Commuting change - need bike change?

[Feasty]

I've recently got a new job that I haven't started yet, but will mean my commute changes from a 20 minute ride using A roads to a 45ish min ride using the same route but adding 4 junctions of the M1.

I've got a 1998 BMW F650, which runs great - never misses a beat but does rattle itself around a bit being a thumper. And I'm not sure it may be the best bike for higher mileage use on a day to day basis.
I used to have a Divvy 900, which was great but a very heavy bike and would prefer something a bit lighter this time - but also faster than the F650.
However I'm a big bloke and fit on tourer's or sit up bikes better than sports styles.

I don't have much spare cash but could sell the F650 and a 2nd car to fund an upgrade, giving me about 2.5k to spend on a replacement.
Or I just spend a little now making the F650 a bit more reliable, like getting a scottoiler fitted.

Any advice/ideas welcome!
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[leolion]

https://www.staffordmotorcycles.co.uk/HONDA_CB900-F_HORNET/p890976_19667031.aspx

https://www.staffordmotorcycles.co.uk/HONDA_VTR1000-FIRESTORM/p890976_19391664.aspx

https://www.staffordmotorcycles.co.uk/HONDA_XL650-V_TRANSALP/p890976_19171313.aspx

https://www.staffordmotorcycles.co.uk/SUZUKI_SV650-S/p890976_19310981.aspx

These kinda fit the bill? or even a deauville but cant find a link to one.

[Grubscrew]

A cbf1000 is a nice commuter bike 08/09 model.
____________________
FJR1300/CBR1000F

[Riejufixing]

[Courier265]

I think using the BMW will be just fine.

[Feasty]

Thanks for the links and tips, top speed of mine is 90mph plus. But it'd be nice to have a bike that doesn't need the gears changing quite so often on the way there.

Liking the Hornet and Transalp leolion - specially the Transalp but I'd have to find out what it's acceleration is compared to mine...
The Firestorm and SV are too sporty though.

It's a tough call...
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[kgm]

The F650 will be fine but a big bandit or cbf1000 sounds like what you're after. To be honest even a 650 vstrom would be a little more comfortable just by virtue of being a twin, and there's the litre version of that or the varadero if you want to stay adventure style

[P.]

A firestorm. For commuting. you'd be filling that tank daily.

[MisterPrice10...]

[leolion]

at the risk of getting kicked out..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-MAJESTY-YP-400-MAXI-SCOOTER-2004/123671789521?hash=item1ccb69bfd1:g:DaEAAOSwF59cepfq:rk:2:pf:0


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-Satalis-500cc-scooter-excellent-condition-low-mileage/352571446451?hash=item5216e554b3:g:0aUAAOSwvdFcQNVs:rk:24:pf:0

[Polarbear]

It always comes down to what you want the bike for.

Let me elucidate....

Do you just want it for commuting? NC700. Maxi scooter.

Has it got to be 'fun' for the weekends as well? Adventure bike, Bandit or similar (yes, they can be fun).

Personally I couldn't hack riding a single day in, day out that sort of distance but that's my inherent dislike of them.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Serendipity]

[Feasty]

Thanks again for the tips, Maxi scooters... errr, just no.

I'm going from an 18 miles a day commute to a 40 miles a day commute. Google maps tells me it'll only be an extra 10-15 mins on top of the 20ish mins I already do outside of rush hour.

Almost not worth a change to as big an engine as a 1000 for this, but I do think the motorway miles will have a big impact on my 21 year old single.
On top of this I've decided to keep the small car and just sorn it instead of selling for the time being, which means I'd have to do more of a swap for my bike. I think a bigger bike for £1000-£1300 could still be a better bet though, I'll see what comes up in the ads.

(I've also had a look at the CBF1000's, nice bikes - except Autotrader immediately tells me there's only 1 within 100 miles of me below £2k.)
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[c_dug]

Reliable easy to live with commuter, fairly light weight, decent fuel economy, happy on A and M roads, no chain worries. Can't think of many modern bikes that tick those boxes better than this:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/BMW_F_800_S.jpg/1200px-BMW_F_800_S.jpg

A squeeze for under £2k, but plenty around for £2,500
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Feasty]

Funny you should mention that, I've just been doing more searching around and come across this one -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-F650cs-Scarver/273728858867?hash=item3fbb82eaf3:g:jbcAAOSw7KhcdVqO:rk:3:pf:0

Seems a pretty good price, but perhaps too similar to my own F650?
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[garth]

Gen 1 600 Fazer and a chain oiler.

Big tank range, good economy, cheap
____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

[MarJay]

I have a VFR800Fi as my commuter. 200 mile tank range, all day comfy, great weather protection, top box included etc. It's great.

It needed a bit of work when I got it, as the head bearings were loose and the shock was shot, but now it rides well and can lift it's skirts when it needs to. The main downside is the brakes. They really aren't all that, but seeing as most of my commute is either at walking pace or on the motorway it's not too bad for what I use it for. if I was taking it scratching I'd probably need to do something about them (apparently firestorm forks or fork lowers fit on, which allows a caliper swap) but as it stands I'm very happy.

The issue I now have is that the ULEZ will kick in soon and I'll have to buy a newer bike. I'm genuinely gutted about the prospect.

https://cdn.bcf.44bytes.net/files/vfr_small.jpg

Not bad for £2k (including a new shock that I bought seperately).
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Robby]

By the sound of it, you're looking at exchanging one 20 year old bike worth about a grand for another. The difference is that you know your one works.

Just ride it on the new commute and see how it goes. Don't worry about breaking it, just ride it and check the oil occasionally.

I would be wary of buying a big, cheap bike if I had to rely on it. Lots of things that can go expensively wrong. In the case of a 20 year old 4 cylinder bike, lots of niggly fuelling and electrical problems that are a cheap part to fix, but diagnosing it and getting to it can take ages.

[ART-ADS]

just get one that you like? they all have more than enough power for the roads, most are reliable enough

it's a real pet hate of mine when people talk about what bikes you can and cant commute on. what bike you can or cant use long distance, its all a load of bollocks bar some extreme examples
____________________
98' RZ50, 92' H100S2, 03' VT125, 59' Jubilee 250, 05' varadero chop,

[P.]

[MarJay]

[P.]

[MarJay]

[P.]

Ah I suppose. I can get to London in 30 mins so wildly different, but I still get to work at 10