Winter hack bike? (Not a new biker)

[iDemonix]

Not a new biker, but need a new bike, figured this'd be the best place to ask.

I live 3 miles from work, mostly single carriageway with limited footpath/pavement. I'm getting a Volkswagen Transporter T5, but I don't want to keep doing short journeys in the T5 as it's killing my current Diesel car (selling shortly).

Yes, I could cycle (before anyone moans), but it's a 20-25 minute journey, and I have to nip home every lunch to let the dog out, and as I only get 45 minutes, it doesn't give me enough time to get home and do that, let alone eat.

What bike would be good for loads of little journeys. I have a CBR600RR and VFR400 NC30, but I was thinking something that could handle winter/snow/rain quite well? Something like an enduro, bonus points there as I can do a bit of green laning!

Anyone got any ideas for good winter hack bikes that'll trudge along all year round without much bother and are easy for quick short journeys?

[chris-red]

Cycle and get a dog flap.
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[Wonko The Sane]

Enfield woodsman / similar
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[thx1138]

Suzuki vanvan

[andyscooter]

Was in a similar situation
I was using a pcx
Light cheap to run cheap to get tyres etc for
Could be home in four minutes at lunchtime giving me time to eat as well

Or if you want cheap a little cg would do the same
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
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[Matt94]

From personal experience both my Bandit and my Thundercat were used all winter for daily, early morning commutes, and they did the job. However the bandit triumphed over the early morning cold starts with minimal choke and minimal fuss, plenty about so parts are always easy to come by and no fairing so if you drop it there's fuck all to replace.. that's even if you'd want to replace anything! The only disadvantage was obviously the lack of fairing which was a bastard when it was below zero temperatures at 5 in the morning. However for usability it was up there due to the fact you could just get on and ride it, and know it wouldn't let you down.
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[sidewinder]

Varadero 125 would suit
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[Rogerborg]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Any bike in the winter, you'll be spending more time putting your kit on and taking it off than you would on the actual journey. If not a scooter, the CG engined XR125 would be on my list.
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[Matt B]

[stinkwheel]

Electric moped.

C90.

T80 townmate.
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[DrSnoosnoo]

I asked similar a couple of winters ago. I thought, ooh, motorcross style since they're made for slippy muddy surfaces. Truth is though, on ice you'll go down, no matter what the tyres are.

I got a cheap CG. Very low, I felt like and looked like a gorilla on a moped BUT. It was good for 50-55 mph, got a decent economy, and when it did slip from beneath me, the distance I fell was less than falling from my office chair.

Find a cheap commuter 125. Less plastic the better. I put some Crash bars from a lexmoto Arizona I think, same frame mounting points as my CG. I tested them by laying it down, pegs and bars would touch the floor, pegs bend and can be hammered back straight.
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Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Wednesday Biker]

I used to have an RD125 that I rode in the snow.It was pretty good really.Only fell off once but I took a turn into a side road about 30mph due to being 18.
I think something with bigger wheels and nobbly tyres will get you through harsh winters. Not immune from going down on ice but better than small wheels I would think.
But then you don't want the seat height too high so that you can't flat foot it for extra stability if its a bit slippy.

[GSTEEL32]

Honda 250?..... Eighties cb250 perhaps.

Kinda retro, definitely a classic, seems to hold its value ok. Its also a bit different from the stuff you've got.

Failing that, gsxr600's are cheap and easy to along with, as is something like a zx7r, which is all a bit tasty. Cheap too.

[stevo as b4]

TBH if the only reason you have to go home every lunchtime is to let the dog outside and presumably then lock it back indoors before you go back to work, then bikes are the least of your problems. Has everyone else in the household nominated you/expects you to dash back home every day to let the dog have his roam in the yard?

I would really be looking into an outdoor kennel solution for the said dog, so that he can come outside within the locked confines of your garden to do his thing, while your out at work. This assumes your garden is big enough for him and suitable too?

I do like dogs and want one of my own at some point. (never used to though and was scared to death of them).

But like fuck would I be disturbing my 45min lunch break from work to give up most of it to make an unneccasary trip to and from work, which would both double your commuting distance/time and your fuel costs too.

I'm out for 11-12hours a day at work, and so can't have a dog currently. But maybe you could have a dog sitter/walker as an alternative option.

Oh and for 3miles to work&back, Cycling would be my No.1 choice unless it's very busy A-roads, or dual carridgeways without a footpath/shortcut/cycle lane.

Second choice would be a cheap plastic scooter with any brand name at all on the side.

No point IMO in getting a nice 125, or trail bike for just this purpose alone, unless it's going to have other uses as well.

[thx1138]

I bought a CB200 on ebay one winter, and sold it in the spring for £20 more than I paid for it, it was craptastic, but got me there.

[someotherguy]

CG125

[linuxyeti]

Hi

In the past, for a winter hack I've used

A Chituma CTM-125 - 2 years, no issues, on an 80 mile daily round trip, unfortunately, that got nicked.

A Suzuki GS500, 1 winter, was pretty reliable, but didn't hold the road too well at times, came off it on the M6 once, luckily at slow speed, just bent the forks a bit. Before the fiollowing winter, it got nicked.

Down from 80 mile daily round trip, to 40 mile a day round trip.

Lifan LF400 - 2 Winters Was good, also, as it was shaft driven, really good,even did a John O'Groats run on it. - Donated to stepson.

Skyteam V-Raptor 125 - 1 winter, no issues at all, brother in law has been using it since, still with no issues, I might add.

Lexmoto Arrow, used for 2 winters, perfect, once I isolated the side stand switch, just that bit too slow for motorway riding, ok for A roads though. Swapped it for a Diversion 600

Diversion 600, used one winter, many seem to love the diversion, I hated mine, sold it earlier this year, for £300, didn't care, just wanted rid of.

Haven't really got a winter bike at the mo, so, it may end up being my Mash
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[nick1594]

rx king
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