Using your VFR for Commuting

1. Do you use your bike to commute to work? yes
2. If so how far to you ride each way? about 35 miles roundtrip
3. How may days a week to you commute? 1-5 depending on weather and schedule. Usually everyday if it's 40 or above in the morning.
4. What do you do for the stuff you carry back and forth? Tail Bag, Tank Bag, Backpack, Saddle Bags? Icon urban tankbag
5. Do you wear the clothes you work in, get changed at work, or wear overpants, etc.? Wear work clothes. When it's warm/hot I only wear my jacket, helmet and gloves. I have some JR Ballistic 5.0 pants for the cold rides.
6. Do you commute in the winter as well as summer? Yes
7. If so do you use heated gear? No heated gear or grips. I would like to have some heated gloves.
8. Do you carry a rain suite with you all the time? Never
9. Do you take your normal route you take when you drive or an alternative route for some reason? Normal route. Joy riding is reserved for the weekends.
10. Lastly do you do this for enjoyment, money savings, or just because? It's more fun to ride than drive. I hate when I have to take the car. I use the gas savings as an excuse. Even though I spend all the savings on gear, tires, etc.

 

Hey excellant post! I have wanted to commute to work for years but had my own biz working from home out of a service van, now I drive about 25 miles to work. I tried the commute thing last year on my 83 Venture and it was quite the work out in stop and go traffic. The VFR on the other hand is so well balanced that I can just about stand her still at a dead stop without putting a foot down.

The other issue is it seems there is less and less free time for recreational riding so commuting makes all the more sense. Even though I havent started commuting yet due to weather, I will answer the questions based on my plans.

 

1.Do you use your bike to commute to work? Yes.
2. If so how far to you ride each way? 15 miles over the Bay Bridge
3. How may days a week to you commute? 5
4. What do you do for the stuff you carry back and forth? Tail Bag, Tank Bag, Backpack, Saddle Bags? Backpack
5. Do you wear the clothes you work in, get changed at work, or wear overpants, etc.? Yes with ovepants, jacket and my work shirt folded in the pack
6. Do you commute in the winter as well as summer? yes. even in the cold and rain! Not high winds!! (30mph and above).
7. If so do you use heated gear? No.
8. Do you carry a rain suite with you all the time? no. But I'm in the market for one
9. Do you take your normal route you take when you drive or an alternative route for some reason? Normal route except i can ride in the carpool lane! ZOOM!.
10. Lastly do you do this for enjoyment, money savings, or just because? All of the above! Have you seen those gas prices in California! .

 

getting screwed

O.K,fellas,i knew that i was getting screwed here in beautiful friendly Manitoba,but after seeing some of your posts,i realise that i'm getting screwed HARD!!!:rant:
My 2002 VFR costs me $436 per month for the months of may thru sept.(Thats $2,180 per year.):frusty:
My 2002 Taurus-$1,213/year
My 2002 caravan-$1,233/year
My 1968 Torino GT convert-$763/year (But I do cancell coverage during winter so it actually costs me 1/2 of that.)
I always knew bike insurance was high here,but what about these auto's?
Are they out of whack too???Do yours cost less???more???
I guess i should have started a new thread,not really trying to hi-jack this one but it seemed to fit in.:sorry:

 

Do you use your bike to commute to work? yes
2. If so how far to you ride each way? 12 miles
3. How may days a week to you commute? 5
4. What do you do for the stuff you carry back and forth? Tank Bag, or Backpack depends on weather I dress warmer in the AM, I might need to pack gear for the ride home.
5. Do you wear the clothes you work in, get changed at work, or wear overpants, etc.? I ware my work clothes under my riding gear.
6. Do you commute in the winter as well as summer? sometimes, I don't ride in the snow or pooring rain.
7. If so do you use heated gear? Never have
8. Do you carry a rain suite with you all the time? only if weather is ???
9. Do you take your normal route you take when you drive or an alternative route for some reason? On nice days I will take the long way home.
10. Lastly do you do this for enjoyment, money savings, or just because? All of the above.

 

First of all
I'm the Mechanic not the rider
on a 94 Viffer" I just fix it when he kills it!
As far as my mates Bike is concerned, It's his ONLY transport,rain,hail or shine, everywhere !! it just came back from a 1200km round trip,then straight back to work ( 10-15min ride each way everyday plus weekend fun~)

there is also NO fairing (streetfighter type,not by design ,it was just cheaper to fix this way)
the only thing I have to figure out is keeping the front coils dry!
As for storage we converted to single seat & are using the cowling as a deep /lockable storage unit for tools & wetgear etc.
In Australia you have to cut the arse off the seat for single rego,
it left a massive hole & we come up with the idea

as for the rest,he just got his first riding gear in 10 years ,
before that Japanese racing slippers (double pluggers) ((aussie's will know)),& shorts, Helmet optional! Aus is hot at times,he rides it in all seasons here!

I'm not aware of fuel consumption but it definatly cheaper than others.
$20 au dollars to fill (with dented tank) & about 180-200km's Cruz'n
it's better than my V8 (I use $20 to start it)
I'll get him on IF you want more info
I hope this is helpfull...

 

Bought the '06 VFR to commute Aug 06. Now have over 34,000km on it (22,ooo miles) Ride every day rain or shine. Parked when it snows which has been a lot this year up in Fraser Valley of BC. Its a no brainer...$150.00 per month on the bike or $600.00 in the HMCS (USS) GMC Sierra Battle Cruiser. Wear proper riding suits, have three for different purposes. Always carny and often wear rain suit which cuts the wind totally and much warmer. No difference between lite rain and heavy rain. Have and wear heated vest this year..its great. My first bike...bought it when I was 50. Midding I guess but W.T.F. its great. Never knew what I was missing all these years. Commute is 50 miles each way. On the freeway at 03:00 in the morning with now one around. Now how cool is that?

 

My commute is most of my riding. Sad but true. The weather really dictates our season up here. Tragically, it coincides with my busy time at work. On the up side, my commute is about 32 miles of county roads, many ways to go but only two bridges to cross the mighty Mississippi. I always find a way to make it fun. - Five days a week if possible, some weeks I get sent out of town for days, alot of luggage to carry on the scoot. Otherwise I am a back-pack commuter, and it works well for what I need to bring. My work clothes, depending on the temps, vary from shorts and t-shirt to jeans and sweatshirt. So I have the 'Stich' jacket and a couple options for overpants.
No commuting in winter here, too cold and I dont work during this time. Rain gear - yea, I kinda like the rain, as long as it isn't too cold. Why? Yeah it saves on fuel, but mostly for the fun factor - I feel better when I get there and when I get home. Be safe - EV

 

Do you use your bike to commute to work? Yes, when the snow relents
If so how far to you ride each way? Only about 10 miles each way
How may days a week to you commute? 5-7
What do you do for the stuff you carry back and forth? Tail Bag, Tank Bag, Backpack, Saddle Bags? Backpack
Do you wear the clothes you work in, get changed at work, or wear overpants, etc.? Change at work, luckily, I have a locker there I can leave my work things in.
Do you commute in the winter as well as summer? The snow is a bit preventative.
Lastly do you do this for enjoyment, money savings, or just because? I did it to save money, with gas around $3, why not? Much better gas mileage than my SUV. Plus it was good practice for a new rider, the route was easy and in a suburban area so I didn't have to worry a lot about traffic.

 

1. Do you use your bike to commute to work?
Yes
2. If so how far to you ride each way?
3 miles, I know its wonderful
3. How may days a week to you commute?
Every day
4. What do you do for the stuff you carry back and forth? Tail Bag, Tank Bag, Backpack, Saddle Bags?
I have an ICON tankbag that fits my laptop and misc stuff.
5. Do you wear the clothes you work in, get changed at work, or wear overpants, etc.?
I wear an armored jacket (ICON), helmet and gloves, I normally wear my work pants and work shoes.
6. Do you commute in the winter as well as summer?
I live in Yuma, AZ so the winters are awesome.
7. If so do you use heated gear? Nope
8. Do you carry a rain suite with you all the time?
Never, it does not rain here much so when it does I do not ride most of the oil is particularily bad here after a rain, drivers dont know how to drive in rain also.
9. Do you take your normal route you take when you drive or an alternative route for some reason?
Normal route, no traffic.
10. Lastly do you do this for enjoyment, money savings, or just because?
It saves a ton, and I enjoy the bike a lot.

I drove it 5 hours to LA today and short of the seat and loud helmet it was wonderful.

 

Wow Man that sucks. I thought I had it bad in BC where it costs me about $1150 for seven months. Mind you optional is through a private company and for some reason they give me a pretty good break. They think I am low risk or something, little do they know. Through ICBC (the great government insurance company it would cost about $2,000)

 

I live in NYC and I ride my bike to work year round. My commute is approx 30 miles roundtrip or so on both streets and the highway - I work as a filed tech so some days I do home visits in addition to my commute in Ct., Pa., NJ and other surrounding areas, and I use my bike to get there. I wear different leather jackets and FirstGear leather overpants mostly with my work clothes underneath with Red Wing boots. I use a backpack some days, but mostly my Tourmaster tankbag and bungee net. I ride my bike to work mostly so I know where it is and keep it close so I can see it all the time. I like riding to work because I can go for a joy ride after work, or get to places quickly in New York City rush hour traffic.

 

1. Do you use your bike to commute to work?

Yes, as many days as possible

2. If so how far to you ride each way?

13 km

3. How may days a week to you commute?

5 if weather allows

4. What do you do for the stuff you carry back and forth? Tail Bag, Tank Bag, Backpack, Saddle Bags?

Hard saddle bags with removable liners for carrying dress pants

5. Do you wear the clothes you work in, get changed at work, or wear overpants, etc.?

Change pants/shoes at work

6. Do you commute in the winter as well as summer?

Nope, -50 degrees is a little cold even for me.....

7. If so do you use heated gear?

I use heated gear in summer. Its chilly up here in the mountains

8. Do you carry a rain suite with you all the time?

I will this year

9. Do you take your normal route you take when you drive or an alternative route for some reason?

Same route due to the lack of any better route.

10. Lastly do you do this for enjoyment, money savings, or just because?

Definately enjoyment. My car goes 3 weeks on a 45 L (10 gal) tank. Unfortunately we cant split lanes up here so there are only minor time savings when compared to the car.

Wesley J

 

1. Do you use your bike to commute to work?
I use my bike to get back and forth to work, as well as the ocassional escape time to decompress.

2. If so how far to you ride each way?
Where I currently live, the base is only 6 miles to the front gate, however when the back gate is finished it'll be 2-3 miles.

3. How may days a week to you commute?
I'm a weenie, and only ride when the weather permits, as wet ABU's don't dry off to quickly in my office while I'm wearing them.

4. What do you do for the stuff you carry back and forth? Tail Bag, Tank Bag, Backpack, Saddle Bags?
I try not to carry anything when I ride, to work or otherwise. Although I do have a really nice tankbag, and quite the assortment of backpacks if the need arises.

5. Do you wear the clothes you work in, get changed at work, or wear overpants, etc.?
Wear my work clothes, to lazy to change, and hate carrying stuff with me when I ride.

6. Do you commute in the winter as well as summer?
I pretty much only ride in the summer as the winters here can be brutal.

7. If so do you use heated gear?
See above response

8. Do you carry a rain suite with you all the time?
Nope.

9. Do you take your normal route you take when you drive or an alternative route for some reason?
I take the route with the curves on it, there are a few ways to get to work from where I live, and one section of the road has some nice sweepers in it!!!

10. Lastly do you do this for enjoyment, money savings, or just because?
All 3. My car gets decent gas milage, but I really enjoy the freedom of riding, and sometimes I ride just because I can. To me motorcycling is driving, evolved!!!

 

1. I use my bike everyday. To work, friends, church or eating out.
2. My job is 19 miles one way. I put 12k on my bike last year.
3. Everyday but in the rain (we are in a all time drought). I ride in the cold, I ride in the rain, but I do not ride in the cold and rain.
4. I have a manta tank bag that holds my Sirus radio. I wore a backpack for luggage. I have oem saddlebags on order with the trunk. I keep a bungy on my rear saet handles.
5. I wear my work uniforms when I ride. I wear a suit to church. I only wear a riding jacket when it is cold. I have some black carhart coveralls with moto patches all over it when it is cold. Like now. I rode in to work when the temp read 14. At my creek it went blank (<14). I have some grip covers I made like my brothers ATV covers.
6. I love to ride.
7. No heated gear. Just list in #5.
8. No rain gear.
9. I ride into work by the bypass, come home back roads (curves).
10. All reasons. 45mpg is nice. My F250 only gets 16mpg.

 

Where did you get private coverage for a sport bike in BC. I was told private agencies would not even look at sportbikes as they are too much a risk.

34468

 

1. Yes
2. 70 miles each way (when I don't take the ferry, 15 each way with an hour long ferry ride)
3. 2-4 (weather depending, I don't like snow/frost)
4. factory saddle bags, and a tank bag
5. depends on weather, normally, I change at work
6. yes, when there's not gonna be frost/snow and as long as I have time to deal with my gear
7. no heated gear (yet)
8. not all the time, but whenever I have my saddle bags on
9. normal rout most of the time, if it's nice, I may leave early and take a detour for fun
10. yes, all of the above
it costs me about half as much as taking my car over the ferry.
and fuel, my truck gets 12mpg, my car gets about 20-22mpg (but needs premium)

 

Do you use your bike to commute to work?
Yes, during the summer as often as is possible, once there is frost i stop.
2. If so how far to you ride each way?
Only about 1/2h, not huge but long enough for the bike to warm up.
3. How may days a week to you commute?
5 during the summer....i even take it when i plan to go grocery shopping. Soft bags are awsome(want hards but they cost to much)
4. What do you do for the stuff you carry back and forth? Tail Bag, Tank Bag, Backpack, Saddle Bags?

5. Do you wear the clothes you work in, get changed at work, or wear overpants, etc.?

Typically i wear what i wear to work....office cassual.
I typically have a tank bag. As much as i should i become lazy i only wear Jacket, helmet, gloves. My work shoes are decently robust(not loafers or sandles)(before you hurt me..i do use full gear anyother time or when it's cold, on my ride i do not get to highway speeds.) I bring more bags if i need to bring other items.

7. If so do you use heated gear?.
I wish, heated grips are on the wish list
8. Do you carry a rain suite with you all the time?.
Stuffed into my tank bag, so almost always yes. mainly because it stores so small, but my normal gear is weater resistant enough i almost never use it.

10. Lastly do you do this for enjoyment, money savings, or just because?

All 3.....Mind you i doubt it really saves that much..i just made myself believe that to justifie it to myself.

 

Although not a VFR, I was suprised to see a motorcycle merge in front of me this morning on the commute into downtown. It's -30 C (-22 F) this morning and started snowing about an hour after I sawy the guy.

Hardcore has just gone to stupid....

 

:wink: I don't ride to work. It's only 3 miles and not worth gearing up for. Plus I would have trouble stopping there and not just going riding for the day!