Commute Test

[surfrider26]

I will be moving about 45 miles away from my work (buying a house). So yesterday I decided to do a test commute on the Kat and see how it was.

Bottom line, it was flawless. The bike was so stable at 80+ on the freeway that I could let go of the handlebars and it would stay in a straight line.

Also, for you commuters out there, you probably know this, but if you get a sturdy tank bag (doesnt have to be expensive, just one with rigid sides) and you position it right, it makes riding on the freeway so much more comfy. I just tuck down on my tank bag, rest my elbows on my knees and just cruise. With the lower center of gravity you can almost steer the bike with your feet. Plus the wind noise was no more than if I was driving my truck with the windows down.

I am going to do some other tests by putting a small pillow in my bag along with the rest of my stuff for extra comfort.

[tdrcomm]

Used to do the Garden Grove - Culver City commute every day.
Commuting in L.A. traffic is a beautiful thing!
Where's the commute to and from?

[Dfurgi]

my commute only takes me 10 mins but its all highway. I find if i just duck my head a little bit the wind goes over me better. If it's really windy I'll hug the tank and everything becomes smoother and quieter

[JimG4652]

I usually fold my left arm over the tank, and rest my chin on my hand. Not as comfy as a pillow, but it works.

[LandoCommando]

I ride 3 minutes up the hill

[HexKrak]

I ride with my laptop bag. The strap slung over my shoulder and then I just set the whole bag on the tank. If I need to carry more stuff I stick it in my backpack and strap it to the passenger seat with bungees. This system worked flawlessly on my trip from Phoenix to L.A. and back.

Once I get my thermo forming setup working in my new house I'm thinking of experimenting with creating a touring windscreen for my pre-kat to see if I can get the air to flow a bit more up or around because it does seem to hit in just the wrong places when I'm sitting up right.

[surfrider26]

Redondo Beach to Corona.

At first I thought it was going to be hell but the combination of the carpool lane and the free for motocycles express lanes on the 91, its not too bad.

I just look at it as an opportunity to ride everyday.

[tdrcomm]

Redondo Beach to Corona.

At first I thought it was going to be hell but the combination of the carpool lane and the free for motocycles express lanes on the 91, its not too bad.

I just look at it as an opportunity to ride everyday.

Not too shabby. Going against traffic, too.
Carpool lanes are your friends.
The CP lane on the 91 after the 110 gets kinda bumpy but they've been
doing a lot of work around there so I might be better. I used to ride the 91
from Compton to Beach Blvd. The offramp there is a PITA.

[DreKat]

My commute to work is 8 min the engine isn't even warmed up by the time I get there!

[T.Bird]

My bike probably isn't even warm by the time I get to work. 1.5 miles. I usually pass right by and keep riding for a few minutes, then come back.

[whitecl0ver]

i ride roughly 30 miles and 20 over is I-10 into Tallahassee....

[surfrider26]

Not too shabby. Going against traffic, too.
Carpool lanes are your friends.
The CP lane on the 91 after the 110 gets kinda bumpy but they've been
doing a lot of work around there so I might be better. I used to ride the 91
from Compton to Beach Blvd. The offramp there is a PITA.

Yea its pretty much a straight shot