Author Topic: Question for US motorcycle comuters (Read 5112 times)

banditcilik · « **on:** May 01, 2006, 04:29:47 AM »

What are the pros and cons of bike comuting in your area? (i.e.: I read a lot about US car driver doing silly things making biker life's miserable) Are the drivers there lullabied more than other countries?
What about the weather?

Maniac · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2006, 07:53:53 AM »

Well, here in Florida the main pro is that you can do it 12 months of the year... unless there's a Hurricane. Of course, I've seen idiots out riding in those too...

When I used to live in Michigan, you could ride maybe 7-8 months of the year, as long as you didn't mind getting a little chilly. It really depends on where you are in the States, for instance if you lived in Alaska you could probally ride 3-4 months of the year I would think.

I've never ridden in another country, but yeah, American drivers tend to not really pay attention to bikes. I don't know if it's different in other parts of the world or not. I just try and keep my eyes out for old people and people jabbing on a cell phone, those tend to be the worst offenders.

Where is it you are from?

blackbandit · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2006, 08:40:54 AM »

here in the uk its a battle on the roads at times
some drivers see you and make it easy to get passed
others dont like the fact that your overtaking and do
there best trying not let you get around
but the bike wins in the end

Swamp Rat · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2006, 09:03:29 AM »

The pro's are ; saving money on gasoline, being able to see more around me, turning an otherwise dreary commute to work into a little fun and it makes me feel a bit younger than I am.

Con's are.....can't seem to think of any.

It's a mixed bag when it comes to the cagers attention span. It seems that about 1 in 500 are trying to actually kill me. So far only three or four close calls and awarness kept me out of real trouble in those times.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2006, 09:39:09 AM »

Ah, well, I happen to live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex which, according to a news report I heard a few months ago, has the rudest, most aggressive drivers in the United States.

And that is true, I'd say. I find it dangerous to be in a car, much less on a bike. There is a ME ME ME attitude that is very troubling. The road belongs to ME! Get out of MY way! I'M in a hurry! I get to go the fastest! This is MY lane! I WILL ride your bumper as long as you are in front of ME! I WILL change lanes at high speed and come within 2 inches of your bumper! I AM SO IMPORTANT AND you ARE NOT!

And if you don't immediately submit to another driver's whims, then they will go into an uncontrolled rage and you can see them going spastic gesturing and bouncing up and down in their seat and yanking their car about in the lane. Sometimes they shoot at you.

Sometimes they're a good shot.

I'm not kidding. Serious power and control issues on MY roads!

Maniac · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2006, 09:50:04 AM »

Quote from: "Desolation Angel"

And that is true, I'd say. I find it dangerous to be in a car, much less on a bike. There is a ME ME ME attitude that is very troubling. The road belongs to ME! Get out of MY way! I'M in a hurry! I get to go the fastest! This is MY lane! I WILL ride your bumper as long as you are in front of ME! I WILL change lanes at high and come within 2 inches of your bumper! I AM SO IMPORTANT AND you ARE NOT!

And if you don't immediately submit to another driver's whims, then they will go into an uncontrolled rage and you can see them going spastic gesturing and bouncing up and down in their seat and yanking their car about in the lane. Sometimes they shoot at you.

Sometimes they're a good shot.

I'm not kidding. Serious power and control issues on MY roads!

I agree, you hit it right on the nose. There is no concept of 'sharing' a road here, everyone is just in their own little world and everyone else be damned. I don't feel I'm more likely to get into an accident with the bike compared to my cage, but I am more likely to get hurt.

In fact, just today on the way to work some idiot with a Harley Davidson sticker on the back of their car pulled out in front of me. I nearly smacked into him, thank god the brakes on the bike work. I let him have a blast from the horn, which seemed to just piss him off because he started driving 20mph.

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2006, 10:02:22 AM »

Pros - easier to find a place to park, more fun than the cage, easier on the wallet than almost any cage out there.
Cons - it rains a lot here and Greater Seattle has some of the worst traffic congestion in the country. Consistantly ranking in the top 5 worst cities, often capturing the #1 spot away from LA & NYC. We could really benefit from legal lane splitting!

blackbandit · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2006, 01:39:59 PM »

given the choice its the bike for me every time
when you are on your bike your senses are working overtime
they have to be ,put me in my car and after a hour im bored to death
theres no feed back from the car
the bike is safer how many people have fallen asleep whilst riding a bike ???

tacoman · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2006, 03:48:25 PM »

Our commuting here sucks. I'm scared in my big Superduty. The mornings are the worst, everyone is in a hurry. They drive like lunatics while chatting on a cell phone and sipping a latte. Plus, I have to wear slacks and dress shoes, not the best riding gear. Also, the dreaded helmet hair keeps me from doing it

jbrough7 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2006, 05:54:51 PM »

I'm lucky here in Southern Ontario, Canada because I happen to live outside a wee small town and then I go to work in an even wee-er, smaller town. Sometimes, I will only see a couple of cages the whole 20 minute trip!

But the country, although it has less drivers, still has its perils. I've had an older farmer go right through a stop sign right in front of me and he didn't even look!

Next year, I might be changing jobs and moving into the city for work so I'll have to face rush hour traffic which can be a pain sometimes.

Our drivers in Canada are supposed to be polite but sometimes I think they just don't pay attention - most of my friends tell me they have cut off bikers because they just didn't see them!

Jim

banditcilik · « **Reply #10 on:** May 02, 2006, 01:22:52 AM »

Maniac, I'm from Jakarta, Indonesia. Cager's life here is not easy, bikers are buzzing everywhere lane splitting in craziest ways. Drivers are forced to be more alert since they are not spoiled. No long and lonely road to be enjoyed while chitchatting on cellphone or singing and dancing inside cage (MTV gives money for that insanity, right?).
I'm trying to set aside the fun factor on the bike because I know given slightly more risk than driving a cage I would still choose bike. However I have no idea on what kind of risk and annoying weather you guys have.

Daytona · « **Reply #11 on:** May 02, 2006, 02:33:46 AM »

Quote from: "Desolation Angel"

Ah, well, I happen to live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex which, according to a news report I heard a few months ago, has the rudest, most aggressive drivers in the United States.

They must have all been on vacation down here as of late then! Face it its our way of life these days!

SHREDDER · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2006, 12:22:08 AM »

I'm from the NY metro area and people here tend to drive offensively. People here live a fast paced lifestyle and that includes driving. You really need a sixth sense when operating a motorcycle here. They have no regard for anyone else on the road. People in some other parts of the country tend to drive differently. I've ridden in West Virginia and noticed that many of the people will pull off the road to let you pass them and many will stop and ask if your OK when your stopped alongside the road. People here won't stop for anything!

smooth operator · « **Reply #13 on:** May 03, 2006, 07:16:54 AM »

You have to be a defensive driver no matter where your at. Let it carry over while in the cage too. I'm not in a highly populated area ( big cities seems, you get the worst and most offensive drivers) but even on the way to my son's house Sun.(on a residetual street in town) I see a young lady backing out of her driveway as I was coming toward her. I just knew she either wasn't going see me or for some other reason I don't understand, think it was alright to pull out in front of oncoming traffic(being me). Sure enough,she backed right out in front of me. I was ready for it,and was going slow,so there where no close calls. But I've had my share over the yrs. Also watch for pepole making left turns. Some idiots think its alright to cut across your lane when turning left. Doesn't seem to matter if your front tire is in the way. Felt like chasing down a idiot and beeting the crap out of him for that,but that wouln't do any good. Stay alert and stay alive. Dan

PitterB4 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 03, 2006, 08:52:25 AM »

I wish I could commute on the bike more often (about 50 miles each way). Today was actually my first time of the year. First, I'm a wimp - I leave the house early ('bout 5am) and I get no pleasure out of riding when it's cold out. Today was ~45F and my knees are still thawing out. Also, I go to the gym almost every morning. Wearing something appropriate for the bike to the gym, plus gym clothes, plus shower stuff, plus work clothes (that ends up being 3 pairs of shoes) and my lunch takes at least a backpack and my tank bag if I pack really well. Usually, the pain of all that packing overcomes the fun of riding.