Bike for 500 mile autumn/winter commute
Discussion
I've got a 2018 GSXS1000 and have considered doing the commute on this. Just wondered if there were any other great options.
Ideally, it'll be reliable with a large fuel tank (or decent range via fuel efficiency). Let's set the budget at £5k. I have an old Golf for days when the weather is particularly bad.
Ideally, it'll be reliable with a large fuel tank (or decent range via fuel efficiency). Let's set the budget at £5k. I have an old Golf for days when the weather is particularly bad.
No bike will ever make that distance an acceptable commute.
When I started work in the ‘90s I commuted on an RXS 100 initially, then an RD350 YPVS. Both did the job, neither were really suitable.
You want weather protection, a large range, heated grips, and a comfortable riding position.
As you’ve presumably written the wrong difference, and not said what sort of roads you are on, it’s going to be guesswork, so I’ll say a Kawasaki J300 scooter.
When I started work in the ‘90s I commuted on an RXS 100 initially, then an RD350 YPVS. Both did the job, neither were really suitable.
You want weather protection, a large range, heated grips, and a comfortable riding position.
As you’ve presumably written the wrong difference, and not said what sort of roads you are on, it’s going to be guesswork, so I’ll say a Kawasaki J300 scooter.
I wouldn't buy a new bike straight away, I think you'll be ok on the Suzuki. Do it a few times and see, you might get away with upgrading the seat or something and that's it; it's only Mon and Fri after all, and I guess Fri will be done in heavy traffic. Hopefully you'll only need one fuel stop too. For reference I tour on a Z1000.
Petrolism said:
You beat me to it. Either that or an older VFR770 or 800. They're pretty cheap and totally dependable, especially if you convert to a MOSFET voltage regulator, before it cooks.
I do home to London (220 miles) on my 1998 VFR regularly in all weathers.I do need to stop for fuel. Heated grips are a must and in winter I fit muffs no cold hands with that combo.
You will hate it in winter.
I'd love a pan European to do it on as it would be more comfortable and better weather protection.
I'd say a Moto Guzzi Norge or similar
However a guy I worked with used to come down from Grimsby to London 3 times a week, think it was something like 3 hours each way? He had a diesel Citroen Berlingo that was ex disabled with the ramp etc, he hated driving all the way into London so kept a CB125 in the back. He would park up in Barnet just off the A1, get the bike out the back and ride into town. It always seemed to me a sensible way of doing it. The time he used to do it he said there was never any traffic until North London so using the bike for the last 45 mins was the answer
However a guy I worked with used to come down from Grimsby to London 3 times a week, think it was something like 3 hours each way? He had a diesel Citroen Berlingo that was ex disabled with the ramp etc, he hated driving all the way into London so kept a CB125 in the back. He would park up in Barnet just off the A1, get the bike out the back and ride into town. It always seemed to me a sensible way of doing it. The time he used to do it he said there was never any traffic until North London so using the bike for the last 45 mins was the answer
myvision said:
Petrolism said:
You beat me to it. Either that or an older VFR770 or 800. They're pretty cheap and totally dependable, especially if you convert to a MOSFET voltage regulator, before it cooks.
I do home to London (220 miles) on my 1998 VFR regularly in all weathers.I do need to stop for fuel. Heated grips are a must and in winter I fit muffs no cold hands with that combo.
You will hate it in winter.
I'd love a pan European to do it on as it would be more comfortable and better weather protection.
I still have that same bike, albeit with updated mechanicals and on a different continent now. Over 70,000 hard ridden miles (mostly in the U.K. when I was younger) on the original engine and its never missed a beat. Nowadays there are such things as rechargeable heated gloves & vests, which would make use in winter a lot less uncomfortable. They're great bikes and pretty cheap to buy. Mileage is less important than condition.
Just don't ride in snow and ice.
Rubin215 said:
The bike you're after is a car.
Older luxury motor with a big diesel engine, leather interior, heated seats, stereo, cruise control, hid headlights and climate.
You'll thank me for this.
I’d agree, if not a luxury barge, just some euro box with good mpg would surely make more sense than a bike? I’ve done some commutes on a bike and nothing kills your love of riding quicker than commuting in the winter.Older luxury motor with a big diesel engine, leather interior, heated seats, stereo, cruise control, hid headlights and climate.
You'll thank me for this.
Following with interest as I may be regularly doing the journey from Cornwall to London. Best I've come up with so far is to buy a more luxurious car (which isn't great due to tiredness and traffic), option 2 is to pay an extortionate amount for the train or my current personal favourite is to get a second bike to leave at Newquay airport with a second bike at Heathrow. Flights are cheaper and quicker than the train albeit this isn't a very environmentally friendly solution.
I can't think of a way that the journey would be in any way tolerable on a bike, especially in the darker colder months.
I can't think of a way that the journey would be in any way tolerable on a bike, especially in the darker colder months.
Bumblebee7 said:
Following with interest as I may be regularly doing the journey from Cornwall to London. Best I've come up with so far is to buy a more luxurious car (which isn't great due to tiredness and traffic), option 2 is to pay an extortionate amount for the train or my current personal favourite is to get a second bike to leave at Newquay airport with a second bike at Heathrow. Flights are cheaper and quicker than the train albeit this isn't a very environmentally friendly solution.
I can't think of a way that the journey would be in any way tolerable on a bike, especially in the darker colder months.
Some years ago (2002/2003) I regularly did mid-Cornwall to Lancashire on a bike - so A30/M5/M6, 345 miles each way. It was hard work and very boring. I know little about flying so can't comment, but I reckon for your usage a cheap car and early/late starts to beat traffic would be worth looking into.I can't think of a way that the journey would be in any way tolerable on a bike, especially in the darker colder months.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff