Dauville/Divvy... Boringly sensible commuter help!

[ginny]

Ive just finished uni and have been fortunate enough to get a job completely unrelated! Downside being a commute into south London everyday (from Hertfordshire)

I know the most eminently sensible option is a season ticket for the train and tube - BUT - there is a strong possibility some of my job training will be dotted about closer to home - potentially Bishops Stortford/ Cheshunt.

If thats the case, its not likely to be cost effective to get a season ticket, and I might be better to cut my losses and get back on a bike. Even if it were London everyday, running costs of a shaft drive save me 2 grand a year Vs season ticket, i'd be loosing the opportunity for a 30 min chill/book read each way though.

Previous bike- Half faired Honda Hornet 600. Don't need anything more powerful than that (less is fine!), got fed up of being blown about,cold and wet on the hornet, want something more touring oriented but don't need G-force speed. I'd like something with better weather protection, economy and preferably shaft drive (1000+ miles a month). All the while, something that can filter would be handy for M25/london timesaving. Basically I want it all, and for not a lot of money

Deauville and Divvy 900's seem to be the order of the day... but they aren't fully faired (lower cowl available for dullsville) maybe a NTV - have no knowledge of BMWs, but have heard issues about reliability. Needs to be a real mile muncher. Maybe even an early Pan, are they too wide to filter?

Budget for bike alone, £2000-£3000

[stevo as b4]

All I'd say is IMO it would be best for you to start your job and training and then see how you get on both using the train/tube first.

Then get yourself a bike and see how you like doing the journey by bike, how it is for parking, how much time it saves you, and how well you manage in terms of carrying your stuff around, as well as getting an idea of fuel/running costs.

It does not need to be a proper full on tourer/shaftie just to see if you like doing the journey by bike, and if the time savings and running costs stack up, as well as if you have secure parking, and somewhere to store you bike gear/get changed as required.

If it works out then you could look at maximising your savings by getting a more suited shaft drive machine. But to shell out 2-3large on a bike when you don't know if it's the best option yet is daft IMO. A £700 ER5 for a month or so would get you knowing if the commute by bike idea is worth it to you and if it's what you want long term?

[........................]

I was in a very similar situation recently and went for the Deauville. I went for the older model, the 650, as it is a proven reliable work horse.

Mine came with heated grips, top box, extra wide pannier lids (as spares), leg and hand wind deflectors and the larger touring screen for £1700. It will sit at 70 mph very happily, 80 is fine but a little noisier but it's got decent wind protection and the built in panniers are handy but not massive if you don't have the extra wide panniers.

With 95% motorway riding I'm getting 60+ mpg.

Sure it's no sports bike, but for getting to and from work, for me it's ideal as it really doesn't encourage you into (very) illegal speeds like a more powerful bike could do.

[Itchy]

Steelie CBR?

Chain isn't that hard to look after.

But NT650V is a proven reliable workhorse, belly pan doesn't matter as the downpipes are stainless and the engine finish isn't too shabby either.

Shaft drive, integrated luggage, good MPG and weather protection.

XJ900s the older ones have a rep for poor MPG
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[mgh0]

I commute on a Diversion 900, good weather protection, all day comfy and I get around 48-52mpg, lots of luggage options too.
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[gbrand42]

I've got the 700 version of the Deauville and its happy at a steady 90 on my private test track, mpg is probably a bit worse than the 650. I'm getting about 55mpg. Comfort is fine, I can easily do 150 miles before my backside protests. I had a slight issue with vibration through the bars but this has been totally cured with some Grip Puppies. I haven't had any experience of other big bikes, but this one does the job for commuting and leisure with minimal fuss.
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[c_dug]

I have the divvy 900, I do a similar commute. It does the job very well.

Still if I had to buy again I would probably have the dullsville.
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[parkmoy]

Another vote for the Deauville 700. I had one and whilst I didn't do any commuting I toured extensively on the continent and it was super comfortable. Mine was restricted but would still sit happily at 90 -100 on autobahns and hit 110 when pushed.

De-restricted performance I have no idea I sold mine restricted, never felt the need to change it. No sports bike but a great workhorse.

[ginny]

Thanks for the quick replies, glad to see some positive info for both an options. Stevo, as you suggest I will wait untill I've started, changing/storage facilities will be the crux of the problem, definitely have secure storage or I wouldn't contemplate bringing a bike into the area.

Done plenty of commuting by bike this last year so have avoid idea of hassles like kitting up/gear storage, not to mention I'll be wearing a suit and tie everyday. Guess I will just keep my eye on autotrader etc and bide my time!

[BenR]

I'll probably get a load of flack for this but have you also considered a maxi scooter? I have an aprilia atlantic sprint 500 which I use for commuting to Camberely from Hertfordshire everyday. Costs sod all to run really even with buying expensive tyres.

[wristjob]

[Rogerborg]

I have some mild seller's regrets about getting shot of my Burgman 400.

As an all seasons commuter they do take some beating.

Sorry.
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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

[Aspire]

Trophy 1200.

Cheap £1.5-1.8k will get you one with full luggage etc
Good weather protection
Nice torquey engine
Relatively stiff suspension (for a tourer) so handles well for a big bike.
Fuel Gauge

Dad had a divvy 9 & the trophy is his now IMO the trophy is a better bike in almost every department.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

If you get a Deauville go for a 650 and save some cash.

Any extra power is negated by the increase in weight on the 700, quite noticeable through London. I found the old one much better due to being lower (I'm a short arse). 700 has slightly better weather protection so you will need the extended/higher screen on the 650. Both keep you pretty well protected, lack of lower fairing no an issue really.

My only concern about super scoots is smaller wheel size and getting caught/more bounced around by potholes. This depends if your route is through central or around M25. Which depends on your your South London Location?

London Bridge or Croydon etc?
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[Quornholio]

Kwak GT550's don't seem all that expensive. Certainly cheap enough to consider buying the luggage if it doesn't come with it anyway.
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[Tiff]

Kwak GTR1000? bit of grunt,shaft drive, full fairing,luggage and well under a grand..
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[Shaft]

[WD Forte]

I checked out a 400 burgervan down here for mate
before he came down to buy/collect it.
I though it was great fun and a good middle distance commuter.
I chatted to a guy with the 650 version who admitted he and his missus
spent more weekends on that than his 1100 sports bike.

Another mate had a Yamaha Majesty 250 which seemed to tick all the boxes
in term of his needs, but sadly he couldn't get over a sense of embarrasment
that it was a scooter/not a proper bike and sold it.
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[ginny]

Just worked out my take home pay, and dropping £4k a year on train travel is pretty galling.

Route is almost direct North to South through london, from A1000 or A41, assuming that would be quickest. Ive no experience of commuting in London, but plenty of M4/M25/town filtering.

Roger, I was almost hoping you'd pop up suggesting the Burgman. Whilst at a very vein level, it seems like a step down, I literally only want transport for practicalities sake; maxi scooter looks like an intelligent option. How do you think it would fare with filtering compared to the average bike? Also, how is maintenance and engine life etc- how does what I assume is belt drive compare to shaft/chain? real world MPG?

I'm tempted to organise a preliminary test ride, shame there aren't any local Suzuki dealers. I think i'll give the Honda silverwing a try, dip my toe as it were.

[WD Forte]

I'm sure Roger will give you many details on actual owership but
having ridden my mates AN400 a few times It felt so light
(having just got off a K100 mind you, them's heavy buggers)
and was easy to fling about, so filtering would be easy.
Silverwing eh?
A couple of years back I was chatting to Russian guy called Peter on the M6/Frankley services with one.
He'd left Moscow for Turkey then meandered through Europe and was on his way to Newcastle
to get a ferry to Norway then eventually back to Moscow,
so I reckon they'll clock up a few miles without getting too
wanty/needy.
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[hmmmnz]

mz250 with enclosed chain and big arse ugly fairing
https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/1961littledave/MZ250-2.jpg

that enclosed chain is awesome, my mz had 50k km on the clock with the original chain, got oiled once a year
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[WD Forte]

A classic hack the ETZ
I'm still using the fork gaiters and windscreen from one I had
on my CX
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[ginny]

Not sure i've got the retro swag/years under my belt to pull that off!

[Rogerborg]

[WD Forte]

Bigger wheels..... yet scootish.......
Hmm....
What some folk like to call the 'Porta Crapper' comes to mind
PC800
https://carslist-db.com/pics/honda/honda-pc-800/honda-pc-800-05.jpg
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