best motorway daily commuter
Discussion
evenin' all,
i think i'm in need of a new bike. my fzr 600 is proving to be a wee bit unreliable. loads of fun, but it wouldn't start this morning. either electrics or fuel pump. the pump didn't start whirring afer turning on the ignition
not good when it's my daily commuter!
anyhoo, back to the point of this thread. what do you think is the the best daily motorway commuter? i do 50miles each way on the m1 to get too and from work and although i've got used to the little 600, i'm thinking of trading it in (or keeping it as a weekend toy) and getting something a bit more leisurely and comfortable for the big cruise. i'd still like it to be fairly small so i can filter easily getting to and from the motorway.
any suggestions greatly appreciated.
i'm Really pi$$ed off cos it's a great sunny evening to go for a hoon! Grrrr....!
i think i'm in need of a new bike. my fzr 600 is proving to be a wee bit unreliable. loads of fun, but it wouldn't start this morning. either electrics or fuel pump. the pump didn't start whirring afer turning on the ignition
not good when it's my daily commuter!anyhoo, back to the point of this thread. what do you think is the the best daily motorway commuter? i do 50miles each way on the m1 to get too and from work and although i've got used to the little 600, i'm thinking of trading it in (or keeping it as a weekend toy) and getting something a bit more leisurely and comfortable for the big cruise. i'd still like it to be fairly small so i can filter easily getting to and from the motorway.
any suggestions greatly appreciated.
i'm Really pi$$ed off cos it's a great sunny evening to go for a hoon! Grrrr....!
Budget would be good.
If you're looking at new bikes, what about the BMW 800GS (or is that GS800?) Supposed to be a cracking bike with very good fuel economy. Only downside over other Beemers - no shaft drive.
The styling is a personal thing. (I like thm)
If you're looking at new bikes, what about the BMW 800GS (or is that GS800?) Supposed to be a cracking bike with very good fuel economy. Only downside over other Beemers - no shaft drive.
The styling is a personal thing. (I like thm)
Edited by rsv gone! on Wednesday 23 July 19:45
mojitomax said:
evenin' all,
i think i'm in need of a new bike. my fzr 600 is proving to be a wee bit unreliable. loads of fun, but it wouldn't start this morning. either electrics or fuel pump. the pump didn't start whirring afer turning on the ignition not good when it's my daily commuter!
anyhoo, back to the point of this thread. what do you think is the the best daily motorway commuter? i do 50miles each way on the m1 to get too and from work and although i've got used to the little 600, i'm thinking of trading it in (or keeping it as a weekend toy) and getting something a bit more leisurely and comfortable for the big cruise. i'd still like it to be fairly small so i can filter easily getting to and from the motorway.
any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Triumph Tiger 955. The 06 ones had hard luggage and heated grips. 50mpg and as reliable as a reliable thing.i think i'm in need of a new bike. my fzr 600 is proving to be a wee bit unreliable. loads of fun, but it wouldn't start this morning. either electrics or fuel pump. the pump didn't start whirring afer turning on the ignition
not good when it's my daily commuter!anyhoo, back to the point of this thread. what do you think is the the best daily motorway commuter? i do 50miles each way on the m1 to get too and from work and although i've got used to the little 600, i'm thinking of trading it in (or keeping it as a weekend toy) and getting something a bit more leisurely and comfortable for the big cruise. i'd still like it to be fairly small so i can filter easily getting to and from the motorway.
any suggestions greatly appreciated.
I use a 10 year old VFR800 (non v-tec) and it seems bomb proof and starts on the button every day in all weathers. It's mirrors are the right height for city centre filtering and it will sit at 3 figures all day long if needed.
My only gripes are chain drive and sporty riding position which can get hard work in dense traffic, but you can't have everything.
I'd say the perfect commuter though would be a Honda Deuville (Dullville). 650cc so enough grunt for anything except fast Euro trips or pillions. Shaft drive so no messy chain adustments or rear wheel cleaning. Moulded in panniers that are narrow enough to allow keen filtering. The only down side is that it's butt-ugly.
My only gripes are chain drive and sporty riding position which can get hard work in dense traffic, but you can't have everything.
I'd say the perfect commuter though would be a Honda Deuville (Dullville). 650cc so enough grunt for anything except fast Euro trips or pillions. Shaft drive so no messy chain adustments or rear wheel cleaning. Moulded in panniers that are narrow enough to allow keen filtering. The only down side is that it's butt-ugly.
I think m3psm has nailed it.
If you have no soul, the Dueville. If you have any passion at all, the VFR.
If you have too much soul / passion for a Honda, then the BMWs tick most of your boxes.
Then again, what do I know - I ride a Buell!
Actually, the Buell Ulyses would work - belt drive so it has the advantages of a shaft drive BM (no chain to adjust, no yukkie chain lube to deal with). 1,200 cc with hard luggage, enough torque to pull your arms out of their sockets, good visibility in traffic etc etc. Left field choice perhaps, but don't dismiss it without taking a test ride.
Dave
If you have no soul, the Dueville. If you have any passion at all, the VFR.
If you have too much soul / passion for a Honda, then the BMWs tick most of your boxes.
Then again, what do I know - I ride a Buell!
Actually, the Buell Ulyses would work - belt drive so it has the advantages of a shaft drive BM (no chain to adjust, no yukkie chain lube to deal with). 1,200 cc with hard luggage, enough torque to pull your arms out of their sockets, good visibility in traffic etc etc. Left field choice perhaps, but don't dismiss it without taking a test ride.
Dave
rsv gone! said:
Budget would be good.
If you're looking at new bikes, what about the BMW 800GS (or is that GS800?) Supposed to be a cracking bike with very good fuel economy. Only downside over other Beemers - no shaft drive.
The styling is a personal thing. (I like thm)
Budget is about 3k, but if I can arrange finance perhaps 10kIf you're looking at new bikes, what about the BMW 800GS (or is that GS800?) Supposed to be a cracking bike with very good fuel economy. Only downside over other Beemers - no shaft drive.
The styling is a personal thing. (I like thm)
Edited by rsv gone! on Wednesday 23 July 19:45
I was thinking of a bmw k1200. I'd like something a bit sporty that I could noon around on on the weekends.
preferably not chain drive and with nice long service intervals
mojitomax said:
Budget is about 3k, but if I can arrange finance perhaps 10k
I was thinking of a bmw k1200. I'd like something a bit sporty that I could noon around on on the weekends.
preferably not chain drive and with nice long service intervals
BMW R1200RT, no question - I do 200 miles a day on one - heated grips, heated seat, cruise control, huge screen so you can ride visor up in totally still air at 100+ cough cough... and a stereo if you want!I was thinking of a bmw k1200. I'd like something a bit sporty that I could noon around on on the weekends.
preferably not chain drive and with nice long service intervals
Best bike I have ever owned by a long long way!
I have a F800S and think it's pretty much spot on as a commuter, I do a bit of motorway where its pretty stable and will cruise comfortably at fast speeds, its a sporty bike but is very comfy as well. In town and filtering it's excellent, really manouverable and flickable.
Belt drive is smooth and something you don't need to think about for 25k +. Of course things like heated grips and trip computers are handy and the fuel consupmtion is great. I don't hang about and I'll get an average of 50 mpg plus. On fast motorway trips I'll easily get over 200 miles out of a tank.
Get yourself a test drive... pretty sure you can pick one up for around £4,000 - £5,000.
Belt drive is smooth and something you don't need to think about for 25k +. Of course things like heated grips and trip computers are handy and the fuel consupmtion is great. I don't hang about and I'll get an average of 50 mpg plus. On fast motorway trips I'll easily get over 200 miles out of a tank.
Get yourself a test drive... pretty sure you can pick one up for around £4,000 - £5,000.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff