Motorcycle for commuting in NYC

I'm going to be working at a BB over the summer in Manhattan. I live in the northern part of Brooklyn with my parents so I can take the train, but taking the subway in NYC, especially during the summer, is complete misery.

My boyfriend was watching MotoPG videos on youtube and I was hit with an idea -- purchasing a motorcycle to commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Has anyone tried this, or at least thought of it?

 

Yeah, I have thought of it. I was interviewing with a company in CT though and living in NYC, and didn't want to leave Manhattan. I didn't get the position, so didn't get the bike.

It sounds fun though. What is the distance in miles/time? A vespa would be trendy if you're a chick, unless you want a badass Ducati or something.

Be careful. Have fun.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
GoldenCinderblock:
You're gonna get hit with the hood of a car like you got hit with that idea. You're gonna fucking die.

Yeah. This isn't what I fear most on a motorcycle though.

Waking up paralyzed would be rough.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I broke my neck and arm a few years ago and won't ride off a track again. Shit's crazy dangerous. I was wiggling my toes like a motherfucker when I woke up and the doc said I had a broken neck.

heister: Look at all these wannabe richies hating on an expensive salad. https://arthuxtable.com/
 
Best Response

I used to commute from NJ to Wall St on my bike. I think this is a bad idea. But here are some pro tips. Parking is shitty. You may be used to seeing bikes parked on sidewalks, but we often get tickets (especially without a full cover) You can't ride in dress shoes. Grip is critical and golashes won't do. This means you'll have to carry extra (in a backpack). Which leads me to my next point... Sweat. As you know, NY gets hot/humid in the summer. Sitting on a hot bike with a motorcycle jacket is insane. You can't wear skirts on a bike. Time: even splitting lanes, traffic is a bitch. You won't save much time Pot holes: streets are horrendous and dangerous for newbs. Unless yyou have dirtbike experience, you're gonna tip. Darkness and sleep deprivation. You'll be leaving work after sunset on low sleep, riding a vehicle that requires enhanced focus. You're also a noob. So, take the MSF course if you decide to undertake this stupidity.

 

scooter is infinitely better for commuting. check out a sportcity250. motos are actually cumbersome in traffic, shifting fucks up your shoes, can't carry much unless backpack etc.

ultimately it's a nice alternative way to commute, but prepare to smell like exhaust, sweat, and misery in the summer.

i'd only use it for errands etc. definitely not work transportation, your mileage may vary

If the glove don't fit, you must acquit!
 
Emily C:
I'm going to be working at a BB over the summer in Manhattan. I live in the northern part of Brooklyn with my parents so I can take the train, but taking the subway in NYC, especially during the summer, is complete misery.

My boyfriend was watching MotoPG videos on youtube and I was hit with an idea -- purchasing a motorcycle to commute from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Has anyone tried this, or at least thought of it?

Couple thoughts on this.

1.) It's MotoGP. 2.) Parking in midtown is $15/day if you find a garage that takes bikes (and invariably parks them between two pillars in the only place they'll fit). 3.) Insurance will be insane. Especially for anyone under 25 with the vehicle in NYC. 4.) Rain sucks. Especially if you're going to work (not quite as bad coming from work) 5.) Get a backpack so you can carry your dress shoes and a jacket if you wear one. 6.) Your first bike should be a 250 or 500 cc. Ride that for a summer then get a 600cc if that is what you want. 7.) Maintenance is a total chore, and it's a lot worse on the European bikes. A Duc is awesome, but the cheapest part of owning it is the price you'll pay, and the smallest pain associated with it is the cost of ownership. Save yourself the headache of going back and forth to the mechanic and get a Japanese bike.
8.) Second the MSF course. In some states, such as IL, it's free and spares you the exam at the DMV. 9.) Lanesplitting FTW, but only after 2000-3000 miles of experience, only in traffic that is practically stopped, and only at 10 mph. or slower. Works wonders especially around bridges and tunnels. 10.) Track days. Expensive but worth. every. penny.

Here's the bottom line. The hazard rate from riding a motorcycle is about 20-30x what driving a car is. And the hazard is already elevated because this is NYC traffic. I would ride the CBR in to work about once a week during the riding season, but only in full gear.

If you can't afford a car, you have to take the subway.

But owning one for fun is still worth the expense, and it's still worth the risk, even in NYC. Have fun out there.

 

Modern Ducatis (08+) are pretty much the same as Japanese bikes.

Parts are 20-30% more expensive, but the build quality is far superior.

I sure miss my 848 Evo already. :(

PS, since we're posting track photos: ok

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." - George Bernard Shaw
 

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