Getting A Motorcycle Motorcycle Might Save Me Money...

[lysol]

To start off, I have 30k+ miles experience on a sport bike (CBR600RR).

Long story short, I spend about $550/month on a downtown parking spot + gas. This doesn't even include wear and tear on my Jeep. If I were to ride in, I get free parking, cheaper gas costs, and instant FREE access to all HOV lanes coming into D.C.


My sport bike is paid off and I have no intention on selling/trading it, but I don't ride it because I have to wear a shirt/tie to work and it's hard for me to do that on a sport bike let alone year/round. Though I did install a heated gear setup on it though to extend my riding season. I have been eyeing the BMW Adventure bikes (the R800GSA & R1200GSA) for a while now. The 800 would be right up my alley as far as price goes. And, on the days it snows really bad, I can just take the metro (though I'd be inclined to ride in the snow just because... lol). People have always thought I was weird because I would ride my CBR in the rain, cold, etc... I just love getting out there.

Any ideas?

 

[Christophe Noel]

A $30,000 1200 GSA seems woefully overdone for a commuter. Same could be said of even a $14,000 800 GSA. You could have the same commuter comfort on just abut any adventure bike from a VStrom 650 to well...there's much to chose from. I would look at the multitudes of Triumph 800 tigers out there. The non-adventure models with the 19" front wheel go for minimal bucks and that's such a great bike.

 

[PirateMcGee]

Honda CB500x oh and get a one piece over suit for protection. Just wear the dress clothes under and zip out in 10 sec.

 

[coop74]

KLR 650 and a stitch suit... all you need, and it will be cheap too.

 

[BlackdogGS]

I bought my 2010 GS brand new for $16,000. You can get deals on the new water cooled GS too. Never heard of anyone spend $30,000.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I bought my 2010 GS brand new for $16,000. You can get deals on the new water cooled GS too. Never heard of anyone spend $30,000.

Sorry, I was just thinking of the new GSA. I recently priced them out for an editorial, and even with modest options and add-ons, out the door with taxes...$28,100. Average base is $23,500. Throw in panniers, a crash bar or two, and you hit that $30k digit quickly.

 

[lysol]

I guess here's the flip side. If I put bags on my sport bike, I could ride it maybe 8 months out of the year and just buy 4 months parking. I'll save more out of those 8 months due to not having a bike payment at all which would make up for the months I drive my Jeep in the winter... hmmm.

Only downside is that there isn't any locking storage for most sportbikes. I would have to have the bag removable to bring inside to work.

 

[lysol]

Trying to figure out the logistics here... lol. I would need to wear boots and bring my work shoes. I would like enough storage space to be able to put my work shirt/tie in it without getting wrinkled.

I guess the Ventura Rack system might be a viable option:

 

[MarcFJ60]

Luckily, I only need to go into DC a couple days per month now. I have a work car, but commute on my motorcycle 2-3 days/week just for the fun of it. But . . .

I have never ridden any of my motorcycles into DC and don't plan to. The main reason is because it just isn't a fun ride, so I might as well take my work car (which has HOV privileges). I do sometimes run I95 as far as the Beltway, and that isn't too bad. But the thought of being in stop and go DC traffic on a motorcycle scares the bejeezus out of me. The HOV lanes regularly turn into parking lots, and once you get to the Pentagon (I95), they are definitely stop and go. There is no way I would deal with that unprotected on a motorcycle on a day-to-day basis. Imagine yourself stopped on the 14th street bridge with an idiot on the cell phone barreling down on you as another is trying to merge into you. No thanks - I need a couple tons of steel around me to commute in DC. And if you're on I66, HOV is a parking lot the whole way.

But that's your call. If you decide to do it, I wouldn't buy an expensive bike to do it on. Unless your free parking is in a garage, street parking will take its toll on your bike (people parking by braille). So I wouldn't get anything that will break your heart when it gets knocked over and scratched. That said, I would much rather commute on a DS bike than a sport bike, just for the better field of vision. Something like the Honda NC700X may not be the most exciting bike, but would probably be the ultimate commuter. I wouldn't go too small with a DC commute bike - it 75mph+ on I95.

 

[PirateMcGee]

Really ultimate commuter would be a maxi scooter.....

 

[Cabrito]

Lot's of good recommendations here. I say get the bike that makes you happy. You want to commute on a GSA or a 800GS go for it! Get the one you want.

 

[mtbcoach]

I bought my 2010 GS brand new for $16,000. You can get deals on the new water cooled GS too. Never heard of anyone spend $30,000.

Sorry, I was just thinking of the new GSA. I recently priced them out for an editorial, and even with modest options and add-ons, out the door with taxes...$28,100. Average base is $23,500. Throw in panniers, a crash bar or two, and you hit that $30k digit quickly.

I don't mean to hijack this thread, yet...I bought a '14 fully loaded GSA and came nowhwere near that. Maybe my dealer gave me a deal (2nd GSA he received, kind of doubt it) but I was out the door under $28k...

 

[DaveNay]

Trying to figure out the logistics here... lol. I would need to wear boots and bring my work shoes. I would like enough storage space to be able to put my work shirt/tie in it without getting wrinkled.

I guess the Ventura Rack system might be a viable option:

Leave your work shoes in your desk drawer behind all the files you never look at.

 

[mtbcoach]

Trying to figure out the logistics here... lol. I would need to wear boots and bring my work shoes. I would like enough storage space to be able to put my work shirt/tie in it without getting wrinkled.

I guess the Ventura Rack system might be a viable option:

When I needed to dress professionally, I do as suggested and left my work shoes and a couple ties at the office, wore a "riding shirt" (Nike dry-fit to help wick any sweat) under my gear and find rolling instead of folding a shirt can keep it relatively wrinkle free for my daily trip. In fact, I'd roll up both my pants and shirt, having a place to change out of my gear, turning into an urban professional a few minutes later.

Point is...can be easily done without going to full panniers...