Commuting on a motorbike

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

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Isle of Wight
Anyone do it? Would you recommend doing it?

I may need to commute from the Isle of Wight to Central/East London (EC1) soon, driving would cost far too much, and takes a long time, the train is too expensive and would result in a 3 hour journey each way, so we came up with the idea of leaving a bike on the mainland.

I could get to Southsea in about 20 minutes via Hovercraft, and then ride to work, which judging by the google maps time of 2hours, I guess it could be done in an hour and a half at a push?

Anyone see any holes in this plan, or have any better suggestions?
 
I did two winters on a bike. Cold cold cold. I'd do it all over again, even in winter there were some days where it was fun. I was riding country roads mostly though. In town, nah. Too many Wayne Kerrs about for it to be anythink more thn miserable.

The main issue is keeping try and keeping the hand warm. I used to have really bad hand pain when it was cold. 3/4 layers of gloves and warmers did naff all. Would take me an hour to get proper feeling back but I do have crap circulation in my hands I suppose.

If the place you commute to has somewhere to put your waterproofs and somewhere to possibly change then it might not be too bad. You do tend to be quite alert when you get to your destination too if the weather is less than sunny.

A bike could easily cost more too. Tyres wear down quicker and aren't that cheap, decent gear is costly and servicing can be stricter.
 
Changing at either end isn't too much of a problem, and I'm handy with a spanner, so I'm not so sure servicing would be too much of an issue either.

What kind of bike should I be looking for, if I want something reasonably comfortable, economical, can sit at 100 comfortably as well as being nimble enough to navigate London?

Someone has recommended a Honda Deauville? Mostly for the range I guess.
 
You'll realise quickly that sitting at 100 and comfortable are pretty much mutually exclusive on a bike.
I commuted for years on a bike and it is arguably a quick way of getting between 2 points, comfort is sacrificed hugely.
 
as mentioned comuting in poor weather is just not fun at all. I did it for 2 years, not enjoyable at all at times, sometimes it was just plain dangerous.

If you insist on going ahead with it I would be looking at something like a Honda VFR800 or a Yamaha FJR 1300, both good reliable comfy and quick bikes with a wide range of touring accesories such as tall screens, heated grips, luggage etc.

I would be wary about spending to much though as it will not be knock over countless times during the channel crossing.
 
The bike would be happy at 100, you might not be though. Buffety.

I commuted through two winters on the bike, about 20 miles each way 5 days a week. Sometimes glorious, sometimes horrible. I had the option of the train if it was too poxy to ride though - would you have that option?

How would you get there if it was gale force winds? Would you want a two hour journey and two hours back in the ****ing rain?

Shorter commutes, sub 50 miles are doable, any longer and you're just at the mercy of the weather two much. Especially as a new rider.

I desperately want a bike back, it's been a few months since I've ridden and I miss it now the sun's coming back, but if I have to pick one, for commuting, it's a car. Wouldn't want a commute of that distance with no alternative.
 
I don't *have* to go at all, so if its gale force winds, or even if its just raining, I can opt to stay at home (I work from home currently).

It would also be around 3 days a week.
 
This seems like a hugely unworkable idea. Firstly you wont be doing Southsea to Central London at rush hour in 90 minutes, even on a bike. Secondly have you worked out what all this is going to cost you? IOW Ferries are not cheap even at the best of times.

Thirdly assuming a best case scenario of 2.5 hours door to door, thats 5 hours of commuting every day, then a days work. Work/life balance fail much?
 
Hi, I ride to work every day as I don't drive. Weather is not an obstacle with riding, it's really not. If any biker tells you otherwise then they are a fair weather rider, and as such their opinion does not count. If you're a biker and you're reading this thinking "well I'm not a fair weather rider, but even I stop at snow and ice", then this makes you a fair weather rider.

A quote that I only heard recently from a mate; "There's no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothing". That being said, the correct clothing is essential. It's worth factoring in the cost of buying some good quality riding gear for both summer and winter. Some items will cross over (such as boots, under-layers and possibly jacket) but really you'll be looking at a separate set of riding gear for the winter months. With the correct gear, keeping dry and warm is easy. On a really rainy day, colleagues often get more wet just from walking through the car park than I have for the duration of my ride.

As for the bike, I suppose that's mostly down to personal preference. My preference for longer distances are the more up-right, higher centre of mavity bikes. I'd never buy a bike for the sole purpose of commuting to work though, so my opinion may not be wort anything to you. If I knew I had to travel long distances then I'd start thinkng about the sort of overland adventures I could be doing, and so I'd start looking at the likes of the 1200 GS Adventure, 990 Adventure, probably overkill for your needs though. Transalps often get good reviews, mostly for their comfortability and endurance riding, though I wasn't a fan of their looks so I went for Honda's older dual sport, the Africa Twin. You can ride one these all day (and I have done) and not get tired of it. Wide handle bars and it's superior height give me an advantage through traffic as well. Horses for courses though.
 
Sod that get the train like all the other strange people who choose to work on the IoW and work in London. Not something I would do - commuting for 6-8 hours a day just to live on the island.
 
It is a tricky one, we have just taken on a new consultant that lives on the island. He isnt struglging to much but he prob only has to travel 3-5 times a month. Currently he is using the car rather than train as like you mentioned, trains are pretty poor, take ages and cost a fortune.

I was born on the island myself, keep saying ill move back but the hassle of commuting would drive me mad.
 
Smithy said:
Hi, I ride to work every day as I don't drive. Weather is not an obstacle with riding, it's really not. If any biker tells you otherwise then they are a fair weather rider, and as such their opinion does not count. If you're a biker and you're reading this thinking "well I'm not a fair weather rider, but even I stop at snow and ice", then this makes you a fair weather rider.

A quote that I only heard recently from a mate; "There's no such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothing". That being said, the correct clothing is essential. It's worth factoring in the cost of buying some good quality riding gear for both summer and winter. Some items will cross over (such as boots, under-layers and possibly jacket) but really you'll be looking at a separate set of riding gear for the winter months. With the correct gear, keeping dry and warm is easy. On a really rainy day, colleagues often get more wet just from walking through the car park than I have for the duration of my ride.
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Not sure I agree there mate, I rode every day regardless of weather for 2 years. Riding/falling off on icey roads just isnt fun.
 
Smithy said:
Don't fall off then.:p
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:D yeh, easier said then done, I remember one day very well, sheet/black ice everywhere. Little roundabout coming up, saw the ice, came to a crawl, both feet down, pratically walked it round, still hit the deck. A few car drivers stopped and ran over to help me pick it up, they are went flying on their arses as well, was like Benny hill!. Some days just aint good for biking
 
It's worth noting that I'm young, a tad reckless and probably a little more adventurous than most older bikers. I think this plays a part in my attitude to riding. I'm not saying I ride like a ****, just that for example I don't see riding through ice as "not fun", quite the opposite actually.

If it's wet and/or icey, it always makes for an interesting ride. The back end kicking out while negotiating a corner is seen as a bit of fun, certainly not a concern. All weather riding is definitely about what attitude you take to it.
 
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