Commuter bike...

[tvradict]

Last night on my way to work I yet again got snarled up in traffic, and am begining to get a little tired of sitting about listening to shite being spouted on the radio while the complete wit in the Volvo 480 decides it would be such a fan-fking-tastic idea to breakdown on the Kingston Bridge. Cheers Ct.

The only thing that seemed to be moving were bikes, and one bloke seemed comletely oblivious to the fast that the traffic was actually standing still as he sailed up the white line at a healthy 40mph.

This got me thinking. I have been planning on buying a bike for a while now, purely as a toy, maybe occasionally to go to work on, but not often, I have been looking at 600cc Sports bikes, Daytona 600, GSXR600, CBR600F etc. However, IMO these would be useless as a commuter bike.

I have looked in a handy copy of Bike magazine (Which I just happened to have in my bag) and selected a shortlist of bikes, based on Insurance group and price NEW, I will prob by used to start with.

Hornet
Fazer
Bandit

What I need from the PH collective, is pro's and cons of commuting on a bike, and also any input from anyone who has lived with one of the above bikes.

For the time and money it would save me, it would probably be worth doing my Direct Access asap.

TIA
Stuart.

[Steve_T]

Pro's: There are risks, but it's enjoyable most days apart from really bad weather. Travelling time is pretty consistent compared to public transport or four wheels.

Con's: Perhaps not deliberately, but some people do a pretty good job of trying to kill you. In my case it will ultimately be cheaper than the train, but it'll take 3-4 years to reach this point. It also takes time to look after your bike - tyres, chain and brakes need frequent inspection and periodic maintenance as you don't want any of these to fail!

Add SV650 (possibly an SV650S if you're doing higher speed stuff) to your list of possible first bikes - mine's been a hoot. Also, the Bandit is not going to feel as sharp as the others on your list, simply because it's an older design. It's still a good bike however and there's some good bargains to be had.

Steve.

[Eliminator]

Pro's and con's like the man said. I would add - no matter how snarled and stupid it gets I am still the one making decisions so I find it much less stressful.

I've tried many bikes for commuting and, with few exceptions, you can make any of them work. Compromise usually comes because you want one machine for several jobs whilst bikes are more focussed, as a rule.

If you have no high-speed sections (say max 40mph limits) then there's no advantage from larger engines. Sports bikes are hard on the rist and back (low speed) and if you need to carry things it's better not to do so on your back (back box or tank, don't add to the width with panniers).

The Fazer is a bute of a bike - sharp enough and mad enough for fun but a tasty commute.

I have settled on trail bikes. Good visibility, comfortable and so manouverable. No problems with gaps as the bars are high. I used KTM Adventure (300 mile range, hooligan machine) and now ride a BMW1150GS with a top box. Good all year round (heated grips, unbelievable grip and road holding). Also, no chains etc - shaft drive and a simple engine.

I do have the advantage of keeping the pridee and joy (1987 ZL1000 Eliminator) at home, away from the commute for fun in the sun/weekends. You could do the same with a cheap hack.

Go for it

[ledger]

my suggestion would also be an SV650/ SV650S.

Don't forget to factor in all the protective gear into your budget. Theres a very good thread on clothing running at the moment.

Oh and don't forget earplugs

[clapham993]

Pros: Consistent journey times/master of your own destiny/feel good factor on nice days/not giving the newt lover a fiver a day

Cons: Allow 10 minutes to get geared up & 20 minutes on arrival to shower and change/accept that you need suits-shoes-overcoat at work and at home/live with the fact that you will often be uncomfortably hot in summer and will get cold & wet from time to time in winter/accept that sooner or later you WILL get knocked off/accept the fact that you probably do more productive work in the car commuting than you realise (phone calls-thinking time etc)

All in all, its nice to have the option - I set things up so I can get up in the morning and make the decision when I look out of the window/think what I need to do that day and that works well because I only use the bike when it suits me to.

[Incorrigible]

All the above is true

I'll add.....

I wouldn't discount the CBR600 as a commuting bike, I racked up about 20,000 miles on mine (mainly commuting) and it was a hoot until some thieving pikey bastards nicked it

[Davel]

I can't comment on which bike but I would like to add that, despite the obvious risks, you will find it fun to actually commute on a bike - much more so than taking the car.

I've got the luxury and performance of a 4.4i sport X5, but I'd far rather go by bike.

[Racefan_uk]

Just bought myself a Fazer 600 and am over the moon with it. Comfortable, quick enough, incredibly easy and forgiving to ride. Will be using it a little for work related stuff, but work from home so not really a 'commute as such.

Tried the Hornet and Bandit, but didn't like the naked/unfaired style. Can imagine on a daily commute that might be a problem in the long run, especially in wetter weather?

Whatever you go for, it will beat the constant traffic, which s another reason why I took my DAS.

[craigw]

I use a monster 600 most days, never had a prob with it (touching wood), nice and stylish too, IMHO, not bothered how quick it goes (quick enough!)

[keitht1]

Racefan_uk said:

Whatever you go for, it will beat the constant traffic, which s another reason why I took my DAS.

Definately Only had mine 2 weeks and still amazed by how quickly I can get from A to B instead of sitting in traffic. Will be commuting as soon as the bikes had it's 1st service and can't wait.

[clapham993]

Incorrigible said:

All the above is true I'll add..... I wouldn't discount the CBR600 as a commuting bike, I racked up about 20,000 miles on mine (mainly commuting) and it was a hoot until some thieving pikey bastards nicked it

Would certainly back this up - the CBR6 is a lovely forgiving all round bike that commutes exceptionally well. I've had 2 of these and one was used to commute from Clapham to Gibraltar Barracks down near Blackbushe pretty much every day for 18 months - never let me down, never pissed me off.

[bikerkeith]

Agree with much of the above. Faired or unfaired depends on whether you do much high speed distance work. If its all low speed, you won't need a fairing and a low speed drop will cost a lot more with plastics to repair/replace. The mid-priced bikes you list, with the SV650, will do almost anything including commute, tour, track days and general hooning around. Bigger engines bring more torque, more power than you can normally use on the road and much, much more expense (higher insurance, more petrol, more expensive tyres etc).
Apart from when the weather is pouring rain or high winds, biking to work is more invigorating, wakens up your senses. When the sun is shining, there's always the temptation to take the pretty way home. And some ladies in the office do seem to like blokes in leathers.

[clapham993]

bikerkeith said:

Agree with much of the above. Faired or unfaired depends on whether you do much high speed distance work. If its all low speed, you won't need a fairing and a low speed drop will cost a lot more with plastics to repair/replace. The mid-priced bikes you list, with the SV650, will do almost anything including commute, tour, track days and general hooning around. Bigger engines bring more torque, more power than you can normally use on the road and much, much more expense (higher insurance, more petrol, more expensive tyres etc). Apart from when the weather is pouring rain or high winds, biking to work is more invigorating, wakens up your senses. When the sun is shining, there's always the temptation to take the pretty way home. And some ladies in the office do seem to like blokes in leathers.

Agree - the laydeeees do love a tight pair of black leather jeans :-)

Also, just looked at your profile - would it be fair to say you've heard every 'Captain Beaky' gag under the sun?!

[clapham993]

keitht1 said:

Racefan_uk said: Whatever you go for, it will beat the constant traffic, which s another reason why I took my DAS. Definately Only had mine 2 weeks and still amazed by how quickly I can get from A to B instead of sitting in traffic. Will be commuting as soon as the bikes had it's 1st service and can't wait.

Welcome to biking Keith - one less of them; one more of us :-)

[tvradict]

clapham993 said:

Cons: Allow 10 minutes to get geared up & 20 minutes on arrival to shower and change/accept that you need suits-shoes-overcoat at work and at home/...

This is the bit where flaws start to show their ugly head.

I am an agency driver just now, and as such need to carry a WHOLE lot of Crap to work EVERY day. Not only do I not know where work is half the time, on the first day in I do not know what I need.

Basic kit is maps, High Vis vest, Safety Boots, gloves.

But I also have to take - High vis jacket, Safety helmet, safety goggles, overalls. That takes up two of the stackable boxes that currently reside in the boot of my car.

Now admittidly I wouldn't need to take it ALL every day.

I know nothing about protective clothing, but, if I were to buy fabric stuff ( i know little bits ) for the commute, is it possible to where them OVER my work gear, except my boots obviously?

[barry sheene]

clapham993 said:

Cons: Allow 10 minutes to get geared up & 20 minutes on arrival to shower and change/accept that you need suits-shoes-overcoat at work and at home/...

Blimey, you get dressed/undressed really slowly then

Takes me no more than 2 mins at either end.....

tvradict said:

I know nothing about protective clothing, but, if I were to buy fabric stuff ( i know little bits ) for the commute, is it possible to where them OVER my work gear, except my boots obviously?

It is , I do.
The trouble for me is some clients insist on a suit, so I leave the jacket/shoes at work and wear the rest under my very excellent armoured Dutch all-weather gear. (They know a thing or two about water them cloggies

Mind you, the jacket/boots/trousers are 4 years old now and the jacket has started to leak and the boots need replacing.....so a trip back to my fav. bike shop in Amsterdam is in order soon (see pic)

http://ombomb.kicks-ass.org/resources/2002/Qatar/Toulouse/04052002/105-0516_IMG.JPG

Here's an inventory of some of the gear I use...

http://ombomb.kicks-ass.org/Tiger_Mods.html


hope it's of some use.....

[fergus]

Mate

Get a rucksack, put your hard hat and overalls, etc in here. Wear your boots (steel toe capped ?) and hi-vi jacket over a m/c jacket of some description. Kills two birds with one stone so to speak!

T-C may have some horror stories about steel toe capped boots though!

[clapham993]

tvradict said:

clapham993 said: Cons: Allow 10 minutes to get geared up & 20 minutes on arrival to shower and change/accept that you need suits-shoes-overcoat at work and at home/... This is the bit where flaws start to show their ugly head. I am an agency driver just now, and as such need to carry a WHOLE lot of Crap to work EVERY day. Not only do I not know where work is half the time, on the first day in I do not know what I need. Basic kit is maps, High Vis vest, Safety Boots, gloves. But I also have to take - High vis jacket, Safety helmet, safety goggles, overalls. That takes up two of the stackable boxes that currently reside in the boot of my car. Now admittidly I wouldn't need to take it ALL every day. I know nothing about protective clothing, but, if I were to buy fabric stuff ( i know little bits ) for the commute, is it possible to where them OVER my work gear, except my boots obviously?

Hi There

Wearing fabric gear over every-day clothes certainly lies within the art of the possible but do consider:

Anything sharp/hard on the underclothes (keys in pockets/belt buckles etc) could do a lot of harm in an accident

You don't want to be so bulky that it restricts your movement

fabric gear is just not as protective as good quality leather (see the great clothing thread that's going on at the moment)

With the right luggage system and skillful packing, you'll be amazed what you can get on a bike (I used to commute 40 miles a day when I was in the army, carrying all kinds of really bulky/heavy/awkward stuff)- its just the hassle of doing it twice a day that can get on one's mammaries

[clapham993]

barry sheene said:

clapham993 said: Cons: Allow 10 minutes to get geared up & 20 minutes on arrival to shower and change/accept that you need suits-shoes-overcoat at work and at home/... Blimey, you get dressed/undressed really slowly then Takes me no more than 2 mins at either end.....

The 10 minutes leaving is admittedly mainly taken up with "bugger, bugger, bugger have I got my iPaq?"
"Bollocks - forgot the gas bill I need to pay"
"F*ck it! Sarah's left her car in front of the bike again..."

as much as actually getting my leathers on....

[tvradict]

I don't really carry that much stuff of sharpness.

I would definately consider a tank bag or a back box.

I don't need it all every day. Haven't worn my overalls yet for instence, and I am only wearing my hi vis jacket because I am doing night shift in Glasgow city centre.

I have a rucksack that carries all my day to day crap anyway, maps etc, so getting a decent one for the bike wouldn't be a problem, everything should just transfer, and then a rear box for the rest. Sorted

One problem down, any more anyone can think of?