what bike, commuting

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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Rare bike ^

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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Maxheadroom said:

You have just described an R1200R, go get one :-)

Lovely bike... but not too much wind protection.

I have indeed entered old man bike territory and gone for something I thought I never would have.

The budget has been blown and its not too good on filtering. But ticks all the other boxes and few few other things i hadent even though about.

2014 BMW R1200 GS TE.

Cost has been covered in other areas, didn't think I could afford it before. And i guess ile have to get used to the filtering.

Pick it up Saturday.

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It has landed...

Top box is yet to be fitted (Send with wrong bracket) and might get a shouty exhaust on it. Though the standard one is fairly good.

On the sensible ride home i inadvertently got my foot down, so must have had some reasonable lean on it. And even managed an average of 58 MPG (With a very strong headwind).

The headlights are awesome! I think its fitted with HID's. Or some kind of super LED equivalent.

The absolute st tone of features on even the standard "TE" model is mind boggling, but simple to use and very easy to get used too.

The engine is a peach, loads of torque and plenty quick enough when you want it too be. this one is the Liquid cooled model with more power.

Filter remains a concern, though i did do some on the way back home and it was fine. I guess it depends on how tight the roads are ware you do it.