Best option for 50 mile commute - mixed roads
Discussion
Afternoon All
I'm a complete 2 wheel virgin here and where better to seek advice than PH on something I know zero about.I currently live in North Essex and work in the City. With what is going on with Covid and having to return back to the office in the near future,I dont fancy the train and I'm seriously considering doing my test and buying a bike to now commute on a bike. My question is what would be a good choice for circa £4k to do the follow commute 3 or 4 times a week:
10 miles B road
10 miles fast A road dual carriageway
25 miles motorway
5 miles of city roads in london
I maybe completly made do this or even considering it but your thoughts would be appreciated.
I'm a complete 2 wheel virgin here and where better to seek advice than PH on something I know zero about.I currently live in North Essex and work in the City. With what is going on with Covid and having to return back to the office in the near future,I dont fancy the train and I'm seriously considering doing my test and buying a bike to now commute on a bike. My question is what would be a good choice for circa £4k to do the follow commute 3 or 4 times a week:
10 miles B road
10 miles fast A road dual carriageway
25 miles motorway
5 miles of city roads in london
I maybe completly made do this or even considering it but your thoughts would be appreciated.
Similar thread here to get started.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As my suggestion on there, big scooter.
Will it be parked in a bay on the street or do you have a space at work?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As my suggestion on there, big scooter.
Will it be parked in a bay on the street or do you have a space at work?
Or this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
eidt: sorry, not in budget!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
eidt: sorry, not in budget!
Edited by lukeyman on Tuesday 12th May 14:37
If its just for commuting on Id give one one of those Piaggo MP3 3 wheeler scooters a try, get the model you can ride a 300cc or 500cc on a car licence, see how you get on. A friend of mine who has 1/2 dozen bikes has one just for commuting, reckons its really practical, especially in winter.
NS400R said:
Honda's NC750 is designed for the job. Half a Jazz engine, 80mpg and has a load space where the tank is. Can also be ordered as an automatic/DCT transmission. A boring but very capable workhorse.
Yeah, this is a good choice,Likely in budget too
edit: check out insurance quotes though, might be silly expensive. Also, those large moped things (400cc etc) are prime thief bait, even at lights
Edited by snagzie on Tuesday 12th May 15:25
Is £4k your budget to get going or just for the bike?
I don't know what it costs to do a test these days but must be at least £600, then you want decent kit for a good daily run like that so say £1,000 and then insurance...... You'll easily be down to £2,000ish for the bike. That's a sensible spend for a first bike that's going to be left laying around London anyway. £2k gets a choice of things that are worthy, reliable and will be in decent condition e.g. 600 Hornets, Deauville (shaft drive is a plus there), CB500 etc. There's a reason I've only listed Hondas too! Buy on condition and mileage rather than age as most bikes don't do that many miles. Obviously you'll need to consider ULEZ if going into the City.
One thing that will get tedious is that you'll be filling up the fuel tank most days.
If I was still working in London I'd be going by bike at the moment though!
I don't know what it costs to do a test these days but must be at least £600, then you want decent kit for a good daily run like that so say £1,000 and then insurance...... You'll easily be down to £2,000ish for the bike. That's a sensible spend for a first bike that's going to be left laying around London anyway. £2k gets a choice of things that are worthy, reliable and will be in decent condition e.g. 600 Hornets, Deauville (shaft drive is a plus there), CB500 etc. There's a reason I've only listed Hondas too! Buy on condition and mileage rather than age as most bikes don't do that many miles. Obviously you'll need to consider ULEZ if going into the City.
One thing that will get tedious is that you'll be filling up the fuel tank most days.
If I was still working in London I'd be going by bike at the moment though!
bogie said:
If its just for commuting on Id give one one of those Piaggo MP3 3 wheeler scooters a try, get the model you can ride a 300cc or 500cc on a car licence, see how you get on. A friend of mine who has 1/2 dozen bikes has one just for commuting, reckons its really practical, especially in winter.
Friend has just bought one. You can ride either on a car licence but the 300 will struggle to get past 70 mph and the 500 is not Congestion Charge exempt (but the 300 is).If you have secure parking then a big scooter would be my choice I think. Failing that.....
ash73 said:
Unless you have secure parking, something cheap and nasty looking that nobody wants to nick.
I'd buy an old CB500, ER6 or SV650 and give it the rat look.
...I'd go with this. I had a CB500 for my first bike, done the job. Light, quick enough and cheap enough that i didn't lose sleep over it getting donked/being used all year round. Plus, no one will look twice at it. I'd still get a big lock though.I'd buy an old CB500, ER6 or SV650 and give it the rat look.
Moulder said:
Friend has just bought one. You can ride either on a car licence but the 300 will struggle to get past 70 mph and the 500 is not Congestion Charge exempt (but the 300 is).
That's interesting - I'm surprised that anything so bike like doesn't need a licence. I've thought about bikes in the past but the thought if the different ratings and tests / licences are just too much of a faff.NS400R said:
Honda's NC750 is designed for the job. Half a Jazz engine, 80mpg and has a load space where the tank is. Can also be ordered as an automatic/DCT transmission. A boring but very capable workhorse.
I had one and completely agree. I once ragged the f
k out of it for a full tank and got the mpg down as low as 67mpg!Having a helmet-sized boot where the tank is is fantastic. But you can lock your keys in it, meaning you have to get your wife to drive to Sainsbury's with the spare and she's really not happy about it.
MHT223 said:
That's interesting - I'm surprised that anything so bike like doesn't need a licence. I've thought about bikes in the past but the thought if the different ratings and tests / licences are just too much of a faff.
I spent about 10 years thinking the same. In the end I just got on with it, from doing the theory to passing my test only took me about a month or so. Granted I am old enough that I could go straight to the full licence so that was easier than if I was young again. MHT223 said:
Moulder said:
Friend has just bought one. You can ride either on a car licence but the 300 will struggle to get past 70 mph and the 500 is not Congestion Charge exempt (but the 300 is).
That's interesting - I'm surprised that anything so bike like doesn't need a licence. I've thought about bikes in the past but the thought if the different ratings and tests / licences are just too much of a faff.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff