Recommend me a cheapo bike to commute on...

[Carrera2]

I'm trying to keep the miles of the Ducati but am starting to hate using the train more and more and it makes complete sense to get a cheap £1-£2k bike to thrap into work and back.

I've got a narrow gap to get through at home between the garage and where I'd keep the bike so I need a pretty good lock (as in steering) and a supermoto style quite appeals.

I've tried to look on biketrader but as I'm not upto date on the models of non sports bikes it makes it a bit tricky!

It's about a 25 mile commute into Central London, no motorways and something that's fun/different is needed (ie I don't want a bandit/hornet).

Any suggestions?

[Carrera2]

verysideways said:

How about something like a TDM850 or a Super Tenere? Or an Africa Twin?

Sounds good - I'll take a look - cheers.

black-k1 said:

f650

Are they really in that price bracket now? Blimey!

How about something like a Drz-400 that I've jsut seen? Do you reckon that would do the job?

[Carrera2]

The problem with sports bikes and the gap is the turning circle. Well it certianly is on mine that has an enormous turning circle.

Fazer/hornet/bandit/sv etc are all great bikes to commute on I'm sure but I wouldn't get excited about riding it as it would be a tad too normal and I'd want to be on the duc instead. A supermoto style thing would be significantly different to warrant a 2nd bike (in my mind).

The F650 looks good so far - I'm going to look at dommy prices now.....if thats what a dominator is..

[Carrera2]

They do look good too!

Right I'll test the gap this weekend with a mates aprillia supermoto type thing and then i'll be in a better position to judge.

Thanks for the suggestions guys - any more for any more?

[Carrera2]

biker's nemesis said:

Had a KTM LC4 Supermoto 3 years ago. Great fun at the weekend and ok for my 30 mile round trip to work.

Tank range was about 75 to 80 miles.

Sounds ideal - might be a touch over budget though knowing KTMs - I'll certainly take a look though

[Carrera2]

6x6 said:

ER5. The mrs has one and I ride it to work from time to time.

I have two other 100hp machines and riding this thing is just such a giggle because you can absolutely wring its neck. The handling is great (relatively) and totally forgiving so you can take complete liberties. It's also bomb proof and great around town.

Keep it clean though or it will dissolve before your eyes!

I want something different and exciting though. The ER5 is neither I'm afraid.

[Carrera2]

6x6 said:

Carrera2 said:

6x6 said:

ER5. The mrs has one and I ride it to work from time to time.

I have two other 100hp machines and riding this thing is just such a giggle because you can absolutely wring its neck. The handling is great (relatively) and totally forgiving so you can take complete liberties. It's also bomb proof and great around town.

Keep it clean though or it will dissolve before your eyes!

I want something different and exciting though. The ER5 is neither I'm afraid.

You said cheapo bike to commute on. Besides, just how much excitement do you want on a dank dark February evening trying to get home from work in the peeing rain?

Anyway, it's not what you got, it's the way you ride it. I find getting every last ounce of performance out of the ER just as rewarding as a thrash on the CBR

To be fair I didn't catch the last line of the original post - but if you think there's no fun to be had on bikes like this you are lost, my son!

Edited by 6x6 on Friday 23 February 08:53

Fair enough - I still don't want one though If I buy a 2nd bike it'll be something that I actually want rather than something that makes sense if you see what I mean.

I look at a supermoto and I want to ride it. I look at an ER-5 and want to push it over.