Commuting on a motorbike

[fornowagain]

Given the distance its just not practical. I commuted every day for about 4 years on a 1000cc v-twin, even sold my car so I had no choice. A good 27 mile country lane journey each way. And yes I saved a huge amounts of time in traffic, but the amount of near misses would have made a cat nervous. And freezing fog and black ice at 6AM on is not something I'd recommend. In fact I think coming home is worse, after a long day the mind can tend to lapse in concentration.

 

[Felix]

It would be annoying having to sort my hair out after taking my helmet off at work.

Nah it takes 2 mins to fix with some V05 styling wax.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I did it for a couple of years on a Kawasaki Versys.

After a while I realised that actually I could get better fuel economy in a car, and that the 5-10 minutes I'd save by traffic is easily negated by having to get changed each end. Plus all my clothes were crumpled, my hair was always a mess, and I never felt entirely clean, and you can't take anything with you.

Riding a bike for an hour in the biting cold, with your nose running, your eyes streaming, your hands and feet frozen is not an ideal way to start a productive day at work.

From my experience, a short commute on a motorbike is fine, but a long commute is really not worth it.

 

[Draeger]

Nope, wouldn't recommend what the OP is advocating as a commute. If you did go for it though, your neck muscles would increase in size substantially at 100mph over a long distance. Even on a Deauville.

Fixed :-

This is presumably why car accident statistics are so high. It isnt that driving is dangerous, its that dangerous people are into driving 5 Series BMW's into ditches.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I think everyone has completely missed the point I was making. It wasn't an anti-biker comment at all, infact quite the opposite (Why would I be anti biker? My own father is a biker).

The accident rates for biking are absolutely though the roof and people perceive this to be because biking is dangerous. Whereas I suspect not - its that have a go heros look at me I'm gods gift ice doesnt scare me types jump on a bike and skew the accident stastics when they envitably fling themselves through the scenery, making it seem like biking is dangerous when its not, its that the odd dangerous chap hops on a bike.

It was this comment that did it:

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.

Just seemed to reek of pride before a fall and the sort of attitude typical of most younger bikes before they have their first big off.

And whilst I'm sure you took great pride in bringing up yet again the fact that 4 years ago I had a minor off in a car (Yet people like Darryn hurl Type R's into the air and nobody notices), if anything it adds weight to my argument - had I been a biker instead with that level of fake faith in my own ability, I'd be yet another accident statistic.

 

[MikeHiow]

I think 1hr30min is doable on a bike when you consider not having to wait in traffic, I mean, Hindhead adds nearly an hour to the journey as it is on some mornings, and you'd be able to skip most of that on a bike.

We have two cars Fett, and I practically live in Ryde - I estimate I can get to Southsea from home in about 20-25 minutes.

I drive occasionally as it is (although North London at the moment), but its really expensive - this isn't an issue for me as my fuel is paid for, but it does limit how often I can commute, and having to get a car ferry adds an extra 40 minutes each way.

If it can be done in 1hr 30, that would equate to around 4 hours travelling each day, and I could probably get 1-2 hours offset by my work hours (ie. start an hour late, finish an hour early).

This isn't for a new job, this is for my existing job, and moving isn't an option, the other half wants/needs to stay close to her Mother for a while.

 

[Jonny69]

I think its the guy who had that Corsa with the interesting roof?

Lol

Mike, I'm telling you now that you can't do this commute. There is no way you'll do it in 1:30 and besides, if you ride that long you're going to get squashed. You simply can't ride that long and keep your wits about you. I did a just over one-hour commute by bike for about a year, then did varying journey lengths for about 4 years after that. What I realised is anything over about 40 mins and you really start to lose your edge and you're risking a nasty smash. Not because you're not a good rider but because drivers do some utterly stupid unexpected things, and unless you're 100% sharp you're going to get smashed up.

Add some bad weather in and basically you're doomed.

 

[Smithy]

It was this comment that did it:

Just seemed to reek of pride before a fall and the sort of attitude typical of most younger bikes before they have their first big off.

As you've picked up on something I've said and made the wrong assumption, I feel compelled to correct you. I wasn't sure if I'd even bother, but I don't like being labelled incorrectly.

I've already had my first "big off". It happened off-road, and that's perhaps the most relevant detail. You're grouping me with the typical young biker who thinks he's invincible and has no consideration for his actions, however this is far from the truth. There's no way I can prove that to you on here though, so you will have to take my word for it. I don't pride myself on the risks I take on my bike, more my maturity on the road; respect and consideration for other road users.

It's necessary to bring up the context in which I was speaking, and that was the fear of falling off your bike while riding over ice. Just because I don't place a low speed slip out as a major incident which would put me off of riding my bike on an icy day, it does not go to say that I'm the sort of rider which would add to the statistics you mention. I reduce my chances of having a serious accident, or being involved in an accident which other road users are involved in, by the way I ride; conservatively, responsibly, and most importantly, safely.

The risks I stated earlier that I don't mind taking, are risks which on the grand scheme of things are really rather minor, but are enough to scare most bikers away from riding their bike on that particular day (such as a low speed slip out on an icy patch of road).

The risks I take are only ever going to be risks which effect my pride and confidence (I avoid life threatening risks as far as biking goes). But my point was that they don't, because as previously stated, they are minor things, and should not put one off from riding. This was the point I was making; not that I am reckless to the point where I become another statistic, but that I am reckless to the point where a confidence shaker is not going to knock me. That to me is the best attitude to take with riding.

You tarred me with the wrong brush [TW]Fox. Looking back at what I wrote, I can see how it was easy to do so, but perhaps I wouldn't have made the assumption which you did, which is why it was hard for me to digest.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Thanks for the clarification, I agree its now pretty clear you are not the sort of rider I was reffering to, your OP just made it sound like that.

I think my point still stands though and hopefully you can agree that there are unfortunately rather too many people like those I describe, even though I totally accept you are not one

 

[Dano]

It's necessary to bring up the context in which I was speaking, and that was the fear of falling off your bike while riding over ice. Just because I don't place a low speed slip out as a major incident which would put me off of riding my bike on an icy day, it does not go to say that I'm the sort of rider which would add to the statistics you mention. I reduce my chances of having a serious accident, or being involved in an accident which other road users are involved in, by the way I ride; conservatively, responsibly, and most importantly, safely.

The risks I stated earlier that I don't mind taking, are risks which on the grand scheme of things are really rather minor, but are enough to scare most bikers away from riding their bike on that particular day (such as a low speed slip out on an icy patch of road).

The risks I take are only ever going to be risks which effect my pride and confidence (I avoid life threatening risks as far as biking goes). But my point was that they don't, because as previously stated, they are minor things, and should not put one off from riding. This was the point I was making; not that I am reckless to the point where I become another statistic, but that I am reckless to the point where a confidence shaker is not going to knock me. That to me is the best attitude to take with riding.

You tarred me with the wrong brush [TW]Fox. Looking back at what I wrote, I can see how it was easy to do so, but perhaps I wouldn't have made the assumption which you did, which is why it was hard for me to digest.

'

You've possibly made the mistake of forgetting the sheer idiocy of other road users in the context of road riding which you will have no control over, yes you can ride defensively and allow for them to an extent but there will always be one who will actively do everything in their power to make you one of the statistics.

 

[Rich_L]

Is there any way you could hire a motorbike for a week, do the commute for a week, then realise it is ridiculously longer and harder than you could have possibly imagined, give the bike back and get the train like everyone else?

Southsea -> M25 border - happy days. The remaining jaunt of traffic light grand prixes, travelling double the distance sideways to weave through traffic to make progress and the ever-present dangers of arctic lorries and bendy buses, good luck to you

 

[jaybee]

I'd recommend you don't.

a) Be more realistic about the time it will take you. More like 2-3 hours in total. Remember traffic even on a bike still slows you down.
b) Realise that although expensive, the train is the way forward as it will be relatively stress free (you get to relax) and safer.
c) You will be KNACKERED every day upon arrival to work let alone when getting home.

I'd say you would last a few weeks at best then get sick of it. The appeal even for big style bikers often wears off after the realisation of what a commute is really like day in day out in the English weather.

This is coming from myself who has been there and done it on only a half hour commute through a winter. Never again. Cold, cold and more cold. Yes I got there quicker than a car every day, but changing in and out of leathers each end and generally getting ready with gear wipes that gain away. You always feel in a rush to justify it over a cars travel time. Riding a bike that can go very quick remember, is not going to be utilized on a commute with traffic.

Just no basically.

 

[Fett]

We have two cars Fett, and I practically live in Ryde - I estimate I can get to Southsea from home in about 20-25 minutes.

Ah, right-o. Still, I think it's quite a haul with the car, hovercraft then bike.

You should borrow a bike and do a trial run, see how it goes.

 

[Dup]

I think 1hr30min is doable on a bike when you consider not having to wait in traffic.

Don't count on that ever, becasue you'll find yourself trying to get through impossible or dangerous gaps to keep the journey time down becasue that's the only reason you're doing it. Even when filtering in a perfectly save visible place I ended up with a taxi driving over me, only takes on persons absent mind to kill you. I've been very lucky twice on a bike, probably many more I hadn't realised about where I didn't come off.

It can be quicker, but that means adding bravery most of the time. Have you actually ever ridden a bike before and have you done so in a city? I wouldn't want to jump on a bike as a newbie and then start riding in peoples blind spots to save a bit of time, especially in a city.

I'm a completely unrealistic person and would probably do this, but only becasue I've gone through the baby steps of riding and learnt my usual route. Things are different on a bike. You sit higher, see more, hear more and feel a hell of a lot more. It's easy to get distracted, you've got to be 100% focussed on anticipation and its sometimes hard not to misuse your size and power advantage. City traffic for up to 2 hours with 100% focus... that's going to be tiring. The add in the British weather... nah!

Public transport has the productivity edge to it if you have room to do so, car has the radio and other toys to distract you while bikers swear at you for not looking when filtering past.

 

[Flukester]

The accident rates for biking are absolutely though the roof and people perceive this to be because biking is dangerous. Whereas I suspect not - its that have a go heros look at me I'm gods gift ice doesnt scare me types jump on a bike and skew the accident stastics when they envitably fling themselves through the scenery, making it seem like biking is dangerous when its not, its that the odd dangerous chap hops on a bike.

Thats utter tosh m8..

Biking is dangerous and more so than driving a car, less wheels / grip, more prone to being effected by weather conditions / road surface, hard to be spotted by others.... the list is endless.

Some of the problem is the bikes themselves, they are fast, VERY, for little outlay... and egg the rider on. Could you drive a lambo slow and not open it up ? (it's difficult)

It's not 'look at me gods gift' (though I can understand you thinking that as your in a slow tin box), those types actually tend to ride slow and topple off at 20mph, it's waheyyyy this is better than sex feeling must go faster....


Do you think I had a look of fear on my face in siggy ?, nah, grinning ear to ear


I think the thing with biking is it's not that much more dangerous if you are purely using a bike as transport, until you get in a accident then your going to come off bad. The problem is bikes are fun by design, and a lot of that fun is derived from fear and the rush you get from it. Fear is riding on the edge of your capability, which is bad I guess. Fear can slow you down make things safer, but it's way to easy to feel invincible when you have all your gear / armour on.

 

[The_Abyss]

Get a place to crash in London during the week.

 

[Felix]

Maybe not the best use of words Abyss!

 

[Gribs]

Get a place to crash in London during the week.

This. For the traveling time staying in a hotel for a couple of nights makes most sense as even if you did go home at night you wouldn't be in fit state to do anything other than go to bed.

 

[Participant]

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?

Google maps suggests 2 hrs? TheAA.com suggests longer:

I know you said Hovercraft and this says ferry and your 2 hrs is from Southsea not the Isle; not sure how much difference this accounts for. In any case, I wouldn't even entertain it.

 

[atpbx]

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.

I'm not a biker, but I ride a motorbike.
I also commuted in all weathers for 5 years out in the fens of lincolnshire so I had snow, Ice, freezing fog, mud (almost all year round) pot holed roads, crumbling roads, narrow roads, rain, high winds with no protection at least once a week.......

Its an idiotic, pointless pursuit commuting on a bike in anything other than good weather as it is a deeply unpleasant experience, its simply too dangerous and too uncomfortable t o be a realistic option for anyone with any sense.

On side note, a one and a half two hour commute to work?
Get a job somewhere else, or move.