Commuting to Yale on a motorcycle? (prospective grad student)

Submitted by FilamentFilament25 t3_11ny9nw in newhaven

I'm considering getting a motorcycle (in addition to my car) in the coming year, but I'm not sure how it would fit into my plans for Yale grad school. Given that motorcycles are relatively easy to steal, would it be unfeasible to use one to commute to class (at the School of Art) from one of the city neighborhoods? Is garage parking available near the School of Art? Would street-parking a motorcycle all day in the middle of New Haven simply be insane?

Keep in mind, as someone new to riding I'm not totally sure how motorcycle commuting/parking works even in ideal circumstances, let alone on a busy campus in a dense, downtown area.

For context, I'm betting I will probably wind up living somewhere in East Rock or Prospect Hill.

P.S., I realize it might make more practical sense to bike that distance, but I imagine that I'd want to take the motorcycle at least some of the time, if only for the fun of going for a longer ride before or after class every now and then.

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rewirez5940 t1_jbpr9o5 wrote

There are garages near the school of art, but they may have fairly high rates/monthly fees. NHV has a lot of people commute into the city though probably less after COVID.

Most street spots are metered and many have time limits. You may be dodging parking enforcement.

I think the risk of your bike being stolen when street parked is equal downtown and in the neighborhoods you mentioned. The risk at home maybe higher when it's dark.

Generally, I don't think you'll get much enjoyment out of a ride from east rock to the art school with traffic/lights/road quality. It's close enough that biking is easy or you could even walk. Yale also has a shuttle system and CT buses have been free (fingers crossed they extend it). You could never drive to school if you wanted.

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Fun-Cockroach8339 t1_jbpv2jc wrote

Garage space, especially in East Rock, is at a premium. Aside from the extra expense, riding in New Haven can be pretty hazardous, especially for a novice. I gave up my Harley because the risks outweighed the benefits.

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FilamentFilament25 OP t1_jbpwzca wrote

When you say hazardous, what exactly do you mean?

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Fun-Cockroach8339 t1_jbq0499 wrote

The general disregard for traffic laws, by other divers, bicyclists, pedestrians (including Yale students). etc, is pretty bad.

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Testy_MacTestry t1_jbpwamy wrote

How much do you expect to spend on a bike? Gear? Insurance? Winter storage? Maintenance and tools (I doubt you're buying new)? Not to be rude, but even a Ivy League art school graduate student must be dirt poor, kinda goes with the territory.

Even a 250 or 500 Kawasaki Ninja or Suzuki TU250 is gonna be a few grand used with a question mark for vehicle history. I would get yourself a decent 12 speed rigid frame mountain bike and toss on some slicks and bomb that around town.

And for the record, I had both my motorcycle and bicycle stolen while living in town. It's not an if but a when.

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cwulfman t1_jbqnk7x wrote

Have you thought about an e-bike? Seems more practical for the requirements you describe.

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Resurgemus t1_jbqmkk8 wrote

Your best bet is to get something like a Honda Ruckus 49cc that can be parked on the sidewalk. Get a couple of great locks for it. Never lock it to a tree. If you have a garage lock it in the garage as well. (This goes for a motorcycle also) Never too many locks. I had a ruckus for more than 10 years in NHV. You just have to be really diligent.

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Ecofre-33919 t1_jbq53lc wrote

Make sure you have a good lock for whatever kind of bike you end up using. From november to april pay attention to the weather and plan for alternate ways to get there during big snow falls. Its only about 2 or so miles and there are no hills. I’d opt for a bicycle.

In the past there have been bands of kids on bicycles causing problems. So if you see a bunch of kids on bikes - stay away.

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Temporary-Car7981 t1_jbqxytt wrote

Yale employee here. Yale Parking and Transit doesn't offer garage passes to motorcycles. You won't be able to park there.

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RivalSFx t1_jbr3rz8 wrote

Your going to Yale, own a car, thinking about a MC to cut costs. Don't buy the MC, use the $$ for gas in the car and uncomplicate your life. Much safer by the way.

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Stezo45 t1_jbpzkru wrote

Riding in from where? There is a pay per stat garage not far from school of art

Living in East Rock without protected parking is a major risk tho

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brewski t1_jbx8ngh wrote

A motorcycle is overkill for that commute. I'd just get a bicycle. Or if you really don't like pedaling, an e bike. It's just a few miles and riding a motorcycle in traffic is probably not much fun.

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