Motorcycle for daily commute
Looking to buy a motorcycle for daily office commute. Is Yamaha MT-07 a good option ? Would this be comfortable to drive 45+45 miles per day ? Need advice from motorcyclist who drive for daily commute. Location Bay Area, married, have kids Trying to spend less time in traffic during peak hours. Have driven motorcycle in India for 5 years. I know its risky, but I am *not* going to use it for racing. I don’t have such interest. Wont risk myself during rainy days ! TC : 205k
That’s a pretty solid commuter, light touring bike. Are you trying to beat traffic by lane splitting in CA?
Yes
I lived there before and could never feel comfortable with the lane split! It’s a pretty testy practice and I think you have to be just a bit crazy to pull it off.
I believe you’re 37x more likely to have an accident here on a bike than in a car. It’s not so much that you’re more risky on your own, it’s the high rate of speed and other cars are terrible drivers. All of my friends who had bikes have crashed bad. It’s very risky. Find a new job closer to home or move closer to work.
Heated grips. You'll thank me later
I have mt-07 and commute on it everyday for 12 miles and it’s perfect . I think 45 miles each way would be exhausting though. First, splitting lanes is very tough process on the freeway and you have to always be focused and prepare for anything traffic might throw for you. Second, since this bike is naked, you would be exposed to the winds, which will make you cold during chilly CA mornings and will fatigue your body when you go 65+ due to the lack of protection
Even with better gears you feel chill? I won’t be driving much during winter days. I would avoid much of lane splitting except during high traffic. I get your point, yes it’s risky
You will have to put layers on layers to not be cold: think underpants, 2 layers for gloves, balaclava, etc
Motorcycle commuter here. Invest in good gear. Motorcycle commuting is more risky because cars does not pay attention and generally doesn’t register motorcyclist. You should be ok if you are vigilant enough
Yes agreed
You’re safer when racing a bike on track (a controlled environment) than while lane splitting on CA freeway . Just two weeks ago I saw a guy on a bike slam into a car that was changing lanes across the lanes he was splitting - right in front of me.
Hate to start a debate but I am originally from the Midwest and lived in SF for a couple years. I worked at a place on Geary called Psycho Cycles as a mechanic and race bike builder but never understood the lane splitting. What the history? How is it justified as legal? Just seems so reckless to me.
It’s fine at stoplights and in slow traffic, more dangerous on the highway
Ya the highway is what I am talking about. When all the cars are stopped and the dude flys by at 50mph I am just shaking my head in amazement. Nuts!
Its not worth it! You are a married man with family. You have people who would get badly affected even if you are on bed for few weeks due to an accident. I would rather change jobs or move accommodation. Just think of the fact that you are leaving yourself on other car drivers mercy. Its just not worth it...
Thanks 🙏
Where do you live that you have to commute 45 miles to ebay in SJ?
Walnut Creek
Omg, are you insane? That's more than 1.5hrs in a car in rush hour.
It's not risky only because of racing, it's risky because you are more likely to be involved in crash with other vehicles (10x from what I read somewhere)
I would say racing on the track is more safe than splitting lanes on the freeway.