Pros & Cons Of Motorcycle Commuting | Ninja 300
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2024
- In today's video, we consider the pros and cons of daily motorcycle commuting.
Motorcycle: 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 SE
Mods
Tail Bag: amzn.to/2jelFqU
Touring Windshield: amzn.to/2jeue4K
Shorty Levers: amzn.to/2kCptCu
15 tooth front sprocket: amzn.to/2kvlpRa
Heated Grips: amzn.to/2jG0KJ6
Foam Grip Expanders: amzn.to/2kCwlzJ
Swingarm Spool Sliders: amzn.to/2kCyhZ7
905 Racing Race Rails: goo.gl/TVBd2E
Yoshimura R77 Exhaust: amzn.to/2kCvP0s
Tapered Bearings: amzn.to/2kCm2aG
Cameras:
GoPro Hero4 Black: amzn.to/2jT9MW9
GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition
GoPro Hero4 Session: amzn.to/2j8s3uT
iPhone 6s+: amzn.to/2jLUzV7
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920: amzn.to/2jLRRP5
Mail Time / Product Review / Decals
Send To:
ThisLifeRiding
P.O. Box 52876
Mesa, AZ 85208
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
i have a 10 year old car with 60k. i haven't commuted in a car for 11 years. i've put 115,000 miles on my motorcycles in the last 4 years splitting lanes in the sf bay area. riding is the only way to go. weather is not an issue. rain or shine. my 1 con is car drivers.
“Johnathan, go get changed.” 😂
3:40 consider driving a manual transmission car next time, every single car guy also hates driving if it's an automatic
Manual cars are literally the worst in heavy stop-start traffic :(
@@patriotbarrow I drive my manual car in traffic. its not that bad. Its not as fun as my motorcycle and lane splitting, but I'd still take that over driving an automatic any day of the week.
Thanks for keeping the videos up.
Entertaining video as always. Cant wait for the next one.
Live stream tomorrow, 7pm Arizona time.
Hey TRL! For some reason, this video made me go back and watch your "Riding in the rain" video, LOL!
+Bassghost Baybay
Haha, nice.
I live in Los Angeles man traffic is brutal here. People have nice fast cars but it's not worth it with this type of traffic. I commute to work on my grom or fz and it's fun lane splitting. Thank god cali it's legal
+Abe Frs
I envy you.
Another thing to consider depending on where you live is high winds. I live in west texas and let me tell you there are some days where it feels like a hurricane is coming through with the wind gusts and then random dust storms. I'd rather be caught in rain then in a dust storm trying to go down the highway on my commute.
Very good points.
Although my commute to work is a lot shorter than most motorcyclists, I still enjoy it. I’m still in the beginning stages, and I do go back and forth to the car on rainy and cold days because I live in the northeast.
I am working on getting a motorcycle. Mainly the CBR500R I've been eyeing on for sometimes.
Also I highly am happy you also wear suit/uniform to work in because I have that small issue myself.
I also really like how you addressed what state you live in. Arizona.
👏👏
that last phrase about work and motorcycle, on point 👌
+ilyasa
Thanks man.
Lmao "Soggy Cockus". This video is surprisingly hilarious
Haha, thanks man.
Hm, wouldn't the tank gas bag stop this?
No, or at least not in my experience.
Great video, loved it
You should have more subscribers
Thanks man. All good things in time.
Great video, I am moving to AZ and looking at commuting on a bike. Any tips for dealing with the heat in the summer while commuting?
TLR, thanks for putting all these out there! I have been binge watching you lol. I just moved to Italy (Naples no less). I got my license state side, but have not owned a motorcycle. I have been wrestling with whether to buy, and what to buy, here. I came across a 2014 US Spec ninja for sale here, and your videos have really helped to take a serious look at this bike as a commuter here. Naples is all about Lane Splitting lol ;) I am going to take a look later today. The bike has been treated a bit rough (and low sided), so it is not a sure thing, but I really hope it works out because your videos have really got me excited about owning this bike!
+William Eldredge
Awesome dude! Hope it all works out for the best.
Well, I am, as of Friday the owner of a 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300! I took it around the Support Site outside of Naples on Saturday, and had a local mechanic give it a going over. We agree, it definitely needs some basic work, oil, tires, chain all need to be replaced. I am going with the Diablo 2's I hear so much about. I am kind of torn as to what to do about changing the gearing... I know you went back to the 14. What is the original rear gear set to? is it 42? what do you think about a 15/45? I am really pumped to get my skill and confidence up to take this thing for rides on the coast.
Loved the video thx 👌I'm considering commuting fully on a motorcycle too!
You know, I liked it. It is good for getting a single person from one point to another. But not much more than that. I'm glad I eventually went back to a car.
@@ThisLifeRiding me is all I'm transporting so that's good with me😁😆
i very recently got my first bike. a 2008 ninja 250 all black. has had sum very tasty upgrades to the bike. just waiting on nicer weather to practice more n get my license. prob good i aint licensed yet cus idb riding to work in 30° weather just cus id want the fun and freedoms.
I need to move to Arizona, it rains every day here in Missouri
Yeah I'm in st.louis , it sucks out here plus the drivers in the city are horrible
@@hearts444.genesis yup.
At 7:14 - if you ride a scooter with a tall windscreen like me, your helmet and body do not get wet. I HATE looking through windscreens, so I cut my tall windscreen down to just below my eye level, so that I look *over* the windscreen and not through it. Because of the aerodynamics, the wind and rain kick up to just over your helmet so that the top of your helmet will stay dry. Tall windscreens typically bump out to cover the hand grips so your hands stay warm and dry in the winter rain. Of course you will get wet when stopped. If you drive a motorcycle your legs will still get wet but scooter leg shields keep your legs dry. I highly recommend considering a scooter for a daily work commute. I completely understand that scooters are considered less masculine by a few, but that doesn't bother me at all. I'd also point out that 150 - 300cc scooters with 12-inch wheels handle way better than a motorcycle in urban settings and tight turns. Scooters also have under seat storage. Motorcycles with 16/17-inch wheels totally outperform scooters for highway driving, although a Piaggio BV 400cc scooter would do pretty well for long freeway work commuting too.
LMAO! FINALLY got time to see this vid. So glad I did! hahahaha!!!! Good one chap!
+COYOTE ADVENTURES
Thanks dude.
On my R6 I easily get 40-50 MPG, depending on how aggressively I ride. All really good points though. I had only my R6 for about 10 months, which worked out really well since we had a light Winter over 2015-2016 in the MO-KANs area. Glad I've had my van for this Winter lol
Nice man. I didn't realize 600s got such good gas milage.
I’m from Houston and use my R3 to get around. I’ve been doing this for about 4 months, so far only got caught twice. But I agree it’s way more fun riding to work on the bike. Most times I don’t even need coffee just red line her and I’m wide awake haha
Cought doing what??? Speeding?
Yea when there is a line of cars and you get the lane right before a merge and you pass everybody, It feels good being able to nail it and in a car you just don't feel the same adrenaline! It also sucks though because I wear black gear with black denim levis, Black and white reeboks(School clothes) and the black ABS model of ninja 300 2016 with a black helmet and super tinted visor, So sometimes people think I'm somekind of Motorcycle cop and will go under the speed limit when I'm behind them.
+fallout guy
Yep, bikes > cars.
What mount do you have on your mirror? Nice video!
What’s your experience riding a 300 here in Arizona? I’m looking to get my first bike and like the Cb300r and duke 390, but a lot of guys say I won’t be able to keep up with AZ traffic. How does the 300 handle the highways as well?
love that litttle intro music
I got both but I really do try to ride as much as I can
Im considering selling my 🚗 and only ride motorcycles but heres why i may not
1) i can sleep in my car
2) id rather 2 up in a car vs a bike
3) heat for the winter
4) more fun driving in rain/snow.
Those are all great reasons to keep the car. Both is also a good option.
As long as you don't dream a motorcycle will commute cheaper, is it OK. A Motorcycle is way more expensive than an automobile.
Automobile Tires last 60T miles for about 400-500 dollar mounted and ballanced.
Motorcycle tires last 8T-11T and cost mounted and balanced 500-800 dollar.
Oil changes cannot be made on a cheap oil change station. You have to go in a motorcycle shop and if you do it in your garage, motorcycle oil cost twice as much than the expensive stuff for an automobile.
I could go on. Light Bulbs because of the vibration, protecting gear. You don't wanna tell me you riding in high traffic without a decent gear? No, - Helmet and Gloves doesn't do the trick, consider on a motorcycle a fender bender doesn't exist, your knee and hips are your fender.
And so on.
Motorcycle riding is fun. I have 2 Motorcycles and a scooter. Yes I commute if I can. But riding a motorcycle comes very expensive.
@Dual ADV
Lucky you being able to mount your tires.
My bill looks like this.
Michelin Commander II $ 218.00
Tube $ 34.00
Mounting and balance $ 50.00
+ Tax you looking easy into 320 Dollars for the rear tire. Not mention the front tire.
Oil change cost about $ 60.00
Saying Hi and shaking the hand of the Mechanik 15 Dollars.
Lucky you living on a farm or having a full blown Mechanik garage in your house. The rest of us don't, I'm to old layiomg on the floor and nestling with tools in the rain. Others live in an apartment have a problem checking the tire pressiere without someone complaining to the front office.
@Dual ADV
I assumed based on your post.
OK, than I say it different. Lucky you that lives in a set up where it is possible to service/repair and wash an vehicle.
My son lives in Houston and is on Grande not allowed to service/repair/or clean any vehicle. Cleaning the inside of the window lil KIA could cost him trouble that never ends.
My neighbor had ordered in the web some Tires for his scooter. Since Sept 20 he is calling every motorcycle place, every tire place and ask how much it will cost to mount the tires on his scooter. You will be surprised how many of those places don't even Adept the work and if they do, that will be the moste expensive tire mount in the history of Texas. So he endet up going to Yamaha and let them put some Pirellis on the bike. The cheapos from the web now in the garden. The wife will plant flowers in it. LoL.So some of us will be able to do all this stuff. Others don't for many reason. And if I think of Rosemarie with her Honda Rebell 500 and the friends from High school starting to maintain her Bike, I will not be on the road when she is. She have to go to a shop. Thas better for everyone involved.
So you cant say becaus you can put tires on your bike, others can too. Even if I could, I had to count (based on my driving) 2 rear tires and a front in a season. That wouyld be only tires 2 times 218+Tax, one time 198+ Tax for Michelin Commander II tires. Compaired with my Ford Fusion 1 Times Pirelly out of the store for about 500 Dollar but 65 Miles warranty on it. If you able, you could count that the 4 car tires last the bike tires 5 times. My Motorcycle makes 46-48mpg 93 octan, while my Focus takes 42 mpg 86 octan. Motorcycles are not cheaper to run even if somegremlins crawling at night out of the ground and do the work for you.
Thanks for this video. My Father has really pushed me away from relying on a motorcycle to get to work and really pushed me toward getting a car but i think im just gonna go ahead and jump on 2 wheel and see what happens. Though im gonna be starting in the spring and ill probably be learning to commute on a bike in the rain :/
Me too, i was a little hesitant but this helps i also live in cali so theres that nice vid bro thanks
Adrian Williams Im in Ontario Canada so the weather isnt the best for riding all year round.
Yeah i can see how only having a bike wouldnt be great.
Hi would the Kawasaki ninja 250cc be a suitable first bike? I’m a big car guy so love anything to do with engine but only ever drove a bike once.
Great video! I commute everyday on my motorcycle, unless it is raining hard. I'll ride in these weak winter storms we have had lately. I have a truck too. My wife asks me why I don't drive it more. I tell her driving is too boring and I save on gas.
+Jeffrey Horen
Makes perfect sense to me.
Great video, here's a question, is there a way to include extra storage space on the back of the motorcycle? Like if i want to go shopping for groceries and stuff and If I want to put it somewhere! Thanks!
Yes. There called sattle bags! Or a thing that sits on the back where a passenger would sit
I’m sold my car about 3 months ago and only been commuting on my bike , I will say it has pros and cons but I would recommend to have a car just incase
Commuting to work on a big city is very stressfull and physically exhausting, specially coming home from work.
I use my scooter to commute in Shanghai everyday. This is the best way I can find in such a crowd city. Lane splitting is in gery zone here. But at least I can quickly pass those stupid mobile-everywhere slow drivers. That makes my day.😆
Btw. I like your vids. Get relax with your laughing.😜
Is it illegal to ride a motorcycle in the right hand lanes in Arizona?
"it's not me so I can laugh" 😂😂
lol I keep my suit and a couple of shirts and pants and all that good stuff at work to change into
Sadly California is the only state that allows lane splitting :( Great video though!
lifewithjoel in Arkansas, the laws don't directly address lane splitting so it's technically not illegal
In many states lane splitting is not even considered on traffic laws, so it is on a gray area and it's up to the officer to decide if what you did it's illegal (unsafe driving or something like that is the actual charge).
Watching this because California traffic sucks. I'm really thinking about getting a motorcycle.
What you're not allowed to filter in USA!!!! I'm really glad I live in London then. Even if my motorcycle is at risk of being stolen everyday 😂
WA they have it in a grey area so it’s kinda up too the officer in scene, usually if it’s not at like 55 mph and just getting through traffic slowly they won’t care
Id love to have only a motorcycle but i live in Finland and we have 3-5 months per year like 3 feet snow and -10celsius so its basically impossible... :/
hey man, have you ever driven with a pillion passenger behind you?
I was wondering if you need to do anything differently when riding with a passenger, as in like how you shift your weight and things like that?
keep up the good work :)
I have on a few occasions. It seems fairly close to riding solo as long as the pillion moves with you. If they don't mind their body position, they can greatly affect the handling of the bike. I am not an authority on this though. I have only done it a few times and it was a couple years back.
ok thank you
First, Love your vids TLR!!!
russ01us congratulations,have a cookie.
but yea commuting is way more fun on motorcycles
also cheaper and parking is better and you stand out as a person. so theres that.
GAMINGFOREXPERTS what do you mean by parking is easier?
Jay Moua smaller thing, more less space needed to park. can park anywhere.
go figure.
looks at my ferraris and fails video an youll see
Nice!
I commute on a kawai green 14 ninja 300 abs se during the summer months sucks living in NewYork!!!
My Sportster gets 40-45 mpg but I don't trust it, so I fill up when the light comes on or soon after and at that point there is still about 1 1/2 gal remaining.
A very good practice sir.
How long is your commute?
how do you deal with cold weather and fog on the visor?
I layer up for the cold and open my visor when it fogs. But, here is a link to a video for a DIY anti-fog solution if you are interested. goo.gl/mGmYxz
Didn't get my license until I was 21 years old. Primarily because of the costs, but also because I don't like driving cars. They feel too bulky and make it very difficult to judge the distance of other objects relative to the car.
I'm relatively new to bikes, and I've been thinking about eventually investing in a Ninja 300. Are there other models you'd recommend for a beginner? Or do you think the Ninja 300 is the best in terms of value, performance, fuel economy, etc?
Yeah, I'm a big fan of the Ninja 300. It is my go to recommendation for a beginner bike.
I agreed with you for your passion for riding but hated the part where you said you hated raining. Only fools hate rain.
Where you live it looks nice to ride a motorcycle anytime
Yep, bundle up when its cold, cover up in the rain, and drink more water when its hot, but 90% of the time, its perfect riding weather.
OK so I work in the summer at a cemetery that's about 100 miles away from my house and I drive there in the morning work about six hours and then come back to my house 100 miles back on the turnpike which the speed limit is 75 miles an hour but I go 80 in my truck but my truck is really awful gas mileage would it start to wear on me to drive a motorcycle that distance
Mmh, thats a good question. If you were going to start using the ninja 300 for that commute, I could suggest a few mods. A more comfortable seat, expanded grips, touring windshield, and adjustable rear-sets to name a few. I think you could get used to it but it would be uncomfortable for a while until you acclimated.
what do u think about the 2017 krt 300 or the winter edition
+mettdelta 123
Any Ninja 300 is a good 300
I usually get so annoyed when I have to drive somewhere in my car, but when it's on my motorcycle I am always down to hit the road haha.
+Charles Manno
Agreed
when u got yours new did you drive 600 miles at 45 mph or less. there telling me they say that because of manufacturer.. I believe you should be able to drive normally as long as your not riding the piss out of it. your thoughts would be much appreciated. thanks Bryan
I stayed off the freeway for the first six hundred miles and then jumped on the freeway but carried the revs until 1k miles. Here is a link to a video I made a while back about how to break in a new motorcycle. goo.gl/svYkrQ Be warned, its an old video.
At first I thought the title said " Pros and Cons of Motorcycle Community", then after the video Started I was wondering why he was so off topic haha.
Hahaha, nice!
I know I'm super late but, since you worked at the bank how did you do your hair everyday. Did you have to gel it up? Buzz it?
Juan i was wondering this too
You can style your hair with forming cream before leaving and restyle it once at work.
Go bald, then you don't have any prep once you get to work.
Bald riders ftw!
Is it dangerous?
I have a honda cb1100, it gives me 48 mpg, but my prius gives me 53 mpg.
i met a guy a long time ago who told me he rides his motorcycle every single day. i asked him even if it snows and roads are bad. his answer was yes. he either has studed tires or chains not sure. i think that it would definitely would be very challenging to ride a motorcycle on icy roads.
+Chris Carrillo
Yeah, that's about where I draw the line. Luckily, icy roads are rarely a problem here.
That's good. It scares me to even think of riding a motorcycle on icy roads the way people drive.
+Chris Carrillo
Yeah, icy roads equals cab rides for me.
Yea better safe than sorry. I bet that takes a lot of skill to ride on snow packed icy roads and to keep the bike upright at a stop without dumping it on the ground or on your leg.
Have you ever drove a BMW m3 manual its fan too........
+Alvaro Franco
Not sure I've ever driven a BMW car before.
What is the blinking light on your bike?
+Phil Young
That would be the second camera.
worst thing for me about motorcycle is that riding just destroys my clothes(non protective casual clothes)
i dont know why and how it works, but i was riding with pants and shoes and grey pants are black now and my shoes just got f&%d up by gear shifter.
air polution? no ive never heard if it :(
Hmm, other then some engine grease on my pants, I haven't noticed that before. I will say my white jacket is not so white anymore from all the soot and oil on the roads as well.
ThisLifeRiding bro that white collar job you talk about is soo much pain for me.
another thing is that if i put on all the gear after shirt and suite, and its a hot or even a warm weather here , which is pretty common thing in my country ,when its spring and summer , i will get as much sweaty as possible.and ill probably stink and be diaguating ))))so that it becomes impossible to sit in the office with such wet shirt and work there as if just came out of gym.))))
+Super Skinny
Hmm, I never had that problem.
rain! i'm from LONDON hahaha
One problem that I have had is that when friends without a motorcycle want to hang out, they are the ones that have to drive all the time.
Same. I'm always bumming rides off my friends when I have to transport something big or want to hang out.
Actually I think it's legal to lane split now in Arizona
As far as I have heard it is only California and I believe Texas just made it legal this year. I have yet to verify if Texas actually passed it though.
iamsobanned I'm hoping the entire US legalizes it soon and makes Canada want to do it as well
I haven't heard anything about this in the news. Link to legislation?
btw what jacket do u have?
+HingleMcCringleBerry
It is Bilt's generic mesh jacket from a year or two ago.
waaaaaaaiiiiiiittttttt! did you get the speeding ticket?!?!?!?!?
Wait, you said your 300 has a 4.5 gallon tank? My '14 has... what? maybe 3.2 gallons? filled it at blinking light
4.6 U.S. gallons. The tank still carries another gallon or so after the indicator triggers.
How do you do groceries on a motorcycle
You can use a backpack to carry your groceries. Your capacity is limited but doable. If you have a cruiser, you could add saddle bags to increase your carrying capacity.
how much does the honda cbr 250rr cost ??
+Nizar Bugis
I would check an online seller or your local dealer. Prices will vary by region.
living in Norway and only owning a motorcycle :) not drivable 1/2th of the year
Norway doesn't have much traffic does it?
does your 2014 se have abs?
No.
hope you respond brotha. first question, you like the sound of the yoshimura, totally opinionated but most people prefer other exhaust for sound, second question, what chin mount do you use for the gopro. if you answer either of these answer the gopro chin mount question. haha
+cody edmunds
Yes, I do like the yoshi and I just use a curved mount with some sugru.
u hate driving? but have u ever driven a super raw sports car xD. I've had some of the most fun in a modified s2000. the 9k redline is something else
+HingleMcCringleBerry
I've driven some really zippy stick shifts but other then that, no. It is more that they are big and unwieldy then anything.
ThisLifeRiding what about some American v8? my mind got changed after I got launched in a c7 z06 corvette
+HingleMcCringleBerry
No, I haven't driven those either.
ThisLifeRiding haha. give it a shot sometime! my first fast car experience was an Audi R8 v10. been a car guy ever since
also, i love your vids! I just took the MSF course a month ago and got my M license. Got a helmet and just ordered gloves. looking forward to getting a bike.
Hey my name is Jonathan also and I’m considering selling my car to get a bike, I have rode bikes
Before plus dirt bikes, it’s getting close to riding season and I’m itching for a bike. Thank you for the video.
Depends where you live. If you live in Houston, NJC or Chicago may be. If you live outside the big metropolitan areas it's a NO.
Depending on your situation. It is 60% more likely that you get serious hurt in a motorcycle accident and you end up in a nursing home than in an automobile.
And 60 miles per gallon super duper premium? Really? A Honda Prius or similar is way better and runs on 83 basic stuff. Just take here the calculator out.
You have to count the cost of maintenance. Motorcycles need way more maintenance than an automobile and therefore are way more expensive to keep running. Sorry it's a fakt. You have to see your situation and you should take out a calculator, before you would be surprised.
Motorcycle vs automobile well if you like wind, weather , rain, insane heat, freezing cold and the danger being seriously hurt, go for it. I ride motorcycles but I have a Ford Fusion back up. Seriously I mean....
And London, Berlin or Paris Rome riding scooters and mopeds? The 1940 and 1950 are over. Don't you realize? It's a myth, like the people in Europe say all Americans running around with a pistol belt, cowboy hat and booths. Well the Europeans don't need a private means of transportation at all, they use, busses, traines, high speed trains to go somewhere. Mopeds are only for fun rides, but that would be a different story. You can in Europe (for weather reasons) only ride a motorcycle, scooter etc for 5 months a year. When you rode a motorcycle in Berlin in the autunum, winter and spring, I promise you, you sell that thing in an instant after the first Oktober/November - March/April ride.
Just saying. A scooter, motorcycle is a great Idea if your situation fits. If not and you like it anyway then take it as a hobby. Others buying for 1000 of Dollars computer equipment to simulate flights, race cars and/or whatever and don't even leave the room.
I have a scooter and 2 motorcycles not because its a necessity or it is economical.. I have it for fun as a hobby and I enjoy it very much.
@@herrmahlzahn6924 hmmm
Okay man I understand what your saying about a car being less exciting than riding a motorcycle but please try to drive a manual car for a while before you write them off completely. I agree autos are pretty boring, but driving a manual gives you way more to do and have fun while you drive.
if it rains you can take public transport.
that sucks even more
No need to with the proper rain gear
dude are we soul mates 😂😂... u are soooo right about the cars.. true they are so boring...i hate driving too...
Nice.
It's not me so I can laugh. Hahahahaha!
+Alay Vue
Haha
Yep. Gearing up is the worst part of riding.
But, you get to look like a storm trooper every day. I consider that a plus.
Or you can always live the squid life, and only wear a helmet.
Boys always buy a car first before motorcycle. Im from a third world country and every guy owns a bike. My friend bought an old Mercedes-Benz dl200 and all the girls are now his. Remember car first.
Sorry TLR... 7:41 lol
Haha, what can I say.
Darn, I tried to be the first comment.
So close...
Manual cars are more fun
No, they are not. I have a manual car. Bike is easily 100x better. A manual car is a yawn feast compared to a bike.
A manual car is more fun compared to an automatic, but a bike is easily more fun compared to a manual. If you think a manual is more fun, you obviously havent been on a bike, or you prefer yawn feasts.
Just don't ride atgatt...
😜😜😜
Then u don't have the clothing problem
+Michael Jordon
And then, when you go down, and you will go down, you won't have the whole being alive problem anymore either.