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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Karma :
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Posted: 11:54 - 07 Nov 2018 Post subject: new commuter |
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hi all
with the ULEZ in London looming it is time to think of a new commuter, currently on an 02 cbr f4i, tbh with traffic getting worse and worse in London I've had enough of sports bikes (even though I love the look of them).
I know the best option would be a scooter but I prefer the riding position of a proper motorbike.
Comfort is now more important to me than pure looks although I would still like it to look half decent.
Currently thinking of a Fazer 600 or 1000 or perhaps MT07 or 09 as these still look quite nice and have the power I would want, will also most likely stick a box on the back as this will be my transport mon-fri and only use the old car on the weekend (which I dont take into the ULEZ).
so realistically what I am looking for in a bike is
1. comfort - 6ft2 19-20st
2. half decent looks - I prefer twin headlight ones and a bit of width to my bike but still need to be able to filter easily
3. ABS!
4. reliable - i don't want to be fiddling with the bike all the time, one because i'm lazy, two because i don't really have the time and three as my knowledge is limited
5. reasonable mpg - similar to a cbr600 would be fine for me
any others ideas of bikes i should be looking at?
thanks |
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owl |
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owl World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Oct 2016 Karma :
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Karma :
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Posted: 12:57 - 07 Nov 2018 Post subject: re |
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hadn't though of a budget probably in the £4-6k range max. I do like the look of the MT09 but agree it may attract unwanted attention, most of the time parking won't be an issue as garaged at home and "secure" parking at work, i might start taking it to the gym with me rather than drive which is why i was looking at a box on the back too.
CB600F might be worthwhile, are they the new CBF basically? |
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owl |
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owl World Chat Champion
Joined: 21 Oct 2016 Karma :
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Posted: 13:11 - 07 Nov 2018 Post subject: |
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Arfa__ |
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Arfa__ Traffic Copper
Joined: 01 Feb 2013 Karma :
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Posted: 13:47 - 07 Nov 2018 Post subject: |
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Well, I'm in similar position as yourself, just upgraded from an old Fazer FZS600 to a newer FZ6 S2 from 2007.
So, how does it stack up in London?
You need the FZ6 S2, older ones don't hit the Euro 3 mark. The S2 looks better, better brakes, and has extra cat in the exhaust.
They're cheap and well under your budget £2.5k got me a 2007 model with 12k on it in decent nick. TBH I'd only consider something more fancy if you've got decent secure parking either end of your commute and don't it picking up the odd scrape and scratch from tight parking bays and nitty gritty filtering.
Only some FZ6's had ABS (mine didn't), so you may need to pay fraction more for one with ABS.
It's got a bit more low down grunt and torque than the old FZS600, great around town and on twisties.
I really miss the 21 litre tank and 230 mile range of my old 2003 FZS600. But mpg wise, both get about 50-55 ish. And if anything like my old Fazer, it should be pretty bullet proof and cheap enough to maintain.
I'm 6'1" and have found the pegs to seat distance a spot cramped, been getting a bit of knee ache on long journeys and covering rear brake (e.g. for low speed filtered in town) is a little awkward angle wise on my ankle. I'm going to be looking into a raised seat. Imagine you'll be similar here.
It's a bit more upright that a CBR, but still a little lean forward, you may find it a nice compromise.
The under seat exhausts do get toasty, reckon that'll be nice through the winter, but I do worry that'll piss me off in summer....
Other bikes in this category you should perhaps consider:
CB600F Hornet
SV650 (though some say these are a bit cramped for tall folk)
BMW F800ST or GT - bit tamer, but very good mpg and practical.
But with your budget, perhaps look at
CB650F
MT09/07
Tracer 900 (or 700)
Kwak Z650/Z900
Really depends on your security and how bad the insurance is for you. For me in East London all the above were £1.5k+ to insure... ____________________ Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007 |
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MarJay |
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MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
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Posted: 14:34 - 07 Nov 2018 Post subject: |
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For me, I'm thinking that an ER6F might be a good idea. I'm going to have the same problem in a couple of years...
Full fairing - weather protection
Very comfortable
Cheap insurance
Enough grunt but not warp speed ____________________ British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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barrkel |
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barrkel World Chat Champion
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 15:59 - 07 Nov 2018 Post subject: |
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I was in the same spot a month or so ago. It was shortly after nearly being bike-jacked for the second time on my SH300, I decided it's too dangerous to ride a fun scooter through London on a regular basis.
My shortlist included Hornet, YBR-250 (on the basis of undesireability and very long tank range, but they're scarce on the ground), FZ6 S2.
My constraints were strong preference for ABS, a post-2007 model because of ULEZ, and nothing new / fancy / too desireable because of thieves and year-round commuting. This ruled out things like MTs.
I ruled out the ER6 because I've already had one and don't want to go back.
I found a decent newish Hornet for relatively cheap (3k) and went with that. Biggest downside is the tank range, I get about 110 miles and fill with 14.5L fuel, normally down to last bar by 90 miles. ____________________ Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ |
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LustyLew |
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LustyLew World Chat Champion
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
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Arfa__ |
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Arfa__ Traffic Copper
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Posted: 14:55 - 12 Nov 2018 Post subject: |
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On the Tracers - check oil cooler on front of engine for corrosion. Mate of mine had his rot through after 2 and bit years of use, from brand new. I think it was cud getting stuck around it, then just rotting through some bit so it leaked. Cost him £400-500 odd to replace it. ____________________ Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007 |
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
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Posted: 14:27 - 13 Nov 2018 Post subject: Re: re |
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kgm wrote: | bigdom86 wrote: | cheers all, was watching reviews on the tracer 900 and looks pretty good, going to go test ride one soon, was randomly browsing and a VFR came to mind as a possibility too but maybe too close to a CBR so possibly pointless in terms of comfort. or perhaps I could just find some bar risers for the CBR, how high can they go? |
The crossrunner varient of the vfr800 is a good, underrated bike, if you can see past it's looks. Upright seating position, flexible engine and nimble about town, much better around town and tight twisties than the normal vfr IMO and you don't lose much high speed ability. No issues filtering either as it's not too wide. The looks are a bit of an acquired taste though and the vfr lump is a bit thirsty. I've had one for about a year now, can be had for a good price. Mine was a bargain meant as a stand in but I like it so much I'm keeping it. |
I did look at the crossrunner too, looks quite nice tbh. although I have a hatred for the cyclops lights on bikes |
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
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kgm |
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kgm World Chat Champion
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M.C |
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garth World Chat Champion
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
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Posted: 11:27 - 16 Nov 2018 Post subject: |
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A violent wobble of the handle bars at speed. I found it happened to me at around 105 mph, but went away around 115mph. It didn't happen when I had a pillion on board. Some people have suggested a change of hand guards fixes it, others luggage, others still suspension set up and many don't experience it at all. It seems to be most likely and aerodynamic issue from the reading I've done.[/quote]
doesn't sound great, luckily I'm just a london commuter so barely get above 40mph if I'm lucky! I might keep the old cbr600 if I decide to ride for fun |
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Polarbear |
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Polarbear Super Spammer
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
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bigdom86 |
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bigdom86 Traffic Copper
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Posted: 10:33 - 03 Dec 2018 Post subject: re |
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after looking at bikes in person and having a sit on them I have narrowed it down to the following - will try to test ride most of them
CB650F or CB1000R - coming from a CBR600f4i I am more inclined to the CB over my other choices - bit worried the CB650F may feel sluggish as a drop in BHP from the CBR so contemplating the thou but feel it might be wasted on a London stop-start commute
FZ1/FZ8 - quite like the look of these and were comfy to sit on, hard to come by however and ABS doesn't seem to come up much which I want, unsure if I prefer the look of the FZ or CB tbh
MT09 - very nice looking bike, but in person and sitting on it feels very cheap not sure why and super light, going to test ride it and see what I think - slightly worried if I was to get this one as I know it is a thief magnet
MT10 not a choice but damn that bike is sexy, perhaps my next upgrade in a few years time
I need to stick a top-box on whatever I buy as it is going to be my main transport soon, so the bike still needs to look half-decent with that on
from the above anything I should pay good attention to? any owners of the above would recommend or steer clear of? |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 5 years, 144 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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