Need motorbike suggestions for daily commute.

Z750, frankly. I had one and I'm craving another. Get a late old model though, the new one is heavier and less powerful.
 
I had the same dilemma a few months ago.

I ended up with a Kawasaki Versys 650. Its economical, has been completely bullet proof (done 8k already on it without it missing a beat), its comfortable for long journeys, has lots of low down torque. Plus its unbeleivable value for money.

Its an ideal commuter.

I've added hand guards (ktm), heated grips and a taller screen and now its perfect. Incidently, £17 petrol gets me ~175 miles.

I had a GSXR-600 before and although it was great fun, it wasn't the best at long repetitive journeys.
 
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Beware though, the versys is the ugliest thing since quasimodo's turd gave birth. At least with the Z when you go past children don't cry and pets don't eat their young. ;)
 
Rilot said:
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.
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I don't know a large amount about bikes but the f650 was the first bike that sprung to mind :D

I'd buy one :)


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Linwig said:
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.
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Didn't know about the F800, After a bit of googling the F800 GS it looks very appealing to me :)
 
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or a suzki v-storm got the sv650 engine but change of tune and wouldn't look silly with a top box which makes live easyer.
 
Akira said:
Beware though, the versys is the ugliest thing since quasimodo's turd gave birth. At least with the Z when you go past children don't cry and pets don't eat their young. ;)
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so so funny and true but i dont think the z is much of a looker, but very popular in france.
 
Bigsy said:
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.
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I'm in a similar position, personally i'm trying to decide between the Honda CB600F and the Honda Deauville. I've passed my CBT and have just got my theory :)

You might find it tricky booking the DAS now though, all the instructors seem to be booked up and there are no test slots at the moment due to the rush to get though before the new test in October. Apparently you can't book the new test till the coming Monday, but that might just be my local test place.
 
The newer GSX650's are not bad bikes, slightly more upright seating position than the GSX-r's, CBR's, etc.
Can get them naked or faired, your choice.
The Z750's are nice bikes as well, just not my cup of tea.
I was going to get a YZF600 Thundercat, but have now decided it's either a GSXR 600 or 750.
Going to look at a 750 over the weekend.
Last bike I had was the old style CBR600 (G reg:eek:)
 
GSXRMovistar said:
Damm! thats an ugly bike! :eek:
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So strange. I really like the look of the Versys. Its not sports bike looking, but I think it suits an urban environment.

versys.jpg
 
Id say a naked 600.

Triumph Street Triple maybe?
More torque than any in line four can dream of.

Naked bikes require a little more care to protect against the elements but should you ever come off there is less to repair.
No expensive fairings for a start.

Fairings would be nice if your route is mostly motorway, however again not necessary, your neck will get stronger the more you ride a naked.
 
Of course, it's all purely opinion. To me it looks like a hunchbacked cyclops but like I said, the looks probably lose a lot of their impact when it does what you ask of it day after day. I wouldn't say no to a free one, anyway :D
 
doran1801 said:
try an aprilia falco

you will never look back!
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Have to agree with that, selling mine to a mate for £1500 and I know I am going to miss it lots and lots! Can't think of any bike that's better for the money. Used mine for commuting and in the winter too, never let me down. And also good on track :D

falco-1.jpg
 
If I were looking for an all rounder I would usualy say CBR6 or the thundercat. But as an alternative what about a triumph speed four with a bar conversion?

You get a 150mph rocket with a superb chassis, amazing brakes and fully adjustable suspension. With the bar conversion you also have a more upright and commanding riding position for the commute. Also the trumpet is very well built and easily on par with the japanese, it will also be cheaper to insure. Oh and they are an absolute bargain, around 2.5k and under for very low mileage examples! :)

They are also pretty narrow which comes in very handy when filtering ;)
 
I'd go for something which has the following:

* Sit-up riding position
* Good torque not necessarily power
* Tall seat if your long enough in the leg
* Low weight
* Provision for engine bars
* Something which can take a topbox

Theres loads of bikes which do some if not all of these things, but i'd plumb for the BMW GS range, Versys style jap road bike etc or if your looking for something lairy maybe a KTM :D (depends on how high reliability is on your list lol).
 
mikeh501 said:
I'd go for something which has the following:

* Sit-up riding position
* Good torque not necessarily power
* Tall seat if your long enough in the leg
* Low weight
* Provision for engine bars
* Something which can take a topbox

Theres loads of bikes which do some if not all of these things, but i'd plumb for the BMW GS range, Versys style jap road bike etc or if your looking for something lairy maybe a KTM :D (depends on how high reliability is on your list lol).
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Totally agree.

If money wasn't an object I' of got a BMW GS. However I couldn't justify paying double the price of the versys for one.

Other bikes I was looking at were,

Aprillia Pegaso Trail
Honda Translap
Buell Ulysses
 
Just to say I got a bike in the end...no one recommended it, but I got a vfr 800.

Still not passed my test or in fact booked, as its all been jammed packed so I've had to wait till I start my new job (next monday) and ask for time off and get direct access booked.

Bit dirty:

bikef.jpg


bikes.jpg
 
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