How long is the commute?
How much stop and go traffic is there?
What are you going to be carrying?

 

I do it with no problems. About 30 miles R/T which isnt far.

My question is this, you stated your wrist was hurting after riding a r6? Did you own a R1 before (your 2004?)?

 

no, never had an R1 before, mostly upright bikes.

to work and back, highway, no load, around 50km, but my main concern are those 600km sunday trips i used to do before.

 

The commute sounds ok but the near 400 miler on sundays will kill you. I do a 300 mile ride with some friends every now and then and I don't even want to see the bike for a week afterwards. Brutal.

 

I commute 28 miles each way with a smile the entire time. I agree though, after 50 or 60 miles you may not be smiling......

 

awesome guys, this is really sorting out the R1 dilemma.

 

I rode mine 6 months strait last year to work and back. Actually I only got in my truck if I needed groceries and often times I would just throw a backpack on and take the bike anyway. I can just about throw a stone to where I work so that gave me incentive to ride about a half hour before I had to go in.

 

question is what is it about the R1 that draws you to it if you are not a track guy and you are looking to primarily use it as a highway commuter? there are far better choices for that sort of thing than the R. i'd look at something like a Triumph Sprint ST, Kaw Connie, some of the Beemers, FJR like you mentioned, etc. if that was my primary use.

 

i understand, its just that the 3 of my choice are the XJR1300, GSX1400 (both naked) and the R1, the 1st 2 been good at whatever you throw at them, and the 3rd cause there are quite a few around sydney now days, which makes it seem to be a good pick, but maybe not so.

 

62 miles round trip, all freeway. 80 mph on way in, in the morning. 50-65 mph on way home
splitting lanes. No reliability problems. 38-40 mpg.

 

if you are going to commute at highway speeds you should probably stay away from naked's - wind will beat the crap out of you (super sport fairings are almost as bad as no fairing at all too).

 

used my R1 (2003) for 3 years as my only transport, commuting 100km each way every day

never missed a beat and i used to go touring on the weekends when i wasn't working

 

i commute 30 miles one way to get to work... but i did the whole 70 for a month... i was tired when i got home but i wasnt as annoyed as i would have been if i would have taken the truck due to traffic... the R1, IMO, is a good commuter

 

I only hurt when I'm doing long mile in heavy traffic where I have to split lanes, but it's probably only because I'm a little more tense in those situations.

Your body should adapt once your on a bike that fits you well.

 

When the temp is less than 100F, I commute 112 miles per day. It took me working up to it over 2 moths, but it's nothing now. The worst thing I get into is traffic on the return trip. But I've mapped out ways around the jam ups and enjoy.

I also carry a camel bad to stay hydrated. It's a must!

Alan

 

I ride daily, to and from work, the gym, backpack for groceries. The only time I'm not on is when its raining, LOL. 30 miles to work with highway and downtown traffic. Your body will adapt. Stop n go really sucks but on the highway at cruising speeds you can adjust you body to fight off cramps. Driven grips have saved my wrists.

Im about to buy an 09 R1 from a guy in NY and ride to NC in the middle of Sept. OUCH, I will keep you posted!

 

Driven grips have saved my wrists.

Which Driven grips do you have? What's involved in the install? I noticed they sell a glue for grips... did you use that? They have several different grips listed. Do you have pics?

Thanks!

Ray

 

When I purchased my 05 R1 I used it everyday to and from work (100 miles round trip) during the summer months. The first few times I had some soreness, but I got use to the ride and it then felt comfortable. But I had to have the R1 for the fun times on the weekends. I didn't want a straight commuter bike in my case because I wanted something I could use. I'm not much of a track rider (only riden track 6 times) but I love long rides on the mountains with the twisties. Just my .02.

 

I do about 40mi round trip as long as its not raining. I notice that if I havent ridden in awhile I am lazy and dont use good posture thats when my wrist start to hurt. After a week or so your body will adjust and it will be no big deal. Oh and I to have a smile ear to ear everyday I ride in!!

 

68 miles to work in the morning, and usually 79-85 miles home in the evening(seem to take a more secenic and twisty way home). Everyday that is is not down pouring rain. Took awhile to get my old, fat butt used to it. It is worth it, though. I do not ride on weekends, have nowhere to go.

 

My 03 takes me 37 miles one way.Got 30,000 miles on her. Still get 44 mpg.

 

thats weird, the gixxer 1400. why would you want to get that to commute, thats a speed monster. yea the r1 is good to commute, i use it to commute. i dont want to get a car. insurance for me is the same on the car and motorcycle, but if you get something really cheap than get a car. use the car when it rains and when it gets cold, but then again the other days, you would take your bike. so the car would be good for a couple of months and when it rains or if you gotta go shopping or hanging out with friends, etc. its kind of complicated. if you want to use the r1 for commute, try getting something like the vortex rearsets or maybe someothers ones, but they have to be adjustable. so you can adjust it lower or how ever you want, for your comfort. it would definetely be more comfortable, i have mine set for the track and i havent been in one yet, im still comfortable. it depends on you.

 

I use my bike to commute but i really dont like it, too much start stop traffic

 

buy fz1 fazer..its a better commuter bike than R1....and its R1 engine too

 

Thought i would let you guys know what i found.

Its an 07 GSX1400 with only 3500km on it. Its no R1, but it goes.

And next to brothers R6

Already got its 1st mod, a new tank sticker.

And also picked up an XR-1000

Hope you like the pics.

 

Thanks mate, but have already bought the above gsx, and am really happy with it, and now got to put some kms on it hehe

i dont know how to change the title to reflect the update.

 

Congratulations! Looks like just the ticket for those long trips . Enjoy it in good health.

Ray

 

I got an 01 R1 as a commuter when some thieving bastard took my 96 Blade. Then I got the Blade back, trashed, and haven't ridden it since. I've been riding the R1 everyday, all year, for two years and I love it. I've got a mad '06 for weekends and trackdays and I've never owned a car, they suck. Sure, I have a bowl full of ibuprofen for breakfast in the mornings but it's worth it!:thumbup

 

Nice straight liner. You're gonna love it for sure. Not too much congestion and tight work where you're riding I take it. I'd get something similar but NYC is a bitch, I need to be narrow and nimble. Tight 90 degree turns lane splitting and lots of over taking power (basically a dual sport or enduro).