My commute is 8 minutes, but the long road has no sidewalk or shoulder and way too dangerous for a bicycle or scooter. Speed limit's 50, but if you're below that, the folks with long commuting times are right up on your butt.

I try to save starting the 300TD unless I have at least one other place to go.
Even dropping off the kids at school is fine because it allows for some engine idle time.

I use the motorcycle whenever I can.
It allows me to create a nice distance away from insane commuters due to size and acceleration.
I'm aggressively cautious, with extra bright lights on the bike.

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85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance
"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."