CANT TAKE LONDON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM ANYMORE!!

[sirswali]

When it rains, trains are delayed, when it snows... The same. When it's too hot/cold, when rail staff decide they want more money... You can see where I'm going with this.

So in light of public transport BS! I am thinking about getting a K5/6 1000cc to commute from SE London into central. Any suggestions? Should I got 750/600? Maybe a different bike all together (used to have an R1 big bang)..?
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Yamaha R1 '10 (Nicked)
GSX-R1000 '97
(Build - https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=254571)

[someotherguy]

Much chains, very security devices

[chris-red]

Buy something non sports...

More comfy.
More economy.
Less nickable.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[sirswali]

[esullivan]

Honda NC700 or NC750. Very economical and reliable (widely used by couriers in the city) and no one would want to steal it. Cheap too.

I had a 700 for 35,000 miles of commuting and it was perfect for that. However, it was boring and not very good when riding two-up because of the budget suspension. I gave it up for love and a V4.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[sirswali]

[goto10]

+1 for NC700 - a bit dull but perfect for the commute. 8k service intervals and 80mpg.
Mine's got ~50k on it now - it's covered in battle scars but the only problems I've had are tyre & lorry related. I travel 160~170 miles before refilling it. (Every other day)

That said, I quite fancy a late Hornet... It's the tank range that puts me off (plus the fact I can't really justify changing the NC when it does the job so well)
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'12 NC700S & '12 CB600F Hornet [Stolen by some dickless twat] Suzuki GT500 shed

[gorillaonabik...]

Theft is the biggest issue but the nice bike salespeople will sell you a tracker. If you are thinking of a sports bike, it's critical.
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FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[stevo as b4]

I don't want to sound like a total wimp, but I think if I really had to ride a bike in London I'd want a secondhand sturdy naked machine, with full crash bars, and heated grips, ABS and all that malarkey.

Something with minimal bodywork to break, and something popular second hand so that breakers have loads of cheap spares for when it goes down the road on it's side.

Just don't ask G about the ultimate city bike, if you like fairings on your 1000cc sportsbikes and don't like dinner plate sized rear sprockets?

Fazer/Hornet/Bandit all sound like good bet's, but I can't think of much in your budget that has ABS and other nice to have's like heated grips and luggage maybe?

[Slacker24seve...]

Cue G telling us a K5 Gixxer is the ultimate commuter because its boring.

I like commuting on sports bikes, my Daytona could filter through gaps named and adventure bikes couldn't, it also had the torque to nip into gaps too.

Two considerations though. Firstly, riding sports bikes in the cold and wet isn't much fun. Other styles of bike are more comfortable and more forgiving when you're half asleep and its icy first thing. Secondly, it detracts from the fun a bit; I was far less interested in fun rides at the weekend after riding 30 miles each way, every day in the week.
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[RedPanda]

Diversion/XJ6F? They can commute, hoon, and you can a low mileage one for less than £4.5k.
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CBF125 (2013) -> CBR600F (2001) -> 'Ninja' 300 (2014)

[hellkat]

I'm currently commuting on my sportster (1100), strange as it may sound; it actually isn't as bad as I imagined.

Although to be fair, I haven't really been properly at work for the last 3+1/2 months or so ... just occasionally into London and back, rather than regularly commuting.

But had I been GOING regularly to work ... I would be quite happy on this sportster. The couple of times I have been in town during rush-hourish sort of traffic, its been perfectly acceptable and is just as easy to filter on as just about anything else I've had.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Pete.]

Well, considering:

[Az]

[NJD]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to test ride your desired style of bike in the area you aim to commute in as you'll soon see how good it is as riding on the roads you intend to use?

London = (a) traffic (b) bike thefts.

With the above in mind I'd be looking at something that's enjoyable on a budget and as Az suggests use the remaining funds to buy yourself your desired machine.

[jonpod]

Similar boat. Moved to London 3 months ago and back to biking after a break to get to and from work. SW for me.

Currently doing it on a 125, a bit more power would seem to get me out of some sticky situations.

Looking at getting an MT07 myself.

[sirswali]

[evilzed]

I switch between a 250cc Suzuki and an FZ1N both I reckon do the job fine, the Suzuki is definitely easier to manage in really bad London traffic though thanks to its crazy turning circle.

[angryjonny]

I mostly did my commute on a Fazer 600. A beaten up one that was mechanically not so bad. It served me nicely. Office had a secure underground car park so nice and safe. Anything that looks pretty will probably go missing before you have the opportunity to lose it under a bus.

[jonbee56]

I commute from Kent every day and just swapped the hornet for a cbr600f... lots of you will argue, but i feel its the best of both worlds for having one bike, but if you can stretch the budget, get a scooter, (I mean a 300cc type) for commuting & full sports bike for weekend fun
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CBF125 > Hornet 600 (x2) > CBR600F -- slowly getting better
"If you can't turn it, then burn it"

[sirswali]

[sirswali]

[jonpod]

[barrkel]

[sirswali]