Has anyone else "given up" commuting on their motorcycle?

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I upgraded from a DRZ400SM to a street triple. My work is changed so less need to commute, but just the same I don't ride downtown as much.

Reasons:
  • The Street Triple has a much stiffer clutch. Not great for stop and go traffic.
  • If th DRZ gets knocked over, there's no tears. Just pick it up and dust it off and ride away.
  • DRZ is tall. Great for seeing over the car in front for hazards and picking the best route.
  • A supermoto opens up a few opportunities for "creative shortcuts". Not that I've tried.
  • Toronto streets surfaces are a bit like a motocross track. Long travel suspension is great.

The triple is an amazing bike, but not an ideal city bike. I find myself wanting a WR 250 or another DRZ for riding within the GTA.
 
Corsara said:
Gave up street riding last summer, track only since then. Reasons: although higher risk of crashing, much much safer when you do; a hell of a lot more exciting even than the most spirited rides on the street; more time for family and other things. No regrets.

PS. I was gonna add that saved insurance dollars pays for the track, but that's not true cause you need tires much more often, etc, and the itch to upgrade equipment never ends.
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At some point the track drug wears off, plus it costs more money than what you're saving by not riding street.

The ability to just jump on a street bike and ride 11 month of the year is great. Two weeks ago I rode to Mt tremblant, this weekend I'll be riding in Pennsylvania.
 
I stopped riding to work a few years ago. I started to loathe riding home in rush hour - congestion, and the kamikaze attitude car drivers have on the way home from work. I actually started to hate riding altogether because of it, so I stopped riding to work. Also, the amount of gear I was wearing to work was becoming a hassle too. I just drive now. Much calmer experience with the windows closed, listening to jazz or classical music. Keeps the nerves under control for the ride home.
 
g-ram said:
Now when I get home I know my riding time is 'fun' as opposed to straight line on the Gardnier moving at ~5km/h
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Agreed. I still ride downtown a day or two every week, but it's out of laziness. My 14km round trip is cheaper in gas than a $3x2 TTC fare, and faster as well.

I try to make a piont of riding my pedal bike as often as I can because it's by far the fastest, cheapest, and healthiest way to get to work and back, but some days I just don't feel like it.

I work downtown and live in the west end, so that probably doesn't apply to most people. Still, you might be surprised how fast a pedal bike can be when you can filter to the front at red lights and traffic is going 30 in a 60 anyway.
 
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Corsara said:
Gave up street riding last summer, track only since then. Reasons: although higher risk of crashing, much much safer when you do; a hell of a lot more exciting even than the most spirited rides on the street; more time for family and other things. No regrets.

PS. I was gonna add that saved insurance dollars pays for the track, but that's not true cause you need tires much more often, etc, and the itch to upgrade equipment never ends.
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I'm heading down this path. I'm going through the "corner fast or boring" phase and but I'm not stupid enough to go WOT on public roads, there is no run-off on most ramps and twisty roads often have a mountain one side and a cliff on the other.
 
油井緋色;2072192 said:
I was hit by 3 storms this summer, my boots never smelled the same after. I realize riding would save me money but all it takes is one jackass to whack over my bike and it's no longer worth it (or stolen).

Regarding the advice of grabbing a second bike, I've been debating on that but it won't be for a few years due to $$$ reasons. I'd be looking into the CB1000R, B-King, or StreetFighter.
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By default I tend to buy weather friendly gear anyway. My boots are waterproof (well resistant) Alpinestars. I wear a an Aerostich suit as much for convenience, as for weather resistance.
 
Second year commuting to work every day, and won't stop. On a SS, love it. Everytime I take the car I meet a slow car and wish I was on my bike. I don't have to wear business wear so I'm good to go, I have a full a* rain suit now which is wicked awesome, and I just lug stuff in my backpack. Anytime I would take the car, the bike is just better. Straight riding? Less boring than in a car. Are you really having that much more fun in a car, and spending more $ on gas? Granted on a REALLY hot day, AC is quite nice (since I don't squid it). Cold I don't mind.

Saves a lot in gas money for me, even on a SS. Insurance is cheaper too lol
 
TTC is awful, nothing like a deoderant-less bus in the dead of summer or the stale smell of wet clothes on a rainy day. I take my bike rain or shine every day I can. I have heated gloves to ride it up until the snow comes down or the salt comes out. A downtown commute isn't great, but it's rainbows and sunshine compared to taking public transit.
 
Jayv said:
At some point the track drug wears off, plus it costs more money than what you're saving by not riding street.

The ability to just jump on a street bike and ride 11 month of the year is great. Two weeks ago I rode to Mt tremblant, this weekend I'll be riding in Pennsylvania.
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Speaking to Lita the other day we need to organize and old f a r t ride before the season is over. Make it so number one. maybe we can drag out some of the old favourites.
 
I don't have to anymore, because I live so close to work, but when I used to work up by Vic Park & the 401, I'd drive up Don Mills every day. Thanks to the HOV lane, that took half the time taking the bus did and cost less to boot.
 
topendz said:
Speaking to Lita the other day we need to organize and old f a r t ride before the season is over. Make it so number one. maybe we can drag out some of the old favourites.
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Good to see you are still alive and kicking. I get worried with you older guys lol.
 
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[video=youtube;dQw4w9WgXcQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ[/video]
 
Gave up commuting when i switched Job. i tried but 3000kms ride to work is too much :(
 
If it's not raining then I'm def riding to work.
 
if I lived in the city there's no way I'd commute. Way too many people there that shouldn't be allowed to drive in the first place. I'm glad I live in the sticks and work is a 1000 foot commute. I ride in all the time :D
 
I'd like to commute MORE, but weird shifts that have me coming home after midnight many times along an unlit, critter attracting highway has produced some close calls.

Add to that the fact that I have to bring work clothes, work out gear and lunch and it gets a bit much to pack up on the bike (I use Kriega bags as I don't like strapping a backpack on).

Although I do have free motorcycle parking at work so...
 
I commuted years ago on a bigger bike (Concours) until I lost my best parking space. I've commuting by car, when my wife and I both worked downtown, and by train. For me, parking at the GO train is a no go - I had to be there really early, and couldn't do that when I dropped my son off at daycare. With all that crap, riding actually became the most convenient - I'd drop him off, and then my house was on the way back to the gardiner anyway, so parking the car and hopping on the bike took hardly any time. My commute is only 17km one way. Long enough that I dislike when it's really slow, but not unbearable. Also long enough that if it's not too slow, it can be enjoyable.
I can understand the discomfort of a backback on a ss. I prefer an older sportbike - the F4 is way more comfortable than more recent ones, and I've always used an expandable tank bag. My last two were both the kind that separated, as well, so you could just use the smaller part if necessary. Good gear is paramount - for all types of weather. Nothing worse than strolling into the boardroom with a dark patch down the front of your pants. Also mesh /great ventilation for the hot summer days. I love it - it allows me to practice every day, not be tied to a train schedule (although it is better now), and boring or not, I'm still on my bike.
 
commuting to work on a bike can be a pain. for me it takes longer than hopping in the cage because i gear up, take cover off bike, take chain off. the positive side is after work i can ride as far as my tank will get me. great way to unwind after a hard day.
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