I commute all year, 30 miles one way on the highway. The Gold Wing has been a great option for me with a large fairing and windscreen, shaft drive, plenty of storage, and long service intervals.
I just wanna say thank you for understanding what commuting means. So many reviews are just "general bikes we wanna call commuters". Like the Ducati V4 was suggested as a best commuter...
If you commute as far as I do, with tons of stop and go traffic, a sportbike is better because the bike is a lot more compact, and the bars are a lot narrower compared to an adventure bike. You can filter so much easier. I do agree on the lack of visibility on a sportbike because its so much lower so you can’t see above cars well, and harder to look behind you.
This was exactly my conclusion also. clipon handle bars and a lower height of something like a Ninja would be so much better than the cafe scambler I ride now, with its side mirrors and wide handlebar.
@@ineedmorecarrots6063 If you sit properly on the bike, using your legs against the tank, and your core to hold you up, the lower back doesn’t feel much.
Great level of thought and detail here! Well done. I have a Burgman 400, and I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Moto, but after watching I think I’m just going to stick with the tried and true Burgman!
I commute 12mi each direction on the lake Erie coast of Ohio. Dual sport is what I went with, its perfect for me and has the benefit of being extremely surefooted in bad weather compared to a heavier street bike or scooter. Highly recommend a seat cushion for long rides 😉
@@jonny6758 naw I went with a cheap-o Chinese bike. Bashan raven 250. It was only 2000$ new from the shop with an 18mo engine warranty. I like her so far, 1300km on the odometer with no issues so far, other than a clunky shift from it being a clone motor. Runs 55mph with no problem, and can hit around 70mph when I wanna pin the throttle. She was a little buzzy at first, but smoothed out around 400mi. Feels more like a small adv than a dual sport due to its size and width (3.4gl tank)
One of the things I experienced during my commute in urban area similar to DC, is that 1. the people driving for the 9-5 are really not that aggressive. they just wanna get to work or home. So, never had any experience of aggression. 2. Most car drivers assumed me being on a bike, I will be aggressive. And so if I drive safe, and give them way, it just confuses the heck out of them. So after a few days of riding, I naturally let my style be slightly more aggressive, because all of the traffic around you expect the worst from you 🙂 based on their predisposition of bikers.
Super insightful. I'll be getting my first bike and I'm on norfolk va. Wondering if I can commute in the winter on a bike. I'd like a honda rebel 500 as I am shorter.i haven't sat on an adventure bike yet
I just read your comment from a year ago and been wondering how you've managed getting on with the commute on the bike and through the winter. If not much snow or at least not lasting and not too much ice I'm not scared riding in the winter but you gotta build up confidence and also slow down well for the corners.
@BravoHoneymoon I road my honda rebel 500 through the winter when it got as cold was 15 degree here last year. It was an abnormally cold winter here I've heard but no snow on the road at all. I road through wet and dry and didn't have any issues. My commute was 15 minutes on hwy going and 15 minutes locally coming back home. If I thought there would be ice on the road that was the only time I didn't ride. This winter I didn't since I sold my bike hope this helps
I commute all year, 30 miles one way on the highway. The Gold Wing has been a great option for me with a large fairing and windscreen, shaft drive, plenty of storage, and long service intervals.
I just wanna say thank you for understanding what commuting means. So many reviews are just "general bikes we wanna call commuters". Like the Ducati V4 was suggested as a best commuter...
Yeah it does seem people on youtube don't commute very much on bikes. People see bikes are just hobby and sport machines and not daily workhorses
Nc700x for me 2013 20,000 miles love it i ride 365 days a year here in Vegas. I also switch to my bolt
If you commute as far as I do, with tons of stop and go traffic, a sportbike is better because the bike is a lot more compact, and the bars are a lot narrower compared to an adventure bike. You can filter so much easier. I do agree on the lack of visibility on a sportbike because its so much lower so you can’t see above cars well, and harder to look behind you.
This was exactly my conclusion also. clipon handle bars and a lower height of something like a Ninja would be so much better than the cafe scambler I ride now, with its side mirrors and wide handlebar.
isnt it too hard on your back? since youre leaning forward for an extended period
@@ineedmorecarrots6063 If you sit properly on the bike, using your legs against the tank, and your core to hold you up, the lower back doesn’t feel much.
I ride a Honda SH300 with a Tucano apron, heated jacket and heated gloves, Givi Airflow screen - comfortable whatever the weather.
Great level of thought and detail here! Well done. I have a Burgman 400, and I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Moto, but after watching I think I’m just going to stick with the tried and true Burgman!
I commute 12mi each direction on the lake Erie coast of Ohio. Dual sport is what I went with, its perfect for me and has the benefit of being extremely surefooted in bad weather compared to a heavier street bike or scooter. Highly recommend a seat cushion for long rides 😉
Which style you get klr 650
@@jonny6758 naw I went with a cheap-o Chinese bike. Bashan raven 250. It was only 2000$ new from the shop with an 18mo engine warranty. I like her so far, 1300km on the odometer with no issues so far, other than a clunky shift from it being a clone motor. Runs 55mph with no problem, and can hit around 70mph when I wanna pin the throttle. She was a little buzzy at first, but smoothed out around 400mi. Feels more like a small adv than a dual sport due to its size and width (3.4gl tank)
Super helpful, great insight, thanks alot for you practicality, hello from NIGERIA.
Wow. How is the riding there?
One of the things I experienced during my commute in urban area similar to DC, is that 1. the people driving for the 9-5 are really not that aggressive. they just wanna get to work or home. So, never had any experience of aggression. 2. Most car drivers assumed me being on a bike, I will be aggressive. And so if I drive safe, and give them way, it just confuses the heck out of them. So after a few days of riding, I naturally let my style be slightly more aggressive, because all of the traffic around you expect the worst from you 🙂 based on their predisposition of bikers.
Great content mate. Very helpful.
Finally a DC rider on UA-cam lol
Hide your kids..hide your husband...
Super insightful. I'll be getting my first bike and I'm on norfolk va. Wondering if I can commute in the winter on a bike.
I'd like a honda rebel 500 as I am shorter.i haven't sat on an adventure bike yet
I just read your comment from a year ago and been wondering how you've managed getting on with the commute on the bike and through the winter. If not much snow or at least not lasting and not too much ice I'm not scared riding in the winter but you gotta build up confidence and also slow down well for the corners.
@BravoHoneymoon I road my honda rebel 500 through the winter when it got as cold was 15 degree here last year. It was an abnormally cold winter here I've heard but no snow on the road at all. I road through wet and dry and didn't have any issues. My commute was 15 minutes on hwy going and 15 minutes locally coming back home. If I thought there would be ice on the road that was the only time I didn't ride. This winter I didn't since I sold my bike hope this helps
Problem with smaller scooters is that they don't set of traffic lights. At least my 150cc doesn't. No issues with my 550cc scooter though
I love my honda rebel 1100, but if you do a long commute it sucks. I find myself having to fill up mid week. I do about 28 miles a day roundtrip.
Is lane filtering legal in VA?