Cheap commuter for 110 mile trip
Discussion
Thoughts and ideas please
I need a cheap, 2 to 4 or 5k bargain bike to do 4 or 6 110mile motorway trips a week... what would you recommend?
Cheap reliable mile eating comfort, I would always prefer Hondas for build quality... running a 10 year old machine just exaggerates this
But what else ? BMW's are available that have their old school build quality and reliability ...up till R1200's ? Or are the 1200 jist as worth considering as the 1150's ?
K1200s seem cheap for what they are, or is it just the K1300 people love ?
I need a cheap, 2 to 4 or 5k bargain bike to do 4 or 6 110mile motorway trips a week... what would you recommend?
Cheap reliable mile eating comfort, I would always prefer Hondas for build quality... running a 10 year old machine just exaggerates this
But what else ? BMW's are available that have their old school build quality and reliability ...up till R1200's ? Or are the 1200 jist as worth considering as the 1150's ?
K1200s seem cheap for what they are, or is it just the K1300 people love ?
Spend a bit of time on https://eurokclub.bike/ to get a view of the K1200 from previous and current owners. Black-k1 will help too as he owned one. I think summary with all your intended miles would be: nope. 1300 a better proposition but still that journey should be paying you well to help that decision, I think! 
That's where my insight lies anyway. I have had two K1300S bikes over about 90k combined. There are a few common issues, some cosmetic. I enjoyed mine.
Edit: I should add, I've now got a 1250GS, which I assume is the same ergo as an 1150 or 1200 you are mentioning. I find it more comfortable but then maybe I'm crippled before my time. Annoyingly I now don't commute at all so I could have gone the opposite way!
If you'll be filtering a lot then I found the K easier (and by extension I assume other low bar bikes) than the GS, but then I've only had to filter once or twice since getting it so I've still to build confidence I expect. Main thing is my (low chassis) gs sees the bar ends at the same height as most car mirrors. On the K it was mirrors to mirrors, which obviously is better.
That's where my insight lies anyway. I have had two K1300S bikes over about 90k combined. There are a few common issues, some cosmetic. I enjoyed mine.
Edit: I should add, I've now got a 1250GS, which I assume is the same ergo as an 1150 or 1200 you are mentioning. I find it more comfortable but then maybe I'm crippled before my time. Annoyingly I now don't commute at all so I could have gone the opposite way!
If you'll be filtering a lot then I found the K easier (and by extension I assume other low bar bikes) than the GS, but then I've only had to filter once or twice since getting it so I've still to build confidence I expect. Main thing is my (low chassis) gs sees the bar ends at the same height as most car mirrors. On the K it was mirrors to mirrors, which obviously is better.
Edited by GriffoDP on Saturday 7th November 11:39
Edited by GriffoDP on Saturday 7th November 11:40
My view on the K1200S is only buy one if you have a nice little stash in the bank to pay for the inevitable expensive repairs. If you have enough in the bank to pay for the inevitable expensive repairs then put that to the purchase price and buy a K1300S! 
If you just want a cheap and cheerful commuter then a Honda Deauville or BMW F800 would fit the bill. £4k would get you something decent for either.
If you want something with a little more comfort/a little more relaxed then a K1300S, a VFR1200, a Yamaha FJR1300 or a R1200RT would be worth a look, although all are at the very top end of your budget. If you can put up with the looks and don't mind all "the big boys" laughing at you then a R1200ST is a great option, if you can find one.
I did 6 years of 18,000 a year, mostly commuting, on two K1300Ss and really can't think of anything better.
Finally, there are the Adventure styled options but only consider those if you're happy to move 4370 cubit feet of air in empty aluminium panniers every where you go.
If you just want a cheap and cheerful commuter then a Honda Deauville or BMW F800 would fit the bill. £4k would get you something decent for either.
If you want something with a little more comfort/a little more relaxed then a K1300S, a VFR1200, a Yamaha FJR1300 or a R1200RT would be worth a look, although all are at the very top end of your budget. If you can put up with the looks and don't mind all "the big boys" laughing at you then a R1200ST is a great option, if you can find one.
I did 6 years of 18,000 a year, mostly commuting, on two K1300Ss and really can't think of anything better.
Finally, there are the Adventure styled options but only consider those if you're happy to move 4370 cubit feet of air in empty aluminium panniers every where you go.
black-k1 said:
...
Finally, there are the Adventure styled options but only consider those if you're happy to move 4370 cubit feet of air in empty aluminium panniers every where you go.
haha oh don't, I caught myself last night thinking of those panniers! Then I rememberd, "hang on, i've had the bike 9 months and not been anywhere, stop it!"Finally, there are the Adventure styled options but only consider those if you're happy to move 4370 cubit feet of air in empty aluminium panniers every where you go.
My criteria would be a large tank, big fairings, shaft drive.
This: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Deauville-650/324...
This: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Deauville-650/324...
BobSaunders said:
Where are you OP? Spain or UK?
I am in Spain, if it makes a difference, obviously they are all left hand drive here, and engines are measured in Brake Donkey Power, b8t it's pretty similar otherwise Some interesting replies so far, thanks
Dont get the k12 seems to be one takeaway..
I bought a £1500 Blackbird to do just this (180mi round trip). Did 30,000 miles on it, taking it from 35 to 65 in a year and a bit.
I had to rebuild the calipers in that time, due to slightly sticky brake MOT fail. But otherwise, just consumables, and the bearings when I got it for peace of mind.
I then parked it up for several months and left it. Started first time on the button when I came back.
Great bike.
Only thing was I think I'd go FJR next time, for the riding position. But the Blackbird was the ideal commuter, Honda at their best.
I had to rebuild the calipers in that time, due to slightly sticky brake MOT fail. But otherwise, just consumables, and the bearings when I got it for peace of mind.
I then parked it up for several months and left it. Started first time on the button when I came back.
Great bike.
Only thing was I think I'd go FJR next time, for the riding position. But the Blackbird was the ideal commuter, Honda at their best.
HairyMaclary said:
You want to do up to 660 miles a week on a 1300? Whilst I get why I would go for a Honda nc750 to do this kind of milage. Big screen and some bark busters. 80mpg.
Absolutely this. Based on what you have to spend on the bike it sounds like you can’t ignore fuel economy. Some of the bikes listed so far will be far less economical than a nc750. Keeping fuel consumption low and it out of the garage is the best way to save money, an nc750 would be ideal. Is it all motorway or are you doing heavy city work?
I prefer a larger engine to take those sort of miles but then you need to take fuel into consideration.
My choice for 70 miles a day was a Honda Crossrunner - comfy, 50mpg, 200 mile tank range and bullet proof engine.
But as others say shaft drive is preferable so I'd also look at an FJR or a Super Ten if you can find them in budget.
I prefer a larger engine to take those sort of miles but then you need to take fuel into consideration.
My choice for 70 miles a day was a Honda Crossrunner - comfy, 50mpg, 200 mile tank range and bullet proof engine.
But as others say shaft drive is preferable so I'd also look at an FJR or a Super Ten if you can find them in budget.
SteelerSE said:
Is it all motorway or are you doing heavy city work?
I prefer a larger engine to take those sort of miles but then you need to take fuel into consideration.
My choice for 70 miles a day was a Honda Crossrunner - comfy, 50mpg, 200 mile tank range and bullet proof engine.
But as others say shaft drive is preferable so I'd also look at an FJR or a Super Ten if you can find them in budget.
I agree about cost considerations and economy but fuel consumption in particular is as much about how you ride it as it is about engine cc. I averaged 48 - 50 mpg over my 6 years commuting 150 miles round trip per day on my K1300Ss. And that was a measured mpg according to what went into the tank, not the wildly optimistic on-board computer. Even the H2 SX managed 46 - 50 mpg. I prefer a larger engine to take those sort of miles but then you need to take fuel into consideration.
My choice for 70 miles a day was a Honda Crossrunner - comfy, 50mpg, 200 mile tank range and bullet proof engine.
But as others say shaft drive is preferable so I'd also look at an FJR or a Super Ten if you can find them in budget.
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