What do you think of riding a motorbike to work? (Torrance: dry, close to)

[00molavi]

I work in healthcare and deal with lots of trauma victims. If you can't put up with the drive/traffic, then you won't be able to go through the rehab after the motorcycle accident either. Do you have dependents? I would either move or change the commute hours or just live with it.

[cjmfg888]

Originally Posted by 00molavi

I work in healthcare and deal with lots of trauma victims. If you can't put up with the drive/traffic, then you won't be able to go through the rehab after the motorcycle accident either. Do you have dependents? I would either move or change the commute hours or just live with it.

Yes, I have 2 dependents. As of this moment, I am convince that it is not the best idea to ride a motorbike to work just to reduce the commute time. My wife just convinced me that we should probably move to and rent somewhere near work in Westwood. But, it is going to be really expensive choice, I was told.

[Morphous01]

My 2 cents:


I would not do it. My BEST friend was killed a few months ago on his motorcycle, he was only 27 years old. A car did not see or hear him and made a illegal U turn and T boned him. His speed was ruffly 35 miles an hour.


All of us tend to think that bad things wont happen to us and that's how we justify a behavior or an action but it's just the wrong way to think becasue all of us are exposed to the dangers of life.


I have talked to a factory Suzuki rider from the 90's all the way to the weekend riders who ride up in the Angels Forrest and from what I am told it's not the bike that is unsafe, or "YOU" the operator, but the IDIOTS in there 3000lbs+ cars!!


Do as you please but I have lived in California for 7 years and have seen enough nonsense on the road. The drivers are aggressive, impatient and drive extremely too fast. Lots of alcohol and drug abuse at the house party's and the idiot kids still getting behind the wheel when the party is over! I have seen illegals/legal workers drinking beer out in the open during break time who man the wheel of some truck. And if you think your safe in slow traffic there are people who open there doors to block your path if your coming up the middle lane in traffic; as told to me by experienced riders.


Sorry, I would not do it, it's not 1960's anymore; California is a very dangerous place to drive a car, let alone ride a motorcycle.

[greggd]

I cannot believe that someone would purposely open their door to block a motorcycle spliting lanes, which is a legal practice.


To the OP: Since you have dependents and your wife is concerned, I would suggest you move closer. The cost of her worry/anxiety etc every day won't be worth it in the long run.

If you were a single guy, I would have suggested a really loud Ducati Monster and have some fun.

[cjmfg888]

Why can't a married guy ever have some on the freeway ? Well, let me answer it myself: we just can't !!

[chuck22b]

Originally Posted by cjmfg888

Why can't a married guy ever have some on the freeway ? Well, let me answer it myself: we just can't !!

Hi cjmfg888,
Yea, it kinda suxs, but it goes along with the territory.

I had a commuter bike that I used to ride to work and school and it was great being able to take the car pool lanes, cut through traffic, save money on gas, and have excellent parking (not to mention the camaraderie of bikers - and the sense of freedom). I did that for a little over 3 years and racked up close to 13k miles on the bike.

After I got married, and my wife got pregnant, I had to sell the bike. Some things become more important when you have little ones and a wife to take care of. If you want to reduce the stress of the commute, I'd suggest to find a good news radio station (AM 980) or maybe a more comfy car or books on tape?

Once your retired, or the kids have gone off to college, you can re-visit the dream if you still have it.

-chuck22b

[Alter]

Originally Posted by Morphous01

Do as you please but I have lived in California for 7 years and have seen enough nonsense on the road. The drivers are aggressive, impatient and drive extremely too fast. Lots of alcohol and drug abuse at the house party's and the idiot kids still getting behind the wheel when the party is over! I have seen illegals/legal workers drinking beer out in the open during break time who man the wheel of some truck. And if you think your safe in slow traffic there are people who open there doors to block your path if your coming up the middle lane in traffic; as told to me by experienced riders.


Sorry, I would not do it, it's not 1960's anymore; California is a very dangerous place to drive a car, let alone ride a motorcycle.

Oh Lord! The world is a scary place...if we could just go back to the old days or whatever dog patch we came from we would all be happy and safe
I find SoCal to be extremely biker friendly. Try riding back east, much more aggression.
Going on the experience of riding every day rather than hearsay I can tell you many cars will actually move to the edge of the lane to let you by if they see you. Are there jerks? Sure, but I think for the most part people in SoCal are accustomed to bikes and let you go on your way. If you aren't acting like an idiot you will reduce your chances of dealing with idiots.
Personally I wouldn't commute from Torrance to Westwood in or on any sort of vehicle but that is me.
Others have had good advice. Take the MSF, see if you even like riding.
If you do, get yourself a decent commuter bike. Not the biggest, baddest, fastest, you wouldn't be able to handle it anyway. Consider the expense of gear (safety, hot, cold, rain). Decide what you need for storage ( do you have to carry a laptop, lunch, etc?).
Then practice, practice, practice before you attempt going cross town on the freeway at rush hour.

[Morphous01]

Originally Posted by Alter

Oh Lord! The world is a scary place...if we could just go back to the old days or whatever dog patch we came from we would all be happy and safe
I find SoCal to be extremely biker friendly. Try riding back east, much more aggression.
Going on the experience of riding every day rather than hearsay I can tell you many cars will actually move to the edge of the lane to let you by if they see you. Are there jerks? Sure, but I think for the most part people in SoCal are accustomed to bikes and let you go on your way. If you aren't acting like an idiot you will reduce your chances of dealing with idiots.
Personally I wouldn't commute from Torrance to Westwood in or on any sort of vehicle but that is me.
Others have had good advice. Take the MSF, see if you even like riding.
If you do, get yourself a decent commuter bike. Not the biggest, baddest, fastest, you wouldn't be able to handle it anyway. Consider the expense of gear (safety, hot, cold, rain). Decide what you need for storage ( do you have to carry a laptop, lunch, etc?).
Then practice, practice, practice before you attempt going cross town on the freeway at rush hour.

Better to be safe then sorry.... Don't you remember what Gran-ma always said??

[Mike121]

Have you tried the La Brea to San Vicente to Pico route? I think it might be a little bit faster, or at least a little bit less mind numbing.

[cjmfg888]

Torrance --> Westwood (Wilshire/Veteran):

• Take PCH North in Torrance
• Becomes Sepulveda
• Becomes S. Sepulveda
• Turn right on Wilshire Blvd. (Westwood)
• Left on Veteran

I know eventually I'll have to give it a dry run myself.