[Closed] Commuting by motorbike

Hmmm I thought I'd least have a flaming by now...

Why not? If cycling to work is not an option then commuting by motorbike / scooter is the next best option. Assuming you're used to cycling in heavy traffic you'll have a head start on many if you get a bike licence.

If you're only going to use it for short(ish) distance commuting, get a 125 scooter. Cheap to run, they'll keep you cleaner than a motorbike and are better in traffic.

Seems like a pretty sensible idea, but I'd second the 125 scooter option - like mogrim says it'd be cheaper and easier in traffic, but you can also ride with just with a CBT.

It would be twenty miles each way and decent traffic

don't you have those trains that run under the streets down there?

Yeah but they're rubbish

And go wrong way for me. Commuting in traffic much quicker by bike than car?

Yep its much quicker by bike. If you do get a 125 and only have a cbt get some more training pdq.

If you learn and survive riding in London you should be good to go for the rest of the world! I split between car and motorbike, the latter is way better my head is clearer by the time I'm home.
Get a scooter or a super moto style thing. Much more fun.

I might look into a scooter then could always change to motorbike once can afford training and bike

I have been commuting by scooter for 2 years now. 20 miles each way from Kidderminster to Wolverhampton, so busy, but not London busy.

Just re-taken my CBT as it had expired and to be honest, I am not fussed about riding with L-Plates and the scooter is excellent. I have a Honda PCX. Cheap to run, quick enough (will do about 60-65mph) and does about 120mpg. I have had one 'off' in that time and have learnt loads by just riding. Never regretted it. Scooters are very easy to ride in traffic so I think are ideal for commuting.

I guess in reality I use it twice a week on average as I try to cycle in twice a week, use the car when it is icy and only do 4 days in the office anyway.

Factor in costs of equipment - that was almost as much as my bike and it is well worth buying decent kit if you plan to do it in all weather. I fitted a tall screen to my bike, which looks daft, but, I get into work dry. In fact, if it's raining, the guys who walk from the car park end up wetter than me!

If you do get a 125 and only have a cbt get some more training pdq.

More training is never a bad thing, but do you really think it's that necessary for a 125? Assuming you've ridden a bike and you've driven a car, it's not that different. Standard advice of don't filter up the inside of lorries/buses, watch out for white lines and manhole covers, etc - no difference there to a bike, really.

(It'd be a different matter if it were a bigger motorbike, apart from legal requirements there's definitely an advantage to getting some on and off road training there).

I took my test a while ago with the sole aim of commuting through london, best thing i ever did. Started off with an sv650 which, for me, wasn't great before moving to a selection of KTM supermotos which are brilliant fun and very easy to get yourself out of trouble with given how easy they are to maneuver....and probably very easy to get into trouble with if you're stupid. I'm also an advocate of loud cans from a safety perspective; you couldn't miss my 660 when i was filtering. Loved that bike despite its short comings. Ended up on the SM950 which was still great fun, much smoother but heavier. Now got a 35 mile commute and dithering about buying another bike to do that with as i'm bored of sitting in traffic. Always look wistfully at the big bmw GS bikes when they cruise past.

If you want low hassle get on and go then look at a scooter. No gears, less faff cleaning, bit of weather protection etc. Wouldn't get a 50cc, too slow imo. If you want to have fun then look at a supermoto for that distance. Something like the Suzuki DRZ would be a good bike to start off on.

[i]It would be twenty miles each way and decent traffic [/i]

'Decent'? I think you mean 'Crap'...

You'll be filtering the majority of the way, unless you M3/M25 it (and as a learner, you can't). And Twikenham to Chertsey is only 15 miles.

A 125 Scooter would be perfect, and that journey will be hard as you'll be filtering down the white lines 90% of the time.

When i last did it i used a Vespa GTS250 (had 1200's / Duke2 etc before), fantastic for the twist and go nature of London traffic and could cruise along at a decent speed. Winter is very harsh for the rider on a motorbike. Leathers look poo on a scooter.

+1 Something like the Suzuki DRZ (SM) would be a good bike to use.

In the sunshine blasting away from the lights leaving all the city behind you - ah its a dream!

Greasey roundabouts and manhole covers on dull miserable rainy commutes dodging negligent drivers checking the FB updates - is a frickin nightmare!

It is worth doing but you need to have your wits about you as there is so much at stake on a motorcycle.

A 125 scooter is plenty fast enough, offers protection from the weather and costs buttons to run. A large motorcycle eats fuel, £200 pairs of tyres and takes more muscle to hussle through the traffic and gets you into illegal street races with couriers...

Trail bikes always seem to coat your legs in water and road muck far more than street bikes, let alone bikes with faring.

DRZ400 is fun but it is very attractive to da yoof for urban off road adventures and may not last very long!

If you're only going to use it for short(ish) distance commuting, get a 125 scooter. Cheap to run, they'll keep you cleaner than a motorbike and are better in traffic.

Scooter also gives you a safer sitting position if you run into something. Less likely to go over the bars.

Tomaso does speak the truth. Commuting is not a lot of fun, a lot of the time. Winter when it's drizzling, cold and dark when you're wet and frozen or just a log jam of cars with a rain smeared visor where filtering can feel difficult with cars flying at you from the other direction etc. Then the good times...warm summer evening with a decent run through the traffic; absolute bliss. Before it gets scorchio and you're sat there with a super heated lump of metal between your legs, sun baking down on your leathers and you're moving slowly through traffic. But...for me even the bad times were a lot better than pubic transport.

If you do it, i'd say start off on a scooter. No gears to worry about and its easy. If you find you like it then take a full test and get a motard for adding that bit of fun to your commute on the odd occasion that its quiet. Get a big lock though.

[i]+1 Something like the Suzuki DRZ (SM) would be a good bike to use. [/i]

On what planet? It'll be noisy, vibrate, too-wide bars, no weather protection, uncomfortable and expensive to-run (compared to a Scooter) - do I need to go on?

I often used to commute around that area, and a Scooter would be perfect. Along with an armoured textile suit, good boots/gloves/helmet. Get a top box installed for carrying anything that won't fit in the Scoot.

[i]A large motorcycle eats fuel, £200 pairs of tyres and takes more muscle to hussle through the traffic and gets you into illegal street races with couriers... [/i]

Yep, and there aren't many things that can out-accelerate a Triumph 1050 from the lights (long, low and torquey) - especially sports-bike owners who think just because you are riding what looks like a tourer with dayglo clothes, you'll not be up for a race 🙂

? bars on the KTMs never used to cause me an issue commuting from south london up to bond street.

Agreed the scooter is a much easier/cheaper/sensible option for just a commute. Wouldn't take either down the A3 on a regular basis (125cc scooter) and for when it is quiet the motard is more fun if that element is of consideration. Plus you are also sat up higher so have better vision. Depends where your priorities lie. Following your advice everybody would ride a scooter for commuting, from 50cc up to the 600cc maxi scooters, there's no reason to use anything else.

I rode a scooter once. It was bloody awful. Coming from a motorbike it felt really twitchy and the wheels would fall into the pot holes.
It was a long time ago so maybe they have got better.
Do you think it was anything to do with the wheel size?
(runs for cover!)

Out of interest for personal reasons b r, how far is your commute and what do you reckon it costs you per year in tyres and servicing?

It cost me 50p/mile commuting on a 1000cc motorcycle from Gloucestershire to central London. That was at least 8 years ago though. That was backstreet garage servicing and, err, spirited commuting.

I was racing enduro at the time. Commuting really improved my race results. I had to stop before I killed myself.

[i]Out of interest for personal reasons b r, how far is your commute and what do you reckon it costs you per year in tyres and servicing? [/i]

Not doing it now, but in 2011 Aylesbury to Brentford rtn (about 95 miles) during a contract.

All costs worked out at 27ppm, with running costs of 22ppm (including 9.2ppm on fuel). Fully Triumph serviced and a pair of tyres (and front pads) every 6000 miles. Pretty cheap really, and when you factor in the free parking and additional hour saved, somewhere between free and money-back 🙂

Previous high-mileage commuting bikes I've ran cost me:
Kawasaki ZX9R - 44ppm
Yamaha FZ1000 - 45ppm

These were higher due to depreciation costs.

5thElefant - 😀 I can imagine! I like to think i've matured from my days of stoppies on london back streets 😀

Thanks b r, very helpful. I'd be looking at 70 miles a day so not a million miles off where you are.

If I were to be in the market for a commuter scooter I would go for one of these because it is a modern C90 with a bit more grunt, bigger wheels than regular scooters and just look at the protection. It all adds up to being just the sort of thing da yoof don't want to steal!
Oh and did I mention [b]1 3 0 M P G[/b] all for under a grand with Honda reliability
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=145893682 [/img]
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=145893685 [/img]
[img] http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=145893688 [/img]

I have commuted by bike quite a bit over the years, including a whole winter of Southend - Leamington Spa - Loughboough - Southend working away on a ZX636.
I had to stop that as I was getting too comfortable with M1-M25 filtering at silly speeds.

I sold My Fireblade Last year as my commute was 10 miles out in the country and I preferred to cycle it, it wasnt worth getting the blade out for.
October I got made redundant and the company went into recievership (Which was great fun !!)

Now I`m working somewhere else but the commute is 27miles minimum and thats on roads not quiet enough to cycle it...
In the Van I`m getting mid 30's mpg and at 300 miles a week on fast A roads, thats a fair saving to be had.

So I`m thinkling of another bike or even a Maxi type sccoter for the commute.
Heart says I want a KTM 950 Supermoto, head says an F800 Bmw with 70mpg would be more sensible and still "Big bike" Fun

But a more practical option would be a Big Scoot, better weather protection, more storage etc (I Did have a little one for hooning round town a few years back and I loved it) maybe I need to go try a few again ?

The 950 has silly short service intervals i think as i had a look at an adventure if i was to go back on a bike for my commute. If you can stomach that then the 950sm is a cracking bike.

F800 GS beemer is my no1 choice. Seems to get good reviews, well kitted out for those cold winter months and still fun. Not sure i could stomach getting on a scooter everyday, even if it is more sensible.

Following your advice everybody would ride a scooter for commuting, from 50cc up to the 600cc maxi scooters, there's no reason to use anything else.

If it's only for commuting or using about town, and you're following brain not heart - no, there really isn't any reason to use anything else. They're designed for commuting, better weather protection, you can stow your helmet+gloves in a safe dry underseat locker, etc. Where they lose out to a "proper" motorbike is out of town, twisty country roads and the like. And aesthetically, of course 🙂

Gotama - Member

The 950 has silly short service intervals i think as i had a look at an adventure if i was to go back on a bike for my commute. If you can stomach that then the 950sm is a cracking bike.

F800 GS beemer is my no1 choice. Seems to get good reviews, well kitted out for those cold winter months and still fun. Not sure i could stomach getting on a scooter everyday, even if it is more sensible.

This is kind of where I am at too ;o)

Short service intervals, not a problem........ My Username 😀

This is a man that used to commute from Kenilworth to Whitley on a CR500 Supermoto !!

(For those that dont know thats a 500cc 2 stroke single, open class Motorcrosser, with Little wheels, sticky tyres and big brake) 102kg fully fuelled (Premix only) and 68hp at the rear wheel....not your ideal commuter tool

New rings every 40 hours must have kept you out of the pub 😯

They are actually pretty good if you prep the Piston properly ;o)

And you can change one in under an hour ;o)

Lean seizure at 80 mph just tipping in to a bend concentrated the mind somewhat though !!!

Great fun, mental bike, but the CRF450 I replaced it with was quicker and easier 95% of the time

Don't discount the 1050 Triumphs, both mine have managed +55mpg without trying. And feel very safe with ABS etc, and well built.

Depreciation is low too.

BR - Is that the Tiger?

Cheers lots to think about and scooter might be worth a proper look. I'll see about taster session locally and see how I get on. Regarding the weather then it'll be better than on a push bike surely?

[i]BR - Is that the Tiger? [/i]

I had the Tiger first and then a GT. GT was better all round and I'd buy another if I had the need.

Fontmoss - On a scooter with bar muffs yes. I used to commute on a singlespeed road bike in between motorbikes. When its wet in the morning on the pedal bike its a pain as you have to put on soaked gear at the end of the day which isn't pleasant. I would say the scooter approach is a lot less hassle on a daily basis.

Once you've done your cbt there are places that you can hire a scooter for a week and see if you get on with it for the commute.

BR - Thanks

I probably need to work out before I move whether a scooter is viable. If cycling and train I'll live about 12 miles from work but if scooter or motorbike then I'd live about twenty miles away

Also, if you do end up buying a new bike/scooter and the shop sells kit, ask for a discount.

I got about £300 off of my kit in total when I got my PCX which considering it only cost about £2300 was a great deal. I did end up buying a Shoei lid though as it was the only one which felt 'right', so that cost a fair whack!

I used to commute every day by bike (SV650- great at it- fun, reasonably small, agile, quick (but more importantly easy to make it go quick) reliable and damn near unkillable, once stove in the door on a SMIDSYing Focus and didn't so much as scratch the bike 😉 )

Most things already covered... A scooter is very practical but a bike does have presence that they lack, and tend to be given more respect by road users. Shouldn't be the case, but is. People assume you're a 16 year old learner.

Cost... It's cheaper for me to commute in my car! MPG not great, insurance and servicing expensive. Saving was all about time and well worth the difference. Depends how much you hate being stuck in traffic.

Practicality... Well, in Scotland it can be hard 🙂 Leave house in sun, arrive in snow. Not so bad in the south. Good kit worth it, arriving soaked in the office is no fun (or riding home in wetted out kit). It does take a bit of time to get changed at either end, just like cycling.

I wouldn't do it now as it's just not a very good option for my commute, but if that changes I'll unsorn the bike the next day!

Sometimes it is ace - I commute 19 miles one way on a scooter when my car share in on holiday or ill. My list of must haves would be heated grips, top box and larger wheels. Our vespa use to fall foul of the pot holes and joins in dual carriage ways. I love the sunny days and the days where there are massive jams everywhere and everyone complains about how long it took them to get into work. I hate the -4 and below weather, people peering through a credit card size slot in the frost and snow and the people who pull out or in on you as you are on a scooter then brake hard because as you are on a scooter you must be a learner or only doing 30 (even on a motorway). Oh yeah and helmet hair!

Be commuting by bike for 7 years. Winter is crap, even with the correct gear on and would much rather be in a car. But I refuse to pay £1500 a year to be warm for a couple of months each year. I don't mind the rain, good tyres, waterproof gear and two sets of gloves mean no soggy mess at the end of work. But when it's dry its awesome and so much quicker getting through Preston rush hour. Fuel economy the same as missus's 1.2 litre Fiat Pinto about 35 mpg, 40 is the best I've seen. Costs £22 fill the tank.
Ride a Suzuki Gsr 600 costs me £184 a year fully comp, 5 years ncb and I'm 27.
Sits at 80mph in 3rd gear at 4,000 rpm.

Fuel economy the same as missus's 1.2 litre Fiat Pinto about 35 mpg

Much better than I get off my 1200 bandit or firestorm though. Neither will see 30mpg.

It's hard to figure out why 200kg-ish bikes are just so appallingly thirsty.

It's hard to figure out why 200kg-ish bikes are just so appallingly thirsty.

Because your right wrist is always twisted to the stop? 😀

[i]Much better than I get off my 1200 bandit or firestorm though. Neither will see 30mpg.

It's hard to figure out why 200kg-ish bikes are just so appallingly thirsty.

[/i]

Honda's in general and V-twins are often crap on fuel, so that's the VT sorted 🙂

My old zx9r averaged 40mpg, the Fazer 1000 did 45mpg and both 1050 Triumphs' 55mpg, with the GT been marginally better than the Tiger.

All long-term commuters and none ridden for economy.

For me its how you ride (observation), as I usually get better car mpg than most too.

Because your right wrist is always twisted to the stop?

My old zx9r averaged 40mpg, the Fazer 1000 did 45mpg and both 1050 Triumphs' 55mpg, with the GT been marginally better than the Tiger.

You'd think you'd be able get a full sized 100bhp bike that'll do 100mpg if ridden, err, 'normally'.

I could improve the mpg if I stopped going round town in 2nd gear but I'm addicted to the induction noise it makes. Im not fussed tho I enjoy it and 35mpg for something that can hit 140 mph at acclerates as quick as most super cars is not too bad

I've commuted my current commute on a '96 fireblade, a '92 GPz500, a 2000 KLX300 enduro bike, and a '07 SV 650.

I've got 50mpg on all four of them. I guess if you're going the same kind of speed, it only takes the same kind of energy to do it.

The KLX was amazing in town. It was also amazing on A-roads in the rain in the dark on FIM enduro tyres and 6 volt electrics. But not in a good way.

You'd think you'd be able get a full sized 100bhp bike that'll do 100mpg if ridden, err, 'normally'.

But fuel consumption will only get worse as environmental measures get stricter because of exhausts choked with catalyzers and fuelling set to protect them. A bike mag got a power commander and some exhaust spares and made a 600cc sport bike faster, more economical, and reduced emmissions (CO2 was undetectable with their equipment) - but it was a bit louder. Apparently noise is considered as bad as poison and CO2, so it would never pass whatever it is motor vehicles pass to be sold somewhere.

Choose a motorbike with your heart, not your head. Your balls (or lack of them) will act as a safeguard against riding anything too "extreme" untill your riding ability improves.

Safety is improved by riding a bike that makes a statment - something along the lines of "I don't mind if I scratch it on your Mercedes" is helpfull for filtering.

Do your test and spend a day learning how to ride on the mud. You learn a lot more riding off the tarmac than you do on it. Some dirtbike skills will help you stay upright when you hit that unseen patch of diesel on the corner......

I've been commuting by motorbike almost everyday for the last 12 years.
I originally had CBR600, then GSXR750s, but for the last 2 GSXRs I've bought a cheaper commuter trailie. It saves the GSXR from all the salt, road muck and expense of tyres/chains etc.
Original commuter hack was a KLR250. It died and have been on a DRZ400S for the last 2 years. Its a hoot and I love it. Gets through tyres quicker than I thought though (approx 3500, so same as a sportbike). Very manoeuvrable and plenty of torque. It will depend on your journey though. 7miles each way with 1/2 on motorway is fine. More than 10miles on motorway would be a pain. Fuel isnt bad - 85-100 on a £10/tank.

Get a taster session done (www.geton.co.uk), then a CBT + 125 scoot.

Probably the easiest way to get started.

A scoot gives you the luggage capability without needinga topbox or lugging around a rucksack, plus you don't have to faff about with gears.

London is a little easier to filter with a scoot, but not by much to be honest. I haven't seen a big difference - there's very few days in the year when the traffic is so smegged that bigger bikes can't get through 🙂

Next up think about cost - CBT (and optional full-license) + bike + clothing/helmet + insurance + fuel + servicing.

Oh, and it hurts when you crash..and you probably will at some point - so extra training + full license + spending £££ on helmet/clothing gear is a good idea 🙂

I commute 20 odd miles on a Honda varadero 125cc,when the weathers behaving ! its a very big bike for a 125cc and has plenty of road presence ... I get 90 mpg, which im very happy about , Ive have had a few close calls but none of them my fault 🙁 ... and buy the best riding gear you can afford .. its worth it in the long run .... love my alpinestars goretex boots the most 😀

Ok I'll try get cbt soon and post back my experiences...

I really don't think you can commute cheaper on a motorbike unless you go for one of the little Hondas.

Not if you count tyre wear and servicing costs etc.

But it's more fun, and that's the best reason for it. 2 hours sitting in a car getting to work is work, but 45 minutes each way on a motorbike is an hour and a half of fun, not work.

Just get something small enough that you have to use it hard to make the ride interesting. 🙂

I used to commute on a wee 125 regularly, all I would add is that overtaking buses/tractors etc is NOT FUN, keep a very sharp eye over your shoulder for the Land Cruiser drivers pushing in and overtaking the whole queue at 100mph while you are gathering your revs. And if you have had a long hard day at work have a break and a coffee before you jump on the bike, need to be focused at all times !

Apart from that motorbikes are awesome, even small ones.

It;s not so much the cost as the time that would be the decisive factor, if I could convert an hour train journey into a 40/50 min door to door commute then it would be worth it.

If it was an hour on a bike rather than 40 minutes on a train it would be worth it!

I guess a very important point I kind of missed out at the beginning - over a 20 mile journey from say Wimbledon to Chertsey would it be much quicker than a car? In traffic I mean

Anyone? Looking at doing a taster session when get back from holiday end of May. I think that'll help us decide where to live so fingers crossed goes ok.

Also if I got a Honda 125 varadero second hand would it be easy enough to sell on and buy something sexier should I wish?...

Yes. You can do 30mph+ when everyone else is stationary. The fannying around with waterproofs etc does take more than a few minutes either end though.

[i]It;s not so much the cost as the time that would be the decisive factor, if I could convert an hour train journey into a 40/50 min door to door commute then it would be worth it. [/i]

Its not the hour train journey, but the door-to-door journey you need to compare. Even with 40mpg you'll be quids in if paying Peak-hour trains.

[i]You'd think you'd be able get a full sized 100bhp bike that'll do 100mpg if ridden, err, 'normally'.[/i]

Nobody buys big m/c for economy, but if you look at the time saving you can make them almost free to use.

And if you're a contractor, no BIK issues - plus get the VAT back on a new one.

I guess a very important point I kind of missed out at the beginning - over a 20 mile journey from say Wimbledon to Chertsey would it be much quicker than a car? In traffic I mean

Yes. It is also a consistent time taken to commute. I go from surrey hills to chiswick everyday. I start early but go home with everyone else. On the way in i would save perhaps 5 mins on a bike compared to the car in typical traffic, but that is getting in to the office at 7 ish. On the way home it would be closer to 15. Where it really benefits is when some clown has screwed around with the traffic light sequencing and it causes a bigger jam than usual, or there is an accident/breakdown on the A3. On a bike you'll just filter through slowly so it hardly causes a delay whereas in a car you're stuck....and sods law says the time you're stuck in traffic will be the glorious sunny evening when you had plans for getting out on the pedal bike 🙄

As has been said above winter is rubbish though, especially over a reasonable commute. As someone who has never ridden a bike before i'd suggest living somewhere that gives you commute options when the weather is bad, just in case you decide that greasy wet roads, car drivers becoming more idiotic and freezing rain is really not for you during the winter months.

The KLX was amazing in town. It was also amazing on A-roads in the rain in the dark on FIM enduro tyres and 6 volt electrics. But not in a good way.

😆 would get more light out of a bunch of birthday candles.

[i]As has been said above winter is rubbish though, especially over a reasonable commute. As someone who has never ridden a bike before i'd suggest living somewhere that gives you commute options when the weather is bad, just in case you decide that greasy wet roads, car drivers becoming more idiotic and freezing rain is really not for you during the winter months. [/i]

Yep. I've been riding 30 years, and there is no fun in riding when pretty much every moment you are waiting to fall off - and its always dark on a winter commute.
My basic approach was if there was ice on the car window AND moisture on the road outside my house, take the car etc.

I have a similar rule - if it's below 3degC and wet I'll drive in.

As for commute time - I think someone up there had it right - my commute always takes the same time. In the morning it is no quicker than the car really as I leave early. Coming home it is 15 minutes quicker. Getting kitted up takes me about 1 minute - kick shoes off, trousers oon, jacket on, boots on and the rest goes on as I walk to the bike which is parked closer than my car would be.

Regarding riding in heavy traffic - you'll probably go through a period like me where first I was scared, then I was over confident and now I am somewhere in between. At the end of the day, I know that even if I don't take every opportunity to squeeze through I will still be quicker. Some places (especially on a 125) it just isn't worth it.