Motorcycle as a Daily driver ?

Question

I live in Tempe AZ ... warm year round rains about 4 days a year. I am thinking about buying a motorcycle to drive everyday. I will also have a cheap beater car ... not the most reliable but can be used if i cant drive my bike. Wanted to know from someone who drives a bike as their main transportation how it is. do you get tired of always riding a bike ? Does it get unbearable with the summer heat. Would you rather have a car as a daily driver ?

also when I say HOT summers .... i mean 115 degrees during the summer is very normal.

Answer 1

On a rare day I miss my pickup. It's in the driveway, I just don't use it. In New England the heat isn't as bad, but the snow and ice can slow you down some.

Go for it. If you change your mind, you'll have a bike for the good days and a car for the rest.

Answer 2

> warm year round rains about 4 days a year
I live in Los Angeles. Same deal. Even so, I get caught in the rain at least once a year, LOL. Gets cold in the winter; I wear a couple of sweaters under my jacket then and an extra pair of pants.

> Wanted to know from someone who drives a bike as their main transportation how it is.
It's a way to commute, not a way of life.

> do you get tired of always riding a bike ?
Nope. Lately I've thought about getting a different bike, though. This one (Virago 700) has about 80,000 miles on it, leaks oil, and the seat has almost no padding remaining.

> Does it get unbearable with the summer heat.
Only in a traffic jam moving less than 20 mph. It's great when I'm moving right along at freeway speeds.

> Would you rather have a car as a daily driver ?
Only on rainy days, windy days, or the days when I have to shlep around something that's too big to go into my daypack.

Answer 3

I ride an 06 honda CBR 600rr...it is my only vehicle at the time due to my other car breaking down..i live in San Diego so the weather is pretty much the same. have about a 25 - 30 minute commute to work, one way, and yea, sometimes i dont feel like riding at 9 am, but once i get on the road it is a whole different story.
Not only do you eliminate most all parking difficulties, it only costs me 12 bucks to fill up, which i am sure will be more then you will have to spend unless you get a bigger bike, traffic is non-existent..well at leat in Cali we can use the carpool lane, and ride down the center of lanes, so even if traffic is stopped, your not.
You do have to be aware of everyone else on the road a lot more then if you are in a car thats for sure...but its pretty awesome, and as long as you have a beater for those off days your fine, but you wont have many of those days i can garauntee it...have fun and keep the rubber side down..!!

Answer 4

I live in Rochester NY. I use my bike as a daily driver. If it looks like rain I pack my rain gear and full face helmet. The only days I don't ride are if it's below 40 degrees out or if the roads are covered in snow. God made cows so I would have enough leather to stay warm. Saddle bags take care of the shopping days. About two thirds of my annual mileage are on the bike. The rest go on my Blazer in the winter or if I need to carry something really large.

Answer 5

I ride my 06 Honda Shadow Areo daily to work, and love it. The only trouble I have found, is if you ride in rush hour stop & go traffic; it can get very hot, and you are more prone to possible accidents since the four wheelers do not watch out for you.

In 2005 I was rear-ended, and spent 4 days in the hospital, my 2004 Honda Shadow Areo was totalled, so on my new 2006 my husband mounted two led lights on a passenger back rest with the back off light modulator (flashes very fast and slows down as you hold on the brake), it has helped a great deal.

The best reward is you can take a nice extended ride home on those nice days. I also save about 50.00 a week on my monthly gas expense, of course that is only in warm weather months here in MN.

Answer 6

I live in Chandler and work in Tempe. I only ride my bike one day a week (jeans day), and the heat can make it miserable. When it's 109 and you're doing 60 MPH, it's like sitting in front of a gas barbeque on high.

Not trying to discourage you, but most of the folks on here have no clue what it's like riding in that kind of heat.

That said, I'd ride more frequently if I could wear jeans to work more often. It is a lot of fun.

Take the MSF Basic Rider course (about $200), it's the best money you'll spend even if you have some experience.

Answer 7

I ride a Rode Glide daily in San Diego and love it. It does get HOT in the summer when you stop, but a beater car would too if it does not have a/c. I also have a 1935 Ford street rod and prefer to ride the bike, A lot easier to get places. It can get nerve racking in heavy traffic because a lot of duche bags do not watch for motorcycles and come into your lane, but you get used to watching for them. Saddle bags are also nice to have so you can carry stuff and a jacket just in case. It can get cold after the sun goes down. GET A BIKE you will love it.

Answer 8

Tempe, AZ ... cool I'm in Mesa. If it were me, I wouldn't. I do want a bike but I'll always make sure I have a dependable car to get around in too, for those grocery shopping days, and traveling in the rain. What would you do about monsoon season, can your "cheap beater" deal with that?

Answer 9

I'm in Florida. I use my bike, ('06 V MAX), a lot. But I don't recommend having a bike as your primary mode of go. Hot as he-- in summer. Engine heat intensifies the temperature. I've always had a motorcycle since 1965 and won't be without one. But for everyday I want a good cage. Best two wheel mode for everyday would be one of the big Japanese scooters. No engine heat. Feet stay dry. Plenty of storage. Real good fuel economy.

Answer 10

When you say main transportation do you mean work, out to eat,light errands, paying bills, going to church, if so it is great. We have had several +90 degree days in NC so far this year, but the benefits of riding are well worth it. Acceleration, maneuverability, fuel economy, I do prefer 45mpg over 15. I too have a truck waiting for me jump in but I prefer to roll my bike out of the barn and jump on. I recommend everybody riding one. I actually enjoy going to work. Don't care much about it once I get there though. Someone already mentioned the saddlebags, I keep a rain suit in mine. When I get tired some body needs to put me out to pasture.