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CaptainCalami... |
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CaptainCalami... L Plate Warrior
Joined: 18 May 2021 Karma :
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Posted: 08:10 - 18 May 2021 Post subject: Bike Commute recommendations |
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Hello. New to forum. Not new to biking, although haven’t ridden for 15 years. Last few Bikes owned. Moto Guzzi Jackal, triumph speed triple, ST both old triple style ones. Honda Deauville 650, VFR 750, CBR1000F, and many more.
Car sold, fed up with sitting in traffic so decided I might return to two wheels. Only 25 miles each way, Mixed 50/60mph, country lanes, town, no motorway.
Bike will only be used for commuting, small shopping trips, two up with wife into town or country pub, for touring we use our motorhome.
Go easy I’m a 50 years knackered out old grump, 6ft 1” and gangly.
I’ve been looking at (never even heard of such things when I was riding before) Maxi scooters, Burgman, Silverwings, Forzas.
I like the idea of trying to keep costs to a minimum, ie under 600cc for tax, running costs, insurance is pretty much the same for anything for an old git with more no claims than brain cells.
Budget is up to £2.5k plus gear ,my helmet has been stored in the loft and has had a family of mice using it as a penthouse.
Keep looking at Gumtree, Auto Trader and going round in circles, need to sort something soonish before I’m dragged back into the office next month. Any advice on decent commuters would be very useful. Thanks |
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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arry |
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arry Super Spammer
Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :
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Posted: 10:00 - 18 May 2021 Post subject: |
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Quote: | Last few Bikes owned. Moto Guzzi Jackal
Only 25 miles each way, Mixed 50/60mph, country lanes, town
Commuting, small shopping trips, two up with wife into town or country pub
I like the idea of trying to keep costs to a minimum, ie under 600cc for tax, running costs, insurance
Budget is up to £2.5k |
You're going to think I'm mad, but given Guzzi I'm going to chance this.
What you've said there is almost exactly what I use my 'second' bike for. And that bike is the one I love the most of any bike I've ever owned..... And it is:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51169471686_2a66643fa4_c.jpg
I'll grant you, it's not a conventional choice for a commuter.
But it's absolutely brilliant in lanes up to 60mph, is cheap for bits, does 80+ mpg, is great for taking the missus to the pub for Sunday lunch:
https://live.staticflickr.com/1727/40600332440_512749997c_c.jpg
In budget, too |
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A100man |
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A100man World Chat Champion
Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :
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Robby |
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Robby Dirty Old Man
Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :
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gbrand42 |
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gbrand42 Could Be A Chat Bot
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 20:30 - 18 May 2021 Post subject: |
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Robby wrote: | bikers are getting...richer |
I wish! ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE! |
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Irezumi |
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Irezumi Nitrous Nuisance
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CaptainCalami... |
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CaptainCalami... L Plate Warrior
Joined: 18 May 2021 Karma :
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A100man |
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A100man World Chat Champion
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Shaft |
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Shaft World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 23:58 - 18 May 2021 Post subject: |
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MarJay wrote: | For those roads? Not a scooter. I'd suggest something like a Versys 650, V-strom 650 or something along those lines. Comfy, Upright, quick enough, some weather protection and you can have a bit of fun on it at the weekend. |
Why?
My 600 Silverwing can cope with those road conditions (and motorways, 100mph isn't an issue) with ease, has excellent weather protection, can swallow a week's shopping and give me some fun if I want it.
I would say it would be a great choice for the OP, given his requirements and the fact it was already on his list. ____________________ Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035 |
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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GSTEEL32 |
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GSTEEL32 Traffic Copper
Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 08:57 - 19 May 2021 Post subject: |
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If you don't mind occasionally getting the belts changed, you might think about something like this ?
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/mC4AAOSw7spdzDPi/$_3.JPG
The 750ss is (just) within budget. This has the equivalent power of an inline 4 600cc, but obviously a lot more torque.
I had the 900 and it was a fabulous all rounder. .... its certainly far more interesting than most jap equivalents .....
I keep looking at these again... I suspect at some point I'll own another one ..... once I get the space in the garage ..... |
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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Posted: 10:45 - 19 May 2021 Post subject: |
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GSTEEL32 wrote: | If you don't mind occasionally getting the belts changed, you might think about something like this ?
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/mC4AAOSw7spdzDPi/$_3.JPG
The 750ss is (just) within budget. This has the equivalent power of an inline 4 600cc, but obviously a lot more torque.
I had the 900 and it was a fabulous all rounder. .... its certainly far more interesting than most jap equivalents .....
I keep looking at these again... I suspect at some point I'll own another one ..... once I get the space in the garage ..... |
Surprisingly uncomfortable, expensive to service... Not a great suggestion IMO. ____________________ 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. |
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Shaft |
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Shaft World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 10:54 - 19 May 2021 Post subject: |
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MarJay wrote: | Shaft wrote: |
My 600 Silverwing can cope with those road conditions (and motorways, 100mph isn't an issue) with ease, has excellent weather protection, can swallow a week's shopping and give me some fun if I want it.
I would say it would be a great choice for the OP, given his requirements and the fact it was already on his list. |
For many reasons:
1.) Scooters are crap
2.) Scooters are crap
3.) Scooters are crap
4.) He's commuting on twisty roads, he needs something with good handling, and the ability to get half decent tyres.
5.) Not sure if I mentioned this, scooters are crap.
I'm being slightly flippant, but coping and being fun are very different things.
If I was commuting an hour each way on a straight motorway through winter I might consider a maxi scoot. Otherwise I'd consider something with... er... actual handling? |
Sorry, but that reads like it was written by somebody with little or no experience of good maxi scooters.
I've been living with mine for 3 years now and it has perfectly good Bridgestone tyres and has surprised many a 'real' biker on the twisties, not least the guy on the BMW who clearly thought he was going to ride round me on sharp entry slip, then got all willy wavy when I powered under him and fucked off down the road.
Don't write off scooters, it's very fashionable amongst the biker snobs to assume they are crap, but they can be pretty quick and a well ridden one will surprise you in the handling stakes. ____________________ Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035 |
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GSTEEL32 |
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GSTEEL32 Traffic Copper
Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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Posted: 11:16 - 19 May 2021 Post subject: |
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GSTEEL32 wrote: | I found it far more comfortable than the 916 and did all my own servicing. I think belts, filters and Oil came in at less than £200 |
More comfortable than a 916? It's also more comfortable than having an 8 inch spike rammed up your behind, but I don't use that as an argument!
With regard to scooters, I have a similar objection to them as I do to cruisers. They are dynamically flawed compared to other motorcycles. In the case of scooters, the engine attached to the swinging arm, the small wheels, the short forks. I know some Maxis have engines in the frame but I can't honestly see a CVT feet forward motorcycle being more fun than a 650 twin commuter. I can see their practicality on a long winter motorway run, or for someone who isn't 'into' bikes as such, so that gives them a bunch of notches over a cruiser, but I just couldn't bring myself to buy one. As I said, my response was flippant, but I just don't like them, and I don't see why anyone who can ride a geared full sized motorcycle would go for a scoot over a geared full sized motorcycle. ____________________ 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. |
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CaptainCalami... |
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CaptainCalami... L Plate Warrior
Joined: 18 May 2021 Karma :
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Tdibs |
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Tdibs Traffic Copper
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CaptainCalami... |
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CaptainCalami... L Plate Warrior
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Robby |
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Robby Dirty Old Man
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Shaft |
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Shaft World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 12:29 - 19 May 2021 Post subject: |
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CaptainCalamity wrote: | I have been looking at these huge scooters quite a bit. Like the comfort, screen, low cost, storage under seat and basic easy ride. I’m not buying this for flipping about country lanes and rides at weekends. Not into any of that. Mainly 90% usage will be commuting. Never ridden a maxi scooter so probably a good idea to test ride one I guess. |
I can't recommend mine highly enough.
I was in a similar position to you, in that I wanted something to do a 50 mile commute on (I've got a bit of motorway thrown in as well) and people kept saying that I should try a scooter - I was extremely sceptical, but I narrowed my choice down to a Silverwing or a Deauville and the 'Wing came up first.
To say I was pleasantly surprise is a massive understatement, I actually bought it fully expecting to hate it, but it's the most fun I've had on a bike for years.
Fully automatic obviously leaves you with nothing to think about except where you are on the road, but 600cc also means proper performance.
All the naysayers were going on about tiny wheels being upset by potholes and stuff, then terminal weave at anything approaching speed, but I can happily tell you mine is completely stable at speeds well into 3 figures (on private roads of course) and I can't say I've noticed any problems with wheel size.
There's a range of tyre choices (as said, I've got Bridgestone Battlax on mine, never had any grip issues) if you have a decent sized top box, the total storage capacity is like a small car and the weather protection is excellant.
Two tips if you buy one: make very sure the steering head bearings are new, or keep a tidy budget for replacement at some point - the originals don't last well and it's the worst job on the bike, even the owner's forum says it's a sod of a thing to do.
And the fuel consumption drops dramatically at high speed (probably something to do with it having the frontal area of a small house) so your range can get annoyingly short, because it's only got a little tank - I get about 120-130 miles if I keep the motorway bit to around 60mph, if I screw it on I've had it down to under 100, but it only costs about 15 quid to fill it up.
I would say try one, I don't think you will be disappointed. ____________________ Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035 |
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GettinBetter |
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GettinBetter Crazy Courier
Joined: 20 Jun 2019 Karma :
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Posted: 14:36 - 28 May 2021 Post subject: |
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Shaft wrote: | ...but they can be pretty quick and a well ridden one will surprise you in the handling stakes. |
If you think they are good in the handling stakes it means you have never pushed one hard enough.
I grew up on scooters (lambrettas, vespas, etc) and whilst engines and design have come a long way, the wheel size has pretty much remained... well, scooter size.
The small wheels will never out-perform a larger diameter wheel. On perfectly flat tarmac they maybe comparable, but as soon as you hit uneven surfaces each wheel type has its own characterics and abilities. The bigger the irregularities in the surface the more extreme the effects. Small wheels struggle to get out of ruts, and to put it in a nutshell the smaller wheel will secumb to a pot hole en route long before a larger wheel. I learn't the hard way, luckily it was off road.
..and just because you overtook one numpty, or someone that didn't give a toss what you were doing, doesn't make scooters the bees knees. Funny how people suddenly wake up to the pityful speed they're doing, when someone goes to overtake. You sound like the bloke that gets overtaken at 29, then he sits up you ass at 40.
Just saying. |
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Shaft |
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Shaft World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 14:58 - 28 May 2021 Post subject: |
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GettinBetter wrote: |
If you think they are good in the handling stakes it means you have never pushed one hard enough.
I grew up on scooters (lambrettas, vespas, etc) and whilst engines and design have come a long way, the wheel size has pretty much remained... well, scooter size.
The small wheels will never out-perform a larger diameter wheel. On perfectly flat tarmac they maybe comparable, but as soon as you hit uneven surfaces each wheel type has its own characterics and abilities. The bigger the irregularities in the surface the more extreme the effects. Small wheels struggle to get out of ruts, and to put it in a nutshell the smaller wheel will secumb to a pot hole en route long before a larger wheel. I learn't the hard way, luckily it was off road.
..and just because you overtook one numpty, or someone that didn't give a toss what you were doing, doesn't make scooters the bees knees. Funny how people suddenly wake up to the pityful speed they're doing, when someone goes to overtake. You sound like the bloke that gets overtaken at 29, then he sits up you ass at 40.
Just saying. |
And comparing a Lambretta to a modern maxi scooter, makes you sound like you don't know what you're talking about.
Just saying. ____________________ Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035 |
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 2 years, 326 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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