A more commuter friendly bike than CBR600

[john24ssj]

Hey guys,

So back in Mach I bought a Honda CBR600 2001 a lovely bike pretty much in an immaculate condition:
https://i.imgur.com/FwY5yGPl.jpg

But after riding it for a while I realised: it's too fast for me and I am not using any of it's power. I stick to speed limit and don't do any fast acceleration. And most importantly it's a bit too far forward leaning which puts strain on my back and wrists.

So I am looking to get something quite good which would be under £3000 and be comfortable to commute on but also fun to ride.
I am somewhat leaning towards Honda CB600F (hornet) post 2007 which has higher handle bars, detuned 600cc engine and ABS.

What would you guys suggest?
Thanks
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[Commuter_Tim]

A CBR600 with less power and good for commuting...

I would be remiss if I didn't suggest the CB500(x)
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The above post is most likely nonsensical.

I ride a Bandit 600... badly.

[Itchy]

[RhynoCZ]

Can you still get your hands on a 1993-2003 CB500? Later models (Brembo calipers) recommended. These are light, reliable, reasonably powerful with good mpg, cheap maintenance and tyres. I used to have a 2000 CB500 at my disposal and although I found the experience a bit dull, the bike did what the owner got it for, to get from the point A to B at reasonable mpg and have some fun during the weekend. With an open exhaust it turns into a hooligan town bike.

These are also very well documented, tons of materials online about maintenance, common issues and how to fix stuff. Parts should also be widely available.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[kgm]

I'd also suggest the CB500. Cheap, economical and fun. The new CB500X might be worth a look too but I don't know how low the prices have gotten yet.

If you want something faired then how about an ER6F? I use mine for commuting and find it ideal. I still prefer it for daily use compared to some of the more powerful bikes I've tried. I seem to prefer twins/triples in general though.

[Rogerborg]

I agree that a Hornet is going to have much the same problem of being fun at speeds that you won't be doing. See also the Fazer.

So +1 for the ER6 (N or F) or CB500(F, X or R). Upright position, twin power delivery, cheap to buy, run and insure. I'd be looking for reasons not to get either of those bikes for that purpose.
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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

[Baffler186]

I went from a Fazer to an SV for this reason (too much unusable power). Only problem was riding position, but I taught myself to sit up more using my core and back muscles. This alleviates the aching wrists.

However, I would certainly vote a +1 for ER6F or N. Much more usable power, more comfy riding position and if anything like my SV much better fuel economy. My SV was also cheaper to insure than the FZ6 and for some reason cheaper for breakdown cover.
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[john24ssj]

Thanks guys for all the replies

I did own a Kawasaki ER5 which was a decent commuter but not the most exciting thing in the world. ER6 does look quite tempting but the low mileage one don't seem that cheap
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[kgm]

[Joncrete Cungle]

Keep the CBR600, fettle it like Itchy said and don't be such a wuss.

[el_oso]

sounds like you want a car with two wheels.

The NC wasn't 'bad' when I hired one abroad. Not sure how valid my comparison is, but it was more exciting than my divvy, but that may have been down to age differences between the bikes.

Run out of puff very quickly though.
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Duke 390
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

[haroman666]

I honestly can't think of a more commuter friendly bike than what you have.

Anything with higher or wider bars is going to make filtering shit. The CBR (and probably most sports bikes) have mirrors that fit below lorry and van mirrors and are roughly at the same height as most car mirrors. They're also the widest point on the bike (unless you're a fat bastard) which means if your mirrors fit then so will your bars.

Anything with less fairings is going to be windy and fill your lap with rain water.

The CBR has an easy fitting GIVI rack for top box. And the rear end is quite wide and supportive for soft panniers or strapping luggage to. (Or there are racks for hard panniers).

The seat is large and comfortable. I've done about 800 miles on mine in 3 days and whilst I did ache, I could have happily done more if i'd needed to.

Just because the power is there doesn't mean you HAVE to use it. If anything it's good to have it incase you do need to blip through a gap before it closes or if you do find yourself in a hoony mood. The power delivery on these bikes is not sudden or scary at all. It doesn't really beg for more unless you are really giving it some. It builds up pretty lazily and then only really begins to rocket off as you get 8000rpm+

If your wrists are aching then you can try and alter your riding position. It's easy to think that you need to lean forwards onto your wrists but if you straighten your arms slightly and allow more of that weight to go through your arse, then that alleviates some of that issue. Having tank grips for your knees will also help with this.
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[arry]

Agree with the man there ^. I did a fair amount of London commuting on my old CBR and it did the job pretty well.

Interesting comments on power being available at speeds you won't be doing - well, it's true in commuter mode you won't be going 10k+ rpm ballistic but you don't need to do a lot to keep it spinning. It's a very easy bike to ride.

[Rogerborg]

[chickenstrip]

[haroman666]

[el_oso]

[Wonko The Sane]

[john24ssj]

[Kentol750]

Your cbr and a few quid would get you a decent er6f/n.Although, I do worry for you if you find a bike 'too fast for you'. Hard accelerating anything is scary/exhilarating... because something can do 160+mph doesn't mean you have to go that fast.
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Some bikes.