Advice commuting between U/Hutt & wellington

[mrchips]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a cheap 2nd <600cc bike to commute between u/hutt & wgtn. I work in a CBD office block so not keen on leaving my beloved SV with her after market goodies open to the wellywood elements & lack of secure parking, hence a 2nd communter.

Financially it appears similar to my $192/mth train fare ? provided i keep up with maintenance, but this is obviously not my main motivator.

I'm keen to hear from those experienced in the art of the commute, all comments welcome.

[BMWST?]

keeping two vehicles is expensive,two warrants two regos two insurance.....But although the welly train service is not to bad its convenience plus to be able to scoot from door to door.

[Madness]

Where's the lockshop guy when you need him?

[rustic101]

I'm keen to hear from those experienced in the art of the commute, all comments welcome.

Over the past year I hate to think how much I have saved on fuel. Yes maintaining the bike is expensive but worth it with tyres and a service every 6k, but putting that into perspective with my ute its still cheaper.

The savings in fuel alone have been worth it. I went from $120pw with my ute to about $25ish pw, with the bike.

With the ute I had to find parking close by for free and walk into work or pay an exorbitant price for parking in a spot but with the bike I park in a very secure building almost next to the entry door lol.

I have also had savings in time on average use to take on a bad day a little over an hour, if there are no crashes. on the bike the longest its taken me is 25 minutes.

Yes at time the rain and winds can be a pain in the arse, however its about a total package rather than one or two issues.

The only serious draw back is its hard to smoke on the bike or drink your coffee on the way to work..

Is it beneficial? Yes
Is it worth it? Yes
Do I enjoy it? Yes

[Gibbo89]

the freedom of having your own bike in town is pretty big i reckon. just dont pick a flash bike and you would hope the scummy people in town won't be tempted by it...

[cheshirecat]

I do welly to upper hutt and I've more or less always commuted, mainly in the UK, all year round except for the slushy snowed up motorway bits. Gear is very good these days and tyres, but heated grips are well worth it and are surprisingly easy to fit. The bike(s) seem to like it as well providing basics are maintained. Advice previous about getting am older less glam machine is well founded. They do this kind of thing really well and give tremendous value for dollar/km. I sometimes take the cover with me as it keeps prying paws off and protects it a bit. You will notice a big difference when after some bike comuting trying pub or 4 wheels again. Just the hassle and time wasting of it all. I got the vfr especially with this in mind and it's very economical and maintenance easy, valves not needed any adjustment in over 60000k, just oil, fluids, tyres, one set of plugs and rear pads really.

[BIG DOUG]

I have commuted to wgtn from upper harlem for the last three years,got taken out by a car driver doing a u-turn 2 years ago broken hip out of that,(955 daytona f**k I loved that bike)but I still jump on my trusty xr1200 harley(32,000k's) and make the daily commute to town because I hate sitting in traffic and it costs me $37.00 a week whereas my xr6 ute would be closer to $100.00-120.00 and I get free parking mind you all the people I use to see in summer aren't on there bike's in winter f**king pussy's.

[Headbanger]

all the people I use to see in summer aren't on there bike's in winter f**king pussy's.

Aint that a fuckin hardcase, I have recently moved to lower Hutt and ride into the city each day, last week I had to laugh, The weather was shithouse and the normally crowded area were I stash my bike only had a single bike in it all day....mine.

[pete376403]

If you got a cheap Suzuki then the rego and plate *could* be transferred from the SV.
Depends if you have to park where the parking nazis could inspect it.