Londoner looking for ideas for a commuter,dual/enduro?

[directorfilms]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a motorbike for a 20 mile round commute 4 days a week, and for my days off riding around for pleasure. I think 125cc is a bit weak and i have my full License so all options are available. I definitely want reliability, for it to start every morning, and decent enough MPG would be good.Budget is around £4000

I am just under 13 stone and 6'2" tall. the commute would right into central london. I love the look of supermotos/enduros like the yamaha xt660x and suzuki drz 4000 (I've heard the latter is too small for my height) and have seen some other kind of bikes that seem suitable, like the kawasaki versys, and ahem...the triumph tiger..but that is way above my budget.

I don't want a scooter or a Pizza hut bike lol!

[arry]

How about a 250 and get a brand new Suzuki Inazuma with change?

NC700's can be had for your budget with little miles, have the reliability, have enough power, handle ok by the sounds of it, and have the under-false-tank storage to make things a bit easier?

KTM Duke 390?

[MC]

XT660 has the same engine as the MT-03, and I only get 40mpg around town, 90 miles before the fuel light comes on. Its not a smooth engine either, anything below 25ish & its really jerky, lots of torque tho which's fun.

Drz's are IMO really overpriced, but tick a lot of boxes. As you have a full license I'd get down to a dealer & go for a few test rides. MAYBE try a Honda CRF250M, only 23bhp so might be a bit under-powered, but economical. 3.5k new and used bikes are already coming up (saw one with 2,000 miles for 2k).
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[directorfilms]

Thanks MC:

the Suzuki Inazuma seems a little underpowered, i only say that because i passed my test on a suzuki glades and that felt about right but i could go lower i suppose. Because of my height i don't want a bike that I'm all curled up on, id say i prefer more of an upright position.

The NC700's look pretty good thank, love the storage on that!

KTM Duke 390 seems really good, but are they reliable?

Thanks ARRY:

40mpg! wow that is low isn't it, thanks for sharing mate.
Do you think id be too tall for the DRZ400? they do seem a bit overpriced i have to say.
The CRF250m looks great also.

SO far these are my favorites: KTM Duke 390, CRF250m, NC700

what do you guys think of the Kawazaki versys 650?

[MC]

Got us the wrong way round, but your welcome Don't see how you would be too tall for a DRZ (they're big bikes), you'd need to sit on one, or if you want an idea of riding position this sites a good guide (not always 100% accurate tho).

Not sure about the KTM 390, the littler Dukes (125/200) have a really bad reputation reliability wise. No idea about the Versys, think they're quite highly rated.
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[directorfilms]

[Rogerborg]

People do ask mental money for the DRZ400.

If you want a bike that's got offroad looks, but 70mpg+ and good road manners, how about an F/G650GS? Even at a dealer, £4K will get you a 2012 Sertao ABS model with 10,000 miles.

There's also the G650 'X' bikes, including the Xmoto. They're lighter and a bit more powerful than the GS branded bikes if you can find one. Unfortunately as they didn't come with that "GS" badge, they're like rocking horse poo.
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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

[directorfilms]

ROGERBORG

The BMW does look pretty sweet, but i think for parts etc it might be to expensive for me. looked on autotrader and you are right about the cost, the supermoto versions look awesome

[passifid]

you want good mpg around town
upright
xmoto

well you could think aout the CRF250m i'm sure you could knock a dealer down from 4.3k to 4k new (but second hand is the way)

its on'y a 250 though but it would get good mpg around town and has the looks if you're commuting around london.
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CBT: 10/2011 | Theory:6/2012 | MOD1: 8/2012

[P.addy]

CCM 604/CCM 644

Bit bigger, more oomph.

Rest of the money needs to be spent on an Almax or 3

[Amber Phoenix]