Uni & Bike

[NC30UK]

As you can probably guess i have a VFR 400 at the monet, i also have a car.
I'm off to uni in september and i don't think i'll be able to afford to run a car. Keeping the VFR isnt really an option either as it is uncomfortable for long distances and a pain in the arse around town due to its high first gear and heavy clutch.

So what would people suggest? I was thinking perhaps getting a supermoto or a 500 commuter.

Basic requirement is a bike thats easy to ride around town, can do distances, as few cylinders as possible. Capacity doesnt really matter appart from the increased road tax.

[0ddball]

The thing i'd worry about with a moto is theft. It would be bad enough risk parking on campus but if you had to leave it in a multistory all day....

[The Tot]

I'd say keep the bike. Most universities off decent bike garages although the one in loughborough is packed to the brim. The VFR is slightly bigger than my ZXR, but i easily find that i can do my weekly shopping on my bike - tankbag and backpack full of drinks and food - and head down to london with clothes and uni work relatively easily. It's not too difficult to do and my zxr does all, even though it's not intended for such multipurpose use.

At least with a bike, you can park anywhere on campus. Supermoto will get nicked, 500 commuter is practical, but not that fun compared to the NC30. You pick your choice, i'd say keep with your bike. What uni are you planning to go to?
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Never argue with autism

[ram_doom]

Honda dominator would be a good choice? Rugged, fun and cheap as chips although I'd stick with the '30.
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TL1000s, KDX200

[TheDonUK]

I am on the other side of the coin, i am going uni this year and have a GS500, but i would love any 400, the 500's are solid, but after a 400 i dont know.. if its strictly utilitarian why not get a cg125?

[NC30UK]

I was tempted by a cg\cb perhaps an old CB250?
Was also tempted by a 180cc gilera DNA, no clutch should be reliable (4 stroke isnt it?) helmet storage area.

Id love a TRX 850, but i think one might be a bit much to buy and insure?

Does anyone have any uni biking expirence? do most have provisions for biking?
What would one say if i were to ask if i could sink a ground anchor by my accomodation?

[Gazdaman]

Don't be such a girl, take the VFR.

I took an MZ 250 when I first went to uni, 250 2stroke, top speed of about 80mph, ugly as sin. Perfect for uni.

Got stolen outside my house, but I live in a pretty shitty area of Bristol.

Now I ride a bandit 600S back and forth to uni, and home every so often (350mile round trip).

TBH I wish I had something sportier to go out hooning at the weekends on.

Maurice takes his NC30 to uni, parking is a doddle, and is normally pretty secure, alot will depend on where your halls are though. Luckily I have a house with a drive.

Gaz

[Fastgut]

[Dark]

Bandit / Hornet / Fazer 600 ?
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[JonB]

The only reason I won't be taking my bike to uni is cause the insurance will go up the roof.
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[A J]

I am at uni with my CBR600F and it is perfect as i can take my mate who lives just a few minutes away from me back and forwrd to uni down the motorway with ease also i can go for a blast on a sunday, these bikes can be picked up cheaply.

Also there is a bike park with ground anchors so i just chain it up there, also at my brothers uni they have various bike parks with things to chain it to, id stick with the VFR as you may get bored with a 500 comuter and wish you had your 400 back.

every uni i have been to visiting mates they all have had good bike security so i dont think that it will be a problem.
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Train hard, fight easy.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

If you told us what uni(s) you were looking at you'd make this question somewhat easier.

[Simple]

I'm (hopefully) going lincoln in september,

I'll be taking my GPZ500s, so I can nip home as and when I like, also it will allow me to flip between the two campuses without relying on uni buses.

When at the open day I asked if there was secure parking for motorcycles
to which the reply was yes, they have a covered ground anchored locked courtyard below each accomodation block for bikes, push and motor.

So a s'moto would be safe I guess when parked up at accom. depending on if the uni you plan on going to has a similar area.



the gpz500s isnt like other 500's in that it has somewhat of a 'kick' at 7000rpm which makes for interesting riding, the fairing offers wind protection and she handles very well even if the frame feels like it's made from cheese at times.


I will not be adjusting my insurance for uni as it will also go up around £300 even though I'm moving from a Cat F area. Instead I will meerly be visiting uni and 'living' at home.


I'm quite tempted to get a little honda 400 mayb the nc29 after my 33bhp restriction is up (9months to go) though I'm not sure if I'd want to rack up the miles on it going to uni and back, I think I'd rather have one as a second bike and use somthing like the gpz for the mileage and keep the 400 as a toy.

but that's my opinion, my wrists can't tolerate sport bike riding position but I still rode my NSR decent distance, the agony was worth it.

email the admin ppl at your first choice uni, ask them about parking provisions if you didn't when you were at an open day, how about going to an open day on the VFR if you haven't already

the weather is getting better now but will you want to ride the trip home on an old 400 at christmas?

you could take the VFR for the first term until chrimbo and if it doesn't work sell it and buy something else (time of year to pick up a bike cheap and then sell your vfr later in spring?)

Simple
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[Dot_Comm]

[NC30UK]

Thanks for all the replies! My first choice uni is aberystwyth, which is about 100 miles from home. The VFR isnt a very good distance bike, after riding more than 100 miles on it in a day my left shoulder aches for about 3 days, and i get cramp after riding only a few miles on it.

I've had sports bikes for ages, and althoughthey look and sound good, the performance levels don't really justify the lack of comfort, as i rearely thrash the thing enough to go much quicker than a 500 could if thrashed.

GPZ sounds like a good option. What are they like reliability wise (only had bomb proof honda's so far)

I'll email the uni and ask about parking. Do you think they would let me fit one of these at my accomodation?

https://www.yanchor.com/

Flush with the ground and too small to trip over

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Aber is going to be different from the typical inner city uni, a lot quieter and entertainment will revolve a lot more around the student union.

Imo getting a commuter bike for Aber is a very bad idea, the town isn't very big (around 19,000 iirc, compared to a student population in Bristol of 28,000), and the roads surrounding it are legendary.

They have halls next to the uni iirc, which is good for security if you're staying there. Uni's in cities tend to have the students living in the cheaper areas = lot more chance of getting your bike nicked.

From what I've heard about their halls, it may be best plumping for an ensuite room as otherwise the bathrooms are shared between 10.

Oh yeah, the VFR is a good distance bike, you just need the stamina

[Simple]

[NC30UK]

I realise that the roads are awsome, but i nearly died about 4 times driving there the other week in good weather

130mph bike + twisty roads + winter = unlikely to graduate

I've had the 400 for nearly 2 years now, just thought uni was a good ecuse for a change to something that wasnt quite so revvy

Thanks for the help guys (and gal)

[TOM M]

The only reason why i dont take mine to uni is because of the absolute shithole are halls are in, and there isnt anywhere to chain it to.
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit