CBF1000 for commuting?

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My search for a suitable replacement commuter continues. I've considered, and am not ruling out:

TDM900 with ABS
FJR1300
R1200RT

and quite probably others. And now the CBF1000 has drifted into my sights. Not a million miles from a TDM in style, although a very different lump.

The bike will almost exclusively be used for a 32 mile each-way commute, 20-odd miles motorway and DC, the rest on suburban London roads with a fair bit of filtering.

I'm struggling to see what's wrong with something like this? There are plenty of others too.

Thoughts and experience welcome, ta.

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Thanks - yes, probably the GT model I'd look at.

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I'm getting about that at present from the old R1100RT tbh, so wouldn't be a deal-breaker.

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Thanks guys, all noted. Ref the CB1300, isn't that a chrome roadster thing though?

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cirian75 said:

I'd have the TDM, thumping 270 degree big bang twin, and slim for filtering.

a filter, powercommander and exhaust will make it sound lovely

TDM is probably top of the list tbh, I've always liked them since right back in the 850 days, but then I di have a habit of going for things (not just bikes) which are less popular with the norm! Was one of the first big bikes I rode back when I passed my test 20-odd years ago and I liked it even then. Following my other thread this week, I'll only buy one with ABS and that does cut the search slightly. There's a decent-looking one at a dealers currently but it's not exactly close to home and it's just a little pricey; will wait to see how long they keep it and how negotiable the price is.

Re the Fazer, I don't know what it is but I have always seen them as a little, well, dull. Says the man talking about the CBF1000! I'm sure they're not in reality, maybe I should try one.

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Point entirely taken! And it's something of an oddity as I have always leant towards Yamaha anyway; I still have a Thunderace in the shed, up on the bench, it's in a few too many parts to actually ride at the moment but it WILL live again!

Is there a Fazer with ABS? Within a £4k-ish budget?

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Ah yes, those have also appeared on my radar, someone along the road bought one recently, seems a decent bike.

It'll be a case of what's relatively nearby, at the right price, and available when I can get to go and look at it, I think!

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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!)

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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?

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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....

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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

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.

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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?

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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!

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SteelerSE said:

Don't panic buy!

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How big/tall is the F800ST? It sorta looks small to me, but then, I'm 6'4 so most things do!

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Latest Update on this. The Ark Royal, having left me stranded in Poplar High Street at 8pm last night (and trust me, you don't EVER want to be stranded in Poplar High St) has made it's last commuting run into London; well, with me sat on it, anyway. It's become completely unreliable in a completely unpredictable way. Keeps cutting out, might restart, might not, might do 30 miles, might not. So, it's time for a one-way ticket to a well-known internet auction website for that one.

I have had a look at a couple of CBFs now, although not ridden one, and they didn't fill me with any sense of want or desire. I imagine they would be quite capable of the task at hand but there's no excitement.

I can't find a TDM with ABS (other than 200 miles away). I haven't looked at the F800 yet but I sense it may be too small for me.

So, whilst I'm not ruling out an R1200RT, I am coming round to thinking that, Ewan McCharlie jibes notwithstanding, I may need to get me an R1200GS. Seems to be the best combination of all the bits I need, and should deliver a little bit of fun on the days I'm not commuting. Just need to find one within budget and distance now.

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RizzoTheRat said:

Have you had a look on the TDM owners forum, often one or two for sale on there. Www.carpe-tdm.net

Cheers, no, I hadn't looked there - nothing at the moment but I'll keep an eye.

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RizzoTheRat said:

Might be worth asking on there if anyone knows of one for sale, it's occasionally worked for people. It tends to be rather incestuous, I sold my Mk1 to another member, who's since sold it on to another, and bought my 900 via the site

OK, thanks for the tip, I'd better sign up!