What commute bike do you have or suggest?

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Gulf Coast

Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
301
Location
East Bay Area, San Fran
I've been living in the East Bay area of San Francisco for 3 weeks and the commute just sucks!! After 23 yrs of never having more than a 30 min commute this 65 to 80 min commute is crap!! All routes have been tried and suck so considering getting on bike. GSXR not road legal and not risking the 1199 out there so what do you guys ride or suggest. Traffic is bumper to bumper but lane splitting is allowed. I'm thinking something comfy, doesn't cost a fortune cos I'm sure it's gonna get knocked and scratched and somewhat narrow - I see guys splitting on these massive hogs and it scares me to death!!
 
I have a Yamaha WR250X supermoto for getting around, its really a lot of fun. Cheap, light, and a superb in town. You might want a 450 if your slabbing it. Bought it used with 800 miles on it for what a Termi system costs. An older couple had it mounted to their RV.
 
Just picked up the Multistrada S touring...unbelievable commuter. Splitting lanes no issue...bars are higher than most cars. Getting 50 mpg on highway!!
 
Welcome to the bay area !!!

I used to commute SF to San Jose (100+miles per day) in a car !! To answer your question, you probably would want something like a 600cc bike or really standard monster type bike. I swap between my car (sports), R1 and Ducati.
 
Multistrada Pikes Peak, looks a little like a a Tricolore, goes like one, handles traffic like a knife through butter. Bit expensive but hey you can't take it with you!
 
For a good cheap ride, I've always liked the Triumph Bonneville.
 
Andy1199 said:
Multistrada Pikes Peak, looks a little like a a Tricolore, goes like one, handles traffic like a knife through butter. Bit expensive but hey you can't take it with you!
Click to expand...

Andy!! My sentiments exactly! You and me would be in a lot of trouble if we went buying toys.. A couple of years back I bought the GT3 AND the GT3 RSon the same day. (kept the RS)...and now I went from zero Duc's to 2 in two months!! Ahhhgghh...when will the insanity end!! I love toys!!

You're right about the Multi...friggin thing is so fun to ride...let my partner at work try it today..first time he ever went over a 100 mph (at a closed airport runway) and he said he felt like he was going 50! He rides a new 103" fatboy and he's now got the Ducati fever....says I should have been a crack dealer...give the first sample out for free. ;)

Told him he will piss his pants when I put him on the Pani next week!

Back to the OP thread, I love the Multi for commuting. It really does have multiple personalities. Very utilitarian.
 
Street Fighter or a Speed Triple would be my weapon of choice if I couldn't ride my 1199.
 
Scooter! Great gas, easy to ride, lots of storage. This all depends on the speed you are planning to travel.
 
Ok I'm gonna say what bikes other than a multi as I was looking for a cheaper bike but I know I'll end up going for the multi if you guys keep talking it up!!!
 
The Monster 696 is what I commute in everyday. It is relatively inexpensive. I ride 110 miles per day through the congested freeway through LA. Monster is narrow and light, almost feels like a scooter. I split lanes all day with ease and I get 50+ miles per gallon.
 
Nimbus said:
The Monster 696 is what I commute in everyday. It is relatively inexpensive. I ride 110 miles per day through the congested freeway through LA. Monster is narrow and light, almost feels like a scooter. I split lanes all day with ease and I get 50+ miles per gallon.
Click to expand...

Great choice, but he has an 1199...very narrow and I've used mine for 50 mile commutes in traffic with splitting lanes w/o probles...

try the 1199, Gulf Coast...it can handle the commute and it's easier on the engine with heavy traffic when I use the wet low mode. Rarely get to 3rd gear at times, but it's a great conditioning exercise for the longer 1199 trips you will undoubtedly take in the future.

Use that bad boy, it's great at standing still, moving slowly and ripping up the highways...may as well enjoy what your commuting on, even if you're not setting any land/speed records while doing it.
 
Hey Gulf Coast - welcome.

I commute most days on my 2008 Tiger 1050. Fridays will usually change it up with the Monster or the Pani.

I'm curious where you finally landed and what route you're taking. I've been here more than 25 years and have learned quite a few short cuts. If you're in the Danville/San Ramon area you are about at the worst of the commute spectrum to and from Richmond. But, we may be able to figure something out for you...

Maybe I'll have a BBQ at my place in the next few weeks so all of the Bay Area 1199ers who want to can meet and tell lies.

Cheers
 
I did the SJ to Oakland commute (and back) along with the SF to SJ commute (and back) for years. A narrow bike is best, esp one with grunt down low so you don't have to worry about downshifting for power in an emergency. My Triumph 675 was perfect for the task, but I do love lanesplitting on the 1199. The mirrors fold in and out quickly on the Ducati, which makes it even easier and the headlights are impossible to miss.
 
RSR racer said:
Andy!! My sentiments exactly! You and me would be in a lot of trouble if we went buying toys.. A couple of years back I bought the GT3 AND the GT3 RSon the same day. (kept the RS)...and now I went from zero Duc's to 2 in two months!! Ahhhgghh...when will the insanity end!! I love toys!!

You're right about the Multi...friggin thing is so fun to ride...let my partner at work try it today..first time he ever went over a 100 mph (at a closed airport runway) and he said he felt like he was going 50! He rides a new 103" fatboy and he's now got the Ducati fever....says I should have been a crack dealer...give the first sample out for free. ;)

Told him he will piss his pants when I put him on the Pani next week!

Back to the OP thread, I love the Multi for commuting. It really does have multiple personalities. Very utilitarian.
Click to expand...

Lol yes very much so, I sold two bikes, an 1198s and a Night Rod Special at the end of last year leaving me with just the 748 track bike. I was done with bikes, decided I needed to focus on other priorities. So here we are now with a Tric and a Pikes Peak! Jeez!

May 2007 was my worst time, a new F430 spider and an Absolute 45 (motor yacht) in the same month! Lost a bomb on each thanks to the recession, nevermind someone has to keep the economy going, looks like its me and you and a few Russians! :D
 
Andy1199 said:
Lol yes very much so, I sold two bikes, an 1198s and a Night Rod Special at the end of last year leaving me with just the 748 track bike. I was done with bikes, decided I needed to focus on other priorities. So here we are now with a Tric and a Pikes Peak! Jeez!

May 2007 was my worst time, a new F430 spider and an Absolute 45 (motor yacht) in the same month! Lost a bomb on each thanks to the recession, nevermind someone has to keep the economy going, looks like its me and you and a few Russians! :D
Click to expand...

I'm definately in the wrong job. Anybody wanna hook me up to a better lifestyle? :)
 
RSR racer said:
try the 1199, Gulf Coast...it can handle the commute and it's easier on the engine with heavy traffic when I use the wet low mode. Rarely get to 3rd gear at times, but it's a great conditioning exercise for the longer 1199 trips you will undoubtedly take in the future.
Click to expand...

I hear you but right now with engine cut outs, flaming fairings, oil leaks, etc I personally haven't got the confidence in my 1199's reliability for heavy traffic commuting. W/E rides no problem but not mon to fri in heavy traffic. Sure on a Friday just to impress the guys!! Lol
 
iiiofiv said:
Hey Gulf Coast - welcome.

I commute most days on my 2008 Tiger 1050. Fridays will usually change it up with the Monster or the Pani.

I'm curious where you finally landed and what route you're taking. I've been here more than 25 years and have learned quite a few short cuts. If you're in the Danville/San Ramon area you are about at the worst of the commute spectrum to and from Richmond. But, we may be able to figure something out for you...

Maybe I'll have a BBQ at my place in the next few weeks so all of the Bay Area 1199ers who want to can meet and tell lies.

Cheers
Click to expand...

We have a house in Danville but that won't be complete until mid Nov so in an appt in San Ramon (school district thing) until then. In the morning it's acceptable at the time I leave and in the evening I'm generally going up the 80 onto the 4 and across to the 680. Although longer it seems to be a bit quicker?

Still waiting for bikes to arrive from Ms and then can't wait to go out onto some of the roads I used to ride up here a couple of years ago - Mines road, etc.
 
i comute with a Monster 796, I have a Harley Road Glide also but it is too wide to split lanes.

The Monster is the most amazing commuter bike Ive ridden in L.A. traffic
 

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