Looking for a new commuter bike....

[andym]

I've been chasing gremlins since I got the zx9r.... I've sorted out most of the problems.... but it still doesn't like ssssttttoooopppp - start - ssstttoooppp - sta - ssssstttttoooooppppp journeys (which seems to be the way the traffic lights are set up in Glasgow).

so I'm looking for recommendations for a cheap commuter bike that doesn't mind sitting for 5 minutes then moving 10 yards and sitting for another 5 minutes (and repeat several times... daily)

[bacon]

Standard answers for commuter bike request:

Deauville
XJ900 Divvy
etc

[BenR]

Piaggio x9/x8/xevo or suzuki burgman yamaha tmax.
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Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

[andym]

I'm looking for smaller bikes though....


With the journey... I can't justify more than a 125.

If I could be bothered fighting through the helmet cam footage without sounding like a vlogger I'd post a video of the 70/30 stationary lights... but I'm looking for a smaller bike in the 125-500cc range.... otherwise I could keep abusing the ninja... or get the VFR750 back on the road

[Fisty]

Go Busa or go home.
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TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
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[stevo as b4]

A small bike or scooter possibly a 125 ain't a bad shout though. A big engine just don't get warm on stop start short journey's.

At least your not one of those twats that ruin decent cars with pathetically short journey's with cold engines.

[struan80]

May I recommend a cruiser? The VT125 looks like a big bike but is definitely not.

[grr666]

Scoot for commute.
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[andym]

Ah BCF sarcasm at it's best lol

Ask for recommendations on a 125, get recommended a 900 or a cruiser that "looks like a bigger bike" ffs

grr666: as much as I dislike scooters, it's an option, just way down the list..... but still an option.

someone recommended a CB125? is that even a bike? (ffs google says it is)

[Shaft]

Having tried, I wouldn't go from a big bike back down to a 125, even for urban commuting.

I feel that there are times when you still want a bit of punch that a tiddler just can't give you, especially when you need to grunt yourself out of trouble.

Cheap to buy, cheap to run, good in traffic, not particularly heavy, bombproof.............CB500
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[ThatDippyTwat]

Hyosung - Korean 125 twins, decently made, they do a lot with Suzuki. Bigger bikes. As with anything, you need to maintain them, but if you do, they're reliable. Spares readily available. Same motor is in the nekkid commuter (Comet), faired "racebike" (GTR) and cruiser (Aquila).

If you feel the need for a bit more torque later on, the 250 motors drop right in, the 125's just being sleeved down 250's.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[The Shaggy D.A.]

My commute just got 33% shorter, and no road is more than a 60 limit, so am seriously considering getting another YBR for the 10 mile trip.
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Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Andy_Pagin]

YBR125, it's pointless going for anything more upmarket , and a chinky 125 is more trouble than it's worth.
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Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[MATTT]

Ive been using a Benelli TNT125 for my 12 mile commute through dense traffic,its been great so far ,they are 2k new or 1500,1700 used with couple of hundred miles
Light and sharp turning so good for tight lane changing when cars block the lane your filtering
Finish is ok so far ,heard of a few engine failures but mostly they seem ok ,mine was 3 mths old 100 miles for £1500

[kgm]

CB500 would be my suggestion.

I wouldn't recommend a 125. Stick with 250 or above. I use my cg125 for my commute but only because I already have it. If I was to replace it I'd get something 250+. I like riding the 125 about town but really that's down to the light weight. Just a little more poke would remove the occasional frustrations without losing much economy.

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Wtf is wrong with this place? Fireblade.
Or busa^
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[G]

What exactly does the ZX9 not like?

I used mine mostly in 30s and 40s with loads of traffic lights.
Sounds very similar to your commute.

Mine had a tuned engine, full system and had been crashed (before I got it) hard enough to leave a dent in the frame.

Didn't have any issues with traffic as you describe.
(Did have other issues; the random electrical fault meant I eventually gave up, but that's a different matter .)

[andym]

[andym]

Hopefully this works, and shows the problem trying to start it when it's warm:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BosM-K1dMMw

[andyscooter]

royal enfiled bullet

you could have rogerborgs as he is now dead to us
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[Hong Kong Phooey]

[andym]

[stevo as b4]

Not sure if they suffer the same as the ZX6R with poor hot starting? It must be fuel evaporation as mine would cough pop and occasionally backfire through the exhaust trying to start a hot engine that's been switched off for anything up to 10-15min. It'd never start hot without a bit of throttle and it did this from new to 11000miles when sold.

Yours does in the video sound a bit rough once it fires up though IMO. Have you checked for exhaust header leaks and balanced the carbs?

[MarJay]

I have a 50 mile commute with 2/3rds motorway and 1/3rd in town. I chose a VFR800, and it's pretty much ideal. Obviously if it was all in town I'd probably look for something a bit smaller but as I need the motorway power and the full fairing for weather protection the VFR was about right.

How far is your commute andym? Is it entirely in town?
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[kgm]

Biggest problem with the VFR is fuel economy. Mine only does about 45mpg average.