what bike, commuting

[Prizam]

Well, here goes a very specific "What bike". Required for around 10k a year, all weather.

Must be..
- less than 4 years old
- 50mpg or better
- Relativity nippy when i need it
- Good on long motorways
- Slim enough to filter in London
- Fun on the twisty s (Don't want an elephant)

Would really like...
- Belt or shaft driven
- ABS
- Traction
- Around 5/6k or less... Less is better.
- not galactic mileage (Less than 15k on the clock)


The only bike i can come up with is a BMW F800 GT. mixed reviews, some of the older ones appear to have had a few issues.

Alas, i give this one over to you, the all knowing PistonHeads collective.

[Wedg1e]

Well I'd say Pan European, but that's just because I ride one.
A screaming horde of experts will be along shortly to tell you how slow, heavy, unweildy and unstable they are, but most have only read that on the internet, they've never ridden one.

[Tribal Chestnut]

Yamaha Tracer will probably be my next commuter. Chain driven but has centre stand. Not sure about MPG though.

Oops, just seen your budget. New model so too pricey ATM.

[jackh707]

If you can compromise on performance. Yamaha nc750

Versys 650 hard to beat in this segment, but again not hugely fast but very capable.

CBR650F, really good bike just not massively exciting.

3 options of the top of my head not mentioned so far.

[SteelerSE]

That's basically my impossible wishlist too.

I've been looking at a Honda Crossrunner and potentially just keeping my old VFR. There doesn't seem to be a capable 800 that is a shaft drive bike that's fun and still able to do the miles.

The BMW may be the best option on paper but I can't comment having not tried one. Guzzi BMW and big tourers seem to be the shaft drive options, most of which don't fit the brief. The Dullville fits the commuter and tourer bit but not the fun side.

I'll be interested to see what you end up doing.

[Elnicko]

ER6 with a scottoiler?

[Willy Nilly]

Have a look at an NC700/750X. 90mpg is there for the taking and it has a box where you expect the tank to be for you helmet. It will also do European touring. Brother has one, loves it. I want him to get a Crossrunner now he no longer commutes, he's tried one and doesn't think it's 3 grand better.

[Wedg1e]

SteelerSE said:

The Dullville fits the commuter and tourer bit but not the fun side.

That comes down to your riding style, surely? I was followed around the Dales by a BMW S1000R(RR, RRR, RRRR, I dunno) on Saturday, you could say that was a waste of a bike if he was bimbling... might as well have swapped with me
I imagine Guy Martin could ride the ar53 off a Deauville and come back smiling... oh aye.

[Prizam]

Willy Nilly said:

Have a look at an NC700/750X. 90mpg is there for the taking and it has a box where you expect the tank to be for you helmet. It will also do European touring. Brother has one, loves it. I want him to get a Crossrunner now he no longer commutes, he's tried one and doesn't think it's 3 grand better.

Looks good, but Chain drive and not a huge amount of wind protection.

[jhoneyball]

Easy solution:

Must be..
- less than 4 years old -- yup
- 50mpg or better -- I get about 65-70
- Relativity nippy when i need it -- more than quick enough
- Good on long motorways -- have had no problems doing 300+ miles in a day
- Slim enough to filter in London -- yup
- Fun on the twisty s (Don't want an elephant) -- yup

Would really like...
- Belt or shaft driven -- belt drive
- ABS -- yup
- Traction -- yup
- Around 5/6k or less... Less is better -- yes but you wont get the GT version which has optional Traction
- not galactic mileage (Less than 15k on the clock) -- should be no problem

Answer: BMW F800ST. Love mine. Hugely capable. Very easy to ride. Ideal commute. Very good fuel consumption. More than quick enough.

And here's a really rather nice one: http://www.balderston.net/approved-used-bikes/vehi...

(not mine -- but I have looked it it for a mate who wants to learn)

Personally, I'd go for a late ST model rather than the newer GT. Save a bit of money, mine (bought just on 3 years ago, done 14k miles now) is superb.

[Prizam]

Pan European - All the boxes but too big for filtering really.

ER6 - no wind protection

CBR650F - not comfortable enough, i have a bad back and week wrists. Must man up


Thought about a.....

Triumph Sprint ST - but chain drive and getting on a bit now

Aprilia Futura - So much want, but chain drive, getting on a bit and a little too much bork factor for a daily commuter. Really is super cool though.



Its odd... there used to be lots of sports tourers / commuters that fell in to the category im looking at. But not so much anymore. They all seem to have been taken over by the "Enduro / adventure" style. And that's not really what im looking for.


I guess ile take the BMW F 800 GT for a spin and see whats what. Only comments i could make on it at the moment is, i would like just a little bit more power, and a little less expense.

[Prizam]

jhoneyball said:

Easy solution:

Must be..
- less than 4 years old -- yup
- 50mpg or better -- I get about 65-70
- Relativity nippy when i need it -- more than quick enough
- Good on long motorways -- have had no problems doing 300+ miles in a day
- Slim enough to filter in London -- yup
- Fun on the twisty s (Don't want an elephant) -- yup

Would really like...
- Belt or shaft driven -- belt drive
- ABS -- yup
- Traction -- yup
- Around 5/6k or less... Less is better -- yes but you wont get the GT version which has optional Traction
- not galactic mileage (Less than 15k on the clock) -- should be no problem

Answer: BMW F800ST. Love mine. Hugely capable. Very easy to ride. Ideal commute. Very good fuel consumption. More than quick enough.

And here's a really rather nice one: http://www.balderston.net/approved-used-bikes/vehi...

(not mine -- but I have looked it it for a mate who wants to learn)

Personally, I'd go for a late ST model rather than the newer GT. Save a bit of money, mine (bought just on 3 years ago, done 14k miles now) is superb.

Basically the same as the GT, but the older version.

I do like them. I have a few questions for you...


How has reliability been, there were a lot of recalls on the swing arm and rear bearing / belt assembly.

What is the engine mapping like? I read up about a lot of fueling issues and engines cutting out when you came to a stop.

Do all ST's have the crazy indicators? If so, is there a conversion kit out there for the switch gear?

[jhoneyball]

"Basically the same as the GT, but the older version."

Basically, yes

"How has reliability been,"

Fine. I had a new switch on the left. I tend to eat front discs (they are not floating and I tend (now!, not when I bought it new as a brand new ride) to ride it hard. Symptom is a light shudder in low speed traffic. I think there's third party discs which might be more man for the job.

"there were a lot of recalls on the swing arm and rear bearing / belt assembly."

Nothing on a 2012 model.

"What is the engine mapping like? I read up about a lot of fueling issues and engines cutting out when you came to a stop."

Its fine. No issues. Sure, I would like more power (but I have K1300S for that....) Its very tractable, revs fine, no nasty surges. And its very very economical.

"Do all ST's have the crazy indicators? If so, is there a conversion kit out there for the switch gear?"

You mean old-style BMW style? Yes. I have that on my ST and HD NRS. Personally I prefer that style, seems more logical to me than the nasty button on the left which I have on the K1300S. My thumb is not made to move left and right like that!

Its a personal taste thing. I have no problem moving back and forth. Never had any issues with the ST indicator style

[jhoneyball]

In case I wasnt clear -- I think its a cracking good bike if you get a good one (which probably means 2010 or later). Yes, there were issues with the early ones. But there are issues with almost every new one. Dont remind me about my S1000R...

The advantage with mine was it had all the toys (tyre pressure, abs, computer etc) and was last year of production. very well sorted by then.

Despite having 2 other bikes, its a keeper for me because it is so damn good all round.

Oh, and not needed traction control on the ST provided you are not a lunatic and have good tyres. PR3s are a very good match. I have new PR4s on the K1300S and am looking forward to putting PR4s on the ST.

Edited by jhoneyball on Monday 6th April 18:07

Edited by jhoneyball on Monday 6th April 18:08

[Prizam]

Thanks

Kind of agree on the traction control, you would need fists of ham and a very wet cold road to loose the back end on one.

Will keep an eye out for a late ST.

[slevin911]

Just get whatever you want,I do that millage on a CCM R30.

[Willy Nilly]

Prizam said:

Willy Nilly said:

Have a look at an NC700/750X. 90mpg is there for the taking and it has a box where you expect the tank to be for you helmet. It will also do European touring. Brother has one, loves it. I want him to get a Crossrunner now he no longer commutes, he's tried one and doesn't think it's 3 grand better.

Looks good, but Chain drive and not a huge amount of wind protection.

Brother hasn't complained about the wind (other than his own) and he's quite big, not tall, but "powerfully built". It has a centre stand and it takes seconds to lube the chain, unlike on my CBR600...

[Baryonyx]

[Prizam]

Rare bike ^

Cant find any of the new ones within 50 miles of me.

[mopman94]

Prizam said:

CBR650F - not comfortable enough, i have a bad back and week wrists. Must man up

Have you ridden one? I did 2 1/2 hours on mine non-stop today no problem, I am only 20 but still, no aching in my wrists at all and I find it comfortable. I average 55mpg if I ride relatively sensibly and its really narrow for filtering.