Long commute, bike choice - comments required

[map]

Just had a word with a friend who's taken a new job.
Trouble is that's it's a 80 to 100 mile commute (round trip).
What he's looking at to commute is a Honda SilverWing

Now talking to him it kinda makes sense. Large storage, weather protection and economic.
Tried to point out it's a scooter but for the weather protection & storage the only bike I can think of to match would be a full dress tourer.

Anyone got any other comments and/or experience of these?
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Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Milo]

Well whatever the weather I don't get wet - a simple pair of over-trousers, textile jacket, gloves and bike boots sort that out.
I love my XJ900f for commuting. Smooth, easy to ride, reliable and it's shaft drive.
Problem with a scooter is that the small wheels could land him in trouble if the road surface is bad or bumpy.
And anyway, silverwings are bloody expensive!
He might want to look at the burgman 400 if there's no too many motorway miles, or the 600 if there is.
If it's smaller A road stuff then there's a few 250 maxi-scooters out there which will be much cheaper to run.

Or just get any good old proven commuter with a top box and heated grips...
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Shaft drives rule.

[Gazdaman]

maybe a pan european if he wants to go all out comfort and storage.

They'll also go suprisingly fast for such an ugly machine.

Gaz

[Tarmacsurfer]

Although I've not tried a silverwing per se, I spent a week on a Piaggio X9 500 scooter a little while back, covering around 200-300 miles a day with little or no problem. Very, very comfortable (even more so than the XJ900 I was usually on) and felt totally planted on motorway runs as well as city riding. The weather protection was unreal, and large storage capacity even without a topbox fitted. To be honest, if I was going back onto the circuit then I'd seriously look into running one (or the 250 version) as a city bike.
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[palmer]

we have a pan european, and yes they are very fast, took it to a trackday at cadwell and it kept up very well. and yes they are as comfy and your grandads 'tv chair'

[map]

Thanks for the feedback - I will pass it on.
If the Piaggio is cheaper I suspect that it'll be on the list to check.
I suspect a new Pan sould be OTT, maybe an old ST1100 can be found. If not I know he's looked at the BMW K1100s before.

I think the big 250/400cc scooters are lignored. Bearing in mind it's an office job so considering the need to wear office clothes and pack laptop/portfolio files my friend could have if sussed. I wonder how a big scoot would cope with a bit of touring?
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[palmer]

we hired out a 650 'scooter something' a while back, i remember it being surprisingly fast and not too bad with comfort, although it was quite heavy and long it handled well (or so my dad said)

[iCraig]

A bike your friend should consider is a ZZR600, as for storage you can get a full rack with a top box and panniers.

It will be alot lighter than the Silverwing and Pan, and cheaper to run and can be used at weekends for fun! Its got a full fairing too for weather protection and a decent riding position.

[Kickstart]

Hi

If you want a dull commuter type bike that is easy to ride and maintain then also consider the Honda PC800 Pacific Coast or the Deauville.

All the best

Keith
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[bazza]

Sir might want to consider a Triumph Trophy...
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