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When I bought my 2009 Ultra (in 2009) I had no other vehicle.
I commuted on it 100% for over two years. As a result, I have a collection of riding gear that would fill a small closet.
I bought a beater car to drive when It's foggy (hate fog) or icy. Now I find myself looking for excuses to drive the cage.
Now I've bought a 2014 Road King and vowed to commute on two wheels whenever possible.
Don't ride much to work because the ride is only 4 miles. Bike never really warms up especially on cool mornings. If I do ride and it looks like rain I throw a light weight half cover over it. We have had some wild hail storms over the years that have done some serious damage to the vehicles at work.
I struggle with this all summer! Sometimes I just plain don't feel like riding and throwing on all the gear, switching my work stuff from bike to truck, blah, blah, blah...
Now if I'm not rushed getting out the door (work nights) and its nice out, bike wins! Coming home, its whatever. I keep a rainsuit in the saddlebag.
I feel your pain, I live in the Pacific North Wet... I ride every day, except when snowing or icy, that amounts to about 3 or 4 days a year... My wife complains about all the gear i have because i have at least 2 sets for every kind of weather... I used to let the bike cool off for 15 or 20 minutes and run back out and cover it up when the pipes were cool... about 4 years ago my employer put up a parking garage, with a few dedicated motorcycle spots... now it at least stays dry while at work...
Over 39* and less than 50% chance of rain and I ride. I keep a rain suit I the saddlebag and have needed it on more than one occasion. I don't mind the bike getting wet, some S-100 and a rinse and it's good to go again.
If its 80% chance of rain or above ill take the truck. I wont ride in the rain at night if I can help it. Working shift work, I sometimes miss out on good rides in, but to me, its worth not riding home at 10pm in the rain.
Im with most on the cold, If the roads are clear, and the temp is above 32 Ill ride. I dont have a full face helmet, so when Its below 32, my glasses fog/freeze up as soon as I stop at a light.
I try to ride every day to work. However, I am hesistant in the rain -- since I slide down the road in 2010 -- it isn't the rain, its the fear of poor road maintenance which I fee actually put me down. Looked like normal road -- but the asphalt/tar snake material they laid down was cupped and as I came on it -- the bike hydroplaned --
I rode last five year I worked unless it was going to be below freezing or pouring the rain when I left. Bike set out ever night. Never failed me once.
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