Welcome to the community brother. I started on a Ninja 300 when I was 19 after riding off-road since grade school. 4 years later and I'm on a Triumph Speed Triple now. Ride safe, strive to learn and most importantly have fun my dude, nothing is more freeing.
@@nickmelin248 solid thought process my friend. I know ppl that have been riding their big CC bikes that can't lean properly. The ZX4RR is sufficient for 90% of riders and their skills. I'd buy the ZXRR to hone my skills, but it's too expensive for my wallet nowadays lol
Put 9k on my FZ6 in the last 6 months. I daily ride and only refuse to ride on snow. Daily riding is very possible, but dress for the weather and learn to love the cold in the winter and heat in the summer. Also earplugs and a Cardo are an absolute must.
Snow isn’t even bad on the right bike. I daily rods a Ktm 990 Adventure for a year. In ohio. When the roads were ice I just didn’t leave. Luckily it was a mild winter and really only got stuck home a few days. Snow was easy. But that’s a big adventure bike with knobbies.
@@mraycgz Yea with the right tires and a bike with TC and ABS go for it. I'm on fairly sporty street tires with no ABS and no TC. But it's only like 1 week per year so i'm fine.
I love daily riding and I believe it’s a great form of therapy. I’m basically on call 24/7 and in front of a screen too much for work so just being able to focus on riding and being out in the elements without having the anxiety of my phone going off keeps me sane lol
YES!! motorcycling has been so entertaining and enjoyable for me, I don’t even think of my phone when I’m riding. I have a terrible habit of checking it when I’m in my car. I know it’s dangerous but I just get so bored in the cage. I don’t plan to ever get a phone mount for my bike, but I don’t use it for touring or going places I don’t know. It’s my daily for commuting to work!
49 years old and 23 years of riding, I have been a 100 percent motorcyclist for a year and a half. Enjoy every day riding! Own a lot of gear and 2 different bikes
@@icandsc being 100 percent comfortable. I am what the outside is doing. I do my best with gear. I do own a lot of gear. 5 helmets, 25 jackets, 2 rain suits, 30 pairs of gloves, 15 pants, head set on 4 helmets, plenty of visors replacement. I own a Kawasaki Concours that gives me the ability to pick up groceries, poor weather and long distance, have a W800 for above 55 degrees and makes around town and to work easier. Those are all the good things! Now for the bad part, got injured at work, the back! Which effected a severe impingement to my L3 Nerve which lost most of my left quads. I could not ride or even drive for most of 6 months. But doctor gave the go-ahead and I am back on. I did have to get my truck back up and running, but it would be for groceries or picking up a friend as the truck is 23 years old and 213000 miles and all put on by me. Hope that answers the question. If you have anymore and respect my opinion, ask more or watch over on my channel as I only started and have really 2 videos, but if you like guns, kayaking, motorcycles and what ever else I chose to do.
I got rid of my car 5 years ago and I have not looked back. I am 56 and have a 2010rt. I wouldn't dream of having a car again, especially here in London.
Daily rode my Ninja 400 in Montana except in snow. Learned that wind is a form of weather that is hard to predict-40 mph winds equals zero fun and guaranteed mental wipe out at destination. Moved across the country (husband got hit by a truck on his naked 400 and is disabled so a move was necessary for his needs), bought an RS 660 and gave up daily commuting because I would rather be cold than soak a tshirt from sweat. Gear for protection is a must but just isn’t fun to wear when it’s possible to fry an egg on the asphalt.
I used to daily ride back home in Indonesia. Now doing the same in Australia. I'm using a Honda CB 500f. It's perfect for a daily ride. Comfortable seating position. Enough power to go around town and highway, reliable. It's a bit more challenging to ride in a place where it can get colder and windy, but at least it doesn't snow where I live during winter.
I daily ride a 1996 Kawasaki ZXR400 and the takeaways I have from it are 1) commuting on a sport bike is not worth the back pain 2) carburettors are not worth the inconvenience for your daily machine.
Single carburetor isn't too bad, but syncing 4... I shiver at the thought of that! Even the duel carbs were terrible on my dad's bike. It was funny though for tuning we'd basically power only 1 cylinder at a time and run half the engine (also gave it a decent enough load for some basic tuning to see how quickly it responded and revved up vs bogged. 4 at once though would be such a pain and you'd probably need some special actual tools for tuning. With one its not too bad adjusting 2x a year (winter summer), but doing that to 4 carbs and keeping them in sync, no thanks! I'm glad fuel injection exists, my ZX-6R has 4 throttle bodies, then 4 sub-bodies. That sounds like a lot of effort to maintain if it was old school!
Daily rode several different sport bikes bikes but switched to a Harley street glide once my commute changed to 50km all freeway. Tall windscreen, fork deflectors make highway speeds VERY comfy and having bags means I don't have to wear a backpack. Very easy to handle if caught in a traffic jam too. RESPECT to all the moto commuters out there \m/
Up until a few weeks ago, I was daily driving my SUV for the 10min (in town/city) commute I have to work…..now I daily my 23 G310GS. Rain or shine, hot or cold, I ride to work and I honestly couldn’t be more happy, I bought a nice Olympia Rain Suit for around $100, some Waterproof Icon Gloves and Riding Shoes also a handy Thor Riding Backpack that fits literally everything I need for a daily work commute. I’m 41 this year, and I’m kicking my ass that I didn’t make this change sooner 🤦🏼♂️🤘🏻
😢I fell a sleep with my new helmet on and my wife took a video of me snoring in it then posted it. I don't know if how you feel it kind of looks like a two-year-old falling asleep with his toy. But I got a motorbike so it's still a win😢
When was active duty USMC one of my fellow Marines daily rode his motorcycle regardless of weather, I remember the first time seeing him brush snow off his seat when starting his motorcycle and wondering how cold that ride was going to be... He said it was no problem....
Daily Rider on the Central California coast. 360 days of spring weather every year, commuting to work on a motorcycle on Pacific Coast Highway, lane splitting past the tourist traffic congestion in the summer, free motorcycle parking at work-- it's fantastic. Only downside is the constant fight against rust and corrosion from the ocean air and mist. Riding a 2015 Triumph Bonneville. Maybe not the most practical choice, but fun as heck.
Great video for newer riders. I've been riding commuting on my motorcycle since the 1980s. I don't ride in the rain anymore but still ride 250+ miles per week on my commute. A huge yellow disc lock is great for deterring thieves, be sure it's visible. Anything that slows them down is good, they don't want to be slowed down.
"I totally agree with you-making a motorcycle your daily commuter is definitely doable, even in the snow! I'm 34 years old and didn't start riding until last October when I picked up a 2020 Honda Super Cub. Now, almost a year later, I’ve racked up over 8,000 miles on it, and I rode it all winter long. I only drove my car three times because the snow was too intense, but I did brave the ice and snow on my Cub. Picture this: I had multiple layers of clothes, snow pants, jackets, heated gloves, and a scarf. I looked like the Michelin Man, but I stayed warm enough to ride in 0°F weather! I even carried a backpack with a battery to power my heated gloves. Rain? Not a big deal. It’s the cold and snow that really challenge you. But as they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. I was determined to make it work and added a 65L locking waterproof box on the back, a small box on the front, and both front and rear racks for storage. It was all about learning what worked for the conditions-like when I realized I had underestimated how much windchill could bite, especially on longer rides. My most challenging ride? An hour and 40 minutes each way in freezing temps with a headwind so strong I struggled to keep 40 mph, and my fuel economy dropped to around 60 mpg instead of the usual 100. But despite all that, the Super Cub handled it like a champ. So yeah, you can make just about anything work if you set your mind to it. I bought mine with only 9 miles on it, and it’s been a blast putting over 8,000 miles on it so far. I live where it snows, so I didn’t ditch the car entirely-I still have one for really bad snow days or when I need to haul stuff. But all my coworkers thought I was nuts, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!"
I've rode to work on a motobike for almost two years now in rainy Wales, up the a5 in Snowdonia, currently on a tracer 700. Definitely wakes me up in the morning and look forward to riding back everyday :)
I just got my first bike last month, an 85 klr250, and I’ve been using it as my daily this whole time. The last owner bolted pelican cases to it, and that has made it fantastic for my lunchbox and tools. I also don’t have a long commute but it’s made it super helpful for learning.
I daily ride my 2010 CBF600SA. I rode all year around, from Lakeshore Toronto, to Caledon and everywhere inbetween. I ride in the snow, if not too bad, been caught up in BAD blizzards, and rode theough the flooded streets with my feet on my front blinkers (that ride cost me a chain). You need to be confident with your balance, and your control of your machine. Layer up, clutch easy in 2nd gear feet down, allow ALOT of time to stop, and you can ride to -25°c before your fork oil freezes and pops seals in Port Dover 😜 Only ride winters if you NEED to, or a perfect day, with white trim
Started daily riding last May in Northwest (OR, WA) and the non-snow season is about OCT to APR including mountain passes, can't believe I waited so long. Hardest part about daily riding aren't the weather conditions (hail, rain, thunder, and days over 100 degrees) it's the 4-5 mph stop-n-go traffic in Seattle at 7 AM. I'll look for miles and I'm the only one riding, all those climate people, not one riding a bike. Once I nudge my way into the HOV lane, it's all good, everyone parking in traffic in their electric cars.
Daily commuter here, by law people are required to take account of lane splitting motorcycles in my country, so no probs. Rain AND darkness AND rush hour combined are a challenge though.
Here in sunny Singapore, riding motorcycle is the most affordable private transport option. Cars in general are crazy expensive. Daily riding is a way of life, even in wet weather.
Daily commuting my NC750 DCT in Detroit metro about 8-9 months out of the year. Video was spot on for the most part. Snow/ ice is a no go for me tho. Still need a car for that mess. Keep up the good work, love the content even tho y’all hate on my bike 😂😂😂.
So do I. Mine is a 2014 so it has cruise control, heated grips, traction control, and electronic suspension. I have several other bikes but the fjr is just soo fast, comfortable, and carries all of my junk with ease that I rarely ride the others. Can't imagine being without one ever again.
In my part of Norway i daily ride a bike almost a whole year, i stop riding when temps are at 5 degrees Celsius or below as there is a risk of snow or black ice. After few years i learned to adapt to rain and to the cold as well. Thick warm gear are a must but i also add some warm underwear underneath, i use balaclava/neck gaiter combo to keep my head warm and isolated from cold and i have battery powered heated gloves to keep my hands warm. For the rain, i have cheap set of Acerbis rain jacket and pants that provide for total protection from water/rain, and as a bonus the windproof material also helps with heat preservation. The only downside with all that it`s the hassle to dress up every day.
I abandoned my minivan for a 150cc scooter. No more kids, no one but me to get around. And I live in Yuma AZ so literally 350 days of riding possibilities. ❤ But I have lots of storage and plenty of emergency supplies on board. Perfect. I feel really bad for people who can't ride every season. 😢
Riding in the winter (below freezing), is actually easier than riding in July/Aug. (above 90 degrees). If you ride ATGATT, and ride cautiously in any weather than it's not a big deal. You would think squids were fine with cold and/or water. It boils down to do you see a motorcycle as a form of transportation, or just a toy. ADV bikes are great for riding in bad weather and traffic.
I’m a commuting rider in the U.K. I do about 400-500 miles a week. Mixture of motorway and city riding. I use a Suzuki v strom 650. My routine… oil and filter change every 3,000 miles. Brake calliper clean every 6,000 miles. Tyre change every 10,000 miles or so. I have heated grip and all weather riding gear but. Because my first part of the journey involves countryside riding, I try and avoid riding in unlit roads at night because of deer and other animals which are lethal. Also, any indication of black ice and I do not ride. My cut off is -2C.
I daily’d a Suzuki S40 for 3 years as my only transportation in Denver. It was brutal and amazing. Roadside assistance is a must. I rode with a huge backpacking backpack to pack all the layers and gear. People thought I was homeless. I put 30k miles on that bike in those 3 years. Froze, got drenched, caught in a blizzard, and had a blast!
I have daily ridden 3 different Harleys, a Versys 650, a T7 and a few other bikes. I've settled on a Harley Ultra, and I'll probably always have a Harley or Goldwing at this point. A few things I require for a daily driver are cruise control, wind protection, heated grips, enough luggage for full face helmets plus tools, and an upright seating position. And a bonus for having wireless Android Auto, I have it on this bike and man is it nice.
I daily ride a 2021 Indian challenger in SoCal. My commute used to be 90 miles round trip but is now about 50 miles. Unless it's pouring rain I don't even think about driving my other vehicle, which is a truck that gets 9 or 10 mpg. I love riding and lane splitting in traffic makes it a no brainer. Sometimes I get wet but it's normally not that bad. I keep a dry change of clothes at work just in case. Don't be scared just do it.
Started using my FZ6 as primary year round transportation in 2007. Luckily I live in the PNW where the roads are only icy a couple weeks a year. I've owned a couple scooters to keep the miles down on the big bike and did have to take a few years away for family and medical reasons. If anyone ever asks me about getting into motorcycles purely for cheap transportation, I recommend they get a 150-400cc scooter. They truly are the best most of the time for utility. I came back to it a few years ago since the kids are now adults. Last year I got a DR650 for daily use and to explore places I prefer not to take the road bike. I still have the FZ6 for leisure and spirited riding (and a second bike is great as a backup). My pickup has been sitting dead in the driveway with a broken timing belt for a couple years. Someday I'll fix it 😂.
I daily ride for the last 2 years to and from work. Even do grocery trips. Saves on gas, insurance, payments, and other costs. I live in Seattle so don't see a whole lot of snow. My recommendations Cardo Ear plugs Good rain gear Luggage Air bag vest (strongly recommend as is effectively your seatbelt) Effective rain tires (Michelin road 6 are great) HEATED GRIPS Might consider a custom seat or gel pad if your stock seat is stiff.
Daily rider in the uk, riding a ktm duke. Never owned a car, took lessons but wasn’t for me! Ridden in all weathers, actually find it quite therapeutic riding in the rain as long as it’s not too heavy 😂
I daily an NC700x in western PA and ride all 12 months. Heated grips and a decent set of cold weather gear and I’m good to go. The only times I waive off are when there’s heavy snow or excessive salt on the road or it’s torrential rain.
Daily TW200, modded with a smaller rear sprocket, a windscreen, and a rear rack. Its not a highway bike but I can hit the trails or do some backroads exploring after I leave work. Going to do a 300 mile trip in a few days out a cabin for the July 4 weekend and will be leaving straight from work!
I just got my class 8 license at 16 last summer (Canadian motorcycle license) and have been commuting 70 kilometers a day on my 1983 cb1000c for the past three months, as well as about 250-500 kilometers per weekend. I'm just about ready for my second set of tires, and I'm going to ride until September when the snow flies. I'm so glad I've got a full fairing and hard bags for it, or else commuting would be a nightmare. Looking forward to having my car back on the road for the winter
I daily ride a Benelli TRK 502X all year long, rain, sun, fog everything, the only thing my country doesnt get is snow, and I realized I don’t save any money by dailying the bike, but it improves my daily mood and it makes it all worth it!
I daily ride my 2023 Ducati Diavel V4 over 100 miles to work and back. I live in Northern California so the weather is usually good. I'm on a 300 mile road trip now.😂😂😂
Daily riding my 2023 XSR900, recommend a wind screen for sure. Added tank bag to keep from having to use backpack. Use to ride 2013 Suzuki Gladius in NorCal for 2.5 years 100 miles roundtrip daily, brutal in winter there. Glad it is just a 25 minute commute one way here in SoCal. Safe riding all.
I daily my BMW R1150RT. Put 28000 miles on it the first year I owned it. Just bought a second bike for weekend riding and the BMW is dedicated to daily commute. It's nice living in NC, it doesn't get cold enough to not ride in the winter.
T.W.O. until snow. And maybe after. Vermont, 30mi/day. Edit: also, make certain your shifter and brake levers are set up for different types of boots, as your footwear can change seasonally, or even daily. Lighter bikes are easier to park, unpark, and pick up... Keep your wallet accessible to pay at the pump. Kickstand plates help to not sink into fresh or soft asphalt on hot days. Drive thrus are much more fun with a cup holder, like the ones made for a stroller. Please remember to decelerate upon entering the highway.😊
I daily ride a honda bros 400 here in ireland and its interesting to see what people may see as essential, while i do spend alot of time in the rain ive never felt the need to get full on rain gear i would typically just wear my jacket over my armour. I do feel that other than touring bikes the bros is a solid option for anyone looking for a daily ( the bros is called the hawk in the americas)
I didn't own a car and exclusively rode daily for 8 years when I was living in San Diego. The first year was on an R6, when that got destroyed, I spent the next 4 years on an FZ6R. Then I got a Honda Magna and spent most of the remaining 3 years riding that, occasionally going back to my FZ. And most of the time I had my guitar on my back. Riding was the best part of my day every single day...even the rare occasions when it would rain.
I have an 07 R6 and my commute to work is around 30 minutes (assuming the drivers I’m houston havent cause a 9 car pileup) all I can say is I definitely take my truck to work more often 😂
I don't have a car license, so I started riding a 125 on a CBT license over a year ago at the age of 31. I ride every day for work, and for pleasure, and I love it. Picking up a KLE with full touring setup at the weekend, with hopes to have my full test done in a month. I have no plans to do my car license.
I would gladly ride in a blizzard again over heavy rain "up to ankles on the foot pegs". The reason why is simple, in a blizzard other vehicles know that they need to slow down no matter how much rain they never think like that.
I do my daily happy pill on an XL 883 L in Cape Town, South Africa. It is winter for us now. LOL that final suggestion for a cover is the first thing that will get stolen...and here we hide our licence discs. Ride safe.
Bought a Kawi 636 brand new in 05' and rode it daily in Texas for years then moved back to Nebraska. I used to ride deep into the cold but I'm getting too old for all that. Still love this bike and its lack of electronics.
I’m twenty seconds into the video, I moved it into the little box on the corner, and I’m going to look at a turbo busa tomorrow for my daily, I hope papa yam is proud
Summer jacket, wet weather gear and a backpack is all you need. The weather gear will cut out the chill factor on a cold morning. A pack carrier is a great addition. Anything after that optional extra. Oh! Prioritise your tyres and brakes.
Saved to Playlist. I'm getting me a 650cc next spring. For daily commute in Stockholm. Super glad I stumbled on this vid. I live in the city proper and there's a strict 30 - 40kph speed limit in the city so I won't be going fast most of the time. But still lesson from this vid taken
In the late 70s, early 80s I lived in Mt Airy, a neighborhood in Philly, and routinely rode my bike into Center City for work. I rode through the winter if the temp was above 50 degrees and parked next to the Municipal Service Bldg where moto parking was permitted. I had an incredibly beautiful ride down the Drives, past the Art Museum, each time and loved it. My girlfriend had a car and I was very close to the train if the weather was terrible. A great experience.
Yam! You just described my Honda NC750X! I know you have not liked that bike for pure motorcycle pleasure in the past... But as a daily, the NC750X is pretty great. I know everyone has their own favorite, but I like my NC750X.
I've been failing my dual sport since I got it, spending $10 a day compared to my Dodge Cummins at $40 a day. The rain made nervous the first time on the freeway but after that I've been improving everyday. Thanks for all your tips and tricks Yammy!
I'm as close to a daily rider as an over-the-road trucker can get. I'm typically out 1-2 weeks at a time, which is why I opted for a tour bike. Carrying laundry, a laptop, and other things for my job, I needed the luggage. I live about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes from the terminal I drive out of, and I ride year round. The coldest I've ever commuted was 18°f, so far but winters in middle Tennessee aren't bad for a guy that is from Wyoming, but it does rain a lot, and in the summer, that actually feels nice if it isn't torrential.
I daily my Honda Trail125. Got a Cardo, quadlock, USB charger, and giant plastic tub on the rear rack. Only 24 miles round trip on 35mph roads to work everyday. Living in Hawaii, rain sucks so i always carry a rain jacket that i throw over my regular armored jacket. Calculated with regular maintenance and fuel, it only cost me roughly 350 dollars a year to commute to work, where as if i took my car, id spend that much on gas alone after 3 months.
Heated grips. You showed them in winter weather but if you’re on the East Coast, you have the hot days when you wear summer gloves. Catch that summer quick rain you hands don’t dry. Often followed by 70 degree weather. Heated grips minimizes delay timing when needing to grab that brake handle.
I just bought the exo 420 recently and I would not recommend it unless you’re broke. Yes it has the snell rating, the helmeted is abnormally Large. You’ll look like an alien with how large the helmet is. Mind you I got a small as well. Visibility, air ventilation, and wind reduction is all low mid tier. If you really on a budget I would recommend this helmet for the snell .
Daily on miniADV versysX300, I love it. In Thailand, most of time is sunny, except rainy season with 40cm water on road. sometime 15cm deep holes in road, sometime missing concrete for a few km, sometime google navigation point you to walk path across jungle... Still capable of everything.
I daily ride the RC 390 2022, it was my very first bike and now i'm going for a liter bike ASAP instead of buying a car. If i survived all this last rain season without a car i may be able to do it again next year
I’m a new rider. Honestly have been too used to having a map while driving. Even to destinations that I 100% know how to get to, even alternative routes to get there. I wasn’t comfortable on my bike until I got my phone mount. I don’t even look at my phone, but I still start up maps to go to work. Only today did I feel comfortable enough to listen to music on my comm system.
After years of watching... Its nice to see you give a shout out to the wonderful FJR1300. Been on 20 different bikes of all different styles and the fjr had a little bit of everything. 2006 fjr1300ae Ps the 6 speed version SUCKS
Dailying my 2019 BMW was not as cheap as I'd hoped, but now that I've got a Suzuki GZ250 to supplement that, it's so much better! I would like some hard bags for both bikes, but for now a 35L tail bag and a magnetic 2L tank bag work pretty well. Rain gear is a MUST, because I get to/leave work at 6am on 2 degree Celsius mornings.
Honda CBR500R is my daily rider. Fairly comfortable, economical and I suspect will be very reliable. I avoid days with over a 25% chance of rain and temps less than 25 degree. Just wrap the neck with a scarf and go. Fun!!!
I used to daily mine to work religiously. At that time I parked behind a locked fence, right in front of the staff kitchen window. Now I work in the heart of Downtown Portland OR and have been hesitating more to ride in purely due to unprecedentedly high motorcycle theft (and the fact that Portland thinks it's okay to charge the same price for motorcycle street parking as for cars). I can park it inside one of our warehouses, but it means 15 minutes of fiddling with keys, getting inside, locking it up (because you bet I still chain it to a post even in private property), and then locking up the warehouse. It's hard not riding to work, as lane splitting saves a ton of time, but it's hard riding to work because I worry so much I will come out to a cut chain (even though I use a 10lbs OKG manganese steel chain and Kryptonite's highest rated U-lock). Luckily the job is hybrid so I don't have to go in as often as my old job. Commuting via bike though is so much better imo than car, with exception to the middle of winter. Can navigate through traffic better, have astronomically better visibility, is much more engaging (which is important in the soul sucking act that is commuting), and you get mad cred for sticking to your guns (if that's something you crave lol). It does have its downsides like you went over though, so it's not for the light hearted. I don't know how many times I had to put my hands under hot water for 10 minutes when I got to work because I couldn't feel them anymore (someday I'll break down and buy heated grips). Funnily on that last point. Oregon is especially fun to commute on bike in. On my way to work it would be 48-52F, and on my way home it would be 85-95F. So you need to wear winter gear to work, and summer gear home 😂😀🥲
I literally just bought a Husqvarna 701 Enduro because I convinced myself I can daily ride it even on my 2 hour commute. While still having fun, getting good gas mileage, and being visible because it sits so unbelievably tall. Have I daily ridden it...still up for debate. I haven't had it long enough lol
I live in Houston and almost daily a FZ8. I don’t ever schedule to ride in the rain, but it is Houston so I plan on riding in the rain. When it gets into the low 60s or high 50s I try not to ride either, anything colder than that is mental.
Tomorrow I am going to do my motorcycle drivers license exam, this video came exactly on time because I want to daily a motorcycle to college and my internship!
If you want to start daily riding and your commute isn't a touring adventure, look into high displacement scooters or maxi scooters. Most of them come built with daily riding in mind and have many of the things yam talked about
Commute frequently on my Ducati Monster 696 in the Texas DFW area (70 miles round trip) and riding an air cooled bike in TX in the middle of summer is not fun but comfort is a sacrificed for hearing that beautiful Desmo engine 😊I’ve adapted after riding nothing but Jap sport bikes for the past 10 years.
I loved the practicality of my Concours. Easily held a brief case, or a spartan camping kit. Having said that, I took the Subaru if it was nasty out. I did get caught in weather quite a few times and the full faring kept me pretty dry.
always loved my 16 Connie, twice now in heavy rain starts missing badly. like 1 cyl no power slows down, only choking an stumbling, got down to 40mph an pushed on thru rainy bit an it clears up really pissing me off connie!. the much older Z1000 has been thru much worse much more an never missed a beat. even sits in hours long downpours an starts right up.
I rode winters daily in Wisconsin as a college student and it's a great challenge and fun. But a sidecar was necessary because of ice and snow. Also a winter windscreen and heavy clothing. It makes you a real biker and no mistake. 😅😅😅
For the last 2 years I've daily 2 bikes a r1 and now a Harley. When I started I daily my r1 after the money I saved up I bought a Harley sporster. I've been loving it they require basically no maintenance since putting 12k miles on the bike all I've done was like 3 oil changes, and one new tire. Then I built the r1 into a land missile
@nicholaskeenan4226 I've seen the new sporster s but haven't ridden it yet beautiful machines. Idk about like daily riding there so new but with that engine being from the pan America it should be good. But look into more its basically half computer which is awesome but idk about long term personality. I have 07' xl1200c its basically the touring model of the sporster line 4.5 tank, dyna seat, dyna forks, dyna shocks, dyna fairings.... the bikes like half or more dyna and the older models feel like the little brother of a dyna. Bigger frames and more similarly to dynas. new ones feel smaller and more tight. But it's a good work horse and the Evo motor is honestly a beast of a motor mines got like 45k miles and I daily, drag, and show bike it. Bullet proof motor and honestly super low maintenance. You can find a well taken care older one for not a bad price. It ain't fast, ain't nimble, but it's low n' slow and can chill all day at 80 on the freeway and look good doin it. Especially with the after market support.
i’ve been daily riding for about a year as a new rider and the biggest tip i can give is to give yourself extra time before ur trip and after ur trip, example i know must come into work 10-30 minutes early to change out of my gear etc
I've dailyed a 1150rt(97k miles, put 8k miles on myself) for a year an a half and just got a 1200rt, oil change and vales is all you have to do.... no chain to mess with..... also tons of coverage so even in rain with no gear its not bad if you are moving. tons of utility and globs of toque 8.75/10
From Easter to about Thanksgiving im on my triumph tiger 1050. About 8k a year. I look forward to getting on the bike in the spring snd off the bike in the fall. Rain or shine i always keep rain gear in the tail bag so i ready no matter what the sky is doing.
One absolute must for winter riding I think you missed - heated grips! Serious, having warm hands makes being out in bad weather 100% more bearable and is also safer: cold hands means you're slower on the controls. Ask me and my old lowsided bike how I know.
Its really fun to me that most north Americans believe commuting Ona motorcycle or exclusively having one as a method of transportation is some kind of mythical action that very few people do, meanwhile here in Latam it's pretty much the norm (and it's very convenient and cheap if I do say so myself) just goes to show you how different cultures can be even with something as universal as transportation.
Mid-December last year my car failed it's MOT (annual safety inspection in the UK), and it took me a month to get it fixed. During that time, my 600RR was my only vehicle for a mix of commuting and longer journeys including going to visit family for the holidays. Luckily, during that time the weather here was wet but mild, and by the time it started freezing again I had my car fixed. It was fun, but hard work - and by mid-January I was glad of a rest in the car, my core muscles were very tired by then.
My story is similar, Was driving my truck to work until it broke down. Now a daily my 600 F4i until I get my truck fixed. It makes you push the boundaries of what weather your willing to ride in lol
I've daily rode for years like 30 to 40 cafe racers choppers to my current big victory and xlh I run about 120 miles a day my tips good rain gear leathers good heated gear and prepare prepare take tool learn there use don't booze it up earplugs good boots love your bike
The greatest daily rider ever made is the honda nc750. Built in storage than can fit a helmet, 50+ hp which is more than enough, 70+mpg the most important aspect of a daily. You can also get the dct version to make your daily riding even more comfortable. As a guy coming from cruiser/touring background, the small tank is the bike's only drawback but since you're getting 70mpg anyways that handicap is negated and besides! small tank can be easily fixed by bringing an extra fuel can or pods and you are good to go! -from a harley guy who hates honda.
We got a HUGE sale on Scorpion helmets RIGHT NOW! 20% off go to www.yammienoob.co/
Don’t buy anything from this guy. The customer service on his site is absolute trash.
Papa yam after years of watching your content I finally followed all your guides and went and bought a zx4rr as my first bike thank you yammie
Let's goooo!! That's awesome brotha
@@xb5883 maybe after I'm comfortable with the power it has! I don't have much riding experience.
Ransoto......Ransoto.....
Welcome to the community brother. I started on a Ninja 300 when I was 19 after riding off-road since grade school. 4 years later and I'm on a Triumph Speed Triple now. Ride safe, strive to learn and most importantly have fun my dude, nothing is more freeing.
@@nickmelin248 solid thought process my friend. I know ppl that have been riding their big CC bikes that can't lean properly. The ZX4RR is sufficient for 90% of riders and their skills. I'd buy the ZXRR to hone my skills, but it's too expensive for my wallet nowadays lol
Put 9k on my FZ6 in the last 6 months. I daily ride and only refuse to ride on snow.
Daily riding is very possible, but dress for the weather and learn to love the cold in the winter and heat in the summer.
Also earplugs and a Cardo are an absolute must.
Snow isn’t even bad on the right bike. I daily rods a Ktm 990 Adventure for a year. In ohio. When the roads were ice I just didn’t leave. Luckily it was a mild winter and really only got stuck home a few days. Snow was easy. But that’s a big adventure bike with knobbies.
@@mraycgz Yea with the right tires and a bike with TC and ABS go for it.
I'm on fairly sporty street tires with no ABS and no TC.
But it's only like 1 week per year so i'm fine.
Can you run earplugs and a cardo? Just got my bike and I’m considering getting one
Very true
@@aaroncreel4697 Yes you can and imo you should do that for sure.
I love daily riding and I believe it’s a great form of therapy. I’m basically on call 24/7 and in front of a screen too much for work so just being able to focus on riding and being out in the elements without having the anxiety of my phone going off keeps me sane lol
A fellow OPS/SRE I assume? :)
Dude, it's the same for me.
I enjoy it so much because it forces you to be there, and focus on nothing else.
Helps reinforce concentration too.
YES!! motorcycling has been so entertaining and enjoyable for me, I don’t even think of my phone when I’m riding. I have a terrible habit of checking it when I’m in my car. I know it’s dangerous but I just get so bored in the cage.
I don’t plan to ever get a phone mount for my bike, but I don’t use it for touring or going places I don’t know. It’s my daily for commuting to work!
49 years old and 23 years of riding, I have been a 100 percent motorcyclist for a year and a half. Enjoy every day riding! Own a lot of gear and 2 different bikes
what have you given up over the last 18 months?
@@icandsc being 100 percent comfortable. I am what the outside is doing. I do my best with gear. I do own a lot of gear. 5 helmets, 25 jackets, 2 rain suits, 30 pairs of gloves, 15 pants, head set on 4 helmets, plenty of visors replacement. I own a Kawasaki Concours that gives me the ability to pick up groceries, poor weather and long distance, have a W800 for above 55 degrees and makes around town and to work easier. Those are all the good things! Now for the bad part, got injured at work, the back! Which effected a severe impingement to my L3 Nerve which lost most of my left quads. I could not ride or even drive for most of 6 months. But doctor gave the go-ahead and I am back on. I did have to get my truck back up and running, but it would be for groceries or picking up a friend as the truck is 23 years old and 213000 miles and all put on by me. Hope that answers the question. If you have anymore and respect my opinion, ask more or watch over on my channel as I only started and have really 2 videos, but if you like guns, kayaking, motorcycles and what ever else I chose to do.
@@BlakesPipeshope the best for you sir🙏
I got rid of my car 5 years ago and I have not looked back. I am 56 and have a 2010rt. I wouldn't dream of having a car again, especially here in London.
Daily rode my Ninja 400 in Montana except in snow. Learned that wind is a form of weather that is hard to predict-40 mph winds equals zero fun and guaranteed mental wipe out at destination. Moved across the country (husband got hit by a truck on his naked 400 and is disabled so a move was necessary for his needs), bought an RS 660 and gave up daily commuting because I would rather be cold than soak a tshirt from sweat. Gear for protection is a must but just isn’t fun to wear when it’s possible to fry an egg on the asphalt.
I used to daily ride back home in Indonesia. Now doing the same in Australia. I'm using a Honda CB 500f. It's perfect for a daily ride. Comfortable seating position. Enough power to go around town and highway, reliable. It's a bit more challenging to ride in a place where it can get colder and windy, but at least it doesn't snow where I live during winter.
That was my motoschool bike, love it
Even I own Honda CB shine
I daily ride a 1996 Kawasaki ZXR400 and the takeaways I have from it are 1) commuting on a sport bike is not worth the back pain 2) carburettors are not worth the inconvenience for your daily machine.
Single carburetor isn't too bad, but syncing 4... I shiver at the thought of that! Even the duel carbs were terrible on my dad's bike. It was funny though for tuning we'd basically power only 1 cylinder at a time and run half the engine (also gave it a decent enough load for some basic tuning to see how quickly it responded and revved up vs bogged. 4 at once though would be such a pain and you'd probably need some special actual tools for tuning.
With one its not too bad adjusting 2x a year (winter summer), but doing that to 4 carbs and keeping them in sync, no thanks! I'm glad fuel injection exists, my ZX-6R has 4 throttle bodies, then 4 sub-bodies. That sounds like a lot of effort to maintain if it was old school!
Daily rode several different sport bikes bikes but switched to a Harley street glide once my commute changed to 50km all freeway. Tall windscreen, fork deflectors make highway speeds VERY comfy and having bags means I don't have to wear a backpack. Very easy to handle if caught in a traffic jam too. RESPECT to all the moto commuters out there \m/
Up until a few weeks ago, I was daily driving my SUV for the 10min (in town/city) commute I have to work…..now I daily my 23 G310GS.
Rain or shine, hot or cold, I ride to work and I honestly couldn’t be more happy, I bought a nice Olympia Rain Suit for around $100, some Waterproof Icon Gloves and Riding Shoes also a handy Thor Riding Backpack that fits literally everything I need for a daily work commute.
I’m 41 this year, and I’m kicking my ass that I didn’t make this change sooner 🤦🏼♂️🤘🏻
😢I fell a sleep with my new helmet on and my wife took a video of me snoring in it then posted it. I don't know if how you feel it kind of looks like a two-year-old falling asleep with his toy. But I got a motorbike so it's still a win😢
Thats so awesome 😎 you got a video of you sleeping in your helmet💪🏾👏🏽
When was active duty USMC one of my fellow Marines daily rode his motorcycle regardless of weather, I remember the first time seeing him brush snow off his seat when starting his motorcycle and wondering how cold that ride was going to be... He said it was no problem....
Daily Rider on the Central California coast. 360 days of spring weather every year, commuting to work on a motorcycle on Pacific Coast Highway, lane splitting past the tourist traffic congestion in the summer, free motorcycle parking at work-- it's fantastic. Only downside is the constant fight against rust and corrosion from the ocean air and mist. Riding a 2015 Triumph Bonneville. Maybe not the most practical choice, but fun as heck.
Great video for newer riders. I've been riding commuting on my motorcycle since the 1980s. I don't ride in the rain anymore but still ride 250+ miles per week on my commute. A huge yellow disc lock is great for deterring thieves, be sure it's visible. Anything that slows them down is good, they don't want to be slowed down.
"I totally agree with you-making a motorcycle your daily commuter is definitely doable, even in the snow! I'm 34 years old and didn't start riding until last October when I picked up a 2020 Honda Super Cub. Now, almost a year later, I’ve racked up over 8,000 miles on it, and I rode it all winter long. I only drove my car three times because the snow was too intense, but I did brave the ice and snow on my Cub. Picture this: I had multiple layers of clothes, snow pants, jackets, heated gloves, and a scarf. I looked like the Michelin Man, but I stayed warm enough to ride in 0°F weather! I even carried a backpack with a battery to power my heated gloves.
Rain? Not a big deal. It’s the cold and snow that really challenge you. But as they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. I was determined to make it work and added a 65L locking waterproof box on the back, a small box on the front, and both front and rear racks for storage. It was all about learning what worked for the conditions-like when I realized I had underestimated how much windchill could bite, especially on longer rides. My most challenging ride? An hour and 40 minutes each way in freezing temps with a headwind so strong I struggled to keep 40 mph, and my fuel economy dropped to around 60 mpg instead of the usual 100. But despite all that, the Super Cub handled it like a champ.
So yeah, you can make just about anything work if you set your mind to it. I bought mine with only 9 miles on it, and it’s been a blast putting over 8,000 miles on it so far. I live where it snows, so I didn’t ditch the car entirely-I still have one for really bad snow days or when I need to haul stuff. But all my coworkers thought I was nuts, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!"
I've rode to work on a motobike for almost two years now in rainy Wales, up the a5 in Snowdonia, currently on a tracer 700. Definitely wakes me up in the morning and look forward to riding back everyday :)
I just got my first bike last month, an 85 klr250, and I’ve been using it as my daily this whole time. The last owner bolted pelican cases to it, and that has made it fantastic for my lunchbox and tools. I also don’t have a long commute but it’s made it super helpful for learning.
Or just buy a maxi scooter, but I know north America isn't ready to join the rest of the world just yet.
I daily ride my 2010 CBF600SA. I rode all year around, from Lakeshore Toronto, to Caledon and everywhere inbetween. I ride in the snow, if not too bad, been caught up in BAD blizzards, and rode theough the flooded streets with my feet on my front blinkers (that ride cost me a chain). You need to be confident with your balance, and your control of your machine. Layer up, clutch easy in 2nd gear feet down, allow ALOT of time to stop, and you can ride to -25°c before your fork oil freezes and pops seals in Port Dover 😜 Only ride winters if you NEED to, or a perfect day, with white trim
Oh, for 11 years now 😁
Started daily riding last May in Northwest (OR, WA) and the non-snow season is about OCT to APR including mountain passes, can't believe I waited so long. Hardest part about daily riding aren't the weather conditions (hail, rain, thunder, and days over 100 degrees) it's the 4-5 mph stop-n-go traffic in Seattle at 7 AM. I'll look for miles and I'm the only one riding, all those climate people, not one riding a bike. Once I nudge my way into the HOV lane, it's all good, everyone parking in traffic in their electric cars.
Daily commuter here, by law people are required to take account of lane splitting motorcycles in my country, so no probs.
Rain AND darkness AND rush hour combined are a challenge though.
Here in sunny Singapore, riding motorcycle is the most affordable private transport option. Cars in general are crazy expensive. Daily riding is a way of life, even in wet weather.
Can always get some subsidized gas 😁😁😁.
I daily a gsxr 750, its a 20 min drive to work and its the best time of the day for me. I love that gixer sound!
Daily commuting my NC750 DCT in Detroit metro about 8-9 months out of the year. Video was spot on for the most part. Snow/ ice is a no go for me tho. Still need a car for that mess. Keep up the good work, love the content even tho y’all hate on my bike 😂😂😂.
I've got the NC700X for my commute.
Same bike doing the same thing and getting 68mpg
Commuting on an NC700 for ten years. Got a Goldwing a few months ago for weekend riding, but still ride the NC at least half the time to work
I daily an FJR 1300. It's perfect, except for not having cruise since it's older.
So do I. Mine is a 2014 so it has cruise control, heated grips, traction control, and electronic suspension. I have several other bikes but the fjr is just soo fast, comfortable, and carries all of my junk with ease that I rarely ride the others. Can't imagine being without one ever again.
In my part of Norway i daily ride a bike almost a whole year, i stop riding when temps are at 5 degrees Celsius or below as there is a risk of snow or black ice. After few years i learned to adapt to rain and to the cold as well. Thick warm gear are a must but i also add some warm underwear underneath, i use balaclava/neck gaiter combo to keep my head warm and isolated from cold and i have battery powered heated gloves to keep my hands warm. For the rain, i have cheap set of Acerbis rain jacket and pants that provide for total protection from water/rain, and as a bonus the windproof material also helps with heat preservation. The only downside with all that it`s the hassle to dress up every day.
I have been daily riding for several years. I did have a Harley Heritage Classic, but now have a Kawasaki Z900. Love it.
I abandoned my minivan for a 150cc scooter. No more kids, no one but me to get around. And I live in Yuma AZ so literally 350 days of riding possibilities. ❤ But I have lots of storage and plenty of emergency supplies on board. Perfect.
I feel really bad for people who can't ride every season. 😢
2008 Suzuki V-Strom, Middle TN, ride to work almost everyday. Love it! 17 miles one way, two miles of gravel.
I daily! Put 20k on CBR in a year, hit a deer, now trying to see how many I can cram on a sportster in a year 😅
Riding in the winter (below freezing), is actually easier than riding in July/Aug. (above 90 degrees). If you ride ATGATT, and ride cautiously in any weather than it's not a big deal. You would think squids were fine with cold and/or water. It boils down to do you see a motorcycle as a form of transportation, or just a toy. ADV bikes are great for riding in bad weather and traffic.
I’m a commuting rider in the U.K. I do about 400-500 miles a week. Mixture of motorway and city riding. I use a Suzuki v strom 650. My routine… oil and filter change every 3,000 miles. Brake calliper clean every 6,000 miles. Tyre change every 10,000 miles or so. I have heated grip and all weather riding gear but. Because my first part of the journey involves countryside riding, I try and avoid riding in unlit roads at night because of deer and other animals which are lethal. Also, any indication of black ice and I do not ride. My cut off is -2C.
I daily’d a Suzuki S40 for 3 years as my only transportation in Denver. It was brutal and amazing. Roadside assistance is a must. I rode with a huge backpacking backpack to pack all the layers and gear. People thought I was homeless. I put 30k miles on that bike in those 3 years. Froze, got drenched, caught in a blizzard, and had a blast!
I have daily ridden 3 different Harleys, a Versys 650, a T7 and a few other bikes. I've settled on a Harley Ultra, and I'll probably always have a Harley or Goldwing at this point.
A few things I require for a daily driver are cruise control, wind protection, heated grips, enough luggage for full face helmets plus tools, and an upright seating position. And a bonus for having wireless Android Auto, I have it on this bike and man is it nice.
I ride whenever it’s not raining!! For work and leisure.
I got my first ever bike (Kawasaki er6n) in may, and since I have it, I ride it every single day! I LOVE IT!! :)
I daily ride a 2021 Indian challenger in SoCal. My commute used to be 90 miles round trip but is now about 50 miles. Unless it's pouring rain I don't even think about driving my other vehicle, which is a truck that gets 9 or 10 mpg. I love riding and lane splitting in traffic makes it a no brainer. Sometimes I get wet but it's normally not that bad. I keep a dry change of clothes at work just in case. Don't be scared just do it.
Started using my FZ6 as primary year round transportation in 2007. Luckily I live in the PNW where the roads are only icy a couple weeks a year. I've owned a couple scooters to keep the miles down on the big bike and did have to take a few years away for family and medical reasons. If anyone ever asks me about getting into motorcycles purely for cheap transportation, I recommend they get a 150-400cc scooter. They truly are the best most of the time for utility. I came back to it a few years ago since the kids are now adults. Last year I got a DR650 for daily use and to explore places I prefer not to take the road bike. I still have the FZ6 for leisure and spirited riding (and a second bike is great as a backup).
My pickup has been sitting dead in the driveway with a broken timing belt for a couple years. Someday I'll fix it 😂.
I daily ride for the last 2 years to and from work. Even do grocery trips. Saves on gas, insurance, payments, and other costs. I live in Seattle so don't see a whole lot of snow. My recommendations
Cardo
Ear plugs
Good rain gear
Luggage
Air bag vest (strongly recommend as is effectively your seatbelt)
Effective rain tires (Michelin road 6 are great)
HEATED GRIPS
Might consider a custom seat or gel pad if your stock seat is stiff.
Daily rider in the uk, riding a ktm duke. Never owned a car, took lessons but wasn’t for me! Ridden in all weathers, actually find it quite therapeutic riding in the rain as long as it’s not too heavy 😂
Share some tips of rain riding.. in the tropics.. it rains anytime.. and paint markings are deceptively slippery...
I daily an NC700x in western PA and ride all 12 months. Heated grips and a decent set of cold weather gear and I’m good to go. The only times I waive off are when there’s heavy snow or excessive salt on the road or it’s torrential rain.
Daily TW200, modded with a smaller rear sprocket, a windscreen, and a rear rack. Its not a highway bike but I can hit the trails or do some backroads exploring after I leave work. Going to do a 300 mile trip in a few days out a cabin for the July 4 weekend and will be leaving straight from work!
I live in Nebraska and the winters are just to cold to ride. However I ride 9 months out of the year to work and back.
I just got my class 8 license at 16 last summer (Canadian motorcycle license) and have been commuting 70 kilometers a day on my 1983 cb1000c for the past three months, as well as about 250-500 kilometers per weekend. I'm just about ready for my second set of tires, and I'm going to ride until September when the snow flies. I'm so glad I've got a full fairing and hard bags for it, or else commuting would be a nightmare. Looking forward to having my car back on the road for the winter
I daily ride a Benelli TRK 502X all year long, rain, sun, fog everything, the only thing my country doesnt get is snow, and I realized I don’t save any money by dailying the bike, but it improves my daily mood and it makes it all worth it!
I daily ride my 2023 Ducati Diavel V4 over 100 miles to work and back. I live in Northern California so the weather is usually good. I'm on a 300 mile road trip now.😂😂😂
Daily riding my 2023 XSR900, recommend a wind screen for sure. Added tank bag to keep from having to use backpack. Use to ride 2013 Suzuki Gladius in NorCal for 2.5 years 100 miles roundtrip daily, brutal in winter there. Glad it is just a 25 minute commute one way here in SoCal. Safe riding all.
I daily my BMW R1150RT. Put 28000 miles on it the first year I owned it. Just bought a second bike for weekend riding and the BMW is dedicated to daily commute. It's nice living in NC, it doesn't get cold enough to not ride in the winter.
T.W.O. until snow.
And maybe after.
Vermont, 30mi/day.
Edit: also, make certain your shifter and brake levers are set up for different types of boots, as your footwear can change seasonally, or even daily.
Lighter bikes are easier to park, unpark, and pick up...
Keep your wallet accessible to pay at the pump.
Kickstand plates help to not sink into fresh or soft asphalt on hot days.
Drive thrus are much more fun with a cup holder, like the ones made for a stroller.
Please remember to decelerate upon entering the highway.😊
I daily ride a honda bros 400 here in ireland and its interesting to see what people may see as essential, while i do spend alot of time in the rain ive never felt the need to get full on rain gear i would typically just wear my jacket over my armour. I do feel that other than touring bikes the bros is a solid option for anyone looking for a daily ( the bros is called the hawk in the americas)
I didn't own a car and exclusively rode daily for 8 years when I was living in San Diego. The first year was on an R6, when that got destroyed, I spent the next 4 years on an FZ6R. Then I got a Honda Magna and spent most of the remaining 3 years riding that, occasionally going back to my FZ. And most of the time I had my guitar on my back. Riding was the best part of my day every single day...even the rare occasions when it would rain.
I have an 07 R6 and my commute to work is around 30 minutes (assuming the drivers I’m houston havent cause a 9 car pileup) all I can say is I definitely take my truck to work more often 😂
I don't have a car license, so I started riding a 125 on a CBT license over a year ago at the age of 31. I ride every day for work, and for pleasure, and I love it. Picking up a KLE with full touring setup at the weekend, with hopes to have my full test done in a month. I have no plans to do my car license.
I would gladly ride in a blizzard again over heavy rain "up to ankles on the foot pegs". The reason why is simple, in a blizzard other vehicles know that they need to slow down no matter how much rain they never think like that.
Just picked up a Triumph Tiger Sport 660 for my Baja trip and a weekend thrasher !
I do my daily happy pill on an XL 883 L in Cape Town, South Africa. It is winter for us now. LOL that final suggestion for a cover is the first thing that will get stolen...and here we hide our licence discs. Ride safe.
been daily riding a sv650 for a while. just a spare jacket and a backpack has served me well
I daily ride my FJR1300, brilliant bike for it, super comfortable, plenty of storage, and more than enough poke to have some fun.
i used to daily my cbr 150 back in the philippines with hot humid temperatures going around 120 fahrenheit and i just got used to it😂😂
Those are tough little bikes. I can tell you that my winter beater here in Canada is a cbr125r and it fires right up in freezing weather just as well
Bought a Kawi 636 brand new in 05' and rode it daily in Texas for years then moved back to Nebraska. I used to ride deep into the cold but I'm getting too old for all that. Still love this bike and its lack of electronics.
I’m twenty seconds into the video, I moved it into the little box on the corner, and I’m going to look at a turbo busa tomorrow for my daily, I hope papa yam is proud
Summer jacket, wet weather gear and a backpack is all you need. The weather gear will cut out the chill factor on a cold morning. A pack carrier is a great addition. Anything after that optional extra. Oh! Prioritise your tyres and brakes.
Saved to Playlist. I'm getting me a 650cc next spring. For daily commute in Stockholm. Super glad I stumbled on this vid. I live in the city proper and there's a strict 30 - 40kph speed limit in the city so I won't be going fast most of the time. But still lesson from this vid taken
In the late 70s, early 80s I lived in Mt Airy, a neighborhood in Philly, and routinely rode my bike into Center City for work. I rode through the winter if the temp was above 50 degrees and parked next to the Municipal Service Bldg where moto parking was permitted. I had an incredibly beautiful ride down the Drives, past the Art Museum, each time and loved it. My girlfriend had a car and I was very close to the train if the weather was terrible. A great experience.
Yam! You just described my Honda NC750X! I know you have not liked that bike for pure motorcycle pleasure in the past... But as a daily, the NC750X is pretty great.
I know everyone has their own favorite, but I like my NC750X.
I've been failing my dual sport since I got it, spending $10 a day compared to my Dodge Cummins at $40 a day. The rain made nervous the first time on the freeway but after that I've been improving everyday. Thanks for all your tips and tricks Yammy!
I daily ride between my two bikes. A 2001 Triumph TT600 and a 2023 Bonneville Bobber. 60 miles a day round trip to work.
I'm as close to a daily rider as an over-the-road trucker can get. I'm typically out 1-2 weeks at a time, which is why I opted for a tour bike. Carrying laundry, a laptop, and other things for my job, I needed the luggage. I live about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes from the terminal I drive out of, and I ride year round. The coldest I've ever commuted was 18°f, so far but winters in middle Tennessee aren't bad for a guy that is from Wyoming, but it does rain a lot, and in the summer, that actually feels nice if it isn't torrential.
I daily my Honda Trail125. Got a Cardo, quadlock, USB charger, and giant plastic tub on the rear rack. Only 24 miles round trip on 35mph roads to work everyday. Living in Hawaii, rain sucks so i always carry a rain jacket that i throw over my regular armored jacket. Calculated with regular maintenance and fuel, it only cost me roughly 350 dollars a year to commute to work, where as if i took my car, id spend that much on gas alone after 3 months.
Heated grips. You showed them in winter weather but if you’re on the East Coast, you have the hot days when you wear summer gloves. Catch that summer quick rain you hands don’t dry. Often followed by 70 degree weather. Heated grips minimizes delay timing when needing to grab that brake handle.
I just bought the exo 420 recently and I would not recommend it unless you’re broke. Yes it has the snell rating, the helmeted is abnormally
Large. You’ll look like an alien with how large the helmet is. Mind you I got a small as well. Visibility, air ventilation, and wind reduction is all low mid tier. If you really on a budget I would recommend this helmet for the snell .
Daily on miniADV versysX300, I love it. In Thailand, most of time is sunny, except rainy season with 40cm water on road. sometime 15cm deep holes in road, sometime missing concrete for a few km, sometime google navigation point you to walk path across jungle... Still capable of everything.
I daily ride the RC 390 2022, it was my very first bike and now i'm going for a liter bike ASAP instead of buying a car. If i survived all this last rain season without a car i may be able to do it again next year
I’m a new rider. Honestly have been too used to having a map while driving. Even to destinations that I 100% know how to get to, even alternative routes to get there. I wasn’t comfortable on my bike until I got my phone mount. I don’t even look at my phone, but I still start up maps to go to work.
Only today did I feel comfortable enough to listen to music on my comm system.
I still like to use a map strapped to the tank in a magnetic pouch. I find phone navigation distracting
After years of watching... Its nice to see you give a shout out to the wonderful FJR1300. Been on 20 different bikes of all different styles and the fjr had a little bit of everything. 2006 fjr1300ae
Ps the 6 speed version SUCKS
Dailying my 2019 BMW was not as cheap as I'd hoped, but now that I've got a Suzuki GZ250 to supplement that, it's so much better! I would like some hard bags for both bikes, but for now a 35L tail bag and a magnetic 2L tank bag work pretty well. Rain gear is a MUST, because I get to/leave work at 6am on 2 degree Celsius mornings.
Thankfully when I take my bike to work I have a clear view of it from the shop as I'm working on cars
Honda CBR500R is my daily rider. Fairly comfortable, economical and I suspect will be very reliable. I avoid days with over a 25% chance of rain and temps less than 25 degree. Just wrap the neck with a scarf and go. Fun!!!
I used to daily mine to work religiously. At that time I parked behind a locked fence, right in front of the staff kitchen window. Now I work in the heart of Downtown Portland OR and have been hesitating more to ride in purely due to unprecedentedly high motorcycle theft (and the fact that Portland thinks it's okay to charge the same price for motorcycle street parking as for cars). I can park it inside one of our warehouses, but it means 15 minutes of fiddling with keys, getting inside, locking it up (because you bet I still chain it to a post even in private property), and then locking up the warehouse.
It's hard not riding to work, as lane splitting saves a ton of time, but it's hard riding to work because I worry so much I will come out to a cut chain (even though I use a 10lbs OKG manganese steel chain and Kryptonite's highest rated U-lock). Luckily the job is hybrid so I don't have to go in as often as my old job.
Commuting via bike though is so much better imo than car, with exception to the middle of winter. Can navigate through traffic better, have astronomically better visibility, is much more engaging (which is important in the soul sucking act that is commuting), and you get mad cred for sticking to your guns (if that's something you crave lol). It does have its downsides like you went over though, so it's not for the light hearted. I don't know how many times I had to put my hands under hot water for 10 minutes when I got to work because I couldn't feel them anymore (someday I'll break down and buy heated grips).
Funnily on that last point. Oregon is especially fun to commute on bike in. On my way to work it would be 48-52F, and on my way home it would be 85-95F. So you need to wear winter gear to work, and summer gear home 😂😀🥲
"So you need to wear winter gear to work, and summer gear home"
Yep, that's often how Texas winter days go... 35- to 40-degree temperature swings.
I literally just bought a Husqvarna 701 Enduro because I convinced myself I can daily ride it even on my 2 hour commute. While still having fun, getting good gas mileage, and being visible because it sits so unbelievably tall. Have I daily ridden it...still up for debate. I haven't had it long enough lol
I live in Houston and almost daily a FZ8. I don’t ever schedule to ride in the rain, but it is Houston so I plan on riding in the rain.
When it gets into the low 60s or high 50s I try not to ride either, anything colder than that is mental.
Tomorrow I am going to do my motorcycle drivers license exam, this video came exactly on time because I want to daily a motorcycle to college and my internship!
If you want to start daily riding and your commute isn't a touring adventure, look into high displacement scooters or maxi scooters. Most of them come built with daily riding in mind and have many of the things yam talked about
Commute frequently on my Ducati Monster 696 in the Texas DFW area (70 miles round trip) and riding an air cooled bike in TX in the middle of summer is not fun but comfort is a sacrificed for hearing that beautiful Desmo engine 😊I’ve adapted after riding nothing but Jap sport bikes for the past 10 years.
I loved the practicality of my Concours. Easily held a brief case, or a spartan camping kit. Having said that, I took the Subaru if it was nasty out. I did get caught in weather quite a few times and the full faring kept me pretty dry.
always loved my 16 Connie, twice now in heavy rain starts missing badly. like 1 cyl no power slows down, only choking an stumbling, got down to 40mph an pushed on thru rainy bit an it clears up really pissing me off connie!. the much older Z1000 has been thru much worse much more an never missed a beat. even sits in hours long downpours an starts right up.
I rode winters daily in Wisconsin as a college student and it's a great challenge and fun. But a sidecar was necessary because of ice and snow. Also a winter windscreen and heavy clothing. It makes you a real biker and no mistake. 😅😅😅
For the last 2 years I've daily 2 bikes a r1 and now a Harley. When I started I daily my r1 after the money I saved up I bought a Harley sporster. I've been loving it they require basically no maintenance since putting 12k miles on the bike all I've done was like 3 oil changes, and one new tire. Then I built the r1 into a land missile
Did you get the new sportser S? Im thinking about getting it for a commuter in the DC area!
@nicholaskeenan4226 I've seen the new sporster s but haven't ridden it yet beautiful machines. Idk about like daily riding there so new but with that engine being from the pan America it should be good. But look into more its basically half computer which is awesome but idk about long term personality. I have 07' xl1200c its basically the touring model of the sporster line 4.5 tank, dyna seat, dyna forks, dyna shocks, dyna fairings.... the bikes like half or more dyna and the older models feel like the little brother of a dyna. Bigger frames and more similarly to dynas. new ones feel smaller and more tight. But it's a good work horse and the Evo motor is honestly a beast of a motor mines got like 45k miles and I daily, drag, and show bike it. Bullet proof motor and honestly super low maintenance. You can find a well taken care older one for not a bad price. It ain't fast, ain't nimble, but it's low n' slow and can chill all day at 80 on the freeway and look good doin it. Especially with the after market support.
i’ve been daily riding for about a year as a new rider and the biggest tip i can give is to give yourself extra time before ur trip and after ur trip, example i know must come into work 10-30 minutes early to change out of my gear etc
now*
I try to do 50-50 when weather permits. It’s great therapy after a 10 hour shift
I’m in Montana and rebuilding an 83 shaft-drive Honda into a tracker for my first bike… probably gonna finish up just in time for winter…
I've dailyed a 1150rt(97k miles, put 8k miles on myself) for a year an a half and just got a 1200rt, oil change and vales is all you have to do.... no chain to mess with..... also tons of coverage so even in rain with no gear its not bad if you are moving. tons of utility and globs of toque 8.75/10
1st gen sv650 commuter here. I love my exhaust growl from the M4.
From Easter to about Thanksgiving im on my triumph tiger 1050. About 8k a year. I look forward to getting on the bike in the spring snd off the bike in the fall. Rain or shine i always keep rain gear in the tail bag so i ready no matter what the sky is doing.
One absolute must for winter riding I think you missed - heated grips! Serious, having warm hands makes being out in bad weather 100% more bearable and is also safer: cold hands means you're slower on the controls. Ask me and my old lowsided bike how I know.
Its really fun to me that most north Americans believe commuting Ona motorcycle or exclusively having one as a method of transportation is some kind of mythical action that very few people do, meanwhile here in Latam it's pretty much the norm (and it's very convenient and cheap if I do say so myself) just goes to show you how different cultures can be even with something as universal as transportation.
Mid-December last year my car failed it's MOT (annual safety inspection in the UK), and it took me a month to get it fixed.
During that time, my 600RR was my only vehicle for a mix of commuting and longer journeys including going to visit family for the holidays.
Luckily, during that time the weather here was wet but mild, and by the time it started freezing again I had my car fixed.
It was fun, but hard work - and by mid-January I was glad of a rest in the car, my core muscles were very tired by then.
My story is similar, Was driving my truck to work until it broke down. Now a daily my 600 F4i until I get my truck fixed. It makes you push the boundaries of what weather your willing to ride in lol
I've daily rode for years like 30 to 40 cafe racers choppers to my current big victory and xlh I run about 120 miles a day my tips good rain gear leathers good heated gear and prepare prepare take tool learn there use don't booze it up earplugs good boots love your bike
The greatest daily rider ever made is the honda nc750. Built in storage than can fit a helmet, 50+ hp which is more than enough, 70+mpg the most important aspect of a daily. You can also get the dct version to make your daily riding even more comfortable. As a guy coming from cruiser/touring background, the small tank is the bike's only drawback but since you're getting 70mpg anyways that handicap is negated and besides! small tank can be easily fixed by bringing an extra fuel can or pods and you are good to go!
-from a harley guy who hates honda.
Givi V37's on my FZ10 has made a life changer, the need to carry a backpack is a thing of the past.
college student here, my motorcycle is the only vehicle that I own.
So, even if I do not want, daily commute on bike is my only option 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️