Commuter bike

bluebenz1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Jul 2017 Karma :

Hi all, just signed up to your forum...
I'm looking to get a bike ...commuting from north london (enfield) around the north circular/south circular to Merton about 1.5 hrs once a week and to use for a bit of fun other times...

I want an upright bike, Have had CBR1000 and Triumph Daytona 900 before, and quite like the torque of a twin or triple, something easy to weave around traffic etc, around 1500 quid...any thoughts appreciated.
Cheers

Alpineandy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :

bluebenz1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Jul 2017 Karma :

A bit Yamaha TDM ish upright, Just not a sports forward lean...done that ..a bit more comfort nowadays...LOL

Alpineandy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :

Well a TDM is probably one of the main options.
You may also find a few Transalps/KLRs/NX in that price range or a few naked SVs, Fazers etc but it'll all come down to condition.
Really for £1.5k you'll have to look at everything and get the one in the best condition...

PS that's an awful commute you'll be doing.... Laughing

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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Have you considered a TDM?

Something to bear in mind is that Khaaaaan is planning to dry bum pre-2007 bikes with a £12.50 daily ULEZ charge:

https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/images/ulez-map-cc-boundary.gif

Note that area is liable to expand sharpish to keep the ~~revenue flowing in~~ emissions coming down.

So you may want to up that budget a bit and get something 2008 onwards - it'll be hard to shift an older bike once the horrors of the ULEZ have been unleashed.
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bluebenz1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Jul 2017 Karma :

ok, will look at those too, maybe i'll dig deeper and muster up 2k...yes a bloody awful commute...it's only one day a week for college...and only 35 times a year...couldn't consider it in a car...!!!

Alpineandy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :

Alpineandy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :

bluebenz1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Jul 2017 Karma :

the course runs for 2 years...but only one a week..

Alpineandy · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Karma :

Pjay · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Jan 2016 Karma :

I'd get a Fazer 600.
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Wonko The Sane · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Karma :

I know it doesn't meet the triple or twin requirement, but I'm finding my 600 hornet easier to get through traffic than the ZZR I had before.

So hornet or bandit perhaps?
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bluebenz1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Jul 2017 Karma :

yeh..I can buy into around a 600cc....

Hawkeye1250FA · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Karma :

+1 for bandit.
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

Firestorm's used to start at £1500 for a good one, but something tells me all secondhand not yet classic bikes have gone up alot in the last few years or are overpriced.

I'd expect unpopular bikes like Suzuki GSXF 600/750's to be available in mint condition for under £1k, I certainly wouldn't pay more than that for one anyway.

bluebenz1 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Jul 2017 Karma :

I must admit i am surprised at the price of secondhand bikes at the moment....or is it a seasonal high price thing ?

myvision · Scooby Slapper Joined: 26 May 2016 Karma :

I'm currently using a Thundercat around London whilst i fix my Hornet the Hornet is a lot easier to use in the traffic than the Cat.
So another vote for the Hornet here.
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Doink · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 20 May 2016 Karma :

I got loaned a hornet the week when my Deauville 700 was being serviced and it was easy enough to get round town on, very easy bike to ride and has enough poke for weekend fun.

Motorhate · Nearly there... Joined: 02 Aug 2013 Karma :

My choice would be an ER-6 or a Bandit. The ER-6 is a great bike for commuting. I use mine now and again for 120mile round trip commute from Kent to London and it copes really well with motorway / A roads and around town in traffic. Very light, very manoeuvrable and has some welly when you need it.
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Current - Harley Davidson FXDB Street Bob | Harley Davidson FLTR Road Glide | Harley Davidson Road King
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