CBF1000 for commuting?

CBF1000 for commuting?

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Discussion

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,533 posts

202 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
quotequote all
Triumphs are a complete no-no for me unfortunately, they do have some decent-looking bikes but I seem to be in a minority of one, I just can't stand that whining, screeching noise that they all make. If you're in a tunnel you always know if the bike behind you is a modern Triumph. What makes that noise?


Reardy Mister said:
FZ1 is another good option, no doubt.

Certainly more exciting than a R1200RT, but without the weather protection or comforts.
I think my fun days are in the descendency, if I'm honest with myself - the RT does have an enormous appeal based on the above but I think I just want something a little more nimble (with all the weather protection and comforts!)

Reardy Mister

13,757 posts

221 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
quotequote all
CAPP0 said:
Triumphs are a complete no-no for me unfortunately, they do have some decent-looking bikes but I seem to be in a minority of one, I just can't stand that whining, screeching noise that they all make. If you're in a tunnel you always know if the bike behind you is a modern Triumph. What makes that noise?


Reardy Mister said:
FZ1 is another good option, no doubt.

Certainly more exciting than a R1200RT, but without the weather protection or comforts.
I think my fun days are in the descendency, if I'm honest with myself - the RT does have an enormous appeal based on the above but I think I just want something a little more nimble (with all the weather protection and comforts!)
Whats the absolute max budget?

PTF

4,252 posts

223 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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Had a CBF1000 for a while as a commuter. The early one with exhausts both sides.

Engine was a peach. Lovely and smooth. But it ran out of puff at the top end.

Apart from that it was a great bike though.

Also had a bandit 1250. Engine not quite as smooth bit with a lot more grunt and runs out of puff even more at the top.

Build quality on both was about the same. Both rusted a little unless pampered (like any bike).

Both a bit dull

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,533 posts

202 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
quotequote all
Reardy Mister said:
Whats the absolute max budget?
Well, I'm not sure it runs to a 2010 RT!! tongue out Seriously, did you have something in mind?

I'm sort of saying £4k but if something unmissable at more money came up, it wouldn't necessarily be a barrier. But this is going to be 99% a commuter and much as I could go and get a new Tracer without too much trouble, then there are all the considerations of having a £9k bike lying around in London all day, attracting lowlifes (got that T shirt), getting scratched, costing me money, etc - so, a decent-enough £3-4 bike looks a better solution all round?

Reardy Mister

13,757 posts

221 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
quotequote all
CAPP0 said:
Reardy Mister said:
Whats the absolute max budget?
Well, I'm not sure it runs to a 2010 RT!! tongue out Seriously, did you have something in mind?

I'm sort of saying £4k but if something unmissable at more money came up, it wouldn't necessarily be a barrier. But this is going to be 99% a commuter and much as I could go and get a new Tracer without too much trouble, then there are all the considerations of having a £9k bike lying around in London all day, attracting lowlifes (got that T shirt), getting scratched, costing me money, etc - so, a decent-enough £3-4 bike looks a better solution all round?
Depends. I am one of them that subscribes to the PCP route. Pay a monthly rental effectively, get a new or newish bike with all the toys, look after it and then give it back at the end or flog it for an amount that you're assured of before you buy it.

You wont lose much on a 4k bike but you will likely spend more on it, on upkeep and adding bits etc.

I started with the same budget and criteria as you. This morning I enquired as to the changeover cost to the brand new RT, because its a bike I genuinely enjoy and am impressed by and could use a lot more than just on the commute. If I can get into it for even £50 more a month, I will. Mind you, I'll never be a (good) financial advisor.

Add to that if you spend two hours each day on it and put your life and comfort in its hands, why not get something good?


wink
evil


ETA: if you plan on having it 3-4 years, older bikes with poor emissions figures will soon be stung by a congestion charge. Leaving you with a commuter bike to sell that no one wants to commute on as it will cost them seven quid a day.


CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,533 posts

202 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
quotequote all
Yes, I've definitely thought about PCP, I would look closely at a Tracer on that basis but having had a bike pinched from London, in far more secure surroundings than where I park now (I've nothing to chain the bike to), would leave me uncomfortable I think.

I suppose an RT is less attractive to the average twoccer; what are the approx figures on a new one?

But then again, you get nudged off at 10mph, you walk away, but there's a Tupperware bill for £10k....

terry tibbs

2,188 posts

220 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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z1000 sx mef 2014 onwards??

i've done 35000 in less than two years apart from changing the seat to a better one it's been faultless

cheap on pcp

creampuff

6,511 posts

142 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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I had a CBF600 for a while. Great bike, a bit underpowered but the 1000cc in place of the 600cc would solve all that.

Actually sold the CBF600 for £50 more than I bought it for after owning it for a year!

LuS1fer

41,086 posts

244 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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Suzuki are selling off the recently discontinued SV650S (faired) for around the £4200 brand new. Lot of bike for the money.

EvoBarry

1,903 posts

264 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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I had an FZ1-N (naked version) and while it was a good bike you had to cane it to really get moving and the seat vs peg distance was a little on the tight side for me, and I'm only 5"11. I think for commuting the CBF would be the "sensible" option tbh.

Tall_Paul

1,915 posts

226 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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There's not many FZ1's about with ABS, I looked at these before - the ones with ABS have a covered section on the front wheel hub on the right side, not the normal slotted ring like on modern stuff (although it does have one of these on the rear wheel).

spareparts

6,777 posts

226 months

Thursday 24th September 2015
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Terrific commuter and all round bike. I ran one from new for almost 10k miles in a year. Faultless. Lovely bike. Built with quality in spades.


Reardy Mister

13,757 posts

221 months

Friday 25th September 2015
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CAPP0 said:
Yes, I've definitely thought about PCP, I would look closely at a Tracer on that basis but having had a bike pinched from London, in far more secure surroundings than where I park now (I've nothing to chain the bike to), would leave me uncomfortable I think.

I suppose an RT is less attractive to the average twoccer; what are the approx figures on a new one?

But then again, you get nudged off at 10mph, you walk away, but there's a Tupperware bill for £10k....
Pm me your email and I'll send you the figures I just got given.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Friday 25th September 2015
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The instructors at the Ron Haslam Race school use CBF1000's, presumably as they spend most of the day riding so need something comfortable, and something with usable mirrors. Speaking to the instructor I had he reckons they are very reliable even though they rack up quite a lot of miles on the track.

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,533 posts

202 months

Friday 2nd October 2015
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I think I'm down to the TDM or the RT.

My thinking is:

TDM:

Plus: Bit more nimble, maybe a little more fun, should get a newer one for my money
Minus: Less weather protection, possibly slightly more twoccable

RT:

Plus: Weather protection, comfortable, toys, BMW quality
Minus: Bit bulky, not quite as agile, mirrors don't fold, BMW quality biggrin

I need to ride both and see how I feel after, but there aren't any/many for sale in my neck of the woods in budget, and what with working 5 days that's not all that easy to achieve.

Obv option 3 is to keep the old Ark Royal! But it won't last forever, and we all like a new(er) bike.

Tribal Chestnut

2,997 posts

181 months

Monday 5th October 2015
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I recently got an FZ1-S for the commute. I'd like a little more leg room and a bit more torque at lower RPMs, but it's almost perfect for my motorway/central London commute.

cirian75

4,245 posts

232 months

Monday 5th October 2015
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old man test rode a bmw r1150rt

He liked the engine, but the bike was strange, no feed back through his bum.

Did not behave like a normal bike, very strange handling and muted feed back.

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,533 posts

202 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
cirian75 said:
old man test rode a bmw r1150rt

He liked the engine, but the bike was strange, no feed back through his bum.

Did not behave like a normal bike, very strange handling and muted feed back.
I'm currently riding an R1100RT which is pretty much the same frame/suspension setup I think. Yes, they are "different" to ride, and of course they're not designed for getting your weight over the front wheel and pushing on, but they do handle extraordinarily well for what they are. You can stick it on it's ear and it just tracks very true. As someone said earlier (I think), if they're good enough for BiB...

Anyway, something else strayed onto my radar at the weekend. F800ST/GT? The mini-RT thingie? I wonder whether that would be a good compromise of weather protection and more agility? I don't know, I haven't sat on one yet - anyone care to comment?

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,533 posts

202 months

Friday 6th November 2015
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Looks like the search has intensified, since the Ark Royal threw in the towel last night. From Googling, I'm pretty sure it's the Hall Effect Sensor (to do with the ignition timing). Known issue on these apparently, £200 new or £100 used, plus a while load of time and agro to fit. I'm sure it'll run again when that's fixed but that's been a couple of things recently. plus it needs a new exhaust, so it's just starting to wander towards "throwing good money after bad" territory.

Having endured a 4-wheeled/iron-wheeled commute this morning, I think I'll be purchasing the nearest bike to home which is for sale at about 0900 tomorrow morning regardless of what it is!

SteelerSE

1,885 posts

155 months

Friday 6th November 2015
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Good luck with the hunt. Don't panic buy!