suggest me a bike for congested motorway commute

[colin1]

I'm currently commuting about 17 miles of congested motorway filtering with about 3 miles of tighter congested a road and side road filtering to get to work.

Motorway speeds are 25mph to 70mph although more usually 25 to 50mph.

I'm currently using a triumph TT600 which I have had for a few years.
I like the TT600 but i'd like something more upright which is better at low revs.

I was thinking tdm900, but they are a bit heavy. I have thought about cb500 er5 etc but they are unfaired and a bit underpowered maybe.

I've noticed you can get a versys for a bit over £2k and I seem to remember someone on here is a big fan.

I'd consider a big scooter, or a small scooter with an oversize engine, but unfortunately I've become a bit image conscious, so would prefer.

I did own a ttr250 and really liked the long travel suspension on that soaking up speed bumps and the narrow bike with bars that went over car mirrors rather than between them, but I was less keen on the off road tyres, and never got round to working out if I could fit the supermoto wheels.

The bike got nicked but I still have the supermoto wheels including front brake, so I could get another ttr250 and fit them, but I'm not keen on doing motorway speeds on it.

I've seen someone commuting on an oversize ktm that looked good, but I wouldnt want anything too heavy.

I'm lazy with maintenance so would need something pretty bullet proof.

I'm doing 40 miles a day, 200 a week.

I'd consider spending £2-£3k. I tend to think if I spend £1k or less I run the risk of buying a bag of problems.

I'm recently on top of little maintenance/reliability problems with my current bike.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[iooi]

I have a Versys and they are a great bike.

Should do the job you want very well.

Screen protection is Ok. Some people are happy with std others prefer one of the many aftermarket.

7.5K service intervals. Plugs seem to last for ever. High 50 to 60 mpg.

Not sure what size height wise, but there a 3 diffrent seat options.

Very good user forum
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[bikertomm]

I know you say you don't want anything too heavy, but I'm just going to put this out there anyway,

DRZ 400?


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[colin1]

i certainly dont think a drz400 would be too heavy, id just want one with supermoto wheels and i think they are available like that as standard, might be a good idea, as i could then take it offroad at weekends in winter too
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[colin1]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Quornholio]

[Moo.]

Wouldnt some kinda offroader style thing with supermoto wheels be better? As your sat higher up with a better view of the road as your taller. Should be pretty narrow too to help filtering.

Also... if you really get bored, just cut a straight route through the fields
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[Sako]

[D O G]

Maxi scooter FTW. Suzuki Burgman 400 maybe?

If I had that sort of crappy commute, and was going to do it on 2 wheels I'd have a scootay.

[Polarbear]

as much as it hurts to say, yes a burgman or equivalent. As long s you still have a REAL bike for the play days
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[herulach]

Is that literally all you do on it? And can you only have one bike?

Thats not hugely dissimilar to my commute, which I'd be quite happy doing on a 250 - even a 125 wouldn't be that much slower I don't think, but I've only got room for one bike, hence not having one.

If I was picking a new bike for my commute it'd be a big naked since I don't need the luggage anymore. B12 or similar.
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YBR 125>FZS600

[G]

I'd suspect that a good way to get something 'better at low revs' would be to gear the TT for the same speeds as the bikes you're looking at .

I doubt you're going to find much lighter than the TDM in a 'big' guise with lots of power - at least without spending lots of money on KTMs and the like.

Though, if you don't mind a bit of an agricultural feel, the Cagiva 900 elephant, or possibly the Gran Canyon.

As far as trail tyres etc - you can get pretty grippy road rubber in trail sizes.

For motorway commuting, I'd actually hesitate to suggest my usual suggestion of a 1000cc sports bike. Well, for me I would - as I'd be worried I'd make a bit too much use of it.
Narrow bikes are all well and good; but my usual repost is that with the wide bars you still won't be able to get through as tight spots as widier sports bike with narrow bars and mirrors that fold in.

[colin1]

[colin1]

[Quornholio]

[colin1]

[L4Isoside]

I expected G's usual "GSXR1000 because it has infinite torque and any V twin is crap and stuff"

I didn't happen, wow .

I would have said an old crappy hack TBF but I don't really commute on motorbikes anymore so couldn't say.

[jackw72]

CB900f Hornet and stick a larger screen on it. Cos I just got one basically... does fit the bill though.
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08/11/2007 A2 Passed.
Suzuki GSXR 1000 K3
Rapid Training passed

[G]

[iooi]

[P.]

[Pol Anorl]

honda bros 400 !!
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GOOD GAME BODYGUARD: https://i.imgur.com/8WePGgf.jpg
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Jewlio Iglesias: You live in Liverpool - Chances are, the front door has already been kicked off the hinges

[G]

[colin1]

Well it seems the particularly congested motorway was just a 4 day glitch possibly due to a truck totalling a bridge near the m42.

Maybe traffic was having to come my way for a bit and now it can go its own way.

Whatever the reason, today there was hardly any traffic, so the tt600 was perfect for the job, and I cant justify getting something else unless I decided I wanted to commute through the city rather than by motorway, which I don't.
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colin1 is officially faster than god