Ideal long-distance commuting bike?

[WD Forte]

I'd dispute 60 miles as long distance.
OK a 120 round trip, but that still isn't far.
Once a month? that's a shopping trip.
I'd accept Oxford Edinburgh as long distance.

When I were lad we used to go from Bristol to the Ace cafe and back in a day on 30 year old Cx's

it were all fields round here back then...................
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[Broken_panniers]

I don't think London to Edinburgh by bike is really commutable though!

I suppose 'long distance' means involving significant motorway work. Most 'commuter' bikes are merely adapted to town/city riding, and miss out this element (which is crucial in my case).

Not saying my commute is impossible - if it were then I wouldn't have taken the job! - but I reckon the journey is a fairly long way as commutes go.

What bike would you chose for it?

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

to be honest if I ever lost my job and all my money and had to start from the ground up again, my commuter would absolutely be a scooter with a waterproof blankey to keep my flaps warm and dry.
____________________
PRESENT: 2018 BMW S1000XR SE Sport.
PAST: 2009 Kawasaki ER-6F. 2021 Zontes ZT-125U.

[blurredman]

Done Cardiff to Graz in 2 days on my ETZ251. Also Budapest to Calais in 2 days too on the 251. Fun times.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 17k. , 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 9k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 38k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 49k

[stinkwheel]

[Serendipity]

[Serendipity]

[Polarbear]

Another for a Dullsville. You've got a fun bike anyway. And tbh, they are bloody good long distance tourers.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[bacon]

If I had to do that regularly I'd prob go with a deauville 700, and not spend £3.5k if I could help it.

I have a vfr800fi, I do commute on it around 50miles a day at the moment and it's fine, though it doesn't match my old 650 dullville for comfort. Shaft drive (no maintenance), a light clutch, engine that makes usable power down low, easy to ride in awful weather without having to think too much etc etc. Ok it looks very "commuter", but who cares, it's the right tool for the job.

[ThatDippyTwat]

You'll pick up a VFR without issue for that budget. Shit, I'd let my Crossrunner go for that. Solid, reliable, and can hustle a touch. Personally, I'd pay more attention to decent multi compound tyres, that won't square off as fast, no matter what you buy.
____________________
'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[bacon]

There's a vfr800 VTEC with 28k on gumtree in Bristol ATM for £1500.....spotted it the other day. Kinda tempting to pick it up and flog the vfr800fi for not much less. Have a bike with a few less miles. Newer etc, just whether the VTEC complications for servicing is worth it over the more simple pre-vtec.

[ThatDippyTwat]

[struan80]

VFR1200. Fairing, shaft drive, good value, comfy, relatively thin, good for filtering. very quick. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I think it';s a sexy looking machine.

Sorry scrap that I see your budget.

[stinkwheel]