Motorbikes for Edinburgh city commute
Discussion
I have been thinking to change my Honda Visio 110 with something a) more stable b) equally comfortable to drive in the city. I can ride any motorbike but I need to consider that the motorbike will be parked and chained in my street. I don't plan to do take the bypass or other high speed roads. Because of all that I want to set my budget to a max £3500. I have been thinking about the following options:
--- Brand new ---
1- Benelli 125cc £1999.00
2- Benelli BN 250cc £2699.00
--- Used---
3- Honda Grom 125cc £2200
4- KTM Duke 390 3,295.00
5 - BMW G310R £3,295
I have been commuting in Edinburgh less than 1 year, so I was wondering if people here would give me a better idea of what kind of bike to go for.
Thanks!
--- Brand new ---
1- Benelli 125cc £1999.00
2- Benelli BN 250cc £2699.00
--- Used---
3- Honda Grom 125cc £2200
4- KTM Duke 390 3,295.00
5 - BMW G310R £3,295
I have been commuting in Edinburgh less than 1 year, so I was wondering if people here would give me a better idea of what kind of bike to go for.
Thanks!
As a commuter you can't go far wrong with a CB125F.
https://usedbikes.honda.co.uk/bike/slug-ljqg4h
They do something like 150mpg and are pretty much bullet proof. The pre-registered new one is comfortably in-budget too.
https://usedbikes.honda.co.uk/bike/slug-ljqg4h
They do something like 150mpg and are pretty much bullet proof. The pre-registered new one is comfortably in-budget too.
I would / did go for the MSX 125 - cheap to buy and parts are cheap and plentiful meaning less likely to get stolen, geared so would confuse scrotes, Honda so should be reliable and not turn to rust and they are fun
mine will pay for itself within the year, after 2 I may consider improving the suspension an after 3 a big bore kit
mine will pay for itself within the year, after 2 I may consider improving the suspension an after 3 a big bore kit
Janluke said:
Do you have somewhere secure to leave it in Edinburgh as it has a terrible reputation for bike theft. Both the Duke 390 and Grom are very desirable theft.
I reckon the Grom makes a great wee city bike
Use of the word wee gives automatic credibility to your response to a Scotland specific question!I reckon the Grom makes a great wee city bike
HughiusMaximus said:
Janluke said:
Do you have somewhere secure to leave it in Edinburgh as it has a terrible reputation for bike theft. Both the Duke 390 and Grom are very desirable theft.
I reckon the Grom makes a great wee city bike
Use of the word wee gives automatic credibility to your response to a Scotland specific question!I reckon the Grom makes a great wee city bike
Is the 125cc Benelli the TNT by any chance?
If it is, I have one of these and use it for the times I have my short 8 mile commute to our main office as well as general messing about duties and my son and missus will both be learning to ride on it as well. I've also used it a couple of times for my 140 mile round trip commute to the other office I work out of when my big bike has been in for a service.
Around town it's perfect, small enough to squeeze through tiny gaps and quick enough to get ahead of traffic from traffic lights etc ...
Not sure on the actual MPG but it us up around 100mpg.
It was even comfy when used for my long commute (2 hours non stop riding each way) and I'm a powerfully built 6'-2" hardnut stair dominator.
But best of all, it's fun to ride, costs peanuts to buy and run and up till now has been totally reliable.
I looked very closely at the Grom before buying the TNT and for me the extra £1800 or so premium for the Grom didn't make sense to me at all.
If it is, I have one of these and use it for the times I have my short 8 mile commute to our main office as well as general messing about duties and my son and missus will both be learning to ride on it as well. I've also used it a couple of times for my 140 mile round trip commute to the other office I work out of when my big bike has been in for a service.
Around town it's perfect, small enough to squeeze through tiny gaps and quick enough to get ahead of traffic from traffic lights etc ...
Not sure on the actual MPG but it us up around 100mpg.
It was even comfy when used for my long commute (2 hours non stop riding each way) and I'm a powerfully built 6'-2" hardnut stair dominator.
But best of all, it's fun to ride, costs peanuts to buy and run and up till now has been totally reliable.
I looked very closely at the Grom before buying the TNT and for me the extra £1800 or so premium for the Grom didn't make sense to me at all.
Janluke said:
Do you have somewhere secure to leave it in Edinburgh as it has a terrible reputation for bike theft. Both the Duke 390 and Grom are very desirable theft.
I reckon the Grom makes a great wee city bike
agreed, I dont think I'd be wanting to leave a bike parked on the street in certain parts of edinburgh. there's been huge issues with pilton neds stealing bikes to play with on the cycle paths, then when bored of them after a few hours or days just setting fire to them....... then just going and finding another bike to steal for the next outing. I reckon the Grom makes a great wee city bike
I would say £3,500 is a big budget commuter bike, on salt, on s
t roads, in a city where bikes can get nicked. Also, no offense but I'd rather be caught riding a sheep than any of your choices.
Being more helpful, for me what sort of dealer support be a question. The nearest KTM garage is Perth, BMW is Dalkeith, and Honda is Cameron Toll. Benelli? Not a clue. I do almost all my own work, but I still stay with the brands I can easily get parts or throw it into for anything I can't handle/be arsed with. Also remember, if you're buying a new bike you'll be needing a manufacturer to service it whilst it's in warranty.
If this is your only bike, engine wise I'd not touch a 125cc or below unless I'd given up on life, I will never be convinced of the merits. I know you're riding in the city but even a slightly larger capacity (broadly speaking) would give you at least the option of a motorway run, offer more weather protection, more stability, more braking, better quality components (usually). You could also enjoy a weekend blast with negligible additional costs if you ever changed your mind.
Ultimately though, you've got a decent budget, make a shortlist, try what you can then buy what you want. Just don't cheap out on the insurance.
All the best.
t roads, in a city where bikes can get nicked. Also, no offense but I'd rather be caught riding a sheep than any of your choices.Being more helpful, for me what sort of dealer support be a question. The nearest KTM garage is Perth, BMW is Dalkeith, and Honda is Cameron Toll. Benelli? Not a clue. I do almost all my own work, but I still stay with the brands I can easily get parts or throw it into for anything I can't handle/be arsed with. Also remember, if you're buying a new bike you'll be needing a manufacturer to service it whilst it's in warranty.
If this is your only bike, engine wise I'd not touch a 125cc or below unless I'd given up on life, I will never be convinced of the merits. I know you're riding in the city but even a slightly larger capacity (broadly speaking) would give you at least the option of a motorway run, offer more weather protection, more stability, more braking, better quality components (usually). You could also enjoy a weekend blast with negligible additional costs if you ever changed your mind.
Ultimately though, you've got a decent budget, make a shortlist, try what you can then buy what you want. Just don't cheap out on the insurance.
All the best.
Janluke said:
Prof Prolapse said:
Being more helpful, for me what sort of dealer support be a question. The nearest KTM garage is Perth, BMW is Dalkeith, and Honda is Cameron Toll.
Saltire are now KTM/Husqvarna dealers
In terms of cost, anything over 150cc jumps from £16 to £42 VEL.
I went from a 125 to a 650 and insurance was the same (for me).
I spent 3 years and 5000 miles commuting on an MSX125 and found it a little too slow, the lights were rubbish, the chain was made of knicker elastic and it didn't keep traffic spray off you. I lost about half the value over the 3 years. Build quality was Thailand, not Japan.
Personally, my SV650S is a little big and uncomfortable for commuting but I had a great deal on it,
As an ideal, I wouldn't go under 250-300cc and over 400cc brings £64 or £88 VEL.
Given commuting is about cheapness, find some offers and buy the cheapest but I can't stress how important good lights and some spray protection behind a fairing or screen can be.
I went from a 125 to a 650 and insurance was the same (for me).
I spent 3 years and 5000 miles commuting on an MSX125 and found it a little too slow, the lights were rubbish, the chain was made of knicker elastic and it didn't keep traffic spray off you. I lost about half the value over the 3 years. Build quality was Thailand, not Japan.
Personally, my SV650S is a little big and uncomfortable for commuting but I had a great deal on it,
As an ideal, I wouldn't go under 250-300cc and over 400cc brings £64 or £88 VEL.
Given commuting is about cheapness, find some offers and buy the cheapest but I can't stress how important good lights and some spray protection behind a fairing or screen can be.
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