Bye bye Dubai hello cold wet UK roads... I must be mad
Discussion
Long time forum reader, lurker and now first time contributer here..
So after 6 years of living in Dubai I’ll be returning to blighty this summer. Due to the abismal and shocking driving standards I gave up riding after a year out here. Zipping around Dubai back roads is fun but I have a long commute and whilst the weather & road conditions are great the standard of driving is the worst I have experienced.
So home beckons and with the impending move back to normality I’m determined to get back into riding for all year weather/riding. My new job requires commuting into central London 2/3 days a week (60mile round trip) and then intermittent travel across the country when required. I’m adamant that trains will only be used as a last resort - snow/ice et al - plus the cost is extortionate for trains and putting up with tube strikes, sweaty people, no seat... the list is endless.
I’m contemplating three very different potential options;
Sensible option 1; I could buy one bike for every occasion. A low mileage BMW R1200RT ticks a lot of boxes as I’m not into the adventure style. However I’m not sure it’s a bit...well, a stereotypical old chaps commuter bike? Not that I’m overly bothered what others think. The bike I think does everything I could need plus more - being comfy and protected on a cold wet day has a lot of advantages but would I feel disapointed when I want a blitz on a summers weekend, I think so(?) How does anybody find the London commute on an RT, filtering etc? The comfort is appealing especially if I have to commute further a field...
or (the bonkers option 2) get mysef a k1600b... I know you can’t remove the panniers, filtering would be a pain in London, costs a fortune but I think it looks great for what it is. A huge ‘bagger’ of a thing yet a great comfy ride, powerful abliet I like the idea of something a bit different but could be a pain in the arse to actually live with daily?
Or... the emotional option 3; I’ve always really wanted a Ducati since I can remember. Riding to the Ducati showroom every Saturday when I was a kid on a 50cc MZ Simson (who remembers them?) and gushing over a 916 was great... In my 20’s I could only afford Jap sports bikes but now being able to own a Ducati that can be used nearly everyday is very appealing.
I could get myself an 899 for longer commutes, weekend fun, to ogle at.. then get an older maxi type scooter for the London trips / winter riding? I wouldn’t be keen on taking a panigale into London as the likelyhood of some scrot trying to steal being the main concern. I can put panniers on the 899 for outer London commuting - and the ease of filtering in London on a scooter is appealing. Or should I, could I, just do it all on an 899? Any 899 London commuters able to share their experience?
Decisions decisions..If you had £15k(ish) what would you do? Experiences, thoughts, suggestions on a postcard...
Oh, I’ve test rode all three bikes in Dubai and I like them all in very different ways...
Cheers
So after 6 years of living in Dubai I’ll be returning to blighty this summer. Due to the abismal and shocking driving standards I gave up riding after a year out here. Zipping around Dubai back roads is fun but I have a long commute and whilst the weather & road conditions are great the standard of driving is the worst I have experienced.
So home beckons and with the impending move back to normality I’m determined to get back into riding for all year weather/riding. My new job requires commuting into central London 2/3 days a week (60mile round trip) and then intermittent travel across the country when required. I’m adamant that trains will only be used as a last resort - snow/ice et al - plus the cost is extortionate for trains and putting up with tube strikes, sweaty people, no seat... the list is endless.
I’m contemplating three very different potential options;
Sensible option 1; I could buy one bike for every occasion. A low mileage BMW R1200RT ticks a lot of boxes as I’m not into the adventure style. However I’m not sure it’s a bit...well, a stereotypical old chaps commuter bike? Not that I’m overly bothered what others think. The bike I think does everything I could need plus more - being comfy and protected on a cold wet day has a lot of advantages but would I feel disapointed when I want a blitz on a summers weekend, I think so(?) How does anybody find the London commute on an RT, filtering etc? The comfort is appealing especially if I have to commute further a field...
or (the bonkers option 2) get mysef a k1600b... I know you can’t remove the panniers, filtering would be a pain in London, costs a fortune but I think it looks great for what it is. A huge ‘bagger’ of a thing yet a great comfy ride, powerful abliet I like the idea of something a bit different but could be a pain in the arse to actually live with daily?
Or... the emotional option 3; I’ve always really wanted a Ducati since I can remember. Riding to the Ducati showroom every Saturday when I was a kid on a 50cc MZ Simson (who remembers them?) and gushing over a 916 was great... In my 20’s I could only afford Jap sports bikes but now being able to own a Ducati that can be used nearly everyday is very appealing.
I could get myself an 899 for longer commutes, weekend fun, to ogle at.. then get an older maxi type scooter for the London trips / winter riding? I wouldn’t be keen on taking a panigale into London as the likelyhood of some scrot trying to steal being the main concern. I can put panniers on the 899 for outer London commuting - and the ease of filtering in London on a scooter is appealing. Or should I, could I, just do it all on an 899? Any 899 London commuters able to share their experience?
Decisions decisions..If you had £15k(ish) what would you do? Experiences, thoughts, suggestions on a postcard...
Oh, I’ve test rode all three bikes in Dubai and I like them all in very different ways...
Cheers
Welcome. I remember the MZ.
A lot of dispatch riders used the bigger one when I was on a Honda 400 Superdream then a Honda CB250RS.
Just make sure whatever you get, that you have somewhere safe to park in London when working. I've just returned to live in London itself and insurance, even for an old lag like me, is horrendous.
Bike theft is epidemic but maybe the 1600 will be too much for the scrotes to deal with
A lot of dispatch riders used the bigger one when I was on a Honda 400 Superdream then a Honda CB250RS.
Just make sure whatever you get, that you have somewhere safe to park in London when working. I've just returned to live in London itself and insurance, even for an old lag like me, is horrendous.
Bike theft is epidemic but maybe the 1600 will be too much for the scrotes to deal with
croyde said:
Welcome. I remember the MZ.
A lot of dispatch riders used the bigger one when I was on a Honda 400 Superdream then a Honda CB250RS.
Just make sure whatever you get, that you have somewhere safe to park in London when working. I've just returned to live in London itself and insurance, even for an old lag like me, is horrendous.
Bike theft is epidemic but maybe the 1600 will be too much for the scrotes to deal with
The MZ was a great a little bike and something different to the 90’s Honda vision mopeds!A lot of dispatch riders used the bigger one when I was on a Honda 400 Superdream then a Honda CB250RS.
Just make sure whatever you get, that you have somewhere safe to park in London when working. I've just returned to live in London itself and insurance, even for an old lag like me, is horrendous.
Bike theft is epidemic but maybe the 1600 will be too much for the scrotes to deal with
Funnily enough it was the the sheer size of the 1600 that made it a contender and how difficult it would be for the scrotes to steal compared to a smaller bike
TheArabianRider said:
For the London commute it would be a hoot but I may have to travel much further too. No fairing and little protection on a long motorway bore isn’t my idea of fun..
Street Triple is a thief magnet if parked on the street irrespective ask Croyde.. I have a Speed with my employer providing underground secure parking luckily, mine never ever gets left on the street in London for any length of time without me being next to it.GS/GSA beemers will go walkies too if left on the street too long.
1290 Super Adventurer S or SuperDuke GT.
Multiple bikes is fun, but if you want one to do all, the above are good ideas. My GT is flipping immense and for the money, just a steal.
Talking of stealing, commuting to London......? I'd get a £500 Yamaha Diversion, or get 2, so you can get home....! !
Multiple bikes is fun, but if you want one to do all, the above are good ideas. My GT is flipping immense and for the money, just a steal.
Talking of stealing, commuting to London......? I'd get a £500 Yamaha Diversion, or get 2, so you can get home....! !
TheArabianRider said:
Consultant by profession so London commute will be manly to visit client sites. No guaranteed specific parking so I would have to find secure parking close by. I’ve found secure underground parking @ £5 a day close to the strand which is doable
If you're gonna pay for secure parking get the bike you want then, which is what I did. Watch out for insurers asking you where you'll be parking the bike with the commuting option switched on - this seems to be a new line of questioning from some brokers/underwriters providing cover.899 for weekends and longer commutes and then find a Hyperstrada 821 for the into London commute, job jobbed for 15k but be prepared to be bum raped on insurance with no UK NCD and looking to commute to London.
Personally I'd buy a single bike solution, so maybe one of the KTMs such as the 1290 Super Adv.
Personally I'd buy a single bike solution, so maybe one of the KTMs such as the 1290 Super Adv.
sjtscott said:
So get the bike you want then, which is what I did. Watch out for insurers asking you where you'll be parking the bike with the commuting option switched on - this seems to be a new line of questioning from some brokers/underwriters providing cover.
Thanks - good shout re insurance option.dibblecorse said:
899 for weekends and longer commutes and then find a Hyperstrada 821 for the into London commute, job jobbed for 15k but be prepared to be bum raped on insurance with no UK NCD and looking to commute to London.
Personally I'd buy a single bike solution, so maybe one of the KTMs such as the 1290 Super Adv.
You raise a good point - how long do NCD last? I’ve still got previous UK insurance certs from 98’ until 2011, still usable to reduce my quote? Claim old NCD?Personally I'd buy a single bike solution, so maybe one of the KTMs such as the 1290 Super Adv.
poo at Paul's said:
1290 Super Adventurer S or SuperDuke GT.
Multiple bikes is fun, but if you want one to do all, the above are good ideas. My GT is flipping immense and for the money, just a steal.
Talking of stealing, commuting to London......? I'd get a £500 Yamaha Diversion, or get 2, so you can get home....! !
Thanks - you’ve thrown me into a right old quandary... I shouldn’t ask but I will; how’s the GT on longer rides? Multiple bikes is fun, but if you want one to do all, the above are good ideas. My GT is flipping immense and for the money, just a steal.
Talking of stealing, commuting to London......? I'd get a £500 Yamaha Diversion, or get 2, so you can get home....! !
TheArabianRider said:
dibblecorse said:
899 for weekends and longer commutes and then find a Hyperstrada 821 for the into London commute, job jobbed for 15k but be prepared to be bum raped on insurance with no UK NCD and looking to commute to London.
Personally I'd buy a single bike solution, so maybe one of the KTMs such as the 1290 Super Adv.
You raise a good point - how long do NCD last? I’ve still got previous UK insurance certs from 98’ until 2011, still usable to reduce my quote? Claim old NCD?Personally I'd buy a single bike solution, so maybe one of the KTMs such as the 1290 Super Adv.
dibblecorse said:
Unfortunately not, 99% of insurance companies only recognise NCD issued within the last 24 months, only faint chance you might have is if your current Dubai insurer also operates out of the UK and would allow you to use it.
Ta, it’s AxA and they do. Gives me a job tomorrow to find out if it’s possible...Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff