Anyone commute from Luton, any distance round the M25

[NewRiderJ]

As of January I will be flying in to Luton Airport every Monday morning, landing at 6:55am. I understand you can park motorbikes for free directly outside the terminal. I start work at 9am in Sutton, Surrey. A 60-70 mile journey down the M1 and anti clockwise round the M25. Does anyone do a similar journey? Any idea as to how long that would take by bike? Looking I think to get an ER500 for my first bike following advice from friends and family who are bikers. The rest of my weekly commute would involve 80 miles a day to and from home in Kent and then back to Luton Airport Thursday evenings. Planning to take Direct Access end of August/early Sept and get Bike soon as possible so I can get some practice/experience before bad weather sets in. Current commute is 400 mpw Kent-Surrey Mon to Fri by car, which means having to set off early and spending lots of time sitting still, especially by junctions 5 and 6 on the M25 so although I'm getting the bike because of the issue of getting to work from Luton on Mondays it will speed up my morning commute Tuesday to Thursday also.

I don't swap my tyres on the car but definitely planning on having a set of winter tyres for the bike.

Any tips? I'm hoping I can be off the plane, out of the terminal and on my bike by 7:20-7:30am each Monday which would give me an hour and a half to get to Sutton. Will that be enough?
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[bamt]

It'll be tight but do-able - how flexible is work?

In January it's quite common for flights to be late, so you could easily turn up 30 minutes or more after you expect. You'd ideally be in a position to just have hand luggage so you can whip through the terminal quickly on arrival - but then you'll either be carrying your lid (which may be tight in the overhead lockers of a small commuting plane) or leaving it in a top box on your bike (which is obviously a risk).

The roads will be busy, the M25 almost stationary. That's not too much of a problem on the motorway once you are comfortable with filtering as in my daily experience of that section of the Surrey section of the M25 most drivers are pretty good, but once off and onto the smaller roads you may find it difficult to make progress - especially as a newer rider and until you learn the roads. You'll also need to factor in time to park up and secure the bike (where are you leaving it?) and change clothes at work - you're doing a fair distance in January so make sure you budget for some warm, waterproof clothing (and a commute of distance in the pouring rain on a naked bike really will show up any deficiencies between manufacturer's claims of waterproofness and reality).

That sounds negative - but I'd absolutely prefer to do that journey on a bike rather than by car. It will be much faster, and much more consistent time wise once you are off the plane and on the bike. But if you absolutely have to be sitting at your desk at 9am, in a pressed shirt and tie having already finished your coffee and ready to start, then you may be better coming in on the last flight on Sunday night instead. It'll be a whole lot less stressful, and being stressed and feeling you need to push harder in heavy traffic on a rainy January morning isn't ideal.

I'd also seriously consider something like a Deauville for the bike - just as easy to handle as the ER500, but shaft drive so no chain maintenance (a pain during winter) and much better weather protection for that fairly long run in.

[Rogerborg]

I'd actually suggest a midi/maxi scooter. It's a utilitarian vehicle for a utilitarian journey.

What's your backup plan for snow days? "Winter tyres" aren't going to make a huge amount of difference.
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[bamt]

[Andy_Pagin]

Google maps says over two hours journey time on a Saturday, whatever route. Unless work is very flexible I'd look at an earlier flight.
Is flying into Gatwick out of the question? It's only half an hour from there.
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[Polarbear]

The M1 is an utter nightmare in the mornings. Granted you haven't got a lot of it before the M25 but that isn't much better.

Won't your company allow flexibility on you arriving and leaving? A lot of people in the shipping office where I worked lived up North and commuted at weekends. They used to come in at 7 each morning instead of 8 and so had hours in hand to leave early or arrive late when on their weekend journey.
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[NewRiderJ]

thanks for all the posts guys

Can't do Gatwick, no direct flights from Vilnius which is where my wife is moving back to because of her business and family. Which is a shame as yes that would be much closer to both home and work. Thought about Sunday nights but want to spend as much time with the wife as possible over the weekends and work have been kind enough to let me work remotely on Fridays with the idea being I would have 4 nights there and get up 3am UK time for the Monday morning flight. It is a 3 month trial starting from Jan and if it pans out they will make it permanent but I'm concerned they might see being late on a Monday as an issue. I said 60-70 miles as to cut up the A3 and then take smaller roads to Sutton would be 60 miles but I think to be honest it would be much easier and safer to filter up the A217 from junction 8 of the M25 (70 miles) as its effectively dual carriageway a lot of the way on the A217. Probably a lot quicker too. Most mornings I sit still on it in my car and bigger bikes than I'm planning to get filter past me. If I can get my Bike early Sept that gives me 4 months of leaning to filter M25 and A217 on my route in from Kent. Will give myself plenty of time. Currently leave my Kent home at 6:30am in the car but reckon once I'm confortable on the bike I will be leaving home at 8am!

Bike spaces in front of our building with security sitting in reception, I don't think anyone locks their bikes. Would literally demount and walk in to the building. Hate the sight of top boxes on bikes but yes planning to have one with half decent lock and leave the helmet in there over the weekend parked at Luton Airport. Would lock the bike up but from everything I've read it appears to be safe to park at Luton over the weekend, parking is apparently right in front of the terminal by the short stay car park (I think literally up against the building) and although still a risk there is Security around and forums I've read have said well lit and generally safe. Would only ever be hand luggage and possibly just a lap top and now have ePassport so hoping if flight lands on time I would be straight through, maybe even quicker than 20 mins. Not timed it yet. Have a flight landing one Monday in October which will be a good test as no one will know I'm away that weekend and if I'm late I can just blame traffic pretending I rode in from Kent. If I am late that morning it will be back to the drawing board, but if I'm not then I know it's achievable.

Already booked 16 flights, Mondays and Thursdays for Jan and Feb and reserved seat on front row to be first off the plane. Yes good waterproofs will definitely be the plan. Worst case snow day I leave the bike at the airport and get train to the central London office I guess. Don't have to wear tie or pressed shirt but do have to wear a shirt. Wondering if possible to wear shirt and trousers under waterproofs and so just de-robe outer layer upon arrival at the office... can always have a shower and change my shirt at lunch.

No one had suggested a Deauville, I see you can have fully automatic. Not the type of bike I would ever have considered when I've dreamed about Bikes in the past but then if I was choosing for pleasure I wouldn't be looking at the ER5 either. A blacked out Iron 883 is what my heart desires... one day. Automatic Deauville might be far more practical for my commute! Thank you Bamt!

Rogerborg, would a midi/maxi scooter be practical for 400mpw motorway commute?

Little bro rides a 900cc Ninja. Wife hates the idea of me getting a bike, and have always promised her I won't get anything like a Ninja. I'm getting a little depressed by the thought I might end up riding a scooter. The wife on the other hand appears to be getting happier.
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[NewRiderJ]

It appears I don't know what my wife is thinking at all... having read my post to her she said "not at all happy you are going to ride that shit!" lol

Oh God, if only the 883 I want wasn't £8k to buy and £1k to insure!
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[CaNsA]

Instead of the commute from Luton, how about a commute to the departure airport?

How far is Minsk airport to you?

Or is this of any use to you?

Departs: Vilnius
Via: Frankfurt (0h 50m)
To: London City Airport (LCY)

[NewRiderJ]

Hi CaNsA, thanks for the suggestions but Minsk is a 2.5 hour drive and London City airport would be ok for getting to the central London office but not for Sutton which is where my team are and where Management want me to be predominantly based.

Just looked at maxi scooters... not sure I would go that far. Think if I saw myself reflected in a window riding one of those I would just throw myself off and be done with it all. Just my personal opinion, I'm sure there are plenty out there that would love it. Not really happy about the thought of riding a Deauville, but it does appear to be more practical than a naked bike in the winter.

Hopefully bamt is right and it will be tight but do-able... I think it will all depend on whether I can get out of the terminal and on the bike and off before 7:30am

Fingers crossed

Thanks guys
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[Polarbear]

Just another point. Have you confirmed where you cal leave your bike at Luton airport. They are bastards at charging for everything from trolleys to even charge for dropping people off. I would be amazed if there was a free M/C park.
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[NewRiderJ]

Hi Polarbear, yes surprisingly there are two options for free motorbike parking at Luton. Can't remember exactly but I think it's up to 7 days next to short term car park or up to 30 days next to mid term car park. Something like that. A couple of forums and I think I saw it on the airport's own website also.
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[Rogerborg]

[NewRiderJ]

I don't think I can bring myself to riding a midi scooter or a Deauville... I think I will just wear numerous layers of clothing and invest in top quality waterproofs!

A few people have said the ER500 is a little short, and I'm only half an inch under 6'

Someone else suggested a Suzuki SV650. Anyone have any thoughts on that?
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[CaNsA]

Had a toilet thought...

Something that will get you there without stopping to fill up will save you a good 10 / 15 min.

[Polarbear]

[talkToTheHat]

A bolt-on screen such as those from MRA will turn a naked bike that gets you soaked in the rain and cold in the winter into something quite comfortable. I have the two-piece height adjustable thing. Made a hailstorm non-painful last week
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