CBF1000 for commuting?
Discussion
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!)Certainly more exciting than a R1200RT, but without the weather protection or comforts.
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?
Whats the absolute max budget?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!)Certainly more exciting than a R1200RT, but without the weather protection or comforts.
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
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
Reardy Mister said:
Whats the absolute max budget?
Well, I'm not sure it runs to a 2010 RT!! 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?
CAPP0 said:
Reardy Mister said:
Whats the absolute max budget?
Well, I'm not sure it runs to a 2010 RT!! 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?
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?
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.
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....
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....
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.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....
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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...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.
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?
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!
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!
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