Commuter Bike Needed

[Bubbs]

In need of a comfortable commuter bike to keep me comfortable on my 80mile ride every day.

I'm currently riding a ZX6R and it's just too uncomfortable. It's fun on the weekends, but I'm a short arse at 5'7" and find my shortness is causing me to have to lean forward more, and is just not practical for my needs.

I do want a nice sporty bike but unfortunately this idea will have to be parked until I can afford to run a spare

So here are my requirements:



> A bike that is quick enough to overtake most lines of traffic as I commute on the A40 and there are loads of lorries/tractors/slow moving vehicles that slow down lots of traffic on the commute.

> Comfortable sitting position, and handlebar position

> Decent wind protection, preferably a full fairing.

> Looks aren't that important, (would love it to look the dogs but it's unrealistic).

> A bike that will sit comfortably at 80mph. Don't need to go much faster than that.

> As good on petrol as the Ninja but prefer better consumption.

> Insurance isn't a bother really as long as it's not more than my current bike.



I was looking at a Divvy which seems to match most of my requirements but would like a selection.

are there any others?

Hope you guys can advise me on a good option
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[N cee thirty]

fzs fazer 600
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[angryjonny]

I bought a Fazer 6 when I commuted by bike because it was what most of the couriers seemed to use - I thought that was a good yardstick to go by. Didn't regret it.

[DrDonnyBrago]

What part of the 6r do you find uncomfortable?




As sports bikes go it is already more tame than the newer generation of track focussed back breakers. A set of bar risers might sort it out and even though they aren't cheap, they are probably less expensive than sorting out the unknown issues that every "new to you" 2nd hand bike seems to have and you get to keep your sports bike for fun at the weekend.


Other bikes are anything a bit more upright with a screen/half fairing/fairing - i.e. bandit 6, fazer, hornet, VFR, Divvy 6/9, ER6 etc.

[Bubbs]

[shereen]

Kawasaki ER6? Whats your budget?
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"The Internet is the first thing that humanity has built that humanity doesn't understand, the largest experiment in anarchy that we have ever had"

[moppy]

ZZR 600? Mammoth fairing that keeps the weather off you nicely, 50mpg, 100bhp, big comfy seat, not upright, but comfortable for long distances.

The size of the damn thing laughs at crosswinds etc and will happily sat at 80mph all day long.

Not as cheap as they were when I bought one, but might be able to find one.

Edit: I mean the older ones btw, google images throws up some spiky sharp looking sports bikes for ZZR600 as well. I mean the more wallowy sofa looking ones.

[DrDonnyBrago]

Fair enough, how about something like a Fazer 1000?

Plenty of stink for 2 up riding but an upright position for your commute.

I tend to find big nakeds far cheaper to insure than my CBR6. I suspect it may not be as good on fuel/tyres/chains though.

[garth]

A fazer or a Versys, from personal experience, are both good choices.

The fazer is cheaper, and goes quicker, the Versys is better on fuel etc.

[Cadbury]

Another vote for fzs fazer 600. I've got a 1st gen model, And does everything you need.
In order of your requirements:

>Roll on acceleration at motorway overtake speeds is perfectly adequate
>I'm quite a bit taller than you (6'1") and the standard screen is fine, and the fairing keeps off most of the worst weather.
> Again, I am a bit taller, and its fine for me, but you could adjust the handlebars angle etc to suite most rider heights/ arm lengths.
> Looks of the first gen aren't to everyone's taste. From the back it does look pretty good, the front can look a little.... chunky...
> Yes, it will do 80mph without really breaking a sweat (or so i'm told...)
> I easily get 50+MPG, even with spirited riding.
> Insurance for me is £240 TPFT (27, new rider, no NCB)

[Bubbs]

[garth]

I downgeared my gen 1 and it would still indicate just over 140.

Inlet rubbers perish. Pillion pegs are high. Standard exhausts are mild steel. Headlights are shit. Tank range is good.

I might buy another.

[N cee thirty]

usually get 65mpg out of my fazer,guy on the fazer forum got 71mpg somehow!
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[MarJay]

Bike mag did a little column this month about comfortable bikes. On the list (from memory) were:

BMW F800S
Kawasaki Versys
ZRX1200S (half faired one)
Fazer

can't remember the rest.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[panrider_uk]

Deauville, Pan Euro?

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[0l0dom0l0]

Another vote for the Fazer.

I'm about to sell mine, 2002 12.5k miles in silver. Good condition all round and stuff.

Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you more info.
____________________
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.

[garth]

[Bubbs]

[0l0dom0l0]

Can't swap.... Sorry got 4 bikes atm and need to get rid.

Was going up for £2200 as the market is fairly reasonable atm.

Yours for £2k.
____________________
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.

[Bubbs]

[0l0dom0l0]

Message me if/when you do and I'll let you know if I've still got it.
____________________
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.

[Bubbs]

[sidewinder]

vfr750/800 maybe?

[neatbik]

Triumph Sprint 955?
VFR 800?

Or if you want real comfort then maybe a BMW R1100gs?
(That last one might be real wildcard, but i'm throwing it in there anyway..)

[J.M.]

To be honest, I think that my GS500F matches what you've said there pretty much.

Fully faired (probably would want a double-bubble/touring screen though), comfortable riding position, holds an easy 80 when restricted (which I am) and will happily but gradually creep up to 100ish. 110 if you're lucky.

Not sure about fuel consumption, but with me thrashing it and sitting at an average of 90-100mph on a long journey, I managed to get 220 miles out of the tank + reserve. Costs about £24 to fill up if I remember correctly, I don't really look.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900