fool can be uncomfortable and all that!
Right, I'm def going to go for it - just need to get some training and my tests booked then start looking for a decent bike.
Good point on the panniers (or lack of) - it's just 'me' (no kit) that needs to be moved so I'll bear that point in mind.
Deffinately find a bike that can do around 200 miles on a tank. I hate farting around at petrol stations.Right, I'm def going to go for it - just need to get some training and my tests booked then start looking for a decent bike.
Good point on the panniers (or lack of) - it's just 'me' (no kit) that needs to be moved so I'll bear that point in mind.
Don't skimp on gear either, riding when cold & wet is not much fun.
Buy decent boots- i've got a pair of Sidi Evo Rains, they are brilliant in the cold & wet, my feet have never got wet.
No matter how much a set of Textiles professes to be water proof, they won't. The rain will find it's way in some where.
I've had better rain protection from a set of leathers & an oversuit. You can always chuck a fleece inbetween leathers & oversuit for extra warmth.
Gloves, winter gloves will be nice in the colder months.
I've got Alpinestars SR2 which are ok, but a PITA if you pull the inners out with sweaty hands- the b
ds won't go back in, unless you poke a brake lever down each finger. If the have the liner stitched in each finer, they probably won't be very water resistant. Which ultimately makes petrol stops a complete faff when trying to get back into wet, soggy gear.NIXWAX is a good way of 'proofing your gear. I'm sure one of my mates rubbed silicon into the stitching of his gloves- said it worked a treat.
Heated grips are great, but install a relay so they don't flatten your battery when you switch the bike off.
Helmet- pinlock & good ventilation is pretty much the best way to avoid steaming up. Also a yellow 'hi-def' pinlock insert will be good for overcast & that s
tty drizzly rain.Budget around £1000 for that lot. More in some cases.
When it comes to a bike, just get what you feel comfortable on. Take a long test ride, only that way will it show up any sore achy points.
If you're tall, maybe look towards ze Germans, but again, don't put those stupid metal paniers on as you won't fit through certain gaps when filtering.
£1000 for kit is exactly what I'd put in the budget so that's reassuring.
I'm 5'11 so no problem with being too tall (but DON'T call me short!).
I've done a fair bit of hill walking and open cockpit flying so getting wet/cold/windy is not exactly a new experience and I'm getting good at dressing to stay comfy!
I'm 5'11 so no problem with being too tall (but DON'T call me short!).
I've done a fair bit of hill walking and open cockpit flying so getting wet/cold/windy is not exactly a new experience and I'm getting good at dressing to stay comfy!
You want my trophy you do...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1747637.htm
...200 to a tank, loads of comfort, heated grips and enough room to take everything you need for a week at work.
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1747637.htm
...200 to a tank, loads of comfort, heated grips and enough room to take everything you need for a week at work.
LeeME3 said:
G Man said:
According to Google its a 160 miles ... I would want to do that on 1 tank of fuel, so you need a bike with 200 miles range
I live just South of Lincoln and destination is just North of High Wycombe - exact distance is 135 miles so I reckon I need a tank range of 160+ to be safe. That said I'm guessing I'll have a 15 min break about half-way down anyway.Like the Aprilla suggestion - but are they a bit fragile? I need something pretty tank-like in build quality - even allwoing for holidays and wimping out to the car I'm looking at 40 weeks of 270 miles a week plus some weeks I'll 'pop home' mid-week so way over 10,000 miles pa...albeit mainly in a straight line! I'm thinking comy seating position / weather protection are going to be my main criteria!
Google for aprilia caponord review
Which ever bike I would install some HID lights as bike lights are rubbish by default HID50.com and get a heated inner jacket for winter.
Get a scott oiler for the chain
Pannier are ok as you are not entering central London, you just want them to be as wide as the handle bars
LeeME3 said:
dern said:
You want my trophy you do...
You're right - I do!In about 3 months time...
Seriously though, lovely looking bike and definitely the sort of thing I'd consider alongside some of the more usual suspects.
dern said:
You want my trophy you do...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1747637.htm
...200 to a tank, loads of comfort, heated grips and enough room to take everything you need for a week at work.
I think my Dad is responsible for reducing the UK population of those by at least 50% (he dropped/crashed at least two…)http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1747637.htm
...200 to a tank, loads of comfort, heated grips and enough room to take everything you need for a week at work.
If I was going to buy an all year round two wheeled commuting machine I would probably cross to the dark side and buy one of these. 
The Suzuki 650 Bergman has heated gips and seat, electrically adjustable screen...the comfort list is endless. Also, the weather proof under seat storage is bigger than some sports cars, oh, and there's a light for winter use.
I know they're not everyones cup of tea but a mate of mine bought one to do the knowledge and as a commuting machine I would say it's hard to beat.
The Suzuki 650 Bergman has heated gips and seat, electrically adjustable screen...the comfort list is endless. Also, the weather proof under seat storage is bigger than some sports cars, oh, and there's a light for winter use.
I know they're not everyones cup of tea but a mate of mine bought one to do the knowledge and as a commuting machine I would say it's hard to beat.
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