£4-5k on an FJR1300 or a R1200GS?
Discussion
Oddly enough I was just looking at the Yamaha today and was astonished to see just how much value they offer as a used bike. I saw a 2002 28,000 mile bike in black at a smidge over £4k asking.
They are 140 BHP with all the toys. Yes they may be a bit big for a London commute but they are certainly worth a closer look as is a K1300S BMW
A
They are 140 BHP with all the toys. Yes they may be a bit big for a London commute but they are certainly worth a closer look as is a K1300S BMW
A
Chipchap said:
Oddly enough I was just looking at the Yamaha today and was astonished to see just how much value they offer as a used bike. I saw a 2002 28,000 mile bike in black at a smidge over £4k asking.
They are 140 BHP with all the toys. Yes they may be a bit big for a London commute but they are certainly worth a closer look as is a K1300S BMW
A
£4k for a 13 year old bike? They are 140 BHP with all the toys. Yes they may be a bit big for a London commute but they are certainly worth a closer look as is a K1300S BMW
A
I would say r1200, but that's purely because I dont like the fjr for no reason - gtr1400 if you upped the budget a bit?
Although, surely a sportsbike is slimmer for the filtering, more fun on the open road etc which makes it a better commuter.
Weekend jaunts will be more fun because sportsbike and you can just get one of those £20 Groupon 'spa days' and then ask for forgiveness when it only lasts 20 minutes.
And the annual trips, you want to be on something light and agile for those alpine switchbacks, dont you?
05 ZX10r is the perfect bike sir.
Although, surely a sportsbike is slimmer for the filtering, more fun on the open road etc which makes it a better commuter.
Weekend jaunts will be more fun because sportsbike and you can just get one of those £20 Groupon 'spa days' and then ask for forgiveness when it only lasts 20 minutes.
And the annual trips, you want to be on something light and agile for those alpine switchbacks, dont you?
05 ZX10r is the perfect bike sir.
MrB1obby said:
I would say r1200, but that's purely because I dont like the fjr for no reason - gtr1400 if you upped the budget a bit?
Although, surely a sportsbike is slimmer for the filtering, more fun on the open road etc which makes it a better commuter.
Weekend jaunts will be more fun because sportsbike and you can just get one of those £20 Groupon 'spa days' and then ask for forgiveness when it only lasts 20 minutes.
And the annual trips, you want to be on something light and agile for those alpine switchbacks, dont you?
05 ZX10r is the perfect bike sir.
Hmmm, GTR you say? Although, surely a sportsbike is slimmer for the filtering, more fun on the open road etc which makes it a better commuter.
Weekend jaunts will be more fun because sportsbike and you can just get one of those £20 Groupon 'spa days' and then ask for forgiveness when it only lasts 20 minutes.
And the annual trips, you want to be on something light and agile for those alpine switchbacks, dont you?
05 ZX10r is the perfect bike sir.
Something like this?
http://goo.gl/IrT7gf
I think I'm about done with sports bikes for a while. A sports bike won't be a good central London commuter (the R1 wasn't so nothing else will be!) and I want a bit more comfort, a bit more protection from the elements and a bit less frenetic. Plus the Mrs needs to be a little bit comfortable.
I was thinking r1200GS for times when I need to kerb hop (parking or traffic dodging), for sitting up quite high in traffic and because I think I might still be able to hoist the odd wheelie on one. No reason I can't track it either. Should be ok for the missus, maybe a little light on protection from the elements. And I get to wear one of those cool dual sport helmets....
I found commuting on my older Multistrada Adventure styled bike a little tricky sometimes filtering.
On the KTM SM with High bars it was evern worse.
Although both these bikes could hoik up a good wheelie at will when the mood would so take you. I miss the Multistrada...
I am now commuting on a 03 Triumph Daytona 955i which is ace.
Back the original question however...
I would ride the FJR and see what I thought. The GS is a nice bike.. regardless of touratech appendiges.
However the lack of power may not suit.
On the KTM SM with High bars it was evern worse.
Although both these bikes could hoik up a good wheelie at will when the mood would so take you. I miss the Multistrada...
I am now commuting on a 03 Triumph Daytona 955i which is ace.
Back the original question however...
I would ride the FJR and see what I thought. The GS is a nice bike.. regardless of touratech appendiges.
However the lack of power may not suit.
Hooli said:
Someone on here goes into the London everyday on a FJR & reckons they filter fine. Only GS I ever see filtering has the world tour handbags on & gets in the way a lot.
I also remember someone (could have been the same) mentioning that they clear most vans and cars mirrors nicely.I'd like one as I'm facing an occasional long commute soon but I still can't decide whether it's for me or not.
J B L said:
Hooli said:
Someone on here goes into the London everyday on a FJR & reckons they filter fine. Only GS I ever see filtering has the world tour handbags on & gets in the way a lot.
I also remember someone (could have been the same) mentioning that they clear most vans and cars mirrors nicely.I'd like one as I'm facing an occasional long commute soon but I still can't decide whether it's for me or not.
Hooli said:
J B L said:
Hooli said:
Someone on here goes into the London everyday on a FJR & reckons they filter fine. Only GS I ever see filtering has the world tour handbags on & gets in the way a lot.
I also remember someone (could have been the same) mentioning that they clear most vans and cars mirrors nicely.I'd like one as I'm facing an occasional long commute soon but I still can't decide whether it's for me or not.
That was my thread as well, re a FZ1000 as a commuter. Same conundrum its just that the budget has gone up as I dazzled the Mrs with some man-maths as I spoon fed her melted chocolate and promised increased QT on weekends by having a bigger bike.
I commute around 40 miles each way from Amersham into central London, along the A40 and then down the Marylebone Road, Farringdon, etc on an 05 GS1200. Width isn't an issue at all. Other than guys on sportsbikes who fold their mirrors in to go through small gaps, I've never really been held up filtering.
If you go down the GS route, there are a couple of things to check depending upon mileage. First is the final drive and second is the driveshaft. Other than that, mine gets an annual wash, 4 oil changes a year and is bomb proof. Now on around 90k miles.
If you go down the GS route, there are a couple of things to check depending upon mileage. First is the final drive and second is the driveshaft. Other than that, mine gets an annual wash, 4 oil changes a year and is bomb proof. Now on around 90k miles.
fergus said:
I commute around 40 miles each way from Amersham into central London, along the A40 and then down the Marylebone Road, Farringdon, etc on an 05 GS1200. Width isn't an issue at all. Other than guys on sportsbikes who fold their mirrors in to go through small gaps, I've never really been held up filtering.
If you go down the GS route, there are a couple of things to check depending upon mileage. First is the final drive and second is the driveshaft. Other than that, mine gets an annual wash, 4 oil changes a year and is bomb proof. Now on around 90k miles.
Useful to know, many thanks. I work near Farringdon myself.If you go down the GS route, there are a couple of things to check depending upon mileage. First is the final drive and second is the driveshaft. Other than that, mine gets an annual wash, 4 oil changes a year and is bomb proof. Now on around 90k miles.
A993LAD said:
Neither
Fjr too bulky/heavy/agricultural
R1200 too slow
Try a vfr 1200. Dirt cheap 2nd hand but more fun than your suggested options.
I'm biased because I own one but I have also had the other 2
Great call. I love Hondas and the design of the VFR 1200. Slightly concerned about pillion comfort though. And they only just squeak into my budget, if I'm lucky.Fjr too bulky/heavy/agricultural
R1200 too slow
Try a vfr 1200. Dirt cheap 2nd hand but more fun than your suggested options.
I'm biased because I own one but I have also had the other 2
Hopefully they are nothing like a Blackbird to ride, because I find that really uncomfortable. Nothing before or since has sent my twig and berries to the Bermuda triangle, like a Black bird does. Strange.
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