I commuted to work for 5 years on a Suzuki GN250 (please hold that laughter
back) She was a good bike, never let me down once in all that time, never
needed anything but a oil change every 5000km, she started every morning
even in the coldest weather, but then she did sleep in a garage. Cheap as to
run, NZ$5 (about 1.5 sterling) of gas would last a week.

I live in New Zealand, and would never leave my current ride outside unless
it was chained to a pack of pit bull terriers. But the GN, well...., in all
honesty who would want to steel a GN? You may get away with it, make sure
you have it well chained though. If she is going to sleep outside in winter,
make sure your battery is always in top order. Don't know if it snows in
your part of the UK. The GN shares its crankcase oil with the gearbox, if it
got too cold over night the oil could get real thick (in any bike) which
would be bad news for you ride.

Most leather jackets these days have a second zip to allow you to fit extra
clothing underneath, essential for winter, as is wet weather gear. You might
like some of this new "Armor" clothing available now, it is some sort of
canvas like material with kevlar inserts, it's waterproof and as protection
where it is needed, just doesn't look as cool as leather. Make sure you get
some really warm gloves for winter, your fingers are going to freeze.


"Centsi" <centsi@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:9%r3b.949$8%.216@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...
> I am thinking of buying a bike, in order to commute the 12 miles to work.
> But I have a few small questions / difficulties:
>
> 1. I have no garage, will a bike be OK left permanently on the roadside? -
> would I need a cover?
>
> 2. Thinking of protective clothing; is there clothing which fits over (and
> doesn't crumple) work clothing? - would it take ages to get in and out of?
> (I can get away with wearing jeans to work, but leathers I doubt!)
>
> 3. Living in the UK might it just get too cold and wet during the winter
> months, and would extra waterproof clothing be needed?
>
>