Motorway commuting advice please

[Wonko The Sane]

Just accepted a job that's a 40 min commute from my house, with the majority of it going on the M60 motorway (round Manchester) coming off at the same junction as the trafford centre.

Initially I'll be doing the commute on my varadero (just fitted a taller screen to duck out of the wind a little easier) but hope to get something a bit easier to do the motorway stint on (ZZR6 or ER6F etc)

As I've only used the M62 on the bike and that was during the day so not 'crush hour' was wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice for commuting on the motorways by bike.

Thanks.
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[wiganwarrior1...]

I'm in a similar position,currently got an A road commute of 14 miles but starting a job soon with a mainly motorway journey of 25 miles, mostly M6. No real advice to offer but I'll keep an eye on your thread!
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Triumph Sprint ST 955i

[R6Armadillo]

Hi, I commute about 80miles a day most of it on the M1, there's not really much to say about it other than it's boring and squares tyres quickly.

I listen to music to avoid the boredom and tend to just sit in the outside lane following traffic. Not sure how busy it gets on the M60 but filtering is usually ok if traffic is slow.

If we ever get a summer I try and take alternate routes, which are longer but more fun.
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When Eric eats a banana, an amazing transformation occurs. Eric is Bananaman. Ever alert for the call to action.

[J.M.]

Drink coffee, to stay awake.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[P.]

I commute on the Vara, 25 miles each way, all motorway,

It is fine. standard screen is fine, pulls fine, have music and muffs though.

[damienbish]

[moppy]

Boring as fuck. Economical though if you're prepared to sit at 70.

Does square tyres, make sure you wear ear plugs, hands will get bloody cold.

My advice: sit in the right hand lane doing 90, occassionally pulling over for the Beemer, Benz or Audi behind you flashing his lights.

I hate the middle lane, people love trying to kill you there. It's either the the right hand lane at 90 or the lorry lane at 60 for me.

If you're looking for a workhorse ZZR, I may just have the thing for you

[c_dug]

Unsure how applicable it will be on a 125 but for long motorway journeys I tend to set my speed a little quicker than the speed of the traffic and move between lanes 2 and 3 (or 3 and 4), i try and keep my speed even to be friendly to my mpg. Obviously where traffic allows use the lanes as they should be.

When the traffic slows down it can be tempting to filter way faster than is safe because of the wide lanes but cars do swing into any gap they can so just be aware of that.
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[P.]

I've not noticed any significant tyre wear from 67,000 to 72,000

[Wonko The Sane]

[Peirre oBollox]

[Wonko The Sane]

[tracks]

[damienbish]

You can tell your tyres are squaring off by a) looking at and feeling the tyre as it gets worse its really noticeable that the profile of the tyre is no longer round. B) the bike will feel like it wants to be upright all the time flicking the bike over will feel like a struggle.

[Peirre oBollox]

[Casper]

Just act like you are in a car for a few days if you are not used to motorways. You will get the confidence to overtake at speed in busy traffic in no time. You will soon end up riding aggressive and get to your destination in no time.

[Wonko The Sane]

[Aspire]

My advice would be get a bigger bike asap.

I felt exposed on my old cb500 because it didn't have much grunt above 70, on a 600 now and it's a lot better. I know people are happy to do it on 125's etc but it's not for me. Like today driving wind with a bit of snow my bike was getting blown around dread to think what would of happened on a lightweight 125 with little power.

[moppy]

[stevo as b4]

[radicalrabit]

GET BLIND SPOT MIRRORS. Watch out for getting cut up, keep your distance from the vehicle in front because stuff that is lying in the road that wont harm cars but will harm bikes will appear from under the guy in front and you need time and space to react . Keep very aware of who is behind you and off to both sides at all times. think and anticipate of something goes wrong where is your best escape route
Its real concentration time on a bike . When the traffic is crawling dont be scared to filter. look well ahead watch the gap and keep an eye out for prats moving over on you . If filtering have your headlamp on full beam you will be amazed how much it helps you to filter through the traffic .

This is what I do on the M60 it works for me.... OTHERS MAY HAVE DIFFERENT ADVICE But in the end you hear all advice filter out what you disagree with and ride your own way keeping your wits about you .

PS NO TEXTING WHILE YOU ARE RIDING........
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[TheBikerStig]

[R6Armadillo]

[snikks]

[Recluso]

For the first couple weeks, give yourself extra time to get a feel of how traffic is at those times. Better to be at work 20 mins early than 20 mins late and stressed out from mega traffic.

Also a thumb's up for considering a bigger bike. I did short motorway commutes on my YBR for a few weeks and found that my biggest 'problem' was the fact I had no 'get out of trouble' power behind me if someone was being a bit silly or just gave you that funny feeling. As a result I was stuck between the lorries, and that's no place to be if Mr. Lorryman behind you is running close to his tacho time.

Cater the bike for comfort, not style on the motorway. Get some muffs and heated grips if you haven't already and a big bag of earplugs OR a reasonable fitting pair of earphones if you like music on the go (everyone is different).

As stated, don't be afraid to filter on the motorway if you hit standstill congestion, but this is where the extra time comes in handy if you're not used to filtering. Go your pace (don't let others rush you) and be hyper-vigilant for people lane hopping at the last second.

Hope that helps
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