Hi all may sound like a silly question but I have to commute into the City of London occasionally ( maybe once a week on average ). Bike is safely stored in a secure underground carpark with gates and security guards so no problems there. However how 'commute friendly' is the 749 / 999? I know it's not a Honda CB500 or a scooter but for 3 years I commuted on a Triumph Daytona 675 despite various people saying I was mad and it will never work...it did and it was no problem. Any thoughts - is it a handful in heavy traffic? Thanks
They get really hot in warm/ hot weather. Fan kicks in at hint of traffic. Right leg gets cooked in jeans. That's on a 05 999 that are higher tuned(extra 16bhp) than earlier models. 03/04 might not get so hot.
My 999 hates sitting in traffic, especially on a warm day. The temp goes up to about 105, the fans never seem to kick in and I think the whole thing is going to explode. It hasn't yet, but I find it worrying.
I can also confirm on the above. If your commute route is traffic standstill and moves easily enough ti would be fine. But you could look at a monster or streetfighter instead.
The bike will do it, but it won't be a pleasure... I avoid traffic wherever possible - particularly for prolonged periods as its just not enjoyable, but give it a try, if it's only once a week then do it week one and see if you can bare it. My Tornado is a better ride in traffic, even with its heavier clutch and hard-to-find first gear... but see how you go?
I'd sooner get the train than ride into london on either of my Ducati's. You'll get hot, the roads are full, its slow, your wrists will hate you, your arse will despise you and everyone will try to kill you. Its just easier on the train/bus. You can chill/kip/read.
This reminds me of the time I (briefly) had a 749. My friend and i rode out to Pukekohe (about 1 hour mixed motorway/country roads) to watch the Friday practice of the V8 Supercars a few years ago.... This quote from above barely relates the feelings I had when stuck in peak hour traffic on the trip home...I too felt the bike was about to explode from heat, possibly slightly before I did...to be fair I hadn't ridden road bikes in 10+ years that particular day so the wrist thing you "may" get away with...the rest will affect you as it did me and the others... the trip home ruined what had been a great day scivving off work till that point...
