considering a bike for commuting... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

full of days · 07-08-2011, 02:31 PM

Wanting to get out of my SS for commuting to work and am considering a motorcycle for commuting. I like the new Vstrom 650 that's coming out next year.

http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle...s_-_first_ride

Big improvement over older V-Stroms. I love the new Triumph Tiger 800 street model. I'm also considering used BMW's... They are very nice bikes. I hear Honda's coming out with a DCT 600 next year. Very tempting.

Anyone here commute on their motorcycle? If so, what are you riding? I'm doing about 50 miles/day round trip with 50/50 highway/city driving.

8AD•SS · 07-08-2011, 02:41 PM

Personally I've found the Honda CBRs to be quite comfortable, 600RR, alot of fun to ride and the seat doesn't kill my back.

SSNIGHTMARE · 07-08-2011, 02:42 PM

I have a night train and a sportster I use when it's nice out. about 40 mile round trip, 3/4 back roads but 55 mph and the rest in city. The night train gets about 35 mpg and the sportster gets around 50 mpg. Had a gsxr 750 years ago, wonder i lived

VanquisherSS · 07-08-2011, 02:46 PM

I commute on my bike. I drive about 40 miles each way, 80 miles a day. 75/25 highway/city. I have a 2001 Honda CBR 929RR. I'm used to riding crotchrockets so my comfort for that distance is not bad. If your going to ride a standard cruiser you should be more than fine at that distance.

My only thing I would caution if this is your first bike you might want to think twice about riding in heavy traffic especially highway right away. At least here in NJ with all the dbags you have to ride aggressively, always be weary of whats going around you, and always be prepared to take your life into your hands and make a "maneuver" between cars/lanes. Fact of the matter is, PEOPLE DO NOT SEE YOU and most people could care less about motorcycles.

Due to the amount of traffic and more the amount of morons on the road during commuting hours my bike has slowly been more of a weekend toy. But i still take it 1-2 days a week because I love it more than anything, and I'm sure you will too. (Gas MPG isn't bad either

)

Be safe!

ravensjeff · 07-08-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by full of days

Wanting to get out of my SS for commuting to work and am considering a motorcycle for commuting. I like the new Vstrom 650 that's coming out next year.

http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle...s_-_first_ride

Big improvement over older V-Stroms. I love the new Triumph Tiger 800 street model. I'm also considering used BMW's... They are very nice bikes. I hear Honda's coming out with a DCT 600 next year. Very tempting.

Anyone here commute on their motorcycle? If so, what are you riding? I'm doing about 50 miles/day round trip with 50/50 highway/city driving.

I used to commute to work on a 2003 Custom Softail Duece until I got hit by a drunk driver (And lost my left leg). And I've been riding for 25 years. I still ride, but not to work no more. It sucks because it is a beautiful ride to work (Past Cal Ripken & Ray Lewis' mansions).

upflying · 07-08-2011, 03:37 PM

I ride daily, 2003 HD Road King and a 1998 BMW R1100RT.
40 years, probably a million miles, no serious accidents..yet.
Ride like you are invisible, plan for the unexpected, have a keen sense of situational awareness. Know how to threshold brake. Right of way violations hurt the most.

full of days · 07-08-2011, 04:05 PM

I've been riding for 19 years on the street and had 3 offs. 1 on the street and 2 on the track. I've got 2 vintage CB's right now that aren't commuter worthy. I'd love to find a sport touring bike with hard bags. That's why the BMW's are so appealing to me. The R1100 is a nice bike! I cant seem to find one for sale with less than 60K miles though!

RiCorvette · 07-08-2011, 04:21 PM

I loved my Honda PC800 for commuting; hard core Bikers dissed it as a pansy's scooter and the Speed Freaks found it too tame.
BUT it was a great commuting bike; lots of (internal!) trunk space, comfortable seat and riding position for both driver and passenger. 800CCs; enough power and fuel efficient to boot. Not much around today that compares.
Now I have a Honda VTX1300R and a Yamaha Roadliner done up as Classic Cruisers.

upflying · 07-08-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by full of days

I've been riding for 19 years on the street and had 3 offs. 1 on the street and 2 on the track. I've got 2 vintage CB's right now that aren't commuter worthy. I'd love to find a sport touring bike with hard bags. That's why the BMW's are so appealing to me. The R1100 is a nice bike! I cant seem to find one for sale with less than 60K miles though!

60k miles on a BMW is just broken in. Mine is an ex-highway patrol bike.

rewski · 07-08-2011, 05:27 PM

I'm about to get my first Camaro, but I do commute on a 2010 Zero DS charged daily by our PV array on our roof! I figure imcan easily justify the SS gas mileage when I ride an electric bike or my bicycle to work daily. 28 miles round trip. Still can't wait for my 2012 Camaro 45th or transformers edition.

VanquisherSS · 07-08-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by full of days

I've been riding for 19 years on the street and had 3 offs. 1 on the street and 2 on the track. I've got 2 vintage CB's right now that aren't commuter worthy. I'd love to find a sport touring bike with hard bags. That's why the BMW's are so appealing to me. The R1100 is a nice bike! I cant seem to find one for sale with less than 60K miles though!

Might want to look into a Kawasaki ZRX1200R. My buddy has one. Has hard saddle bags with it too, and let me tell you it gets up and goes just like my 929RR....that is until about 130

mrchen · 07-08-2011, 06:28 PM

have used my suzuki bandit and boulevard in the past, however my Atlanta 49 mile straight thru town commute proved to be too dangerous......these people cant drive...........bikes just for fun

yzfmik · 07-08-2011, 10:51 PM

In the 11 weeks since I bought my Suzuki DR-Z400S, I've only filled my Camaro once. I average 62 mpg riding to work, plus it's a very practical bike. Hate to admit it, but it's more practical then the R6 I used to have.

PETRA · 07-08-2011, 11:01 PM

I miss my Deluxe all the time. :( Sold it about 3 months ago.... but I must admit with the way these redneck GA drivers are, I feel much safer driving the vert.

07-08-2011, 02:31 PM	#1
full of days Drives: Camaro GT Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Charlotte Posts: 723	considering a bike for commuting... Wanting to get out of my SS for commuting to work and am considering a motorcycle for commuting. I like the new Vstrom 650 that's coming out next year. http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle...s_-_first_ride Big improvement over older V-Stroms. I love the new Triumph Tiger 800 street model. I'm also considering used BMW's... They are very nice bikes. I hear Honda's coming out with a DCT 600 next year. Very tempting. Anyone here commute on their motorcycle? If so, what are you riding? I'm doing about 50 miles/day round trip with 50/50 highway/city driving. __________________ *Post Tenebras Lux*

07-08-2011, 02:42 PM	#3
SSNIGHTMARE Drives: 2002 SS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PA Posts: 372	I have a night train and a sportster I use when it's nice out. about 40 mile round trip, 3/4 back roads but 55 mph and the rest in city. The night train gets about 35 mpg and the sportster gets around 50 mpg. Had a gsxr 750 years ago, wonder i lived __________________ 04 GMC LB7, SOCAL DIESEL STAGE 2 HEADS, CROWER RODS, TWIN CP3 483 RWHP, 1008 FT/LBS, ATS 5K 02 SS, LSX BLOCK, 500 HP, WAITING ON BOOST 98 COBRA, EAGLE CRANK AND RODS, 568 RWHP, S-TRIM 02 SS, STOCK, THE SLO HO 08 CTS, POS EFI Live "Nitrous is like a hot girl with STD's, you know you wanna hit it but you're afraid of the consequences!" "..it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.." --Samuel Adams

07-08-2011, 04:05 PM	#7
full of days Drives: Camaro GT Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Charlotte Posts: 723	I've been riding for 19 years on the street and had 3 offs. 1 on the street and 2 on the track. I've got 2 vintage CB's right now that aren't commuter worthy. I'd love to find a sport touring bike with hard bags. That's why the BMW's are so appealing to me. The R1100 is a nice bike! I cant seem to find one for sale with less than 60K miles though! __________________ *Post Tenebras Lux*

07-08-2011, 06:28 PM	#12
mrchen Drives: 2011 Camaro LS V6, 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atlanta Posts: 75 View My Garage	have used my suzuki bandit and boulevard in the past, however my Atlanta 49 mile straight thru town commute proved to be too dangerous......these people cant drive...........bikes just for fun __________________ 2011 Rally Yellow LS, LLT, Konig Air Strike wheels, Ebay spoiler, new 2013 Inferno Orange 2LS, LFX, American Racing AR897 wheels, Flowmaster Super 40 mid mount, resonator delete, K&N Typhoon

07-08-2011, 10:51 PM	#13
yzfmik Drives: '10 Summit White 2LT M6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 217	In the 11 weeks since I bought my Suzuki DR-Z400S, I've only filled my Camaro once. I average 62 mpg riding to work, plus it's a very practical bike. Hate to admit it, but it's more practical then the R6 I used to have. Attached Images __________________ '10 Summit White 2LT M6, 5% Tint

07-08-2011, 02:41 PM	#2
8AD•SS Drives: 45th anniversary SS Vert Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 269	Personally I've found the Honda CBRs to be quite comfortable, 600RR, alot of fun to ride and the seat doesn't kill my back.

07-08-2011, 02:46 PM	#4
VanquisherSS Hasbin of Stock Bottom HP Drives: CTS-V Coupe, 04 TT Viper Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,561 View My Garage	I commute on my bike. I drive about 40 miles each way, 80 miles a day. 75/25 highway/city. I have a 2001 Honda CBR 929RR. I'm used to riding crotchrockets so my comfort for that distance is not bad. If your going to ride a standard cruiser you should be more than fine at that distance. My only thing I would caution if this is your first bike you might want to think twice about riding in heavy traffic especially highway right away. At least here in NJ with all the dbags you have to ride aggressively, always be weary of whats going around you, and always be prepared to take your life into your hands and make a "maneuver" between cars/lanes. Fact of the matter is, PEOPLE DO NOT SEE YOU and most people could care less about motorcycles. Due to the amount of traffic and more the amount of morons on the road during commuting hours my bike has slowly been more of a weekend toy. But i still take it 1-2 days a week because I love it more than anything, and I'm sure you will too. (Gas MPG isn't bad either ) Be safe!

07-08-2011, 03:37 PM	#6
upflying Drives: '86 Monte Carlo SS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,119	I ride daily, 2003 HD Road King and a 1998 BMW R1100RT. 40 years, probably a million miles, no serious accidents..yet. Ride like you are invisible, plan for the unexpected, have a keen sense of situational awareness. Know how to threshold brake. Right of way violations hurt the most.

07-08-2011, 04:21 PM	#8
RiCorvette Drives: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport 3LT Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Center of the known Universe Posts: 863	I loved my Honda PC800 for commuting; hard core Bikers dissed it as a pansy's scooter and the Speed Freaks found it too tame. BUT it was a great commuting bike; lots of (internal!) trunk space, comfortable seat and riding position for both driver and passenger. 800CCs; enough power and fuel efficient to boot. Not much around today that compares. Now I have a Honda VTX1300R and a Yamaha Roadliner done up as Classic Cruisers.

07-08-2011, 05:27 PM	#10
rewski Drives: '12 45th 2SS Vert Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Denver Posts: 106	I'm about to get my first Camaro, but I do commute on a 2010 Zero DS charged daily by our PV array on our roof! I figure imcan easily justify the SS gas mileage when I ride an electric bike or my bicycle to work daily. 28 miles round trip. Still can't wait for my 2012 Camaro 45th or transformers edition.