Need a new commuter

[Squircle]

My 2011 CBF125 was written off just before Christmas (guy on phone not looking) and once I get the payout I need to get a replacement fairly sharpish. I bought the bike new and rode it every day to and from work for the last year and a half.

My budget would be between £2-3000 (just for the bike). However I am perfectly happy to spend less if there is something worth considering.

I could replace it with another CBF but now I've owned one I kinda fancy something different. Also, after passing my full test this July I bought a Street Triple that I use for sunny weekends and after riding that I found the CBF a bit lacking in power. I could travel to work on the motorway but because the 125 wasn't powerful enough I tended to use the A roads which took a bit longer.

Good MPG is important so 125s are obviously an option but I'm wondering if there is anything second hand that I'm not considering? My mileage is roughtly 5000 per annum. Something that could accomodate a topbox or panniers would be useful too. I'm fairly short so tall bikes aren't really suitable, and whatever I get has to be at home filtering through Manchester city centre.

Thanks!
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Current: Triumph Street Triple ABS (2016)
Honda NX700x (2013)

[P.]

Varadero.

I cannot praise mine enough.

[barrkel]

Consider a 250cc class scooter - my SH300 is huge fun filtering, fast acceleration to urban speeds - beats most unsuspecting big bikes, tops out at 85+ mph so fine on the motorway, but still economical.
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[Rogerborg]

Buy my GPz305.
____________________
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

[Squircle]

[esullivan]

If you can stretch your budget at all, the Honda NC700 (S or X) might be an option. It gets good mileage, is a breeze to ride and can handle the motorways. I'm loving mine. The faux petrol tank/storage thing in front makes it like having a scooter, but it also has the road presence of a big bike and can take a large, motorcycle-sized top box (mine takes two full-faced lids).

The downsides of mine is that it's a naked (nothing but a tiny screen) and a bit uncomfortable at 80mph or above, which I do rarely anyway (passing a lorry or something). The range isn't fabulous, either. It's got a 14-litre tank and I need to fill it up every 150-160 miles of rush-hour urban commuting (instead of the 200 miles I was getting on my CBF125), although it will apparently do well over 200 miles on motorways/A roads.

Through the heavy traffic, I'm getting mpg in the 70s. I'm told 80s are the norm when traffic is moving, but I've not tested this yet. (I've literally never ridden my bike outside of Greater London. Sigh.)

It's a low revving engine, with the power band nearer the bottom end, so some people used to sports bikes have trouble adjusting to the riding style, apparently. You basically shift up early and don't need to shift down for acceleration. Going from 30 to 60 is a twist of the wrist and the bike does it promptly, but when starting from 0mph, you'll find yourself shifting to second earlier than you would on a more conventional engine.

I'm 5'9" and have both feet firmly planted on the floor, with knees bent. This is on S. The X is a bit higher.

Hope that helps!
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[P.]

[Ribenapigeon]

You could look at the new ninja 300 it gets good reviews.

There was a really good review of second hand BMW f650's in Ride magazine. If i ever pass my test i would be tempted by one of those.

Or go mental on a KTM 390

I think theres a YBR250 as well

I wish I had your problem really. Half the reason I want a bike licence is so i can legitimatly fantasise about which bikes i would like.

[Diddylord]

how about either a honda cbf500 or cb 500, well within your budget,
I get around 200 miles out of a tank on my cbf and around 60MPG.

[Squircle]

[Squircle]

[Squircle]

[P.]

Price highest first.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=ybr250&_sop=16

[tom_m]

id say a ybr 250. i have a 125 one and i cannot fault it at all. cant say anything about the 250 though as i have never been on one, but im sure you could arrange a test ride somewhere? with it being a 250 running costs should be low too.
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Current: 2005 Kawasaki Er-5 C5P
Past: 2012 Yamaha Ybr 125, 2004 Yamaha Neos 50, 1994 Suzuki Gn 125, 2005 Aprilia Sportcity 125, 1988 Yamaha Tzr 125
Theory: Passed... Mod 1: Passed 22/08/12 Mod 2: Passed 22/10/12

[Squircle]

[Squircle]

Here it is:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-61-YAMAHA-YBR-YBR-250-33BHP-LEGAL-/370719247642?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item565096cd1a
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Current: Triumph Street Triple ABS (2016)
Honda NX700x (2013)

[Squircle]

Also this:

https://www.motorcyclesforsaleuk.co.uk/bike543/usedmotorcyclesfor-sale/ktm/125/duke-125-cc.aspx
____________________
Current: Triumph Street Triple ABS (2016)
Honda NX700x (2013)

[trikeschick]

Buy my Honda Hornet
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"Light travels faster than the speed of sound, which is why some people appear bright until they speak"

[Squircle]

I'm going for a 2006 cbf500 with abs. 4k on the clock. I know the running costs will be a bit higher but I'll be able to travel to work on the motorway rather than the A roads.

Thanks for all the advice guys!
____________________
Current: Triumph Street Triple ABS (2016)
Honda NX700x (2013)

[P.]

[cromwell]

YBR 125 seemed to have an aversion to petrol, it ran and ran. Good in cities and towns, might not fit if you travel longer distances.
____________________
"unbelievable"
Current - Suzuki Bandit 600
Ex's - Yamaha YBR 125

[Squircle]

[Diddylord]

Tidy looking bike, couple of years newer than mine.

hope you enjoy it, would be interesting to here how it compares to the street triple as there a bike I've been looking to change to if i got rid of my 500.

[dave666]

I was going to change my hornet 900 for a cbf500 but the MPG doesn't seem to be much different (about 7 mpg)...so my advice...get a hornet 900 and twist the throttle

[Squircle]