Hmm, a definite theme forming here
You have told us that you have a 30 mile commute but no other detail.
If I'm guessing correctly that it's 30 miles each way and that a lot of that is in traffic then the suiting up will be more than compensated by the ability to filter past stationary traffic.
You do need good riding gear which can cost lots as you'll know. If drying space in your place of work is at a premium then Goretex Pro-Shell or similar is the way to go as the laminated outer fabric/membrane doesn't soak up water resulting in a mini Niagra when you walk into work. I currently use a Vanucci one piece suit, laminated, armoured and quick to put on/remove. It will go over office clothes so unzip and your ready for work. About £370.00 from GetGeared on the web or Louis.de which was cheaper when I bought mine. +1 on the muffs, I use a set with perforated summer gloves through the winter, in fact they are still on now
As for the bike will it only be your commuter or will it be your only bike? If it's your only bike then an 1150GS would be a good all rounder for less than the value of your car. Should be reliable as well. I
personally wouldn't bother about the Adventure but then I like to get both feet flat on the ground to give a margin for the times when there are potholes or uneven road surfaces, cambers etc. If you're filtering you can't always choose your stopping point and car drivers may take a dim view of you falling on their "pride and joy"
. You'll also probably need a bit of luggage capacity as inevitably there are things that you need to carry at least some times. If cases are narrower than the bars they don't interfere with filtering much but the GS's are big wide bikes. You won't slither through wafer thin gaps that a smaller, narrower bike would.
If it's only to commute I'd probably buy a scoot. Some of them handle well, have more than enough performance, better weather protection and will use less fuel which is going to be of increasing priority as costs inevitably rise. I'd guess that you may get as little as 30mpg from a GS in a slow, stop and start commute. Scoots also have underseat luggage space. I don't know what the running costs are but the Yam T-Max is a serously fast scoot and I'd consider the auto transmission a benefit in traffic.
Riding in snow or on ice to me is bloody scary. I have been caught out a few times over the last couple of winters and was glad of a back-up car on the worst days.
Good luck whatever way you choose to go, keep us posted.
ride my gs nearly everyday to work even through the winter with no problems
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