Anyone ride a motorcycle (or scooter) to work?

I'm considering buying a motorcycle and I'm curious if any of you already use one daily for your commute?

My concern is hygiene as on our unit we do not have easy access to showers and it can get pretty hot here.

Is this viable?
I would be more concerned with my safety. How will hygiene matter if they have to scrape you off the road. Just my .02

Some people drive, take the bus, walk, bike, skate or take a magic carpet ride... hey, whatever gets you there on time!

Quote from OttawaRPNSome people drive, take the bus, walk, bike, skate or take a magic carpet ride... hey, whatever gets you there on time!

Quote from bhansonI'm considering buying a motorcycle and I'm curious if any of you already use one daily for your commute?My concern is hygiene as on our unit we do not have easy access to showers and it can get pretty hot here.Is this viable?

It really depends on the environment you're riding in. I used to ride in to work on my motorcycle, and during the summer a shower was a must when I arrived due to the heat. However, riding on cooler days did not require said shower. If you're sweaty during the ride, best to shower. If not...then you should be just fine.ETA: If showering would be difficult, I wouldn't plunk down money on a bike if you're using it solely to ride to work. On the other hand, if you are serious about riding a motorcycle to work then it's best to find a place where you can shower when you need to - somewhere that's always available. If you can't find such a place, then I wouldn't ride in the heat.

I have a Yamaha scooter to ride to work during the dark months (I walk when it's light out in the evenings since my commute is only a mile and a half). I pay $3 a month for premium gas and wear my scrubs with a long sleeve jacket, motorcycle helmet (full face unless you want to get hit with bugs and other things), and gloves. It's definitely worth the money I paid for it but if you have to get on an interstate or go over 40 MPH a scooter might not be best for you.

Dr. House does

I used to either bike or ride a scooter to work. It's actually the only thing I miss about living in Boston!

I ride a scooter, jacket over my scrubs. Don't have far to go though. Heat isn't a problem, as I work nights!

I ride a scooter - avoid highways!

I rode a motorcycle to work every day, unless it was going to rain on my way in (then I would beg my wife to drive me). In the *ssh*le of Texas, it's 100�F+ throughout the summer. I didn't have any problems, but I don't wear safety gear in the summer, and I don't have much stop and go. If you're 'all of the gear, all of the time', stop 'n' go, or in a very hot and humid place, it's going to be a consideration. My biggest complaint was riding -home- in the rain, but eh.

I love my motorcycle and would ride it to work when I was a CNA in the hospital. Now I ride it to nursing school and clinicals. I pay about $5/month in gas. My insurance is $60/year with my father and I insured to ride each others bikes. I started out with a scooter, but it just turned out to be a gateway motorcycle. I live in Texas, so I understand how hot can be a problem. How far away from your workplace do you live? Will you be going fast enough to get good air flow or will you be stuck in stop-and-go traffic? On REALLY hot days I wear my motorcycle cooling vest and it's almost like having an air conditioner on my bike, if I get good air flow (it works by evaporation.) It's well worth the $25 I paid. My dad also loves his cooling vest; when he makes the two hour trip to visit me in our 100+ degree summers, he says he's perfectly comfortable. The down side is that it will soak your clothing, so bring your scrubs in a backpack to change. Here's a list of cooling vests. I'm not sure if mine is on the list, I just went to a motorcycle clothing shop and picked one up.No excuses, always wear a full-face helmet (DOT and SNELL approved) no matter how hot it gets! And there's no reason not to wear summer gloves. I don't have one (they get pretty expensive,) but there are summer vests that are mesh and kevlar. I own a very nice winter jacket, but since it's kevlar and thick black leather, I'll admit I don't wear it much in the Texas heat because I'd probably pass out. Always keep rain gear in your saddlebags or backpack! I bought a cheap rain suite from Academy ($10-15) that came in a small, compact plastic package. I was out riding with friends when we were hit by the edge of a hurricane. It was so bad that we couldn't see more than 15 ft ahead of us through the rain. Anyway, I pulled over and put my cheap little, rain suit on over my gear, including my huge winter jacket. It made a very miserable ride a lot more comfortable because I was completely dry (no holes or tearing) and I feel that I was better able to concentrate on safe riding, since I wasn't wet and cold. There are a few cons: The cheap rain suites are pretty much one-time use only (I need to buy a new one.) They are also small, I'm a 5'4 girl and it felt like it was just a little baggy on me. There are bigger ones that will last forever, but they can get expensive and they aren't small enough to just leave in your saddlebag. It's also really important to have backup transportation. I can ride the bus or beg my husband to drive me somewhere if I need it. For instance, now that I'm in nursing school there are so many days that I don't get enough sleep and I just feel too exhausted to be a competent rider. You should never ride when you don't feel like you're able to do so safely.Other things to consider: Since you don't have access to a shower, you can use baby wipes to clean yourself up. If you're a girl, wait until you get to work to put on make-up. Your helmet will mess everything up and mascara will be blown into your eyes, make them water, and blind you. Helmet hair can also be annoying. If you're used to spending an hour at home doing your hair before work, forget about it. There are only a few ways you can comfortably wear long hair under a helmet. I would usually arrive early to find a restroom at the hospital to do a little make-up and put my hair in a quick, neat bun before work.AND MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!! Take a rider-course, don't just learn to ride from a friend. They're offered at some high schools, most Harley-Davidson stores, and a few private places. Mine cost $150, but I hear they can get as expensive as $300. That will get your M class license taken care of, lower your insurance cost, and you will get a lot of good, personalized information about riding SAFELY.Despite some of the compromises that I make, I wouldn't trade my motorcycle for anything. Good luck with your decision!