Summer1108
New member
By way of background, I bought a 1098S last summer. It's the only bike I own and has been an absolute blast. I usually ride it on the weekends on canyon roads outside of Los Angeles.
I've recently been riding it to work a few times a week. The commute is 18 miles each way on mostly freeways, with a couple miles of city streets.
I've recently been riding it to work a few times a week. The commute is 18 miles each way on mostly freeways, with a couple miles of city streets.
I'd like to commute more often on a motorcycle, but not on my 1098. I guess there are a few reasons for this. First, I don't like the idea of piling on the miles commuting (eating up the tires and getter ever closer to scheduled service). Second, it isn't a particularly comfortable commuter ride. Not horrible or anything, but the riding position is not the best for that kind of ride. Third, the bike itself doesn't seem all that comfortable being used for commuting. The engine gets really hot and when traffic is backed up and I'm splitting it seems like I'm constantly between 1st and 2nd gear and the bike isn't all that happy with 1st (plus it makes the ride rough). I'd like to get away from the 1098 as a commuter and use it for weekend fun only.
So, what do people recommend as different commuter bike? I like the idea of a Monster 696 (or maybe the big one) or the Hypermotard. Would commuting life be any better on either of those bikes? The downside I see with the Hyper is that it has small gas tank. I'm not keen on filing up every day.
In order of priority, my criteria are as follows:
1. Skinny/small enough to lane split.
2. Good in stop and go and relatively slow speeds. Able to tackle horrible pavement pretty well.
3. Comfortable riding.
4. Gas mileage.
Any recommendations? I'd look outside of the Ducati family too I guess. I like the idea of a Triumph Street Triple or Speed Triple, but I've never ridden one.
Jason
I've recently been riding it to work a few times a week. The commute is 18 miles each way on mostly freeways, with a couple miles of city streets.
I've recently been riding it to work a few times a week. The commute is 18 miles each way on mostly freeways, with a couple miles of city streets.
I'd like to commute more often on a motorcycle, but not on my 1098. I guess there are a few reasons for this. First, I don't like the idea of piling on the miles commuting (eating up the tires and getter ever closer to scheduled service). Second, it isn't a particularly comfortable commuter ride. Not horrible or anything, but the riding position is not the best for that kind of ride. Third, the bike itself doesn't seem all that comfortable being used for commuting. The engine gets really hot and when traffic is backed up and I'm splitting it seems like I'm constantly between 1st and 2nd gear and the bike isn't all that happy with 1st (plus it makes the ride rough). I'd like to get away from the 1098 as a commuter and use it for weekend fun only.
So, what do people recommend as different commuter bike? I like the idea of a Monster 696 (or maybe the big one) or the Hypermotard. Would commuting life be any better on either of those bikes? The downside I see with the Hyper is that it has small gas tank. I'm not keen on filing up every day.
In order of priority, my criteria are as follows:
1. Skinny/small enough to lane split.
2. Good in stop and go and relatively slow speeds. Able to tackle horrible pavement pretty well.
3. Comfortable riding.
4. Gas mileage.
Any recommendations? I'd look outside of the Ducati family too I guess. I like the idea of a Triumph Street Triple or Speed Triple, but I've never ridden one.
Jason