25-mile rural commute: Doable on 1,500 ukp bike?

[slowlydoesit]

It looks like I will be moving back to the UK (West Wales) after many years in Japan. I haven't had a proper bike for close to a decade, but I have in the past owned a CBR400RR and a VTR 250 Spada, both nice machines. I still use a Honda Lead 100 scooter for commuting short distances in Tokyo. It looks as if I will have a fair commute for my new job in Wales, about 25 miles one way, so I am looking for a bike for year-round commuting. However, I've been out of the UK scene for a long, long time...

1) The family already has an economical very low-mileage car in excellent condition that the missus uses almost exclusively, so the second vehicle will be for my use only. I have a full Japanese 4-wheel/2-wheel license that should transfer OK to the UK. Already have lid, gloves, waterproofs etc.
2) As a general point I do PREFER riding to driving although I have not commuted year-round in this kind of rural setting in Britain. I did commute 5-6 miles one way in the winter in London on a GS125 and found it manageable.
3) I want to keep cash outlays to a minimum and keep running costs low until I have a feel for the new job. So I'm considering a used bike, budget around 1500 quid, something that generates decent mpg (>50, more if possible). I'm thinking that this is probably cheaper than buying an old (4-wheel) banger that could reliably manage similar MPG.
4) The commuting route would be completely rural, terrain is mostly hilly, consisting of B-roads with some unclassified and A-roads mixed in. The urban element would be very small.
5) I am in my forties, in decent shape but 5'8 so tall bikes might be a struggle. I want a comfortable ride rather than extreme performance - my little NC29 CBR had more than enough get up and go for me.
6) I'm not picky about engines, but I supppose I have a slight preference for an inline four. I remember that I did like my CBR over the Spada.

With the above points in mind I'm thinking along the lines of a SV650/Bandit 600/Fazer 600. I guess the XJ600 Divvy and similar (GS500, GS600F et alia) are also in theory contenders but a more modern bike would be nice.

Q1. Is this the right approach and am I looking for the right kind of bike for my budget? Should I aim to spend less or will I need to fork out a bit more?
Q2. Any "first hand experience" tips on which websites to look at, when, how to find decent bikes, what to avoid? When I last lived in the UK, the paper versions of MCN and Loot where the way to find bikes! Times have changed...

Thanks
Slowly

[Pete.]

50 miles a day is easily doable on any of those you listed. Just pick one that you like an have at it. For reference, I do about that mileage but all in heavy traffic/filtering on my Bandit 6, and I spend about £35 a week in fuel.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[sidewinder]

About the same for me at the moment on a 600 divvy.Fuel spend roughly £40 a week.
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"Nitrous is like a cheap hooker, you want to hit it but are scared of the consequences

[Ingah]

Do a longer commute than that on a CB500. If you're going to consider the GS500 then you should really be adding CB500/GPZ500S/ER-5 to your list.
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-- Ingah

[WetAndCold]

Hi mate, I live in your area I commute to Carmarthen on a yamaha yzf600r I've found it does a really good job at weather protection. After getting caught out in just jeans and a leather jacket 20 miles from home my thighs where a bit damp and the tops of my arms wet. But nothing a cup of tea couldn't sort out. So I would defo recommend something with a fairing. My yam does anywhere from around 50-60mpg depending on how I ride. So decent economy as well
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Honda CBR600f sport
Cage: 2008 Honda Civic type-R

[Cadbury]

I do slightly less mileage - 35 ish mile round trip per day on my Fazer600. I manage the whole week on under £20 of fuel. That is mainly a steady motorway journey though so I realise my MPG is pretty high
Its a fantastic bike for the job. Nice seat, good handlebar rise with an upright(ish) riding position, and plenty of omph for overtakes etc

[cimbian]

What about an XL650V? Nice high position for seeing over the traffic etc. Plenty of torque and will pull up the hills nicely and not fazed by rural roads?

I'm 5'8" but with short legs. I can manage 'as-is' but am fitting a lowering kit to make it easier to find places to stop at lights and junctions etc.
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[harscot]

Hi bud, have a look at the 650 Honda Deauville, a workhorse, comfy, good Mpg, and good weather protection, it won't scare the shit out of you ( unless your insane ) but its got good low down torque and shaft drive ( no messy chains to worry about ) you should get 180 - 200 mls to the tank ( about 19.5 ltrs ) down side is it can feel a bit heavy and cumbersome at times have fun looking
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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........

[SamWise72]

I'm doing a 130 mile round trip on a 125. I reckon you'll be fine

[stinkwheel]

When ridden halfway sensibly, you get pretty good fuel consumption out of a GPZ500.

Look for one made after 1994 (pre '94 ones can develop a serious engine problem), lowest possible mileage and with a Motad Nexxus exhaust already fitted. Check for crash damage on the water pump cover on the front right part of the engine. The later E-models had twin discs on the front which would be dersireable.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Polarbear]

ER6-N, early ones are going for that sort of money, although its not an inline 4 of course. If you really want one of those, a bandit or fazer is easily doable on that money.

We have a w reg carbed Fazer and it's a peach of a bike except for the headlights. If you are doing country roads at night it is utter utter shite.
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Victory Cross Country American tractor.

[Shinigami]

i do pretty much that milage on my 125 every day, so pretty much anything you want should be fine
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[guile]

[slowlydoesit]

Thanks to everybody who has responded with various suggestions for bikes; food for thought. Also it seems that a 50-mile round trip is no big deal if some hardy souls are doing it on CG125s!

Ta
Slowly

[ocatoro]

i live near coldandwet, and i also commute to carmarthen, aberystwyth (both 25-30 miles from me), and further afield to cross hands, llanelli, neath, and st clears.

on a honda h100.

so whatever you get, you'll be ok. you might even have a little fun!

whereabouts will you be moving to?
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CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[slowlydoesit]

Interesting that nobody has mentioned a CBR600F, which was thought a good bike when I last lived in the UK. I think you can get one for sub-2K these days. Is anybody riding one of these?

[slowlydoesit]

[haroman666]

Used to do 40 miles a day on my CBR125. Never had any troubles at all, and I was terrible at regular servicing.

Seriously, I think you'd be fine on pretty much anything 4-stroke. Even 2-stroke you'd be alright I reckon but it's probably not worth it if it does go pop.

Perhaps a 2011 CBR250? You'd likely get really good MPG's and still have enough grunt to hit the highest speed limit and have a little more to get you out of trouble. Only thing is prices are still quite high, and I know insurance can be high on them too.
*edit* missed the £1500 part. Making my suggestion redundant.

Either way I think you'll easily find something like a GS or a Bandit for around that price. (Don't go for the Bandit 400. Lets just say; it has its quirks. You'll need mechanical know how)
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[ocatoro]

ah, not so far away


don't think i've ever heard a bad word about a cbr600f

but from mooching around, it's dearer to insure than it's peers.

theory i have about that is that it's a well known bike with car drivers who then buy one after doing DAS and smash it shortly after.
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CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Shinigami]

a 125 will do any mileage you ask of it as long as you're not bothered about how quickly you do that mileage.

I do a 300 mile round trip every month to Manchester and back on my 125.

However it does take just over 3 1/2 hours
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[DrSnoosnoo]

I wonder if your lid will be legal for UK roads? Over here they have to have the EU standard testing label thingy on them. Was told about it during my training, if the cops pull you and check , not likely, they can do you apparantly.

Thought you should have that in mind!
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[slowlydoesit]

[Polarbear]

[chris-red]

[c_dug]

I can't imagine rural roads on a bike after a coating of snow will be much fun, while I'm almost always an advocate of bikes, I would suggest at least making sure you have a four wheel option for the commute when the weather gets nasty.

I live inside the M25 where pretty much every main road gets a thorough gritting and have still found it bad enough in the past to be unbikeable. Sod 25 miles of ungritted roads. May only be a week or two of the year, but something to think about for sure.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.