Commuting to work on Motorcycle

westwood68

Heated glove wires? Are you all soft Southerners?

You're not a real biker till you arrive with icicles hanging off your fingers! (although I admit that being warm enough to be in control of the bike might be a little more useful in terms of longevity)

fivetide

You try riding a bike in Scotland through December/January/February!

Besides, I'm as North as you can get. I did the test http://toys.usvsth3m.com/north-o-meter/

Seriously though, the Gerbings gloves have been spot on. I'm on my second set having had two winters and 30,000 miles out of the last pair.

mro85

The only way to drive in London is on a motorcycle IMO.
I could do Thurrock to North London (26 miles) in 40 minutes through the A13 / A406 when traffic was at a crawl.
(My previous daily commute)

Most places in London have free bike parking (check the council websites as many let bikes park on side streets as long as there are no restrictions) or have dedicated bike bays.

I now commute over the Dartford Crossing and motorcycles are exempt from the toll fee. Again never an issue with traffic, just filter my way through.

I have a GS500F and get around 130 miles from £12 worth of petrol. (Roughly 60 MPG).

I have a full bike license but spent 6 years on a CG125 and still think 125 bikes with a CBT (provisional license) are great for commuting through London.

PS Heated hand grips are a must, I ride whatever the weather and can tell you ice cold hands in wet gloves can bring a grown man to tears

marlot

westwood68 wrote: »

..You're not a real biker till you arrive with icicles hanging off your fingers! (although I admit that being warm enough to be in control of the bike might be a little more useful in terms of longevity)

I did my bike test in December. I was so cold, I'd lost all feeling in my fingers and feet, and could hardly sign the paperwork.

First thing I bought (after a bike) when I passed was some decent gear. It makes all the difference.

westwood68

fivetide wrote: »

Besides, I'm as North as you can get. I did the test http://toys.usvsth3m.com/north-o-meter/

Seriously though, the Gerbings gloves have been spot on. I'm on my second set having had two winters and 30,000 miles out of the last pair.

I only got 95%; must eat more pies

& although the Gerbings are undoubtedly good, I actually ended up making some heated inner gloves using nichrome wire. They've lasted 2 seasons so far and only cost £9 for all the materials

fivetide

I'm not messing with electricity. I don't want to fry the bike.

My point of view is - i need a decent pair of waterproof gloves anyway and for just over £100 these do that (never once leaked) plus they are toasty warm so it's not quite cost £9 it has cost £9 and a pair of gloves. Make sense? (assuming you don't just use your homemade kit and nothing else!)

westwood68

Makes perfect sense but when you are really struggling with money and have a decent bike electrician as a mate it also makes sense to DIY. Oversize waterproof gloves or German army tank drivers gloves (Gortex-£12 from amazon) and the inner gloves are the prefect combination for me

fivetide

westwood68 wrote: »

Makes perfect sense but when you are really struggling with money and have a decent bike electrician as a mate it also makes sense to DIY. Oversize waterproof gloves or German army tank drivers gloves (Gortex-£12 from amazon) and the inner gloves are the prefect combination for me

Sounds good although with not everyone having a sparky mate, you are the execption rather than the rule I think. :beer:

(can't find those on Amazon UK btw, well not searching for tank drivers gloves at least)

westwood68

http://www.amazon.co.uk/GENUINE-GORETEX-WATERPROOF-EXTREME-WEATHER/dp/B00AFDGRKY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1384352793&sr=8-3&keywords=german+goretex

http://www.amazon.co.uk/GERMAN-ARMY-ISSUE-GORETEX-LINER/dp/B0041KZN16/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384352793&sr=8-2&keywords=german+goretex

John1993_2

oldtoolie wrote: »

Also factor in 10-15 min at each end of your journey putting on & taking off your MC clothing, pushing the bike out and in the garage. Whereas my car was in in the drive ready to go. I did ride my bike but didn't really save time on a 30 min commute. London might be different but as said much more hectic. And you have to be really dedicated to go out in poring rain or winter darkness to mount your bike.

Canary Wharf is one of the better places to commute to by bike, as there are plenty of warm underground dry secure bike spaces there. Getting ready in comfort makes a huge difference.

They've just had a chunky increase in charges, to £2.50 a day, but that's still pretty decent.

If the OP is working there he may also find his company has cheaper spaces available.