Bike Commute recommendations

CaptainCalami... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 May 2021 Karma :

Hello. New to forum. Not new to biking, although haven’t ridden for 15 years. Last few Bikes owned. Moto Guzzi Jackal, triumph speed triple, ST both old triple style ones. Honda Deauville 650, VFR 750, CBR1000F, and many more.

Car sold, fed up with sitting in traffic so decided I might return to two wheels. Only 25 miles each way, Mixed 50/60mph, country lanes, town, no motorway.

Bike will only be used for commuting, small shopping trips, two up with wife into town or country pub, for touring we use our motorhome.

Go easy I’m a 50 years knackered out old grump, 6ft 1” and gangly.

I’ve been looking at (never even heard of such things when I was riding before) Maxi scooters, Burgman, Silverwings, Forzas.
I like the idea of trying to keep costs to a minimum, ie under 600cc for tax, running costs, insurance is pretty much the same for anything for an old git with more no claims than brain cells.

Budget is up to £2.5k plus gear ,my helmet has been stored in the loft and has had a family of mice using it as a penthouse.

Keep looking at Gumtree, Auto Trader and going round in circles, need to sort something soonish before I’m dragged back into the office next month. Any advice on decent commuters would be very useful. Thanks

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

For those roads? Not a scooter. I'd suggest something like a Versys 650, V-strom 650 or something along those lines. Comfy, Upright, quick enough, some weather protection and you can have a bit of fun on it at the weekend.
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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.

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

A100man · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :

I'm guessing Henry Cole is just out of shot in this one.. Wink

https://live.staticflickr.com/1727/40600332440_512749997c_c.jpg
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

With those requirements, really anything you can find in budget. Your requirements don't really rule anything out, your bike history is sufficiently varied to have tried all kinds of things.

Bikes haven't changed that much in the last 15 years. Fewer sports bikes, more soft-roaders. The demographics have shifted - bikers are getting older and richer, so more newish, low mileage stuff up for sale at the end of the PCP term. Covid boredom has meant that anything cheap or project-shaped is being sold for more than it's worth.

Your budget should get you a good selection of 50-70hp middleweight bikes around 10 years old.

gbrand42 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 23 Jul 2013 Karma :

Deauville 700
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Yamaha RD50M, Honda C90, Yamaha RS100, Yamaha RD125LC, Honda XL125 V9 Varadero, Honda NT700VA, Honda VFR800X, Honda CRF1000L, Honda ST1300 Pan European

chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

Irezumi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 Dec 2019 Karma :

CaptainCalami... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 May 2021 Karma :

Thanks for the responses. Much appreciated. I’ll have a look into some of the bikes mentioned. I must admit I did like the old 650 Deauville so the 700 might be interesting. Shame the tax threshold isn’t 700cc instead of 600 before it gets more expensive. But I guess it’s not that much more. I think that’s why I was interested in a 400cc Burgman but if they are no good on a 60mph road then I’ll rethink

A100man · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :

I reckon a Kawa ZR7 would make a great commuter with a decent pillion seat for the Mrs. Low-ish performance makes them as cheap as chips but I think they look pretty.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

If you don't mind occasionally getting the belts changed, you might think about something like this ?

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/mC4AAOSw7spdzDPi/$_3.JPG

The 750ss is (just) within budget. This has the equivalent power of an inline 4 600cc, but obviously a lot more torque.

I had the 900 and it was a fabulous all rounder. .... its certainly far more interesting than most jap equivalents .....

I keep looking at these again... I suspect at some point I'll own another one ..... once I get the space in the garage .....

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

GSTEEL32 · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 Feb 2010 Karma :

I found it far more comfortable than the 916 and did all my own servicing. I think belts, filters and Oil came in at less than £200.

Its horses for courses, but for some its the journey that's enjoyable, rather than the destination.

Of course, if the latter mattered far more, than a jap tourer would do the job well....

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

CaptainCalami... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 May 2021 Karma :

I have been looking at these huge scooters quite a bit. Like the comfort, screen, low cost, storage under seat and basic easy ride. I’m not buying this for flipping about country lanes and rides at weekends. Not into any of that. Mainly 90% usage will be commuting. Never ridden a maxi scooter so probably a good idea to test ride one I guess.

Tdibs · Traffic Copper Joined: 16 Jan 2015 Karma :

While £30 of tax is annoying, its not enough to write off anything over 600cc imo.

However, honda cb500x would fit the bill perfect, just still too new to fit the budget.

650 transalp, vstrom, versys 650, honda nc700, zzr600 some other options.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

CaptainCalami... · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 May 2021 Karma :

Another factor is pot holes in extremely poor maintained roads these days, definitely worse than when I used to ride. Going on bikes like the Translap or similar, would these be safer ?

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

I wouldn't read too much into it. Marge hates scooters because they offend his sperg-sense and he's too little to reach the handlebars. Shaft likes them because they have enough storage to carry everything you need for a coming-out party, and break down less often than his stable of 40 year old bikes.

They both get a pass because Marge's Buell was the best bike I ever rode, and Shaft's Corvette was the coolest car I've had a ride in.

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

GettinBetter · Crazy Courier Joined: 20 Jun 2019 Karma :

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

kgm · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :

I've ridden a maxi rental on holiday, two up in some good twist, well surfaced roads. It really surprised me. It was fun, handled well, a pillion made zero difference and was surprisingly capable of making progress. My biggest complaint was that it was jarring over bumps with the smaller wheels and short suspension travel but I was seriously surprised by how capable it was overall.

I can definitely see the appeal, but it's not what I want at the moment. Too many normal bikes which suit what I want better. Each to their own and if they do appeal, try one before writing it off.