Long distance Uber-commuter suggestions..

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Okay so I've been looking at moving recently and the property / area I like is approx 70 miles away from my Mon-Fri office job resulting in a possible commute of ~140 miles to and from that Lahnden.

Each journey will comprise:

40+ miles will be 3 lane Motorway, constant 80-90mph Min. speed.

12 miles will be dual carriageway 50 & 70 limits, often busy so lane splitting required.

The remainder is City riding so mixture of town roads and traffic lights etc.

I was originally thinking CBR1100XX Blackbird for the fairing cruise-ability but they are expensive and a bit thirsty and TBH quite lardy. Also considered was the GSXR1000 (early 00's) but there's a lot of shite out there and do they last?

So, alternative suggestions please. I need at least a 140 mile tank range and something that will be okay to service at home.

[edit] Budget = £1500 - £2k maximum.
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Paulington · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Karma :

Fuel is going to rape you, seems a bad idea moving that far away. Even if you get 40mpg (probably pushing it on some bigger bikes) it will cost you:

140*5 = 700 miles.

At 40mpg that's 17.5 gallons = 80 litres.

80 * 1.40 = £112 per week.

That's £5500 a year, which will end up more due to fuel price increases (like the 5p increase later this year). Seems like a lot to move? I hope work pays your fuel. Laughing

!

As for bikes, a GSX-R1000 will likely do it, I enjoy 'commuting' on mine and so does G I believe? Ideally you want something that's comfy and can sit at the speeds you want so a big lump beneath you would be nice and beneficial.

What is your budget? Might help. Thumbs Up

!
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Hairy Ben · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

Have you considered one of the 'mega' scooters? A T-max, Silverwing or big Burgman? They'd happily do all you've listed with the minimum of fuss and more comfort/weather protection than most bikes. Smile

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Blackwolf · Burgerfist Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Karma :

Cant believe im going to say this.. But a TDM or a Bimmer?
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Atomic Punk · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Karma :

You'd be better of getting the train for that sort of journey I'm afraid
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garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

My ZX9R does all of that. And they're cheap. And quick.

Either that or get something boring. ER6F, Versys etc.

-edit, not for 2k you won't.

600 Fazer? Got mine for £900 and it did everything perfectly, went quite well too.

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

OP updated with budget.

^^^^

I used to do distance on a ZX9R E model. The bike suffered a bit with corrosion on wheels and rear pegs really easily and ran F.Hot in summer... Good headlight though. Thumbs Up

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Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Shaane · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Karma :

There isn't a definative answer really, It depends on what your comfortable with, I commute to Portsmouth from Telford every week at the minute which is about 205 miles each way. I do it on a 636 Ninja and it does everything I want it to, albeit sometimes a bit thirsty. Comfort aswell depends on the rider, I can sit on the ninja for hours where as when I lent it my dad whos slightly taller/heavier he complained about the position and pressure on his wrists. From a full tank to the brim if I just ride it calmly the feul light comes on at about 130 so would have your 140 mile tank capacity.
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Hairy Ben · Scooby Slapper Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Shaane · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

IMO you really are better getting the train, Also spending 2k on a bike you intend to do 30k+ miles a year on doesn't seem right to me. Personally I would buy a BWM GS, of if you haven't got the cash, a Versys/TDM.

Fuel economy should be everything, I would rule our a ZX9 based purely on tank range and MPG.

Speak to Sickpup about the costs of running a bike for 30k miles a year, the costs will be extortionate, far more than a train ticket. Fuel/Tires/ servicing. I think you are kidding yourself a bit here.
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Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Hmmm, for the second time in as many days I find myself recommending one of these: BMW R1100S, Which will tick all of the boxes you asked for, and is easily home serviceable. You will find a few that just about sneak under your £2k limit if you look around.
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Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Agreed a Versys makes uber much more sense than a ZX9R, but it still does tick all his boxes. Wink

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-Versys-Black-SOLD-/261003653718?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3cc507b256

I know it's sold, but still. My old versys was ridiculously good on fuel. 60+mpg even being a tit.

Slipstreaming a car it did an indicated 132 once. Laughing

Was just a bit too sensible for me.

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Gazza M · Crazy Courier Joined: 19 Nov 2010 Karma :

i'm gonna throw in a curveball. gpz500?done the run from basingstoke to london/cambridge a few times on it, so 50/110 miles.

wind protection is ok, not really had much experience with much else!
cheap to buy
easy to service
sit comfortably at 80-90 all day
180-200 mile tank range
economical!

i can manage a good 70-75mpg since i sorted out the carbs. so:

700-ish miles per week @ £1.40/litre(£6.36/gallon)
9p /mile at 70mpg -> ~£64/week, just over 3 grand in petrol for the year.

who knows.
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