[cbush]

Best commuter bike in my mind is the BMW R1150RT ( I have a 2005). Very comfortable, useful for commuting with lots of bag space. Not too big and heavy. You sit up high where you can be seen. ABS helps a lot. Plenty of power to get out of trouble. Lots of good used ones available.

I commute 17 miles each way virtually all year. I have had one low speed wreck on a previous bike, but you can protect yourself to a large degree by wearing the proper safety gear, taking classes on motorcycle safety, and driving defensively. Been commuting 6 years in the Washington DC area traffic, and never had even a close call.

Besides- I love riding, it is a great feeling not being stuck in a cage. My commute is one of the best parts of my day!