Newbie needs bike advice

RGC22 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 07 Feb 2015 Karma :

Help!!
I'm just coming up on my mid life crisis and have decided to get back into the saddle after 30 years away.
Have been trawling the internet for a bike that I can use as a daily commute ( 100+miles a day, six days a week ) but will be equally at home doing distance trips to North of Scotland and Norway and also South of France. Planning on doing a fair bit of camping so facility to carry a decent amount of gear is a must. Also like the idea of getting off the black stuff and onto dirt in a minor capacity. So many bikes and so little idea of what I'm doing !
I'm only 5'8" and not built like a house so seat height and weight might be an issue if I need to pick it up off the floor.
Been looking at all the "adventure" bike and also the NC700X.
Have about £5k as my budget for the bike and luggage combined.
I'd be greatful for any thoughts of bikes to stay away from and bikes to consider! Bearing in mind the last bike I rode was a 400Four.

Taught2BCauti... · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Karma :

You might need to double-check your licence entitlements before getting too excited - I know that some 'lapsed bikers' lost theirs in a DVLA cock-up some years ago!

As for the bike - how about a Transalp, or a Versys?
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Your inside leg and https://cycle-ergo.com/ will give you a rough starting point for sizing.

30,000 road miles a year? Comfort, fuel economy ( https://www.fuelly.com/ ), service schedule and consumables would be my consideration, rather than offroad ability. Oh, and depreciation - 2 years of riding will essentially wipe off most of the value, with a few exceptions, one being the Pan Euro.

However, Pan Euros in that budget will come with 4,000 mile service intervals and the fuel economy isn't stellar. Same with the other shaft drive candidates, the Deauville (slightly more frugal, but taller) and the XJ900 (thirstier).

If you're OK with fitting a Scottoiler and keeping on top of the chain maintenance then the NC700 might be the smart choice. Actually, you can just about get an NC750S plus luggage in budget, or an NC750X without - but what you'll save on fuel and servicing will quickly pay for top box and panniers.

Alans Snackbar on here has an NC750X and some buyer's regrets - 'boring'. But how much excitement do you want at 100 miles a day?

If height is a big consideration, then I'd suggest having a look at the F650/700GS twins. Low seats (lower than cycle-ergo would suggest), and under-seat tank like the NC makes low speed handling a doddle. Fuel economy is ~65mpg, a bit less than the NC. 6,000 mile minor / 12,000 major services are also slightly costlier. I've got 14,000 miles out of my chain and sprockets with haphazard lubrication, and the tyres are wearing pretty well too. They seem to have escaped most of issues that have plagued other modern BMWs, but with a question mark over the headstock bearings - mine have been fine so far.

A bit sprightlier than the NC, but still not going to set your pulse racing, and any offroad ability is purely incidental. I'd give a cautious thumbs up, not a strong recommendation.

Sorry, I know that's not very "buy bike X" but I'm not sure that there is an obvious ideal candidate. The folks who actually do that sort of mileage will doubtless have stronger views. Wink

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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

Northern Monkey · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Nov 2013 Karma :

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

I've been riding bikes about as long as you have been away from them, and at a mere 44 possibly a tad younger... so backing up a little... where to start....

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Probably best not getting a Superdream; the results can be horrifying.
____________________
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

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

Dabuti98 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 21 Feb 2015 Karma :

Quick Question - Would you recommend a Yamaha Cygnus 125cc or a Honda MSX/Grom 125cc?

Thanks in advance Smile

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Kristoff Grambow

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Northern Monkey · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Nov 2013 Karma :

Taught2BCauti... · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jan 2012 Karma :

Vandervecken · Derestricted Danger Joined: 17 Feb 2015 Karma :

I used to do 140+ miles a day so this is do-able, however leads to tiredness, and is costly in terms of consumables and servicing, now I considerably less, But this was always built into the 'big plan' anyway. Would say 100+ is okay but on NSL roads. Think a good solid commuter would be best, I have never needed a bike bigger than 600, but that's choice. CB600f's or Fazers I would swear by.
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CB600F Hornet.
Previously many a Fazer

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/stevo1994/06wi0951J6ReJUyUyUyUyUy0n_zps115f1207.png

https://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u482/stevo1994/reedblock/06wi0346J6ReJUyUyUyUyUy0n_zps58a07287.png

That's the first time I've ever seen or used that cycle-ergo site, but it works fine if the bike you like is listed. Looks like all my preferences are almost bolt upright with a acceptable knee bend too. Laughing

Why no Z1300 on the list though??