£4000 all rounder - commuting/touring/weekend blasts

I'm also looking at a daily commuter to keep the miles off the S1000RR. My budget is also around 4k. I was thinking of a VFR800. Used to have one a few years ago, and have fond memories. Very comfy, although was quite pricey on the services I seem to remember.

Another bike you could consider is the suzuki GSF1250S? Comfy, good range, cheap.
 
Looks like only 2011 FZ1's have ABS, I'll dig further into them though.

TBH - I don't have any confidence in the brakes now, apart from on warm tyres, in the 100% dry. I don't know if it's me or the bike but they it does seem to lock up very easily, and the brakes aren't even that powerful. When I test rode the MT-09 and tracer I nearly headbutted the screen the initial bite on those were that great!!

If I was in a situation where I was doing more than 10-20mph, say 60/70mph, in the slight damp, and had to PROPERLY brake, like emergency braking situation, one of 2 things would happen. I'd either brake so lightly to not lock up that I'd have to swerve to avoid the obstacle, or I'd brake and lock up at 60mph. And I wouldn't be walking away from that with just a couple of marks on my gear and a few bits on the bike needing replacing. The thought of coming off and sliding down the road at 60mph, possible into incoming traffic, or being taken out by a following car... no thanks.

Both times it's happen there's been no sensation of 'oh I'm sliding, time to release the front brake' it's more 'brake, brake some more, whack... Oh FFS I'd sliding down the road.'

Insurance shouldn't be too bad, for a FZ1 it's under £500 fully comp. Pretty much anything is insurable after having my licence for a year, apart from proper sports bikes.

Even a K1200S isn't too bad at £650 fully comp. If it was garaged (which I'll be looking at doing come winter) it would drop it another £150 to £500 fully comp.
 
no there not ugly I agree,the newer versys are very stylish imo,and look very rugged and tough

as for riding in the wet just allow plenty room/breathing space ect and you'll be fine

the older zx6's and zx9's make good commuters aswell,big comfy seats but are probably all shagged out by now
 
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You're going to struggle with ABS really as its only become common on brand new machines in the past few years.

You're going to exclude a hell of a lot of bikes with that requirement.

I'd look at either your technique / gaps you leave or the bike mechanically first, 1000's of people ride bikes without abs. I had to anchor on this morning in fact in the wet.

Failing that hornets had abs early on I think?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508035736855

Would be right not suggesting my own bike as I find it amazing, although you can afford the newer model. Plus this one has proper luggage and no need for silly backpacks ;-)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508156080860
 
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TripleT said:
You're going to struggle with ABS really as its only become common on brand new machines in the past few years.

You're going to exclude a hell of a lot of bikes with that requirement.

I'd look at either your technique / gaps you leave or the bike mechanically first, 1000's of people ride bikes without abs. I had to anchor on this morning in fact in the wet.

Failing that hornets had abs early on I think?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508035736855

Would be right not suggesting my own bike as I find it amazing, although you can afford the newer model. Plus this one has proper luggage and no need for silly backpacks ;-)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508156080860
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It's probably somewhat technique based, but I know for a fact I'm not 'grabbing' at the brakes with the initial application - it's the 2nd bit of braking when I'm squeezing them on more. Maybe because there's hardly any braking initially and the front wheel hasn't had a chance to load up. :confused:

Just checked my brakes now, and the first inch and a half (measured on the lever end, normal length lever), from the normal resting position, there's no braking. I can hear the pads every so slightly touching the disc, that's it.

The next 5-10mm (max, it's that small) is the difference between being able to move the bike with the brake applied, and not being able to move the bike by man power. Then the next 5-10mm is full braking.

Essentially, the entire braking on my bike is about a thumbs width of lever movement, from the start of braking to being fully on, lever won't squeeze any harder full on. The lever doesn't go anywhere near bar.

Normal?
 
Get some adjustable levers, mine have 6 different positions. I bit of play at first is good to stop you grabbing a handful straight away. But yer mine has a fair bit of movement to squeeze. But every bike will be different I imagine.
 
I'll do a video how much I can squeeze my front break lever, its ridiculous!

I should change the pads, but's its going to rain tomorrow... :( Sucks not having a garage
 
The lever is adjustable already, that's doesn't change the the amount of travel before the brakes actually bite. The brakes are the same as on a CBR600F and SP2, 4 pot nissin calipers.
 
Seems about right the bite point/lever movement,maybe your just squeezing them too hard? And allow yourself more braking distance

My lever has a lot of travel but I'm used to it like that
 
TallPaul_S said:
The lever is adjustable already, that's doesn't change the the amount of travel before the brakes actually bite. The brakes are the same as on a CBR600F and SP2, 4 pot nissin calipers.
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You could check the pads currently fitted, organic pads can be much more progressive than sintered types usually fitted to bikes. Oh what's your bike and what tyres are you running?
 
I run two bikes, both BMWs: R1200ST (2005, with ABS) and K1200S (2006, with ABS and Electronic Suspension Control). Really I don't need two, but considering they both appear similar, I love both for different reasons!

The K1200S has a truly awesome amount of power. More than you'll ever need. But it also has sensible things like heated grips, factory luggage and a comfy riding position for rider and pillion.

The R1200ST seems a bit of an odd-ball choice (they never sold too well, largely because of questionable looks head-on and a high price when new) but has some advantages over the K1200S. It is lighter, has adjustable bars and seat, larger factory luggage and it runs far cooler. Servicing is also easier/cheaper.

Of your initial suggestions, I ran a 2008 VFR vtec for 5 1/2 years. It was a good bike but both of the BMWs, despite being older, are better built and feel more special. Vtec is unnecessary, servicing is expensive, Honda build quality isn't as wonderful as they might have you think.
The F800ST is a nice bike but feels cheap compared to the bigger BMWs. For the money, you may as well buy a Versys 650 (which you'll find is quite a bit nicer to ride than the ER6F, despite their seeming similarities).

NC700x and Sprint ST I haven't ridden, but would suggest that the NC is very much the "sensible" option. In other words, you'll probably get bored.

Also, the suggestion of a Yamaha FJR1300 is a good one.
 
I don't think they're sintered pads, they would be pretty loud I think?

It's a 2001 Honda CB400 superfour vtec. Has the same 4 pot nissin calipers as many other 600 and 1000cc hondas, and tyres are pirelli angel GT's, which are great in the wet (I don't give them a second though when it's chucking it down, they are awesome).
 
I'm fairly sure ABS was available on every fz1 model as an option from the new model '06 onwards? Someone has one on a forum I visit and I'm sure that's a 57 plate "s", rare but out there iirc.
 
Z1000Sx is out of budget I'm afraid.

I keep coming back to the K1200S, they're a hell of a lot of bike for the money.

This one K1200S | Autotrader is miles away but is the sort of bike you can get. ABS, heated grips, ESA.

media


200 miles to a tank, 50mpg, 165bhp. Safe, practical, (super!)fast. And not bad looking either!
 
MatteH Oxford said:
I'm fairly sure ABS was available on every fz1 model as an option from the new model '06 onwards? Someone has one on a forum I visit and I'm sure that's a 57 plate "s", rare but out there iirc.
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Yes, you are correct. MCN isn't. :D

Here's a 2007 model with ABS, not many have it but some do, thanks

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201508196176838?search-target=usedbikes&make=yamaha&model=fz1&radius=1500&page=4&postcode=me160bg&sort=default&logcode=p
 
TallPaul_S said:
Not if you're doing commuting miles in damp, greasy, oil covered roads.

ABS is the main reason I'm thinking of changing, if got a bike without it I may as well stay with my current bike.

Basically, long story short - I had another off yesterday. 100% the same as my other one back in January. Braking for a stopped car, and the front locks for seemingly no apparent reason :mad: and down I go. Headlight/clock casing damaged, and this time a hole in the starter cover, cue half a litre of oil coming out while the bike was on its side. Pushed it home 2 miles. :( should have it back on the road by this weekend.

I looked back at the road, which was dry, and could see no reason whatsoever why it locked up. I've locked the front before and it's slid and I've been able to react and release to keep control, but this time I had no chance to react. Like before, I wasn't even braking hard, I was only doing 10-15mph. My brakes do seem to have very little initial bite, followed by a fair bit of power as you squeeze more, so maybe it's an issue with them?

Part of me thinks the bike is cursed :D but regardless, having ABS would have saved be paying out £250 on repairs and train tickets this week, plus about £400 back in January.

So yeah, I want ABS.

Oh and not a scratch on me. Hood kevlar jeans/furygan leather jacket, I jumped up straight away thinking "oh for ****s sake!!!"
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Your brakes sound quite dodgy what's the pad and disk thickness when was the fluid last replaced are all the pistons working and not sticking?
 
TallPaul_S said:
Z1000Sx is out of budget I'm afraid.

I keep coming back to the K1200S, they're a hell of a lot of bike for the money.

This one K1200S | Autotrader is miles away but is the sort of bike you can get. ABS, heated grips, ESA.

media


200 miles to a tank, 50mpg, 165bhp. Safe, practical, (super!)fast. And not bad looking either!
Click to expand...

Just remember though they're HEAVY. Like most in their class, if your having issues were your locking and dropping a presumably quite light small bike how are you gonna handle something weighing near quaternary of a ton and with much more inertia, and brakes in a different league in terms of power
 
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