Another which bike sorry

[Sid_The_Sloth]

So I'm preparing to do my tests son as I've just passed my theory. I'm now looking at which bike to get. I was contemplating a Honda NC700x but don't think getting a brand new bike will be the best of ideas.
I am very intrueged by cruisers but will obviously need to test them before knowing if I like them or not. So I'm still looking for other bikes too. I'm not interested by sports bikes, not even slightly. I do have a semi bad back too so a comfortable riding position is a must.
Can you give me the names of good commuters and possibly some cheap-ish tourers. I'd need something thats not gonna cost me rediculous amounts to insure, I'm only 23 and don't have a car license. Plus it needs to be comfortable enough for long ish journeys. Done 170 miles on my ybr 1 day and by christ i hurt later that night!

[dungbug]

Look at a 535 Virago, pretty cheap to insure and should be fine for commuting.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Yamaha/Yamaha-XV535-Virago--1988--2004/

Best of luck with your tests.
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CBT: Pass 25/06/2011 Theory Test: Pass12/06/2012 Mod 1: Fail 08/07/2012
Mod 1 Retest: Pass 15/0702012 Mod 2: Pass 03/08/2012
Suzuki GN125 (Sold) ~ Current bike: Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat

[harscot]

Honda 650 Deauville might suit your needs, not everyone on here will agree , I own one and there comfy and bullet proof, with built on panniers and a 200 mile tank range ( if your kind to it that is, 150 if you thrash it all the time ) also pillion frendly as well.
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First bike R reg Suzuki 125 GT twin in 1978:
2nd bike X reg Honda 650 Deauville in 2011:
Wish bike a Triumph Thunderbird: Dream bike Triumph Rocket........

[Sid_The_Sloth]

Not quite sure what I think of the Virago, think I'd need to see it in person.
I'm quite liking the Deauville though, but I suspect insurance might be a pain

[Rogerborg]

Dullsvilles are aimed at and likely to be ridden by conscientious, safe riders - insurers should love them.
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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

[Nick 50]

How about a Honda VT Shadow?

Honda VT600

Honda VT750

MCN states that the 750 is Ins. group 10 whereas the 600 is group 11.

+1 for what Roger has said.

At a guess I reckon the Honda Deauville will be cheaper to insure than a middleweight cruiser.

You can pick up an early 00's one with low mileage for a decent price. It won't tear a track up but is a well regarded road bike with a lot to offer.
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[Zen Dog]

Any of the middleweight commuters sound like they fit the bill (CB500, ER-5, GS500, GPZ500, 600 Diversion). Cheap, comfy (fit a screen for even more comfort), good on insurance. If you want to spend a bit more then the Deauville fits the brief too.

Cruisers SHOULD be comfy, but in many cases they actually aren't, due to riding position mainly. Still, you should try to have a sit on anything you're considering (and imagine it with 60mph windblast), and see how you feel.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, '11 600 Hornet - Previous - '11 CBF125, '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[EazyDuz]

If the virago looks too thin for you, get a Dragstar 650.
This is my Virago 535:

https://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/Kurt_V/KGrHqNHJFYE916ciPBPnTe3ygig60_3-1.jpg
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[Sid_The_Sloth]

That does look pretty nice, but like i say i think I'd have to see them in person to decide.

[Teflon-Mike]

Oh Dear, your OPENLY Cruiser-Curiouse....
OK, pretty wide remit; a relatively 'cheap' to run, non-sports bike...
Relatively speaking cheap could be anything from a couple of hundred quid, to tens of thousands.
And you say you don't have a car licence, implying its every day sole means of transport, but aren't explicit.
Do we presume daily, all weather commuting? What sort of distances?
Longer runs? Do we imagine a couple of hundred miles to and from a rally venue loaded with pillion & luggage, or three days in the saddle cranking up a couple of miles, 'touring' or even more, transcontinental holidays, perhaps?
Whats 'reasonable' on running costs? Is fuel consumption a biggie? OR Maintenance? DIY or franchise dealer?

Stepping up from a YBR; The commuter-Twins suggest themselves as a promising stepping stone, but still plenty to choose from.

Especially if it's got to be 33bhp Restricted?

But if you want to do longer 'tours' especially two-up, then the grunt of a tamer 'four' might be worth while.

SO, the usual suspects to chuck into the running:-

Kawasaki ER5, Suzuki GS500, if SV650 or GPz500S 'too' sporty. Honda CB500, the Dulsiville. Going older, NTV650. Possibly a Ducati M600, BMW F650, or older still, BMW R80, or a Guzzi V50/650.

Fair choice of shaft & chain drive in there.

Fours: Kawasaki GT550 / GT750 shafties, old but tough. 550/750 Zephyr. Blandit 6, Divvy 6, CB750F2.

Then into the cruisers, with 535 Virago favourite first cruiser; Honda Shaddow a close second, but some of the Suzuki' Savage & Marauder's offering interesting alternative.

Need to tie down the scope to offer better suggestions; or you just need to get out there, see whats on offer, and weigh up the pro's and cons, and decide what you like.
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Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Sid_The_Sloth]

I am indeed openly admitting the Cruiser-curiosity, sat on a few and loved the feeling... XVS125 and VT750... both extremely comfortable.

My main riding is a 10 mile trip to work and then back, however do a lot of random riding too. Would like to be able to take longer trips and not feel rediculously sore by the end of it. The odd trip from Edinburgh-ish to Leicester region would be on the cards too. And yes you are correct I use the bike as sole transport and in all weather.

I have decided I'm not a great fan of naked bikes, would like some sort of wind protection. So what ever I get I'd be sticking a screen on it if it didn't already have 1. I am very intrigued by the VT750 and 650 Deaville. I was also thinking a Hornet would be decent as it's essentially a big YBR really.

I'm pretty much staying away from Sports bikes.

Insurance HAS to be under £1000. Fuel economy would be a a big plus due to the fact I do on average 1000 miles per month as it is.

[Slacker24seve...]

CBF600? Not as homosex as a cruiser or Dullville but very reliable, safe and comfortable. I bet you can get hard panniers for them too.
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