Recommend me a bike to commute on

[MattJ]

Hello all,

I'm looking for a bike to commute on, but I'm a bit clueless on what is out there so I've come here to hopefully get some ideas. I'm not really looking for a 500cc parallel twin commuter, but I'm not ruling anything out.

Commute is 11 miles each way, 50/50 dual carriageway/town riding.

I've currently got a 2003 Zx6r that I'm commuting on (which I'll be keeping), I'm mainly looking for something that I'm not too bothered about getting dirty and putting the miles on.

Loose criteria:

• Not a sports bike
• Around 100bhp
• Not normally known as a 'dull' bike
• Around £2000

Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks

[arry]

What's the job it's got to do mate?

Town work, open A roads, dual carriageway?
How many miles a day?


Going to struggle with 100 horsepower from something ~500cc and twin cylinder, in a commuter viable guise, I'd have thought.

[linuxyeti]

Hi

You don't really say what your commute will be like, distance, road type etc
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[Nobby the Bastard]

[Polarbear]

Well, a Street triple is those (maybe not the £2000) but a commuter bike it isn't.

I always think a commuter should be a cheap hack you don't care about. It will get scratched in bike parks. Probably knocked over. Run up silly mileages and generally get worn out.

Get an old Fazer/Bandit/Divvy or scooter to commute on and a nice bike for playtime.
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[MattJ]

Forgot to mention what the commute is like, edited the post now thanks.

The criteria isn't really strict, because I'm probably asking a bit much for something to be 100bhp ish, not dull but not a sports bike, but there must be something out there!

[stinkwheel]

11 mile commute?

You clearly don't want a 100bhp bike for that. It'll barely warm up.

Do it!
https://powersports.honda.com/assets/flash/model/gallery/GROM_2014_10.jpg
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[el_oso]

Not really sure I see the point of two bikes that are so similar. You're not going to save money when you have an old ZX6R unless you get something small.

The bikes I'm currently looking at are MSX125. Looks like a right laff. No where near the 100bhp range, but should be fun. Maybe not so much on the dual carriageway.

A fazer could be worth a shout. Pretty cheap and capable machines, lots of spares, good economy , ~100bhp and sort of a sports bike but not a sports bike.
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[Notj7]

Older CBR 600F4i, the one of the 'banana seat'. Absolutely brilliant, super comfy, fast, stable, good wind protection and great with a double bubble on. In fact when I own two bikes the second bike will be one of them.

Edit: And it's not 'sports', it's a 'sports tourer'
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[Matt B]

[Pjay]

Yeah, a FZ6 would be my first port of call.
There's a few other bikes that suit, but the budget is a restraint, you can get a nice Fazer for 2k.

[0l0dom0l0]

FZ6.

They're cheap as chips now, you'll easily get one for 2k.

I paid 2.5k for mine 4 years ago I think, it had 6k miles on it, a scorpion exhaust, a power commander, alarm, crash bungs, scott oiler and some other bits.

It'd probably be worth 2k today with 20k on it.

I crashed it on a trackday so cosmetically it's a bit beat up but it's fully functional and has never let me down - and it's not cost me a penny in anything other than putting tyres on it.
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Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[Rogerborg]

Yup, Fazer, or Hornet if you don't mind filling up frequently.

How much of that 100bhp are you intending to use on a daily basis?
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[Amber Phoenix]

I'd go for an older Fazer FZS600.

• Not a sports bike
Nope. Sports-tourer-ish I suppose.

• Around 100bhp
~95bhp

• Not normally known as a 'dull' bike
Definitely not, still a good laugh on the twisties

• Around £2000
Should be able to get one for around £1500. Which will leave you some cash spares for top box, crash bars/bobbins, heated grips, fresh rubber and other sundries you'll inevitable need.

They're reliable as hell, old school carbs, so easy to maintain. Generally considers better than the earlier FZ6's. Very cheap to run. Aim for a 2002-2003 model with the larger fuel tank, better headlights and mirrors. There's a little fairing to help protect you, seat isn't too bad, and it'll take a pillion fine if needed.

You're no where near London, so no worries about the ULEZ requiring a 2007+ bike.

Downsides: No ABS option. Front tyre is slightly odd size which can limit choice a litte (no PR4's). At this age, you may need to factor in forks seals, rear shock etc too. Double check if front sprocket not has been replaced, as originals were too small and fell off!
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[winz]

If it's a Hornet you are after I am selling mine after I get it MOT'd.
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[bikertomm]

Hornet +1 !

11 miles, CR500.
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[arry]

[el_oso]

at 22miles each day (not way) you might be lucky on the hornet filling up once a week. Friend of mine usually filling up his hornet 80-100 miles. Guess it depends on how frugal he with the throttle and how far you are willing to run into reserve.
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Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[Amber Phoenix]

[DrSnoosnoo]

How about the sports tourer version (kind of) of that bike?

ZZR - do eet.
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[bikertomm]

The newer shape hornet, which can be had if you up your budget by £200-500 will do 140+ miles a tank easily.
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[Conzar]

Bandit 1200?
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[B5234FT]

22 miles a day is 5170 miles a year based on normal holidays. Why do you want a second bike over the 636?

The only possibilty I can see is that the bike you have is so mint youre afraid to leave it places, otherwise there is literally no financial reason to unless you're going full bore money saving on a 125 or similar.

There is also no reason IMHO to consider a specific commuting bike, its not a long way, so buy something you enjoy riding

[craigs23]

Hmm... I'd probably opt for a Superfour or DRZ over that kinda distance.

[ScaredyCat]

Look, I know you all think they're meh, boring, shitty etc.. but the Honda NC is made for this type of shit.

You're keeping your interesting bike, so get a 2nd user NC and treat it accordingly. It'll save you fuel money, has storage.

I await your screams of "errrmagawwd, noooooooooo!"
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