Need motorbike suggestions for daily commute.

Bigsy

Bigsy

Bigsy

Soldato
Joined
17 Oct 2002
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4,308
Location
Bristol
I'm going to be working in the city centre soon which means my car is now pretty much redundant. I'll be booking my direct access this weekend and want a bike ready for when I pass.

*Needs to have bullet proof reliability.
*Hold up to the elements.
*I'll be dodging through traffic 99% of the time so something with some torque.
*However...I want something that will excite me enough that I'll want to go and take it out for fun.

Price and insurance isn't really that important as I'll be selling my CTR to pay for it, still value for money is a bonus.

Thanks.
 
I run a BMW F650 for this very task. It's ace fun. Doesn't look like much but with big, wide bars and an upright riding position you can really carve through the traffic.
It costs pence to run as it sips fuel (60mpg+) and the engine is bomb proof.
It's a single so tons of low-down punch.

The new F650 is a twin and is just a fantastic bike for fun as well as being a decent workhorse.
 
GSXRMovistar said:
A 600 sports from any of the main four would be my recommendation.
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deffo, especially as you want for fun as well... straight commuter would feel abit dull after a while.

ZX6R, year or so old with low milage in kwak green... sorted :) (though all the big 4 600s are great)

http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/product.asp?Id=34044974bbc

I think kwak are bringing out a new one for next year so you will be able to pickup some real bargains on this model...also should drive 2nd hand prices down (kwak owners tend to hold onto bikes longer as they usually quite brand loyal)
 
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While a 600 sport appeals to me looks wise, is it really suitable for a commute? This is what I need to know. I would love one but I'm going to be riding it daily, I don't want to get hacked off with it if something else will do the job better.

I would imagine the power delivery is all off the top end? and/or sharp clutch? Are these things really that ridable in heavy traffic daily?
Riding positions on many of them look like they might be a tad uncomfortable to me, especially if I have to say carry a back pack most days. Is that the case?
'Sports' says to me that it might lack a bit of reliability/hardiness?
 
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GSXRMovistar said:
A 600 sports from any of the main four would be my recommendation.
Click to expand...

Totally disagree with this statement.
Having done the city run on all manner of bikes (Busa, Gixxer11 etc) you need something with an upright riding position or you run the risk of getting creamed. You just don't have the visability when you are head down, arse up.

Now a 600 with the fairing wipped off and Renthal bars...... now we're talking.

Do what I do and have 2 bikes. A PoS for the commute and a sports missile for the weekend. With a 2 bike policy it won't cost much extra. My F650 costs me £85/year added to the same policy my RSV Factory is on.
 
Bigsy said:
While a 600 sport appeals to me looks wise, is it really suitable for a commute? This is what I need to know. I would love one but I'm going to be riding it daily, I don't want to get hacked off with it if something else will do the job better.

I would imagine the power delivery is all off the top end? and/or sharp clutch? Are these things really that ridable in heavy traffic daily?
Riding positions on many of them look like they might be a tad uncomfortable to me, especially if I have to say carry a back pack most days. Is that the case?
'Sports' says to me that it might lack a bit of reliability/hardiness?
Click to expand...

I admit sports 600s wont be that comfy, but if you want a bike you look forward to riding on rather than just transport I think it's the way. If you used to a CTR then I'd say a 600 is the bike equiv. If your young then comfy aint so as important as exciting ?

600s though all top end rush are pussy cats at low revs and will trickle along in traffic fine..

I commute daily on ZX10, it's fine though I do usually use B roads that are not through town.. also use a back pack for carrying stuff.
 
Bigsy said:
While a 600 sport appeals to me looks wise, is it really suitable for a commute? This is what I need to know. I would love one but I'm going to be riding it daily, I don't want to get hacked off with it if something else will do the job better.

I would imagine the power delivery is all off the top end? and/or sharp clutch? Are these things really that ridable in heavy traffic daily?
Riding positions on many of them look like they might be a tad uncomfortable to me, especially if I have to say carry a back pack most days. Is that the case?
'Sports' says to me that it might lack a bit of reliability/hardiness?
Click to expand...
I've been using a 600 sports for commuting for the last 8 years doing 50 miles a day across all manner of roads. The reasons I would opt for this are:-

  • Bullet proof, doesn't matter how hard I've riden my bikes and in what conditions I've never had any faults and an annual service is all thats needed (other than the odd oil check and chain maintainence).
  • Faired bike, this makes a huge difference if you are on dual carriageways or motorways at high speed (a tad under a ton). Still comfortable and not needing to hang on for dear life which I have found with unfaired bikes.
  • Wheelbase is short enough to nip in between traffic (both stationary and moving).
  • Short wheelbase on a 600 also means you aren't stretched across the bike, I have no problems sitting upright on mine.
  • Comfort? Well yes some bikes may be more comfortable, but I wouldn't say mine was uncomfortable. Like I mentioned I do loads of mines and don't suffer.
  • It's a sports bike, hence fun. If you are going to be spending time on it each day why settle for a PoS, enjoy your rides to and from work (this being the most important factor.
 
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I have been researching this very idea recently and have found that the Yamaha FZ 6 Fazer suits what I was looking for.

cheap to run
sporty when needed
comfortable upright commute position
can have the missus pillion and go for rides to beach front comfortably
looks good (my dream bike is triumph tiger 1050 which is a similar style to this)

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...ages?q=yamaha+fazer+fz&um=1&hl=en&safe=active

apologies for bad linking to image (havent worked out how to do it yet)
 
Kwak Z1000? Fun bike and I like the styling for a naked bike but it might not appeal to everyone.

Might not like winter much but then what bike does these days. Even Hondas build quality isnt what it used to be.
 
Thanks guys, I can see this isn't as clear cut at it thought it might be. I'm quite liking the Fazer suggestion, but I definitely need to research some more.

Thanks.
 
I was heavily swaying towards a F800 BMW, nice and light and flicky, cockpit fairing, belt drive and does 60mpg. Touches all the right buttons for me and I think BMW have sussed out what a lot of people want from a bike as an all rounder.
 
Just been speaking to a guy in work with an SV1000, he sings its praises and recommended the 650 to me, I dunno though, the 1000 looks great but the 650 really does look like half the engine is missing and it jars the styling slightly, to me anyway.
 
Gixer said:
Kwak Z1000? Fun bike and I like the styling for a naked bike but it might not appeal to everyone.

Might not like winter much but then what bike does these days. Even Hondas build quality isnt what it used to be.
Click to expand...

I've got one of those, and I wouldn't fancy carving my way through traffic on it. Riding position is upright, you get good visibility, but it's quite a big heavy bike. Saying that, it's the only bike I've had and I don't ever do city riding... :p (actually, it's not that big or heavy really... i'm just being a woman).

I'd go with Rilots suggestion. Something fun for the weekend/good weather, and something cheaper and more suited to city riding for a daily hack. I wouldn't want to be sliding around in the snow on a £6000 bike... far rather something where I wouldn't care quite as much if it gets dropped, which it likely will.
 
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