What bike for commute

[Samsbike]

I have a 40m rtw commute from NW London into C London. Its basically a grind along the a40 with most of the route having average speed cameras.

Its not a fun commute on a large bike (but feels safer) and I did not particularly enjoy it on a swing - it was too big.

So what would you use and why?

My choices at the moment are:
1. Honda sh125
2. Tricity 125
3. some cb125/250/500
4. royal enfield 500

thanks

[Snowdonia Rider]

Larger capacity would be more comfortable. Seeing as you mentioned a CB500, what about something like a CB500X? Frugal, bit of wind protection, upright (comfy) riding position, enough power for overtakes. There's so many choices
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[Itchy]

CB500. Bigger engine does drink more fuel, but it will be at lower revs so less stress on the engine and slightly longer service intervals.
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[G]

Generic answer; GSXR1000 K5/K6, Fugly Fireblade (ABS) and later. Compact, weigh less than a cb500 with much better handling, brakes and powaaa .

[Rogerborg]

[Samsbike]

I have no other bike for fun, but then I don't really get out for fun as if I get an hour or so free, I just go out for a cycle.

[inline4]

How about a scooter... Honda SH300i. It's got sufficient power, wind protection and no need to bother with changing gears.

[Rogerborg]

[Samsbike]

Precisely but looking at them, scooters that is, they are just so uninspiring

[someotherguy]

I second the CB500X suggestion. I'm considering one myself for my commute.

I'd skip the Tricity - those three-wheeled things are like anti-sex.

[Snowdonia Rider]

[Doink]

I commute 40 miles in to the city each day and do it on a Deauville, so 80 mile round trip.

Tons of storage, shaft drive so no worries about chain tensioning and lubing, and it's just as easy to filter as my Varadero 125 was.

If you're on national speed limit A roads at all you'll get very frustrated very quickly on a 125, my Varadero did 75mph flat out but if it was windy you'd be lucky to hit 70 and you can pretty much write off overtaking.

I only bought the Deauville purely as a commuter and it's perfect for the job.

[Spangle2k4]

I do 43 miles each way into London on an NC700X and it's perfect in my opinion, returns 75-80mpg very reliably. It's a big bike but it's very light to handle and has a tight enough turning circle to cut to the next lane quite easily when filtering.

There are few gaps in the A40 where a sports bike or scooter can pull an appreciable lead on the 700; nothing that can't be clawed back with smarter lane choice.

The 500 has less power and doesn't return any better economy so it seems a bit pointless to me; it's also just as overweight.

[Rogerborg]

[Spangle2k4]

[Samsbike]

I like the deauville idea it's just to find a good one with my paltry budget.

[pompousporcup...]

central london you say? would the cheapest, shit looking (but reliable) bike not be better than something that appeals to tea-leaves?

[.Bishbash.]

Best commuter bike I everhad was the GS500, because the tank lasted 190miles and I rarely had to maintain it... CB500s are very similar, so, there's my vote
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Current bike - GSX-R1000 k8

[Samsbike]

[Doink]

[goto10]

I've done nearly 60k on my '62 plate NC700S now (in and out of London - 80 mile round trip each day through a variety of roads), it's pretty much bulletproof and does 200 miles on a tank.
I fitted a PDoiler which makes the chain last a _long_ time with minimal adjustment/manual lubing.
Also fitted a centre stand for the days you _do_ need to do something to it. It's an all-round practical bike that takes a serious amount of punishment - for commuting it's hard to beat.
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'12 NC700S & '12 CB600F Hornet [Stolen by some dickless twat] Suzuki GT500 shed

[Snowdonia Rider]

[Samsbike]

[Alpineandy]

[Rob W]

I know someone selling a 900 Hornet, would be pretty much ideal for that sort of commute. Wont exactly set the world on fire, but it's got plenty of torque and sounds pretty good even with the standard cans. There's a bloke goes into my local bike shop with one, and it's currently at 235K miles, .
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TS50 > Senda 125 > ZXR400 > CB-1 > GSX-R1000 > Bandit 600 > ZXR750 H1 > GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 Fireblade > T595 Daytona > Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900