As a commuter bike ?

greatmoorred · Nearly there... Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Karma :

If you were to choose between a zxr400 and a gsf400 for a 20 mile per day commute, which would you take ?
they are both similar price and insurance is similar too.

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Neither, I'd get an NC30 or a CB1.

Rob W · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Nov 2004 Karma :

I did a 70 mile daily commute on my ZXR and it was fine. As a commuter the Bandit would probably be better, but you could have more fun at weekends on the ZXR.
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TS50 > Senda 125 > ZXR400 > CB-1 > GSX-R1000 > Bandit 600 > ZXR750 H1 > GSX-R750 SRAD > '98 RR-W Fireblade > T595 Daytona > Hornet 900 > '04 Fireblade > GSX-S1000F (x2) > '23 XSR900

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

A CB250 or similar.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

yeah i think have a cb250 to commute on and save the nice bike for weekends

might seem like more initially but you will save in th long run

cb250's are cheap
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colin1 is officially faster than god

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

What kind of roads do you travel along on the way to work?

greatmoorred · Nearly there... Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Karma :

A roads, and a couple of miles on a bypass ( 70mph )

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

I commuted 60 miles a day, 5 days a week for 3 years to and from Uni (as well as lots of pleasure riding in between).

The first 2 years was on a Bandit 400, which had electrics that didn't really agree with the wet (had to bag and seal the solendoids), requiring frequent bump starts after it had been parked at Uni. It wasn't a bad bike, went pretty well with the VVT, was an okay handler (centre stand decked out a little early) and was quite frugal to run (£350 a year to insure, 55mpg).

After 2 years, I got my NC30, which transformed the trip to Uni each day. I was much better at speed, so much more reliable (mine lasted 18 months without any problems from its rectifier (the only regular fault on Honda 400s)) and infinately more fun. Plus the soundtrack was fantastic. When the weekend came or the sun came out, I changed my usual commute to the twisty 10 mile longer backroad; those were some pretty good biking days. The bike was about the same to insure and if I was careful with the throttle, returned the same mpg. Even with opening it up a bit for a more brisk ride, I still got around 45-50mpg.

I've ridden a few 400s since (and owned some too) but still rate the 400 as the one for me. They can be bought for little money now as well.

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

If it's got wheels you can commute. Thumbs Up

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

I'm using a CB-1 to commute on at the moment, can't fault it really. Come summer time I shall be taking the twisties to work.

Only pain is the short tank range on the bike (the car would last a week with a full tank).

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

I use a ZX6R at the moment, Just keep it serviced properly and clean. The latter being very important.

greatmoorred · Nearly there... Joined: 13 Jul 2005 Karma :

thanks for the tips. I am currently driving my laguna which is 2.0L and its taking me upto an hour to drive 10 miles, and costing me a fortune in petrol due to the stop/start condtions.
there are 2 bike shops near work and they have all sorts of second hand machines in. The zxr and the little bandit caught my eye as being in good nick, cheap, smallish engine and really cheap to insure.