Buying a sportsbike for winter commute

Buying a sportsbike for winter commute

Author
Discussion

dapearson

4,252 posts

223 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Mr OCD said:
... winter doesn't ruin bikes... neglect and laziness does...
100% agree. I was just highlighting what can happen

upsidedownmark

2,120 posts

134 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Mr OCD said:
It's no different from using any bike more than a IL4 600cc... modern IL4 1000cc make their power higher up the rev range these days so are pussy cats under 4000rpm... I'd suggest v-twins would be more tricky although I've no idea as never owned one.

A lightweight sportsbike can make good sense if you are prepared to put the effort in to keep it immaculate... they are light and nimble so easy to move around, low and narrow so you can filter easily, good on fuel when not being thrashed and have quality suspension and brakes.
^This.

I ride an 850 v-twin sportsbike and a 600 commuter hack. Both are fine - the 850's got far more midrange than any litre 4 I've ridden, but it still only gives as much as you ask for. Don't be clumsy / open the throttle too far ahead of where the engine's at, and you're fine. Obviously if you think opening it to the stop from low RPM is a good idea, it's going to bite. Main reasons I've kept the commuter hack is to have something I don't care too much about to leave parked at the airport etc, and to avoid stacking too many miles on the expensive bike.

That said the more upright position / better mirrors etc., makes the commuter a lot easier to use in traffic.

ETA: Ice.. yes. Doesn't matter what you're on, or even if you have 4 wheels, ice is going to end badly.

Mr OCD

6,388 posts

210 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
dapearson said:
100% agree. I was just highlighting what can happen
It's why I buy my bikes immaculate and low mileage ... as I can keep them immaculate. Returning a neglected bike back to mint is both hard work and expensive... been down that route before... never again. smile

Mr OCD

6,388 posts

210 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Biker's Nemesis said:
There's at least 3 months to go yet, according to the radio or TV we (up here) are supposed to get bad weather from tomorrow. (Wednesday)

Hooli: Hush.
Yet, according to the Met Office temperatures start rising again tomorrow smile

dapearson

4,252 posts

223 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Mr OCD said:
dapearson said:
100% agree. I was just highlighting what can happen
It's why I buy my bikes immaculate and low mileage ... as I can keep them immaculate. Returning a neglected bike back to mint is both hard work and expensive... been down that route before... never again. smile
Yeah i'm not sure i'll bother again. So many little bits that need replacing!

Mr OCD

6,388 posts

210 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
dapearson said:
Yeah i'm not sure i'll bother again. So many little bits that need replacing!
All good experience... I assume you are using Wemoto for parts?

I use Ron Ayers Fiche for the part number then looked up the part using the OE search on Wemoto... then ordered through them. Saves pissing about with useless dealer parts departments promising to call you back!

peteO

1,790 posts

184 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
ive sold my bike and am getting the bus..... so i hope it snows... st loads of it!

BigHeartedTone

1,304 posts

216 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Mr OCD said:
Want me to show you what my R1 looked like after two winters and being ridden in salt laden roads... ?

Nothing like that I can assure you ... winter doesn't ruin bikes... neglect and laziness does...
As per dapearson's photo - how do you keep the exhausts from rusting? Shirley ACF burns off?

I guess I'm asking for Mr OCD's guide to being OCD smile

shielsy

826 posts

128 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
BigHeartedTone said:
As per dapearson's photo - how do you keep the exhausts from rusting? Shirley ACF burns off?

I guess I'm asking for Mr OCD's guide to being OCD smile
ACF burns in spectacular fashion. I gave my bike the full treatment a few weeks ago and a James Bond style smoke screen was deployed when i rode down the road

Mr OCD

6,388 posts

210 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
BigHeartedTone said:
As per dapearson's photo - how do you keep the exhausts from rusting? Shirley ACF burns off?

I guess I'm asking for Mr OCD's guide to being OCD smile
The exhausts on the R1's and the Blade have all been titanium... so washing once a week and a clean / polish with 00 grade wire wool and WD40 a couple times a year is all they need... ACF burns off yes but leaves residue behind on the pipes (they go brown) but easily cleaned off during Summer. smile

Mr OCD

6,388 posts

210 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
shielsy said:
ACF burns in spectacular fashion. I gave my bike the full treatment a few weeks ago and a James Bond style smoke screen was deployed when i rode down the road
Never fails to amaze me that ... smells lovely though hehe

Renn Sport

2,761 posts

208 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
I am using my Ducati through winter until I treat myself to a KTM 690SM.

Head says get a Japanese bike like a CBR600F Sport... heart says KTM.

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

260 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Mr OCD said:
Want me to show you what my R1 looked like after two winters and being ridden in salt laden roads... ?

Nothing like that I can assure you ... winter doesn't ruin bikes... neglect and laziness does...
So how many hours a week did you spend cleaning it?

Mr OCD

6,388 posts

210 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Dr Jekyll said:
So how many hours a week did you spend cleaning it?
An hour a week... It gets ripped apart every spring for a full day of cleaning.

dapearson

4,252 posts

223 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
Mr OCD said:
All good experience... I assume you are using Wemoto for parts?

I use Ron Ayers Fiche for the part number then looked up the part using the OE search on Wemoto... then ordered through them. Saves pissing about with useless dealer parts departments promising to call you back!
So far sourced it all off ebay. Shock and full exhaust off a 100 mile old bike for £200 was a good buy. Swingarm off a v low mile bike for £90 (honda want 4 figures!). Some new stuff off ebay. Some used but great cond stuff.

Mr OCD

6,388 posts

210 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
dapearson said:
So far sourced it all off ebay. Shock and full exhaust off a 100 mile old bike for £200 was a good buy. Swingarm off a v low mile bike for £90 (honda want 4 figures!). Some new stuff off ebay. Some used but great cond stuff.
Great stuff ... Put up some pictures as you are going along ... Love doing stuff like that.

Hooli

32,278 posts

199 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
upsidedownmark said:
Mr OCD said:
It's no different from using any bike more than a IL4 600cc... modern IL4 1000cc make their power higher up the rev range these days so are pussy cats under 4000rpm... I'd suggest v-twins would be more tricky although I've no idea as never owned one.

A lightweight sportsbike can make good sense if you are prepared to put the effort in to keep it immaculate... they are light and nimble so easy to move around, low and narrow so you can filter easily, good on fuel when not being thrashed and have quality suspension and brakes.
^This.

I ride an 850 v-twin sportsbike and a 600 commuter hack. Both are fine - the 850's got far more midrange than any litre 4 I've ridden, but it still only gives as much as you ask for. Don't be clumsy / open the throttle too far ahead of where the engine's at, and you're fine. Obviously if you think opening it to the stop from low RPM is a good idea, it's going to bite. Main reasons I've kept the commuter hack is to have something I don't care too much about to leave parked at the airport etc, and to avoid stacking too many miles on the expensive bike.

That said the more upright position / better mirrors etc., makes the commuter a lot easier to use in traffic.

ETA: Ice.. yes. Doesn't matter what you're on, or even if you have 4 wheels, ice is going to end badly.
+ some more.

1400cc used daily for me, it only bites if your an idiot & don't ride to the conditions. TBH I had more moments on the ST1100 Pan, but that was down to second rate tyres as you can't get anything from top makes except Bridgestones for it & I'd rather use Avons than them.

Playsatan

567 posts

226 months

Tuesday 25th November 2014
quotequote all
For my first 18 months of commuting I used a GSXR 750. Tyre choice is everything, I know because I chose badly going for a duel compound BT21's. It was impossible to pull away from the line in sub zero temperatures in the wet without spinning up. On the open road it was great but through nose to tail urban traffic it was a liability. My wrists took all the weight and with my head down low visibility wasn't great either.

I told myself I'd buy something more commutery before my second winter and ended up with a V Strom 650. IMHO the ultimate commuter bike. From that day the GSXR stayed at home on all but the nice days. So yes, it can be done but it's not really the best tool for the job.


Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

260 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
Why doesn't everyone just get a Deauville?

Gareth9702

370 posts

131 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
quotequote all
I commute daily on a 1986 VFR 750. It has survived very well due to stainless steel down pipes and generally high quality finish. Only when the roads are icy ( not often) does it stay at home.