So, it's gonna be 66F and I get to head in at 10am, so I'm not expecting heavy rush hour traffic. I've got about 700 miles under me, and about 100 of those are freeway. Thinking about commuting for the first time tomorrow (25 miles each way). Thoughts / tips / advice?

Leave extra early so you don't have to rush. You will do fine.

Once you get into the traffic you'll

- be nervous
- think they're all maniacs
- be reluctant to change lanes
- most likely forget everything you learned at riding school
- suddenly realize there is more to this riding stuff than just twisting a throttle
- feel like you've accomplished something when you arrive at work

The trip home will be Much easier for you as your brain has had all day to assimilate the experience from the morning.

None of the above are big deals. They're just natural feelings to be expected as you try new things for the first time. Now you know, you won't be surprised by them. Thus, you'll be fine 

Quote from: Bluesmudge on April 29, 2011, 12:15:22 AM
Leave extra early so you don't have to rush. You will do fine.

as i said, i don't have to be in til 10am, so i will leave around 930am, after traffic dies down.

Quote from: mister on April 29, 2011, 12:23:25 AM
Once you get into the traffic you'll

- be nervous
- think they're all maniacs
- be reluctant to change lanes
- most likely forget everything you learned at riding school
- suddenly realize there is more to this riding stuff than just twisting a throttle
- feel like you've accomplished something when you arrive at work

The trip home will be Much easier for you as your brain has had all day to assimilate the experience from the morning.

None of the above are big deals. They're just natural feelings to be expected as you try new things for the first time. Now you know, you won't be surprised by them. Thus, you'll be fine 

i've put in 100 miles on the freeway already, just not in rush hour traffic, but i live in the SF bay area where the freeways are always somewhat busy. i'm not really nervous on the freeway anymore. it's more lane splitting that would make me nervous, but at the later time i'm leaving, traffic should be flowing fine and i shouldnt have to worry about it.

Wait a minute, you said 25 miles each way but you are leaving 30 minutes before you have to be there? I personally would leave 10 or 15 before that. If you get there early, good. Take a victory lap around the block. That's all just my opinion though.

Remember when you commute eventually at normal time that it's cooler and you might need an extra layer (I wera silk underwear under jeans, personally), plus neck cowel and jacket liner.

Remember that cars change lanes at the time they signal, if they bother to signal at all, so be wary of what's around you. 

Count seconds using a poll  marker to make sure you're not tailgating.  Sometimes people tailgate the car ahead to get away from the car in back of them.

My commute is 35 miles and my first few commutes I avoided highways, but my wrists killed me from holding the clutch in at stop lights.  I got stronger eventually, and after replacing the windshield the highway speeds don't bother my head as much.

My hubby bought my the pulsating front lamp that pulses to high/low/high beams when it's set to high beams. There's a light sensor so when it's dark, it just works as a regular high beam.  I find that cars are more cautious changing lanes when I have that on.  I'm a small person and just not as noticeable as a 300 pound guy on an 800 pound Harley...  That light makes me feel a lot more confident.

Have a great time!!  Tell us how it went!  What will you do differently next time?

When I ride into work I always go early to go before the rush or later to go after it. Going home is the same deal, go in early, leave early.

For the highway, I stick in the left lane. The way i see it, I only have to worry about idiots on 3 sides of me instead of 4.

Congrats, I've doing it for a few years. On the days when I have to use the suv, I kinda miss riding the bike to work, even more so the ride home. So how was it, any problems or anything?
Tony

i actually didn't ride. wasnt over 60 this morning, so i wimped out. i like warmth, and not having to change clothes at work. next week is supposed to be 10 degrees warmer, so ill probably try then.

Quote from: MarTeeNez on April 29, 2011, 05:09:48 AM
My hubby bought my the pulsating front lamp that pulses to high/low/high beams when it's set to high beams. There's a light sensor so when it's dark, it just works as a regular high beam.  I find that cars are more cautious changing lanes when I have that on.  I'm a small person and just not as noticeable as a 300 pound guy on an 800 pound Harley...  That light makes me feel a lot more confident.

Can you ask him to give you the link to this light so I can take a look? I find it intriguing.

Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on April 29, 2011, 10:24:40 AM
i actually didn't ride. wasnt over 60 this morning, so i wimped out. i like warmth, and not having to change clothes at work. next week is supposed to be 10 degrees warmer, so ill probably try then.

Wasn't over 60 so you wimped out? WTF!?

Coldest it got down here last winter was about 27F. I still rode to work. Got called mad, crazy and hardcore. That's what a winter lining with a rain lining (rain lining stops the wind ripping through, winter lining gives padding between cold rain lining and skin) is for. Toss on a pullover beneath and on top of my cloths and a balaclava or neck warmer and it's all nice and toasty.Legs just have to deal with it but don't seem to get too cold anyway for some reason, even on a naked.

Above 68 I'll just wear the mesh jacket.
Between 59 and 68 I'll add the rain lining - usually but not always
From 50 to 59 I'll wear a pullover beneath the rain lining
Below 50 I'll add the winter lining with pull over
Around 40 I'll add the balaclava or neckwarmer (neckwarmer blocks all air getting into the helmet from the neck)

I do find, as the temp drops below 50 and more so as it nears 32, other riders are way more amiable to give a nod. Normally, commuters don't nod. but when it's nearing freezing we all share a common "hardcore" bond and the nods are more free flowing - same when it's raining.

Get some warm gear so you can ride in the cool. It's awesome! 

Michael

my point is that i dont wanna have to put on all that stuff to ride to work, then have to take it off, then put it back on, etc..

Quote from: StevenDavisPhoto on April 29, 2011, 01:15:03 PM
my point is that i dont wanna have to put on all that stuff to ride to work, then have to take it off, then put it back on, etc..

What is "all that stuff"? The linings are Part of the jacket. Remove the jacket and the linings follow. The pullover stays on me - cause it's cold and would be worn even if I drove the car. Balaclava easy goes in a jacket pocket. It's not like you have to add the rain lining and then the winter lining and then the jacket and do the reverse to get it off. Once zipped into the jacket it's part of the jacket. And cause it's cold you leave it attached to the jacket from day to day.

If you don't have a jacket with removable linings and would need to buy Another jacket to do this, then that's different. Same with gloves. No point spending extra money on gear to ride in colder temps when you'd rather the warmth of the car and it's heater. Fair enough. 

But understand that owning a motorcycle is full of bothersome things...

-chains that need lubing
-chains that need adjusting
-service intervals half that of cars
-warming up the bike before riding off
-tires that go one third to one twentieth the distance compared to car tires
-PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) IE your riding gear - helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves

A jacket with some linings is the Least of the hassle.

I understand not everyone rides in near or just below freezing like I do. But a few jackets linings that are part of the jacket are Nothing. And certainly not "all that stuff". 

Michael

yeah, i have a dianese mugello jacket. very nice perforated leather for summer riding, but not the warmest in spring, and no removable lining. i usually wear thermals underneath my kevlar jeans and t-shirt, but then i have to take those off when i go indoors cuz it gets too sweaty.

Ride like you are invisible.

Quote from: centuryghost on April 29, 2011, 02:14:19 PM
Ride like you are invisible.

yeah, that's the first thing i learned when is started riding.

You will enjoy riding to work once you "break the ice".  30 minutes is not enough time.  There is no way you are going average 60 MPH going door to door.  My commute, In Houston, TX is 26 miles and takes 45 minutes to or so with 80% freeway at 65+.  Allow an hour.  If you get there early, no problem, but you won't have the pressure of running late.  As for lane splitting, forget it.  I guess its legal in CA but you are a new rider.  You don't need the added risk of riding within inches of other cars which can, and do, make unpredictable, illogical moves.

If you think you will commute regularly, think about a set of gear designed around that purpose.  Mine is all Olympia, GT Air Transitions jacket and AST pants.  I sized these to fit over street clothes.  Once at work I just take off the suit and change from riding boots to shoes.  When I had the GS, I put street shoes, etc, in a backpack and strapped it to the seat.  Works great.

Most of all, relax and enjoy.  It gets easier the more you do it.

BTW, my first commuter rides were in the DC area, Fairfax to Regan National Airport.  I found that with the suit above and an added thick sweater I could get down to 35 degrees.

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

Quote from: mister on April 29, 2011, 12:54:42 PM
Coldest it got down here last winter was about 27F.
Michael

I hate you so much.  I don't think we got up to 27 in the month of January in MN.  I'd ride year round if the lowest it got was 27 no doubt.  Rode to work this morning at 35 no problem, what's a few more degrees?

Hey, CarlTheProducer, the headlight modulator he got me was Comagination.

The review and info is here:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/comagination/visipath/visipath.htm

I generally ride above 40 degrees, mostly because the wind chill kills me, even with fleece plus jacket plus two liners plus turtlefur gator on my neck plus silk liners under jeans.  Mostly hands and legs get cold.  I commute with a backpack that holds the silks and extra liners for the afternoon ride home, and have room in the tank bag for stuff if I need to stuff extra layers in there.  But it is definitely worth it. I'm cold for half an hour in the morning, and the ride home is glorious.  And the 40 degree limit just eliminates most of 3 months. Until I get better gear, I'm OK with a temp limit.