Commuting

[Mrjoolz]

Hi all,

Just signed up, as need some advice.

I am looking to purchase a motorbike to commute from Kent into London each day. I have ridden before and therefore am comfortable riding in traffic.

However I have a budget of 2K to spend and am wondering about what to buy. My last couple of bikes were an R1 and GSXR1000K1. I know that I probably would get either for that money (in good condition), and would probably be looking at something more comfortable for the 35 miles each way.

I welcome any advice on what I should start looking for. Have been looking at Hornets, Bandits, but quite like the thought of an ZX-9R but unsure if they are that reliable.

Any thoughts welcome please.

[fiveus]

hello Mrjoolz
How about a tdm 850 my old man swears by his

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/Yamaha/TDM850/1997/_/R-NXGN-2131008?mfy=136.816567

[Mrjoolz]

Hmmm interesting... hadn't thought of those.

[Casper]

70 mile trip per day i would want something more upright but can still put a grin on my face. Bandit would be my first choice and with 2k to play with you can get a good 1200 for that mmoney or the 600 for under a grand and put in a gsx750 engine. If bike is only for work transport then save some cash and just get a GPZ500 or the CB500 as both will sit at speed limits all day and return good MPG.

[Daimo]

Used to do it.
Phazers good (early generation) for commuting.
Bandits great, had mine a few years now (will be up for sale this year if your interested).

ran an SV650S for a fair wihile too, but the tanks small so lots of fillups.

Main things to go for.

Upright
Good weather protection
Big fuel tanks
Reliable and trusted engine

Done Kent to London for 8 years so feel free to ask.

[FBSF]

Or something like the BMW F650? Good on fuel as well, which could be handy given the 70 miles per day.

[Kris]

What part of Kent?

This;

[Mrjoolz]

Hmmm Bandit 1200 may be fun, although would it be too heavy to navigate and filter traffic ?

BMW I would worry about costs of service and parts, as bike wont be new. I would like to perhaps try and get something I could play on some weekends as well.

Thanks for ideas so far, keep em coming .



Joolz
P.S. Travelling in from Maidstone to Farringdon

[Mrjoolz]

Where will you park? Farringdon
What's your route? probably A2, Blackwall and A13 (or up Jamaica Road and over London Bridge)
All year round? Hoping to use all year round, unless thunder storms, or ice
How big an issue is cost? Budget 2K for bike and then I think probably about 50.00 per week for fuel and running costs

Currently paying 350.00 for rail ticket, and trains are always letting me down. Plus I could be home in hour after finishing instead of about 2 and a bit hours.

[c-m]

[AL-]

Another local lad, welcome

[banditjohn]

Hi mate, I've got the 1200 bandit and filter wherever I can and because the centre of gravity is low it doesn't feel heavy. I had a 1050 tiger which was nearly 50kls lighter but felt about 500kls heavier as the weight is a lot higher(got my old bandit back as they hadn't sold it).

[Rogerborg]

Honest question: if you're looking for a £2K commuter bike primarily to save money and get through traffic, then is there a reason that you're not starting with a late model CBF500 / ER-5 / GS500(F) and then talking yourself into something less sensible from there?

I wouldn't mention this if you'd added "hooning around at the weekend" as a use, but if it's just for commuting... uh, commuter bike?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Daimo]

Worst.bikes.to.ride.ever....

He probably wants to get there with at least a tiny tiny amount of fun.

[calyx]

[sickpup]

It's a commuter so either look for a parallel twin 500 or 650.
I would suggest a CB/CBF500 with a Keith Gold box like the ones Addison Lee or Courier Systems use or if you can stretch to it an ER6F or Versys with a top box and rack, preferably a 47litre Givi Simply to store crap in. Any of the 3 will give you 55+mpg but the Kawasaki's have 7500mile service times so less money wasted on that.

[Reppyboyo]

I would say a Versys.

Great commuter and fun on the twisties.
Some cheap ones to be had, keep an eye out.

[teech]

I've got a 10 year old Honda Transalp that cost me 2 grand. Comfy to ride, super reliable, upright and can have a very effective screen. Good mid range too, and I filter all the time with it.

I had a Bandit previously, and to my mind the Transalp is a much better bike all round, especially handling.
____________________
In everyday life good people do good things, bad people do bad things. It takes religion to make a good person do bad things.

[njd27]

[garth]

Versys is a good call, really good on fuel too, yet still fun with it.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Mrjoolz]

Hmm,

I'll look into these. Bandit 1200 could also be fun as weekends, although insurance is going to be a lot higher than a 600cc bike.

Are the Kawasaki KLR 650 any good ? Or too heavy ?

[garth]

Bandit 12 insurance is cheap.

KLR650's are very slow.
____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

[LordShaftesbu...]

[Mrjoolz]

So it could well be either bandit 12, 6 or perhaps a honda hornet ?

[0l0dom0l0]

Bandit, Fazer, Hornet, GS500, CB500, CBR600F, TDM 850 etc
____________________
CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.