I commute from Aurora into the heart of the city. Over 50kms each way on one of the worst bits of congested highway in North America (404/dvp). It's not as nearly bad as you'd imagine... on a bike. If you're smart and experienced with your route mapping, you barely come to a complete stop during peak rush hour times, and it doesn't involve breaking the law. I know Riceburner can attest to that as well as he does a similar route as me. Using the diamond lanes is a life saver. It's very rare this seemingly daunting commute ever becomes a real exhausting chore when doing it on a bike – unless there's a bad accident on one of the highways, and adding a heat wave to that will make it even worse. However, EVERY day in a car on the same route during peak rush hour is a painful chore. I used to commute every day in my car for 5 years, then started taking the train and I felt like I'd wasted a good chunk of my life and frustrations doing it in the cage - felt stupid actually. Completely different experience on a bike.
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Commuting vs Pleasure riding
- Thread starter bigpoppa
- Start date
Roadghost
Well-known member
Another to agree with this. It helps that I ride to work in off-peak traffic hours. There are several routes I can take there and back. I can even detour the Forks when I want to. I think the other guys are just making excuses because they're not real bikers :la:
Slowandsteady
Well-known member
Rode into work today. I'll probably do it again tmr.
But i find the more I commute, the less drive I had to do leisure trips.
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But i find the more I commute, the less drive I had to do leisure trips.
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This is such a personal thing. You guys can talk about it until the Rapture.
Some like commuting, some don't. Some feel that it takes away from leisure riding, some don't.
Some have nicer roads around them, some don't. Some care, some don't.
Some like commuting, some don't. Some feel that it takes away from leisure riding, some don't.
Some have nicer roads around them, some don't. Some care, some don't.
That's why having 2 different bikes is the best. 1 bike is used for commuting, the other is used for evenings, weekends and trips. Works out kind of perfectly.
Riceburner
Well-known member
When I was younger I had 3 different bikes, for different uses. 250 for downtown commuting, 750 SS for fun weekend rides and a 750 sport tourer for going cross continent. Now I make do with one 600 sport bike.
Why? You do what you consider entertaining, giggle inspiring activity ... others have different ideas. What's point of trying to convince anyone that they have it wrong and you have it right??
Face
Well-known member
Let's face it, we all have to work and most of us have to commute to do it. How many hours do you spend commuting? For me, its about 1 hr & 15 min per day. So say 8 months (9 riding months less holidays) x 20 days a month x 1.25 hrs/day = conservatively 200 hours a year. If I enjoy my commute because I'm on a bike, that's 200 hours when I'm happy instead of miserable. If you're happy commuting in your car or on the TTC, then I'm happy for you. But if you're miserable on your commute and I'm not, I'm not sure how that's right for you. Maybe riding your motorbike isn't the answer. But grumbling about your commute and not doing anything about it isn't the answer either. Unless you're one of those people who just enjoys having something to always grumble about.
mbroyda
Well-known member
no such thing as the perfect amount of bikes, if I had the $$ and space i'd have hundreds of bikes, the bare minimum is 4, touring, track, dirt and daily hooliganism
as far as commuting on a motorcycle, it works for some and doesn't for others, I enjoy it when the weather is good, but if there is a 60% or more chance of rain or its gonna be single digits im taking the cage, others ride rain or shine etc, OP - try it out and see what works for you
as far as commuting on a motorcycle, it works for some and doesn't for others, I enjoy it when the weather is good, but if there is a 60% or more chance of rain or its gonna be single digits im taking the cage, others ride rain or shine etc, OP - try it out and see what works for you
Riceburner
Well-known member
Different strokes. A lousy rainy day getting soaked gloves riding.... beats the TTC anytime for me.
bigpoppa
Well-known member
407
Booooring!!!
I am not sure how you got that from what I wrote, get your head out of your ass and stop arguing with me like a little school girl.
As I said, whomever doest like it should find another activity.
Activities also include Track riding , dirt riding, jerking off or anything else you desire.
Nice. I'm with a superbike when commuting and a GS for everything else. The GS is really the do it all bike that makes you realize more than ever that you really don't need more than one bike... until you try and commute on it. The thing is so wide with its engine sticking out of both sides that it makes close quarters with cars not at all enjoyable (especially if you have the added panniers sticking out the sides).
blackcamaro
Well-known member
That blows my mind lol. I would've thought the opposite but it makes sense the way you put it.
Not an issue I'd run into though, I have pretty much zero interest commuting on my bike. Much rather have coffee and music on the way to work and take the bike out for a blast at night and weekends.
Riceburner
Well-known member
That's why I had the 250. Got almost anywhere and even with a max speed of 120km/h it was fine in DT traffic. Not so much on the highway. Nowadays, I'd run a little supermotad.
LoneRonin
Well-known member
what bike was that?? Most 250's are usually good for at least 150-160 km/h minimum. They're not bad on they hwy either despite what everyone says. Most guys are either coming down from a bigger bike or because its a bike just expect it to be able to go like stink. If you (not you specifically) actually know how to ride and work your shifts you can still easily be the fastest moving vehicle in traffic, unless there's someone who is really pushing it. Unless I turn mine into a little track toy I think I'll always keep it around as a commuter.
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Riceburner
Well-known member
1987 CBX250 ...it's not hard to twist the throttle all the way around on the highway....and I'm no heavyweight. Still had to hug the paint to get to 120. But around town it was a hoot.
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