Daily commuting
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,895
Likes: 3,551
From: backwoods
For me, even a bar hopper has bags, nights are cool even in august. Even in august chaps in bags, jacket off during day, hoodie and jacket at night.
Touring bikes are ugly with bags off. You need to do a lot of work to make them look good.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 19
From: H-Town
If you are commuting, why would you want a stripped down bar hopper?
For me, even a bar hopper has bags, nights are cool even in august. Even in august chaps in bags, jacket off during day, hoodie and jacket at night.
Touring bikes are ugly with bags off. You need to do a lot of work to make them look good.
For me, even a bar hopper has bags, nights are cool even in august. Even in august chaps in bags, jacket off during day, hoodie and jacket at night.
Touring bikes are ugly with bags off. You need to do a lot of work to make them look good.
I get in my car now with nothing but my keys & my wallet. When I get to work I'll carry them in with me. If I were wearing a helmet & jacket I would bring them too & put them in my locker.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 19
From: H-Town
I understand. I like how the windshield on the road king is easy to install & easy to take off.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,895
Likes: 3,551
From: backwoods
When I see daily commuting, I think you are carrying something with you. Other wise, ride anything your back can handle. I've had not had a job, since highschool, where the only thing I brought was a wallet.
Even that, I find I want to stop grocery store, or some other errand on way home. More storage the more you will ride bike. Less storage, more you will be going home for auto.
Your dailly commute might be what some call bar hopping. But again for me, bar hopping I need jacket, hoodie, ect.
Commuting I am by myself, so I need less storage. Bar hopper I need storage for two.
I am guessing you are not going far, when I think of commuting i think of a some kind of ride. Other what is your question? Can I ride to miles to work where I don't need to carry anything, and could take moped??
Even that, I find I want to stop grocery store, or some other errand on way home. More storage the more you will ride bike. Less storage, more you will be going home for auto.
Your dailly commute might be what some call bar hopping. But again for me, bar hopping I need jacket, hoodie, ect.
Commuting I am by myself, so I need less storage. Bar hopper I need storage for two.
I am guessing you are not going far, when I think of commuting i think of a some kind of ride. Other what is your question? Can I ride to miles to work where I don't need to carry anything, and could take moped??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,895
Likes: 3,551
From: backwoods
Only time I take it off is to put it in shower.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,096
Likes: 51,358
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Road King was my daily commute bike when working, my shovel held the honor for 30+ years before it. Know several who use ultras and CVOs as dailies. Dont discount the windshield & saddles offhand, they got good to me pretty quick and I was a die hard stripped bike rider for decades.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Dec 5, 2024 at 10:25 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 607
From: IE, CA
I've been a daily rider since late 80s.... Not sure of what you mean by "commute" but mine includes freeway and you're going to want a windscreen. Youre going to want bags, mornings are cold and its nice to put extra clothing or heavy cold gear away in the bags on the warmer ride home... It may make sense what you want in theory, (a screenless and bagless bagger) but real world when you're actually commuting on a mc is a different story.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 2,827
From: Mostly Florida, some Michigan
To me, it's more about the setup than the frame. Foot/leg position, arms/bars and the seat. I have an Ultra Classic with a tallboy seat and a softail with forward controls and buckhorn bars. The softail is actually more comfortable for me (6', 180lbs). If possible, it's always a good idea to test ride different bikes.
Good luck with your decision!
Good luck with your decision!
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 27
Likes: 19
From: H-Town
I'm not. Most bikes I see a windshield could be added, bags could be added. If I feel like I need them, I could add them. The question concerning the road king is could I take them off if I didn't want them. I was wondering if many people do it. It seems not. I've seen plenty of pictures of Heritage bikes without bags. Practically no Road Kings without bags.