Motorway commuter? [UPDATE]

[drzsta]

Hi all,

After a bit of advice, new job starting which means using motorway 40 miles a day.

I'm basically after a 2nd bike which will comfortably handle motorway work without feeling underpowered yet offer economical commuting and be reliable.


Budget of £3500 but ideally the cheaper the better, what are my options?

Cheers.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

£500 CB500 leaving £3000 for fuel.
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I thought of the CB500 too but maybe with half fairing....then I thought hmmm it's a twin and often the 4 cylinder bikes are better on fuel.

I say CBR600F. £1500
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[stinkwheel]

Unless it's a particularly busy bit of motorway where you'll need to filter, I'd suggest a Nissan Micra. Motorbikes are no fun on motorways but handy on busy ones.

An NTV650 otherwise.
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[temeluchus]

Deuville or a maxi scooter (yamaha T-Max, honda Silverwing 600, suzuki burgman 400/650)
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[P.addy]

CBR600RR or Bandit 1250.

[Ed Case]

Commuting through the winter a Micra or summat else like that has gotta be the answer, sub-zero temperatures/icy roads/salt, bikes don't even compare. Summer is a totally different proposition.

[drzsta]

[c_dug]

Out of all of the bikes I've previously owned I'd take a Diversion 900 every single time.

Way way under budget and the perfect tool for the job.


Edit: somebody mentioned an NTV, I had one of those too, for a 45 mile each way commute, it was bloody good for the job to be fair but I'd still take the divvy.
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[Itchy]

CB500S and spend the other £2800 on fuel.

Or CB500 and spend the other £2900 on fuel and £100 on new shirts with a wider neck.

Or an NTV600/650 the shaft drive means no chain maintenance goodness. But still needs extra money for larger shirts.
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[david mcc]

Ive got a deauville that I use every day unless its snowing / ice. Economical and plenty of space for work stuff / change of clothes. Costs buttons to insure and no one will steal it. Shaft drive so little maintenence and honda reliability.

downside is that its not an exciting drive.
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Honda Deauville 650 V3

[kramdra]

A CB500 is under powered for motorway. Your not saving much, but getting a lot less. Most cars will have equal top speed, not ideal with the number of crazy idiots. It'll do the job if you only ride slow.

CBR600 FX-F6 is the perfect bike, and reliable. They are quite cheap now.. under £1500.

20 miles each way is not far, I could do motorway but chose country lanes same distance. It is a lot of fun

[c_dug]

I wouldn't choose a chain drive sportsbike for that sort of mileage, a cbr is only the perfect choice if you chose form over function, I see little reason to chose one over a Deauville or Diversion 900 otherwise.
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[Itchy]

[stevo as b4]

Why does a motorway capable bike need more top speed than most cars though to be safe?

I've gone to Portsmouth and back in a day on a CB500S, and with plenty of motorway mixed in.

I don't think my Fully faired ZX6R was much if any better on motorways really, and it was just as limited by range. I got from Stourport to Portsmouth on one tank of fuel, by going onto reserve just after I got on the M27. That was about 178miles, and once in France I doubt id have got another 5miles before running out.

[stinkwheel]

[sickpup]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Northern Monkey]

Some of the first nc700x are now available for about £3k. Boring but reliable and economical.
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[Copyhat]

The NTV is a great bike. Get a Givi touring screen for it and you're set for motorway commuting.

[Kris]

Another vote for Deauville.

Second bikes get abused and neglected. I think one of those will last quite well without being pampered.
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[Polarbear]

3rd vote for a Deauville. Shaft drive is a wonderful thing on a commuter and built in panniers. What's not to like.
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[iooi]

[Matt B]

OP should be able to get a Deauville and a Micra for £3.5k. Best of both - take the bike when you can, if not jump in the car.
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