M1 - Camden commute.. What Bike k1300S? KTM 990 Adv.. Help!

[MAC87]

Hi all,

Firstly apologies for those that hate the 'what bike topics', I have read and read but need to make a decision soon.

Looking for a bike to use most of the year to commute down the M1 and into Camden 28 miles each way, mix of b roads, motorway, and town.

The tricky part is the journey captures all bike genres, faired big bikes for motorway v smaller naked for city, I need a do it all and as a bonus I would use the bike for longer weekend jaunts.

Bike parked safely at each end, so theft element hugely reduced.

4-5k Budget - Do not want anything too dull as I would like to look forward to jumping on bike to go to work etc.

Thoughts so far on two bikes I like both Ulez compliant:
BMW K1300S --- Faired bike, comfortable, perhaps too big once you hit London rush hour? high maintenance costs? but better bike than k1200S.
KTM 990 Adv --- Upright position, fun factor, big screen, high position for looking ahead.

I seam to be stuck between sport tourer and adventure hard to take a leap of faith on which would suit me best as obviously cant ride my route on said bike before committing so any thoughts would be great...

[black-k1]

I commuted for 6 years/over 100,000 miles on two K1300Ss. That was from rural Suffolk to central London. While not as easy to get through the gaps as a small stop thru it was way better than any adventure bike because the mirrors folded easily making it comparatively narrow. Comfort was excellent, weather protection was pretty good, performance was superb and fuel economy (50mpg - 200 miles to a tank) was great. Put some HIDs in the headlights and commuting in the dark is not an issue.

[MAC87]

Cant get a more comprehensive review than that! Thanks! Have you moved on from 1300's and if so what do you use now? did you ride through winter months on them?

Most are out of BMW warranty now, bad idea to run one out of warranty period?

[anonymous-user]

Tough one. I've had 950s, 990s, a k1200s, etc.

The 990 ADV shines as an dual sport and is even better than you could imagine off-road. But it's definitely a little compromised on pure tarmac. The 1190s are much better road machines.

The k1200 was lovely, although financial suicide out of warranty. Although the k1300 addresses much of the issues.

For someone not going to set a wheel off-road, I'd go for the K13.

Or, look at an SM-T 990. I'd take that over a K1300 for a commuter.

[black-k1]

You can still get the BMW extended warranty on some of the later K1300Ss.

I didn't commute during the depths of winter as Suffolk rural roads don't get treated.

I currently run a Kawasaki H2 SX SE.

[Jag_NE]

I’d say a VFR. It’s a good all rounder and as you are going to pile the miles on it, Honda quality will be useful.

[Krikkit]

Jag_NE said:

I’d say a VFR. It’s a good all rounder and as you are going to pile the miles on it, Honda quality will be useful.

They also do the Crossrunner which has a VFR engine which sounds like a good commuter. Not the best looker but practicality wins here.

[jhoneyball]

black-k1 said:

You can still get the BMW extended warranty on some of the later K1300Ss.

I didn't commute during the depths of winter as Suffolk rural roads don't get treated.

I currently run a Kawasaki H2 SX SE.

I still have BMW extended warranty on my 2009 K1300S

Fantastic bike. Have ridden into london numerous times.

Would probably prefer something slimmer and lighter for more aggressive london traffic -- my old F800 would do fine

[mickymellon1]

its not big miles so pick the bike you want = anything within the ULEZ time frame, I'd go with KTM 690 SMCR if secure at both ends

[A993LAD]

I do a similar commute every day in terms of Road type with about 30 miles on the A3 dual carriageway and then congested London roads across Putney Bridge and across town to Paddington.

One thing I would advise checking is the handlebar and mirror width of any bike you are considering.

I currently ride a VFR 1200 and it's fantastic on the dual carriageway but I thought it might be nice to have a lighter more nimble bike for the the city riding.

My current bike has the dct gearbox which is fantastic in traffic and I highly recommend it. Twist and go with no worrying about Gear selection or clutch work.

For a lighter bike I was considering the Honda nc750 again with the dct box. But the real surprise for me was the handlebars are significantly wider and sit higher along with mirrors that you can't fold in.

I actually followed an NC 750 through town last week and he was holding me up because every time he got to a narrow gap in traffic whilst filtering he was having to stop and dip his handlebars down and negotiate his handlebars carefully under van mirrors and things like that. These were gaps that I could just ride straight through with my vfr1200 and if the gaps look even slightly tight you just reach up and fold the mirrors in whilst going through small gaps.

So I have now decided I might as well stick with the bike I've got and and it's not absolutely huge or difficult to get through traffic.

If you are considering a k1300s for a London commute I would definitely look at the VFR 1200 with the dct gearbox. They are great bikes and you will really enjoy it on the dual carriageway bit and I reckon it would be better in traffic than the BMW.

They are also very cheap to buy and quite good quality construction.

Anyway good luck with your selection