Ideal Commute bike - M11 to Canary Wharf
Discussion
Well we are deffo moving out of London. Goodybye Highbury, hello Great Chesterford.
There's no way I'd like to experience the commute using the train and tube unless absolutely necessary. Have trouble dealing with it from Highbury, so most of the time use a pedal bike or motor bike.
With a journey of some 90-100 mile round trip come rain or shine what would be the best bike to get ? Hoping to keep prices cheap to around the 2.5-3.5K level and don't mind having to do a bit of maintenance if required either.
Any ideas anyone ?
Comments appreciated.
There's no way I'd like to experience the commute using the train and tube unless absolutely necessary. Have trouble dealing with it from Highbury, so most of the time use a pedal bike or motor bike.
With a journey of some 90-100 mile round trip come rain or shine what would be the best bike to get ? Hoping to keep prices cheap to around the 2.5-3.5K level and don't mind having to do a bit of maintenance if required either.
Any ideas anyone ?
Comments appreciated.
would a CBR be fine for a year round commute...crud/mud and salt included ? Whats the tank range too if for a general commute of Motorway and then the North Circ/Blackwall approach?
As I've never commuted this far I really haven't got a clue as to the kind of bike to get The only issue I have is with how cold its gonna get in Feb tanking down the motorway at 7am
thanks
As I've never commuted this far I really haven't got a clue as to the kind of bike to get The only issue I have is with how cold its gonna get in Feb tanking down the motorway at 7am
thanks
I commute from Bishops Stortford to the City everyday on a 2005 R1 which has now covered 21,000 miles, yes it is starting to showe a bit of wear but it's comfortable and gives a lot of wind protection on the M11, I added a double bubble screen to aid the wind deflection further.
A lot would argue that an R1 is not a suitable commuter but if you only want one bike for commuting, track work and a bit of scratching the R1 is great.
You should bee fine with a cbr but add a double bubble screen if it hasn't got one already.
Good luck.
Andy.
A lot would argue that an R1 is not a suitable commuter but if you only want one bike for commuting, track work and a bit of scratching the R1 is great.
You should bee fine with a cbr but add a double bubble screen if it hasn't got one already.
Good luck.
Andy.
The trouble I find with commuter's or everyday transportation is that it isnt long until you start to resent the poor thing, as it soon becomes a constant reminder of the oncoming daily grind.
I prefer something to excite, ie the R1 as previously mentioned, alhough they can be a bit of a handfull when you're not fully switched on first thing.
consider a VMax or a Blackbird, you should get something very nice for your budget.
or you could just get a busa and say f
it! 
I prefer something to excite, ie the R1 as previously mentioned, alhough they can be a bit of a handfull when you're not fully switched on first thing.
consider a VMax or a Blackbird, you should get something very nice for your budget.
or you could just get a busa and say f
it! Used to commute on an R1 A12 into Canary Wharf, a round trip of 90 miles, and prior to that M1 into the City. Now I am on the wife's R6. God I miss the R1!
A bigger capacity bike is just so much more effortless - exploiting the gaps through traffic, and getting away from traffic lights, plus the odd few second warp speed blast. Also look at ZX9s and Thunder Aces - should be a fair number around for that kind of money.
A bigger capacity bike is just so much more effortless - exploiting the gaps through traffic, and getting away from traffic lights, plus the odd few second warp speed blast. Also look at ZX9s and Thunder Aces - should be a fair number around for that kind of money.
Exige46 said:
Used to commute on an R1 A12 into Canary Wharf, a round trip of 90 miles, and prior to that M1 into the City. Now I am on the wife's R6. God I miss the R1!
A bigger capacity bike is just so much more effortless - exploiting the gaps through traffic, and getting away from traffic lights, plus the odd few second warp speed blast. Also look at ZX9s and Thunder Aces - should be a fair number around for that kind of money.
I'm using a blade to commute on which has been excellent as when the weather is crap you can ride around on the torque. Although after 5 years I'm now thinking about chopping it in against a blackbird for more comfort. A bigger capacity bike is just so much more effortless - exploiting the gaps through traffic, and getting away from traffic lights, plus the odd few second warp speed blast. Also look at ZX9s and Thunder Aces - should be a fair number around for that kind of money.
Edited by dern on Sunday 17th September 21:14
The guy who sits next to me at work does Milton Keynes to Uxbridge daily on a SV650.
He swears by it.
Where I used to work, a guy did Guilford to Heathrow area on a VFR and swore by that, and another rode Harlow to Heathrow on a BMW R850R. He said that the BMW was the most comfy and reliable (shaft drive) all-around commuter bike he'd had.
He swears by it.
Where I used to work, a guy did Guilford to Heathrow area on a VFR and swore by that, and another rode Harlow to Heathrow on a BMW R850R. He said that the BMW was the most comfy and reliable (shaft drive) all-around commuter bike he'd had.
Edited by aeropilot on Monday 18th September 13:11
You want something with a fairing if you're doing motorway stuff and something with an upright riding position if you're doing town stuff. I'd say a good sports tourer or a part-faired all rounder is just what you need. I feel the limits of my SV doing larger distances on motorways, I've also fitted riser clip-ons to take some the pain out on the low speed parts of the commute. I'd suggest a larger capacity bike would make the journey more pleasurable if you can pay for the added insurance. I'd follow Denny's Fazer suggestion. A Fazer thou if the extra cash on insurance and more frequent tyres and chains is palatable and a 600 if not.
Steve.
Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Monday 18th September 13:29
snarfy said:
As I've never commuted this far I really haven't got a clue as to the kind of bike to get The only issue I have is with how cold its gonna get in Feb tanking down the motorway at 7am
thanks
Allow me to field this one. I used to commute regularily to see my girlfriend in Chelmsford, 34.6 miles one way.
I used a SV 650 S, and never felt the ride was a chore on uit. Reliable and comfortable.
CBR 600 f sounds like the baby for you.
As for how cold? Doing 90 mph on the motorway in the am is fecking cold! I'd invest in battery operated heated gloves.
Thanks all for your recommendations. Trouble is, now I'm completely clueless 
What about getting something a bit......well 'boring' for the horrible weather journeys, and then something nice for when its clear ? Yes this puts the cost up, but I do need to have my fun !
I'm just thinking about the mess the salt etc will make of a bike through the inevitably inclement days. The poor ol' hack could be used on these days saving the other for the nice days. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and should just go and buy something
What about getting something a bit......well 'boring' for the horrible weather journeys, and then something nice for when its clear ? Yes this puts the cost up, but I do need to have my fun !
I'm just thinking about the mess the salt etc will make of a bike through the inevitably inclement days. The poor ol' hack could be used on these days saving the other for the nice days. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and should just go and buy something
snarfy said:
Thanks all for your recommendations. Trouble is, now I'm completely clueless
What about getting something a bit......well 'boring' for the horrible weather journeys, and then something nice for when its clear ? Yes this puts the cost up, but I do need to have my fun !
I'm just thinking about the mess the salt etc will make of a bike through the inevitably inclement days. The poor ol' hack could be used on these days saving the other for the nice days. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and should just go and buy something
What about getting something a bit......well 'boring' for the horrible weather journeys, and then something nice for when its clear ? Yes this puts the cost up, but I do need to have my fun !
I'm just thinking about the mess the salt etc will make of a bike through the inevitably inclement days. The poor ol' hack could be used on these days saving the other for the nice days. Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and should just go and buy something
The deauville would be a suitable winter commuting hack for the two bike approach - it's shaft drive, so less maintenance required. Something like this perhaps: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-Deauville
If it was me, I'd be looking the type of roads on your proposed route.
If more than 50% was on higher speed dual carrigway A roads and motorways I'd go for a sports tourer like the Honda VFR.
If less than 50% I'd go more for a convential bike such as the BMW 850R, although being an Itatlian bike fan, I'd probably let me heart rule my head and get a Ducati Multistrada...
If more than 50% was on higher speed dual carrigway A roads and motorways I'd go for a sports tourer like the Honda VFR.
If less than 50% I'd go more for a convential bike such as the BMW 850R, although being an Itatlian bike fan, I'd probably let me heart rule my head and get a Ducati Multistrada...
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff