Bike Choice & Hi

[BoSelecta75]

hi all - first off thanks for having me!

I'm coming into my second winter on my Aprilia RS 125 (2 stroke) which I absolutely love. However my situation is soon changing from a nice 11 mile commute with a back up lift from a work mate (snowy days) to a 27 mile slog (including motorway) with no back up.

Needs must so I'll be needing a bigger bike. I'd always planned to upgrade to an RVF 400 NC35 but with my situation changing it isn't really on the cards. I need something a little easier on the wrists and safer in the slippy stuff.

As i said it's for a 27 mile commute and this is 99% of my consideration. There is a possibility of using it for weekend trips back up to see the family in Newcastle (from London) but that really would be a bonus.

At the minute I've been looking at 600s & 650s. My research has lead me to the FZ6, the Verysys & CB600 Hornet. As i have no experience on bigger bikes and have obviously never ridden any of these or any of their peers I'd appreciate some input on what people have to say.

Any suggestions taken on board

Thanks very much,
Scott

[lihp]

I commute 30 miles on motorway on a naked. My advice, get a fully faired bike. if you get a naked/ half faired you will wish in bad weather and cold that you had something else.

Look at ZZR etc
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covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

[angryjonny]

I did 30 miles each way on a Fazer 600, summer and winter, motorway and urban. I bought it because that's what I saw a lot of couriers riding. I found a half-fairing was enough as I was in waterproofs most of the time anyway. It's the wind off your chest that you need the most.

I bought a VFR after that, which I loved, but I always felt the FZS was a better bike for the commute.

Get something disposable. You're going to be doing 15000 miles a year. If you buy a shiny new steed and you'll be devastated to watch it tearing itself apart with punishment like that. If you buy something rough around the edges you won't feel so bad about chucking it in a skip when it turns to oily rust.

[lihp]

I get a hell of a lot wetter and colder on an er5 commuting than when I used to do it on my R6.

Legs and boots get soaked and dripping through no fairing etc.
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covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

[mic]

zzr600

sports tourer.... not a crouched over sports bike, plenty of fairing and still has lots of poke and twin exhaust!!

edited for a more recent pic with double bubble screen fitted

https://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh470/mic8310/IMG_00000830_zps036a5ef4.jpg
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zzr600

[DrSnoosnoo]

I'd vote for the ZZR too, really capable bikes, fast when you need them to be too.

I'm threatening getting a smaller one for snowy shitty riding though because they're quite heavy.
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[c_dug]

I completely disagree with the ZZR suggestion, out of all of the bikes I have owned in the past the ZZR is probably the last one I would suggest if you are planning on riding through the worst of the weather. For what it is it is a very heavy bike, and it is covered in fragile and expensive to replace plastic.

What you want is a light half naked commuter with a set of engine/crash bars, I'd say you were along the right lines with your first choices.

I can't say I noticed any real difference between a fully faired and half faired bike in terms of warmth and dryness, on a 30 mile trip if it rains you are going to get wet. You may find something with a large encompassing fairing may be a bit better, but anything sporty is designed for aerodynamics, not weather protection!
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Slacker24seve...]

Fazer makes the most sense, if only because of a Hornet's 120 mile tank range. Half faired, no expensive stuff to break, decent engine etc. if your commute were shorter or you didn't mind filling up every 3 days (or if you are a shortarse yourself) I would definitely say Hornet however. I did a 30 mile largely motorway commute on a naked one and it was fine, your neck soon gets used to it.
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[Wonko The Sane]

how about a deauville?

not the most exciting of bikes but capable of long distance journeys and commuting.

I use a ZZR 600 and am planning on carrying on through the winter as much as possible, however this is my first winter on it.
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They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[ws4936]

I used to commute through rain sleet and snow on a GPZ500s, great bike and very forgiving in the snow.

And like yourself used to use it for longer runs to see the folks on some weekends.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[lihp]

[j.silvs]

Varadero? But less dull than a deauville

I have been commuting on a gsxr with motorway miles and to be honest it's totally fine.

You can get a sports bike for 30mile commute, it won't be bad at all. I have been doing 100 miles each way