Commuting? How many miles and at what speed?

[Ski_rush]

The guy who posted a thread about picking up a new Hawk in Texas and then riding it home 1000 miles to New Mexico got me thinking :hmm:, perhaps inspired even. Of course, we don't know if this story is true, because let's face it, it's the internet.

But, it got me wondering how many of you ride your enduro to work as a commuter? How many miles do you go and at what speeds? What kinds of roads?

My work commute would be a very straight shot on a two lane road about 45 miles with a speed limit of 60mph. I usually do 65 in my car.

The things that would limit this possibility for me would be the size of our engine (229cc) and the more aggressive tire thread that came stock.


Thoughts?

[Azhule]

Lets see here... I regularly do 2 to 2.5 hours at 65 to 75 miles per hour "commuting" to the mountains... then another 6 or so hours riding those mountains and trails, then it's 2 to 2.5 hours back home... sure I need to stop for a 2 minute gas stop to fill the tank every 1.5 to 2 hours at high speeds... I'm still working on a bigger gas tank (6+ gallons?)... only having 2.1 gallons limits my time at Interstate speeds :hehe:

The cheap China Bike has yet to miss a beat :tup:

They are up to the task at hand... but make sure you check the oil often... just in case your bike doesn't like it :lmao: our bike likes it and uses no oil (so far)

* Edit * If the Mrs. starts to feel safe enough to ride it to work, it will see ~35 miles (one way) every day to work going 65 mph 80% of that trip, and 40 mph the rest of the way to work... it will rack up some miles when she starts to ride it ;)

[JerryHawk250]

Now that its warming up I might start using mine to Commute to work. But its only a 12 mile trip one way. I wouldn't hesitate to take it 45 miles @ 60 mph. I did over 70 mile yesterday at 55 - 60 mph and last weekend my brother in law and I did over 200 miles at 55-65 mph and got to 70 for a short stretch. That's when I developed the leak in the rear tire. I would change the front tube too since you already changed the rear and think about getting a more road friendly tires because those knobbies will wear down fast. Mine have been holding up but I only have about 500 mile on the road with them. The rest of the miles are off road.

[culcune]

I commuted on my TMEC 200 (and now commute on the TGB scooter); 16 miles each way, 45-60+ mph depending on the #%^*ole riding on my #$% (the speed limit on one 4 mile stretch is 55, and the final 8 mile stretch is signed at 50, with 3 miles or so in a 35 mph zone). The TMEC had no problems hitting those speeds as well.

I would hesitate to do the 45 mile commute daily; either switch off with your car, or buy another enduro and switch off. Either way, it's like you are carpooling with yourself! :tup:

[Ariel Red Hunter]

The guy who posted a thread about picking up a new Hawk in Texas and then riding it home 1000 miles to New Mexico got me thinking :hmm:, perhaps inspired even. Of course, we don't know if this story is true, because let's face it, it's the internet.

But, it got me wondering how many of you ride your enduro to work as a commuter? How many miles do you go and at what speeds? What kinds of roads?

My work commute would be a very straight shot on a two lane road about 45 miles with a speed limit of 60mph. I usually do 65 in my car.

The things that would limit this possibility for me would be the size of our engine (229cc) and the more aggressive tire thread that came stock.


Thoughts?If you are going to commute 90 miles a day, I would definetly get different, less aggresive tires. And whatever sprocket changes necessary...ARH

[culcune]

And whatever sprocket changes necessary...ARH

All the Bashans are geared for the road--I know they use a 17 countersprocket and a 47(?) rear, but now that you mention it, for such a commute, I would consider dropping to a 44 rear.

[Ski_rush]

I commuted on my TMEC 200 (and now commute on the TGB scooter); 16 miles each way, 45-60+ mph depending on the #%^*ole riding on my #$% (the speed limit on one 4 mile stretch is 55, and the final 8 mile stretch is signed at 50, with 3 miles or so in a 35 mph zone). The TMEC had no problems hitting those speeds as well.

I would hesitate to do the 45 mile commute daily; either switch off with your car, or buy another enduro and switch off. Either way, it's like you are carpooling with yourself! :tup:

Ya, I only meant like one or two times per week. I'd drive other times.

[Ascot500]

Azhule - what sprocket combo are you using?

[timcosby]

the knobbies dont bother me i dont even notice them unless im going really slow then you can feel the knobs. if its geared right i wouldnt hesitate to do the ride. if you can ride 10 minutes 45 is just more of the same.

[Azhule]

Always a 17 tooth front and usually a 39 sometimes a 43 tooth rear sprockets depending on how much wind I will be fighting for the day ("40+ mph winds with gusts 70+ mph" happen regularly out here), or if I plan on doing any "4x4 Black Diamond Trails" :lol: ... I only weigh 120lbs, so my gearing/sprocket choices can be a little 'odd' for the type of riding I do :p

[hertz9753]

Always a 17 tooth front and usually a 39 sometimes a 43 tooth rear sprockets depending on how much wind I will be fighting for the day ("40+ mph winds with gusts 70+ mph" happen regularly out here), or if I plan on doing any "4x4 Black Diamond Trails" :lol: ... I only weigh 120lbs, so my gearing/sprocket choices can be a little 'odd' for the type of riding I do :p

Those winds, we also get those up here. I had to find a picture...

[culcune]

Ya, I only meant like one or two times per week. I'd drive other times.

Hey, I'm trying to convince you to get another enduro. What better excuse?? ;)

[kohburn]

about an hour each way at 65mph no problems


I started out with a 17 front and 47 rear, then went to a 43 rear, going to try a 45.

[Kipper1012]

about an hour each way at 65mph no problems


I started out with a 17 front and 47 rear, then went to a 43 rear, going to try a 45.

What are your Rpms at with the 43 rear at 65mph ?

[chuck]

My Hawk is around 7,000 rpm's at that speed with that combination.

[Kipper1012]

My Hawk is around 7,000 rpm's at that speed with that combination.

not to bad

[culcune]

about an hour each way at 65mph no problems


I started out with a 17 front and 47 rear, then went to a 43 rear, going to try a 45.

Stock countersprocket on the TT is 17, correct? Why do you want to try a 45? Is it geared too high with a 43?

[dh]

About once a week I ride 120 miles round trip from the Desert over the San Bernardino mountains to the LA area. I usually cruise at about 70 mph or 6500 rpms and I am getting about 60 mpg. When the weather is nice this is a great opportunity to get a break from the car.

[kohburn]

Stock countersprocket on the TT is 17, correct? Why do you want to try a 45? Is it geared too high with a 43?

want to test the powerband vs road speed. with the 43 it cruises happily at 62-65 by myself or 65-70 in traffic due to reduce wind drag. depending on the powerband the 45 might be able to hit those speeds faster, or cruise at 65 more consistently without traffic, or for all I know it might struggle more. I just have to try it. the sprocket was only 25$

[BigWeld]

What a great thread idea! Kudos to Ski :tup: I can't wait until I can chime in, I bought my Bashan Brozz tone a commuter first, weekend toy second.

[RogerWFarrier]

I commute 40 miles round trip on my TT 250 and my speeds average between 35 and 55 mph. I was originally running the stock 17/50 setup and was able to keep up with the flow of traffic but have since switched to a 45 tooth rear sprocket to get the rpm's down a bit. I'm 245 lbs. and it will run an honest 65 mph but seems to be happiest at 58-60 mph.

[culcune]

want to test the powerband vs road speed. with the 43 it cruises happily at 62-65 by myself or 65-70 in traffic due to reduce wind drag. depending on the powerband the 45 might be able to hit those speeds faster, or cruise at 65 more consistently without traffic, or for all I know it might struggle more. I just have to try it. the sprocket was only 25$

I commute 40 miles round trip on my TT 250 and my speeds average between 35 and 55 mph. I was originally running the stock 17/50 setup and was able to keep up with the flow of traffic but have since switched to a 45 tooth rear sprocket to get the rpm's down a bit. I'm 245 lbs. and it will run an honest 65 mph but seems to be happiest at 58-60 mph.

This seems to confirm your hypothesis, kohburn. Not that you wouldn't want the fun of trying it on your own, however!! :tup:

All this talk about commuting; I remember it was either here on Chinariders or Mychinamoto years ago, there was a member from Australia who used to commute on his Chinese enduro for 60 miles (100 kms) or 60 kms (can't remember, but it sounded impressive, at least at the time which is why it was probably 60 kilometers), two up with his brother on the back. I seem to remember he wasn't even licensed, LOL. I do think they lived in a rural area, and were not pressured by traffic to maintain top speed. Maybe someone who is good at searching through archived posts can find it?

[Bill1]

I ride my Hawk to work most days, but it's only about 4 miles. Speeds are about 40-45 mph. $4.00 in gas lasts me weeks.

Rarely have time to ride anywhere else.

[RogerWFarrier]

This seems to confirm your hypothesis, kohburn. Not that you wouldn't want the fun of trying it on your own, however!! :tup:

All this talk about commuting; I remember it was either here on Chinariders or Mychinamoto years ago, there was a member from Australia who used to commute on his Chinese enduro for 60 miles (100 kms) or 60 kms (can't remember, but it sounded impressive, at least at the time which is why it was probably 60 kilometers), two up with his brother on the back. I seem to remember he wasn't even licensed, LOL. I do think they lived in a rural area, and were not pressured by traffic to maintain top speed. Maybe someone who is good at searching through archived posts can find it?

You can use Gearing Commander to help calculate what your gearing will be with a given sprocket size. They have data for the TT 250 but I imagine it would be similar to the other bikes so it would give you at the least an approximation of how gearing changes would affect other bikes that are similar.

http://www.gearingcommander.com/

[bogieboy]

i ride my roketa (200cc) 35 mi each way when its nice, and the roads are all 55mph state routes.... so pretty much wide open....LOL

[culcune]

i ride my roketa (200cc) 35 mi each way when its nice, and the roads are all 55mph state routes.... so pretty much wide open....LOL

What gearing are you running?

[bogieboy]

What gearing are you running?

i am running 13/38 with 520 chain on my Ninja 250 supermoto wheel conversion.

[Sullybiker]

I have a 30 mile round trip, I alternate between taking my Ninja or the TT250, dependent on what mood I'm in or if I think it'll be crap weather.

My commute is 4 miles back roads at about 40-60mph, then suburban main roads for about 4 miles, and the last stretch is city roads, so a bit of everything really.

I can take the freeway for that first 4 miles which I do on the Ninja; it's a little fast moving for the TT250 though and it's plain more fun on the back road, and doesn't cost much time (sometimes it's quicker!) as I avoid the ramp queues which are always shit.

I was running stock gearing for a while, but recently changed to 17/47 to stretch the revs out a bit.

[Bkp]

All the Bashans are geared for the road--I know they use a 17 countersprocket and a 47(?) rear, but now that you mention it, for such a commute, I would consider dropping to a 44 rear.

My 2016 Storm came with a 46 tooth rear, I'm not sure if the front is a 17 or not..

[culcune]

My 2016 Storm came with a 46 tooth rear, I'm not sure if the front is a 17 or not..

Thanks for clarifying the rear. Your countersprocket should be a 17. Near perfect stock gearing (IMO) for commuting on these enduros! :tup:

[Bkp]

Thanks for clarifying the rear. Your countersprocket should be a 17. Near perfect stock gearing (IMO) for commuting on these enduros! :tup:

No problem.

I took the Storm out today for a longer ride.
put 50 miles on her and she cruised along at 50-55 mph with no problems.

I did take her up to 60 mph a couple of times, but since I'm still breaking her in, I didn't push her too hard.

Also, took her off road on the way back home.

http://oi67.tinypic.com/jj8jdf.jpg

[Merlin]

That is one fine looking bike.