It's big and it's clever.......

[Robbo1200ADV]

Daily use of the bike in traffic will also improve your riding skills and you'll get better value out of the bike. My 06 is now up to 40k miles, looks a bit rough if you look close but has more cred than a minter. I'll put another 20K on it then I won't give a monkeys how much I get back on it. Daily use keeps them reliable too.

You are so right

 

[alex_rsa]

My commute is 10 miles on the A3 and 10 miles across London to Angel.

I would not use side panniers as sometimes you have to thread through stationary traffic which is the only time the bulk gets in the way. It is quite unernerving riding with a cylinder over the top of the kerb.

I have commuted for 8 years now (5 on the GS) and there are maybe a couple of situations a week where I hold back knowing I cannot get through a gap in STATIONARY traffic.

The physical size of the bike and high-up riding are a definite bonus.

As for parking on the street. I have not done it, for 4 years I had access to a company car park or used the City of London carpark opposite Tower Bridge. Currently I am paying £20 a week to park in a private undercover parking as Camden council do not like motorbikes cluttering their parking. Not sre if I would be keen to leave my bike on the road...

Try it, the worst that can happen is you go back to the train!