Running a sports bike as a commuter?

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Well can you and is it feasible? Just wondering if anyone else does this?

As in commuter I'm talking about a 70 mile round trip everyday minimum and for blasts at the weekend?

I'm still not sure if I want to sell my bike and make do with a car till I've saved up some cash for another bike. I also don't fancy rush hour traffic to and back from Glasgow everyday. It's due a service right now and the tyres are ready for another 3000 miles of abuse I'm sure.

I also don't have any NCB on a car so even something like a 1.1 is going to cost more than my bike to insure.

Thoughts?
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Fire_Eyes · Crazy Courier Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Karma :

I'm gonna buy a sports bike soon as a commuter. Will be doing almost 130miles everyday. I've been on sport bikes for over 6hours. If it get's painfull just stop anywhere for 10mins and back on Thumbs Up

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killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

Been doing it for a few months now but commuting for 5 years, I don’t find it difficult in anyway.
I think if I was offered a job more than 50 miles away I might consider a car.
I was worried the bike wouldn’t like it but she’s doing ok and the weather doesn’t cause it problems. Thumbs Up

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cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Well it's the difference between sitting in a car for 1hr 20-30mins morning and night or 35-40 mins on the bike?

I'm kind of concerend I'll be munching through tyres every 3-4k miles or should I just accept that?

So have you not lost interest in the bike because you use the bike everyday? Don't want to go off the bike if you see what I mean.
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WishayKillie · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

I use my bike to go to work (on sunny days) and thats for a 26 mile round trip and it's no problem. longest it's ever taken me is 20 mins Thumbs Up

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mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

You could keep your 'fun' bike for the weekends and avoid chewing through tyres, service intervals and knocking spades off its value, and get a 500 or something to commute on? A Gpz would probably do, and there are plenty of other bikes suitable.
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WishayKillie · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

Get the train Rolling Eyes

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Current; 10' Aprilia Dorsoduro 750.
Previous; 05 Triumph Daytona 600, 08' Ducati 1098s.
"Needs a check-up, fae the neck up!"

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

I stay in the sticks! Train and buses are a no go!
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WishayKillie · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

same as me then 2 trains every hour going into glasgow Thumbs Down

at least we have nice scenery Thumbs Up

Having a comutting bike might be an idea to consider BTW.
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Current; 10' Aprilia Dorsoduro 750.
Previous; 05 Triumph Daytona 600, 08' Ducati 1098s.
"Needs a check-up, fae the neck up!"

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Commuter and a new bike! Drooling

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killa · Won't Shut Up Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Karma :

Nah haven’t got bored, I don’t see how I can, it sounds good, feels good.
I go to work happy, I see people in cars with that “FFS” Kinda face and I think, ha.
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tintin · Traffic Copper Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Karma :

I commute to London everyday about 60 mile roundtrip (unless it's tipping it down). I used an R6 for about 4 years, no issues at all apart from it being stolen!
I use an Aprilia Tuono now which is much better in the traffic and still a lot of fun when I get out into the country.
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Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

I've been comutting on G's RS250 for a few weeks now and I wouldn't really say it's that much fun. It's good if it's sunny but when it's wet it's like ice skating in clogs.
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Project9928 · Traffic Copper Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

I've been commuting on a sports bike (CBR600F sport) for the past week or so and I find everything is fine at the mo. But then again my trip is only 10 miles there and back. As my tank can only do around 100 miles I wouldn't fancy doing really long trips for commuting unless I had another tank fitted or something.

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

I might just suck it and see for a month or two then. The better weather is coming in just now anyway. I've put my bike up for sale now too but don't think I can part with it.....

Who does cheap tank bags and panniers then? Or a tank bag that hooks onto the the grab rails? It needs to carry a shirt, tie & trousers without creasing them, office job and all!
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instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

I used to commute on the CBR when it wasn't very far.

As soon as I moved and it became a longer trip I jacked it in - can't be arsed with squaring off the tyres and racking up mileage on something with reasonably high running costs. And I don't like getting wet. I use the car most days but if that wasn't feasible I think I'd have got a commuter bike.

I also don't like relying on one vehicle cos if something goes wrong I wouldn't be able to get to work. This way I can bin my bike and still make it to the office. Mr. Green

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

^^ I was thinking that too Bendy....

Greg, your ER5 still up for sale!? Laughing

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instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Karma :

I used to reguarly commute to work on the busa, which was well suited for the job. Don't use the R6 though, I always feel knackered after riding it.

NickD · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Karma :

Just do it, it's easier than trying to run a commuter as a sports bike.
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cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

^^^ Did you not chew through tyres like nobodys business?
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dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Grubby · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Aug 2004 Karma :

I use the Busa for the summer commute. I used to ride all year round until I hit 40....I know sad ol' git! Up til then I used to use my bike all year round. At 1 point I was commuting to Gatwick & back every day. A round trip of 130 miles. I got through a set of tyres every month & a half & I had to service it every 3 weeks. Riding the M25 in the snow was fun, sideways at 55 mph for 2 miles or so in the 3rd lane YEEHAA! I'm seriously considering it again though as the journey to Heathrow is getting on my wick. I'll buy a cheapo thou from somewhere, probably something like a CBRthou. cheap to buy, run all day long without breaking down & reasonable weather protection.

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Got a link to BIKE mag's site?
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