Help & FAQs    Search BCF    Members    Groups    Events Calendar
Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Best winter commuter???

 Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat Goto page 1, 2  Next
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

Devils Advocate
World Chat Champion



Joined: 18 Apr 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 14:40 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Best winter commuter??? Reply with quote
i`m still deliberating over wether or not to get a car this winter or a cheap commuter bike .....but still..... i`d like to know which bike would be better suited for riding in crap weather (slush,sleet,rain etc etc) out of these choices.

A road/semi sporty commuter bike like the CB500,GS500 etc

OR

A trail/enduro style bike like the KLE500,DRZ400, etc
Question Question Question Question Question

At the moment i`m favouring the trail/enduro style coz they "look" like they`d be the easiest to handle.The KLE stands out over all the rest but would that be the best choice.

Help. Confused
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Smooth
Could Be A Chat Bot



Joined: 21 Apr 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 15:04 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
cheap 250-500, whatever you can find.
____________________
TDM850
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Mystery
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Jul 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 15:08 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
trail bikes are ok if you drop them since theres not much to replace but at cb00 or the gs500 should see you through without many problems
____________________
Carbon knuckles assure you maximum protect against debris and unfortunate accidents or if someone cuts you off, their side mirror.Mopeds are like chubby chicks.. they are really fun to ride until you're friends catch you on one
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Feasty
World Chat Champion



Joined: 01 Nov 2006
Karma :
PostPosted: 15:09 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
I found my bike brill for winter commuting, a Honda SLR650. I guess you'd have to be quite tall to get both feet on the floor for slow steady riding through snow. At worst I was riding uphill on snow compressed roads that hadn't been gritted, the bike just kept going, and having part off road tyres meant I had the grip to not just slide everywhere. Thumbs Up

Any kind of semi off road bike would be the same though I'd imagine.
____________________
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).
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

That_Hornet
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Apr 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 16:16 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Its featured in every other "what bike" thread.

So...

CG125 FTW Thumbs Up
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Devils Advocate
World Chat Champion



Joined: 18 Apr 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 16:24 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
ThatHornet wrote:
Its featured in every other "what bike" thread.

So...

CG125 FTW Thumbs Up


I do a lot of motorway/dual carriageway miles for my commute so a CG is out of the question.
Great bike for popping to the shops on...but not much else. Laughing

CG125
Thumbs Down
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

craigs23
Mr Muscle



Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Karma :
PostPosted: 16:33 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
My best winter commuter of recent times has been my old R6. Great sporty all round ability, fantastic build quality, good in any conditions, nice and fast when I wanted it to be, and not too expensive to run. No need for a second bike.

As a 'second bike' option, I'm keen to test out my Superfour and DRZ in the coming winter months.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

T0MMY
World Chat Champion



Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 17:04 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Unless you have to battle heavy traffic or can't park easily I would suggest a car for winter commuting Thumbs Up
____________________
ZX6R + CBR600RR
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Seb
World Chat Champion



Joined: 19 Jul 2007
Karma :
PostPosted: 17:20 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
max power wrote:

I do a lot of motorway/dual carriageway miles for my commute


A tall offroader isn't going to be much fun either tbh, the best winter hack is whatever you can find at a good price. My GS does an admirable job of that but I wouldn't want to do regular motorway miles on it, a fly screen might help a bit but I'd suspect an older softer mid 90s 600 would be a better bet, an old CBR or ZZR for example.
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Alex_H
Borekit Bruiser



Joined: 28 Jul 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 18:04 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
get a car, plenty on piston sheds for 300 quid or so. You'll arive warm and happy instead of cold and miserable.
____________________
1998 r1, ccm 644 ds, 2000 r6 ghetto track bike
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

evoboy
World Chat Champion



Joined: 20 Aug 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 18:39 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Pre Divi XJ600 Thumbs Up

Can be bought for next to nout and damn reliable....heavy though
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Devils Advocate
World Chat Champion



Joined: 18 Apr 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:01 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Making this decision is starting to do my head in now....i`ve been battling with it for 2 months already Rolling Eyes
If i dont sort something soon i`m gonna be stuck with the rsvr in the middle of winter....and that`s something that just can`t happen!

I keep thinking a car`s the best option but i know what most of my commute routes are like for jams and tailbacks and i doubt they`ll be any better in winter (which means i`ll never get to my jobs on time and getting home will take forever.)

Then i think "get a bike"...but i cant decide on one that fits the bill for winter riding on the routes i`ll use. Rolling Eyes



fuck fuck fuck....think i`m just gonna have to take the plunge soon and buy "something/anything" just so i dont leave myself in the lurch.
Whatever i get....it`s guaranteed to be the wrong thing Evil or Very Mad

Last edited by Devils Advocate on 20:05 - 01 Oct 2009; edited 1 time in total
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

MaybeGuy
Super Spammer



Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:04 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
commute on whatever you have already.

also...

T0MMY wrote:
Unless you have to battle heavy traffic or can't park easily I would suggest a car for winter commuting Thumbs Up


Alex_H wrote:
get a car, plenty on piston sheds for 300 quid or so. You'll arive warm and happy instead of cold and miserable.


GTFO!!!!!!
absolute fags.
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!! Mr. Green
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

P.
Red Rocket



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:35 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
im going to be using my GS500...any weather this winter.
i use mainly town roads to the main hill out of maidstone, then on a motorway for...3 miles, then main town bus routes for 5 minutes.. shouldnt be too much hell!!

Ive ridden it through the summer..and can tell you, being air cooled...it gets bloody warm, ive got a powerbronze daytona fairing on it..it kinda keeps the heat in..cant wait for winter Razz
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

T0MMY
World Chat Champion



Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:54 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
mattsprattuk wrote:

absolute fags.


Laughing Clearly you must be the fag if you think you have to ride your bike in winter to prove your manhood. In fact now I think about it, with the nature of many of your posts you do seem to feel you have something to prove Thinking

My commute takes longer and costs more on the bike than in the car so why would I do it in winter when it's also cold and wet and not even fun anyway as it's on the motorway. As I said, if there's traffic it's worth it but if there ain't why bother? I'll just sit back and enjoy my tunes in the warmth and comfort of my car Cool

To the op: Given you have jams to beat go with a CB500 or something I reckon; not much advantage to an off roader and they're crap at higher speeds.
____________________
ZX6R + CBR600RR
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

That_Hornet
World Chat Champion



Joined: 23 Apr 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 20:58 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
mattsprattuk wrote:

GTFO!!!!!!
absolute fags.


I agree.

Im getting a GPZ500. Cheap and good build quality.

Thumbs Up
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

T0MMY
World Chat Champion



Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Karma :
PostPosted: 21:08 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Another all weather hero? My point is simply that you ride your bike all year because it's necessary, either because you ride around a busy city or because you don't own a car...am I right? I was riding bikes for 5 years before I took my car test so rode all year but now I have the option I pick the most appropriate vehicle from my fleet of 2 cars and 2 bikes Laughing

If you had to commute up a motorway with no corners and no traffic and you owned a car for what reason would you be using the bike exactly? I do ride my bike in winter but only for fun and to keep it ticking over, not trudging up the A1M everyday to prove how much of a true biker I am Laughing
____________________
ZX6R + CBR600RR
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Whosthedaddy
Super Spammer



Joined: 11 Dec 2005
Karma :
PostPosted: 21:14 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
T0MMY wrote:
mattsprattuk wrote:

absolute fags.


Laughing Clearly you must be the fag if you think you have to ride your bike in winter to prove your manhood.


Or, a comment from a person with no car licence?

Winter commuting is a pain in one way or another but never really bothered me unless really icy out. I'm hoping that the weather isn't too bad this year as the commute is long, straight and very tedious at the best of times, fighting the elements at 5.45 in the morning wont be fun!

Anything can be a decent winter solution.
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Alex A
World Chat Champion



Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Karma :
PostPosted: 22:37 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
max power wrote:
i`m gonna be stuck with the rsvr in the middle of winter....and that`s something that just can`t happen!


Not to hijack your thread, but I have a very similar dilemma and am after the same recommendations. I was all set to be riding a '98 blade through winter, which is not at all a hack but is comfortable, handles shitty weather well and offers excellent weather protection with a double bubble. Mileage is decent and it's not likely to depreciate much with mileage.

Then a mint SP-1 came up locally at a very tempting price, and I've wanted one for ages. So I've now got both in the garage, and could do with selling the 'blade to release some cash. But I really don't want to be putting 200+ motorway commuting miles a week on the VTR through the winter. It's just too nice a bike to be doing that. Every mile means depreciation, especially in the long term. It's significantly more thirsty than the 'blade too, and offers less weather protection. And I'd be very nervous of binning it on sleet/ice/snow/grit.

I could sell the blade for close to £2k, but then what 'hack' could I buy that is happy to sit at 90 on the motorway (which is 90% of my commute), offers decent weather protection, is very reliable, won't need any work doing, is reasonably frugal, and would release a decent amount of cash (at least £1k)? An old battered Fazer 600 maybe?
____________________
Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



Joined: 21 Sep 2005
Karma :
PostPosted: 23:20 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Re: Best winter commuter??? Reply with quote
max power wrote:
semi sporty commuter bike like the CB500,GS500 etc




Lol
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Polarbear
Super Spammer



Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Karma :
PostPosted: 23:36 - 01 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Alex_A wrote:
max power wrote:
i`m gonna be stuck with the rsvr in the middle of winter....and that`s something that just can`t happen!


Not to hijack your thread, but I have a very similar dilemma and am after the same recommendations. I was all set to be riding a '98 blade through winter, which is not at all a hack but is comfortable, handles shitty weather well and offers excellent weather protection with a double bubble. Mileage is decent and it's not likely to depreciate much with mileage.

Then a mint SP-1 came up locally at a very tempting price, and I've wanted one for ages. So I've now got both in the garage, and could do with selling the 'blade to release some cash. But I really don't want to be putting 200+ motorway commuting miles a week on the VTR through the winter. It's just too nice a bike to be doing that. Every mile means depreciation, especially in the long term. It's significantly more thirsty than the 'blade too, and offers less weather protection. And I'd be very nervous of binning it on sleet/ice/snow/grit.

I could sell the blade for close to £2k, but then what 'hack' could I buy that is happy to sit at 90 on the motorway (which is 90% of my commute), offers decent weather protection, is very reliable, won't need any work doing, is reasonably frugal, and would release a decent amount of cash (at least £1k)? An old battered Fazer 600 maybe?


ZZR1100. You can pick the C version up from £700ish. I paid £800 for mine. Lovely bike, superb engine and good weather protection Thumbs Up
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Devils Advocate
World Chat Champion



Joined: 18 Apr 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 08:07 - 02 Oct 2009    Post subject: Re: Best winter commuter??? Reply with quote
chris-red wrote:
max power wrote:
semi sporty commuter bike like the CB500,GS500 etc




Lol


I fail to see the humour.

If you`re picturing the pre 1990s bikes that`s not what i meant.
There`s plenty of cb500s and gs500s that look "semi-sporty" because they have fairings...like these:

https://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2006%5C04%5C16%5Cbikepics-565690-200.jpg
https://www.bikez.com/pictures/honda/1995/803_0_1_2_cb%20500_Image%20credits%20-%20Leopold.jpg
https://www.airtech-streamlining.com/images/GS500titan.jpg
https://www.suzuki-bikes.com/images/bikes/2006/Suzuki-GS500F.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/3k93m63l95Pf5R45S499o3ef607962342195c.jpg

Last edited by Devils Advocate on 08:20 - 02 Oct 2009; edited 1 time in total
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Alex A
World Chat Champion



Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Karma :
PostPosted: 08:24 - 02 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
Polarbear wrote:
ZZR1100. You can pick the C version up from £700ish. I paid £800 for mine. Lovely bike, superb engine and good weather protection Thumbs Up


Ahh! One of those should do the trick nicely - I'll keep my eyes open for something locally. Shame the fairing is ugly as sin, but then it's only a hack.
____________________
Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Jayy
Mr. Ponzi



Joined: 08 Jun 2009
Karma :
PostPosted: 08:54 - 02 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've decided to get rid of my ZX6R at the begining of November and get a KTM 640 supermoto for the winter and go back to an R1 come summer.

It's whatever you feel most comfortable on at the end of the day. I love the ZX but I don't like it in the rain at all. An I don't do a daily commute, I use it for pleasure mostly and if I need to get somewhere so it's not too bad.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

MarJay
But it's British!



Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Karma :
PostPosted: 08:54 - 02 Oct 2009    Post subject: Reply with quote
There is only one choice for a winter plodder I'm afraid and it consists of two letters.

MZ.

That is all.


https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/mzsmall4_168.jpg
____________________
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.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 16 years, 79 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> General Bike Chat All times are GMT
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
 You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 
Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.10 Sec - Server Load: 0.98 - MySQL Queries: 14 - Page Size: 136.48 Kb