what bike, commuting

[shielsy]

I'm getting on well with an ST for the commute. Quite a nice balance between motorway comfort and city work. Seating position is reasonably upright, yet (for a short arse) half decent wind protection. The engine is a peach as well.

Reliability has been OKish with just a few electrical issues that can be a bit tedious to sort. Standard rec/reg issues as well as some gammy wiring in the nose cone. Every now and again I see a chap at some traffic lights who also commutes on one and it's currently just shy of 100k which gives me hope for putting mega miles on mine. Other than the aforementioned gremlins the engine seems good as gold... I ride the piss out of it and it doesn't need any top ups between services (200ml over 4000 miles).

Economy wise it's 46-47mpg with half the time on the motorway and half city. I'm sure I could get 50 if I was that way inclined.

[Prizam]

Test rode the F800 GT today.

Was not good.

Horrendous gearbox, gear ratios were all wrong, especiley for city traffic. Giving it the beans was ok, about what i expected. Handling was unpredictable and it wanted to wander once it was cranked over a bit.

Took out a R1200 GS, much better. Everything as it should be. Super comfortable and i didn't feel the need to ride it like i was on track. Coming from a sports bike, cornering was a little scarey at first. It feels like your really leaning it in to the corners, but also feels great!

Filtering on the GS was crap though, that, and the price is the only thing putting me off.

[upsidedownmark]

Prizam said:

ER6 - no wind protection

Perhaps not what you want anyways, but felt I ought to point out that there's such a thing as an ER6**F** which is faired.. I consider mine the perfect commuter - and it does about 60mpg.

[wemorgan]

Of no help to you on the filtering, but if price is an issue then maybe consider the R1200R - usually a couple of £k cheaper. But from my experience the engine doesn't like getting hot and then feels a bit lumpy - so something worth considering if slow commuting can't be avoided.

[Prizam]

The F800 GS will have the same parrell twin in it, so not overley keen.

Do all of the non liquid cooled R1200's suffer with over heating issues then?

As fr the ER6 with fairings... will take a look

[wemorgan]

I'd not call it over heating as in causing damage, it's just that the engine is less smooth when warmer than average - caused by stopping at frequent red lights for example. Keep moving at it's a lovely engine with great torque. You'll be the best judge of your commute to know if this is an issue or not.

I forgot to mention some positives that the R1200R has (other bikes have these too I agree): >200mile range, shaft drive, ABS, traction control, heated grips, gear indicator, fuel trip, air temp. It just makes commuting easier/safer IMHO.

Edited by wemorgan on Friday 10th April 19:28

Edited by wemorgan on Friday 10th April 19:58

[Spydaman]

My Guzzi 1000S

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

Would really like...
- Belt or shaft driven. Yep
- ABS. Nope
- Traction. Nope
- Around 5/6k or less... Less is better. Maybe
- not galactic mileage (Less than 15k on the clock). 100k miles on mine

Seems to mostly fit the bill.

[Prizam]

I do like a Guzzi, not a lot of wind/weather protection and im not sure on the riding position. Dosent look so great for me.

Awesome bike though.

[Prizam]

wemorgan said:

I'd not call it over heating as in causing damage, it's just that the engine is less smooth when warmer than average - caused by stopping at frequent red lights for example. Keep moving at it's a lovely engine with great torque. You'll be the best judge of your commute to know if this is an issue or not.

I forgot to mention some positives that the R1200R has (other bikes have these too I agree): >200mile range, shaft drive, ABS, traction control, heated grips, gear indicator, fuel trip, air temp. It just makes commuting easier/safer IMHO.

Edited by wemorgan on Friday 10th April 19:28

Edited by wemorgan on Friday 10th April 19:58

Good to know. I dont think my commute should be an issue for it. Will defanatley keep an open mind about the older ones. Its not that i cant afford it. just im too tight to spend out. And as such i keep working my way up to the new ones, resetting to an older one and then talking my way up again.

[defblade]

Have a look at a Shiver, made me a great commuting bike. Use Touring mode for in town work. I've heard they respond well to dropping a tooth on the front, but I never felt it necessary.

They fail your list on mpg and having a chain, but I'd still say underrated and overlooked bikes.

[anonymous-user]

I run a 2014 cb500x for my 240 mile round trip 3 x a week. I do Bristol to Central London so it was bought to allow me to filter and achieve top mpg. Could do with a few more cc's but it will sit at 90 and do the round drip for £20. Also slows me down - If I did the trip on my r1 id be banned by now.

Weak point is the chain and the stock is ste.

I looked at all sorts tigers, bmw 800 and 1200's and the nc750x.

[CoolHands]

yamaha Tmax. Perfect, except for no abs.

[Benbay001]

I really think a deauville suits your requirements perfectly.
The noise is uninspiring to put it mildly, and they are slow as far as bikes go.
But i find mine fun, its mega comfy with great wind and rain protection and the built in panniers are quite narrow.

[CoolHands]

op, do not buy a deauville unless you are a retired boring old fart. They are hideous.

[Benbay001]

CoolHands said:

op, do not buy a deauville unless you are a retired boring old fart. They are hideous.

Ouch.

[Prizam]

CoolHands said:

op, do not buy a deauville unless you are a retired boring old fart. They are hideous.

not really on my list

I do find my self very very tempted by an R1200 GS, Ugly and a bit bulky for some filtering. but tick every other box.

Cruise control is lush!

[CoolHands]

they always put me off cos they're so big and heavy re: moving them around on the driveway etc. Also filtering could be awkward in some places. Don't fancy a tmax? They're fun!

[Dr Jekyll]

Benbay001 said:

I really think a deauville suits your requirements perfectly.
The noise is uninspiring to put it mildly, and they are slow as far as bikes go.
But i find mine fun, its mega comfy with great wind and rain protection and the built in panniers are quite narrow.

+ 100.

[Mr2Mike]

Wedg1e said:

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.

286kg makes it a heavy bike, there can be little argument about that. Have you ever ridden a modern sports bike out of interest?

Edited by Mr2Mike on Saturday 11th April 15:53

[Prizam]

CoolHands said:

they always put me off cos they're so big and heavy re: moving them around on the driveway etc. Also filtering could be awkward in some places. Don't fancy a tmax? They're fun!

Tmax is great... But i also want to enjoy riding some times.

I guess it makes sense if i keep the R6 as well though... Hummm