a change of circumstance means i may be commuting approx 60 miles each way to work on motorways.
Has anyone any recommendations on motorbikes that are reasonably cheap to run and comfortable over this distance.
Was thinking something along the lines of a BMW GS?
Depends how much fun you like.My commute is around 50 miles a day on the M4 in wales on an SV 650S.Not the most suitable commuter but the long way home on the backroads is a lot of fun when the sun is out.
Probably someone along soon with more suitable advice
Fun = RGV250 or an NC30/35 (I've never ridden either, and don't really want to, it'd be like meeting your heroes)
Sensible head = honda CB500
Well, for a start, everyone is going to give you a different answer because everyone prefers 'their bike' ! TJ will say a BWM (Yawn! 
) I'll say a twin of some sort, others will say a 4 cylinder bike.
So, that said, I had a CB500. Did 33000 miles on it in all weathers. It refused to do less than 53mpg even when thrashed, and would do 65 if I tried. It was very reliable and punchy in traffic like only a twin can be.
Personally, I'd say Honda CB(F)500 or 600, Suzuki SV650, Kwaka ER6 or Versys, Yam Diversion, something like that, with a bit of fairing 
Fun = RGV250 or an NC30/35
As a COMMUTER? Are you INSANE? No way, sorry..... You'd ruin it....
PP is right-a solid Honda would be a very reliable workhorse-good service intervals.Maybe not so much fun at the weekend though.
The SV is a hoot-service is cheap but quite regular.Hunt around some good later(pointy) 1/2 faired fuel injected ones with reasonable milage.
An R1 will see yoou to the lights quickest!
BMW GS (screams in horror).
CB(F)500 or 600, Suzuki SV650, Kwaka ER6, Suzuki Bandit
CX 500. dull dull dull. reliable. With a fairing.
I would be wanting something with a bit of a fairing for that commute, it seems like all the jap brands that have bikes in there range that fit the bill. Something like a Yamaha Diversion, Suzi (have a ton of models in there 600 range) V-Strom, gsx 660 f, Honda CBF, Kawa Verys.
Beemer GS would be a good choice to.
In fact, I've just bought this for commuting and knocking about on....
Vespa GT200
Now my commute isn't anywhere near as long as yours, but you can pick up a Piaggio X9 500 or something similar for not much money these days. And they are very, very comfy, have lots of weather protection, and stuff like ABS and a radio to listen to. Don't discount a maxi-scooter until you've tried one
GS! I thought you said cheap.
If you want cheap, reliable and decent enough for a 120 mile round trip you need a minimum 600cc Jap 4, and TBH I'd suggest bigger.
Whatever you get, it won't be cheap to run.
As a comparison I ran a ZX9r for nearly 50k, mainly commuting, and it worked out at 44ppm (including depreciation), a later Fazer 1000 came in at 45ppm. Both these would be higher now, as fuel then was sub-90ppl.
Peter Poddy - you missed the triples... which is what I would say
For commuting though I don't know... the Wee Strom or the Versys would make pretty strong arguements for themselves I would say. Both comfy, both good on the road and both very economical.
If you really want to go the GS route then check out the 800 - I think it is better than the big un, but with a bit more oomph than the baby version.
60 mile motorway commute?
BMW will do you very well ( I don't want to disappoint PP) NOt the GS tho - RS or RT or S much more comfy. Shaft drive to remove one maintenance task. That sort of milage could cost you hundreds a year in chains and sprockets.
IMO - a full fairing, shaft or belt drive is essential. I would go for a megascooter - up to 600cc these days with a 100mph+ top speed.
Plenty of Jap middleweights that fit the bill as well apart from the chain drive.
But then my last commuter was not what I've recommended - I bought a Tiger 1050.
If you can afford one, get abs - and whatever you buy, heated grips.
b r - mine is Caspian Blue and arriving next Friday Full panniers/top box, centre stand, alarm and HEATED GRIPS!!!! They were the sweetner on the deal, got em to throw them in for free - which I thought was good going on a second hand bike! Skipped the ABS though, that was too rich for my blood (managed an 11 month old bike with all that lot for the price of an 07 with nothing but ABS and a lot more miles!)
Can't wait. The touring starts the first weekend in April with a wee jaunt to the Dales!
Must get some hand guards fitted for winter though....
Are you sure purely using a motorbike is the best option? for me personally, it was more cost effective to get a 'fun' bike to ride at weekends and commute on in the summer months. (taking into account tyres, sprocket/chain wear, servicing and total mileage before it decides to pack in!)
EDIT: a zx9r
But that is because I also have to run a car alongside the bike!
for a 120 mile round trip you need a minimum 600cc Jap 4, and TBH I'd suggest bigger.
NO you don't. Not at all. 500cc twin will be fine.
I am doing an 80mile round trip commute and have done for 6 years in all weathers. Mainly A-roads and dual carriageway. I started on a GSX600F, then moved to a Kawasaki ZR-7s (750cc) and am now doing it on a Blackbird.
The Blackbird is by far the easiest to do the trip on. I still have the 750 and am putting it up for sale in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, t Kwak has to go as I can't afford to keep two bikes. The Blackbird was an impulse buy as I was intending to run the Zr-7s forever.
EDIT: Ref Shafties/chains. The blackbird x-ring chain/sprocket set cost me £125 fitted and was last fitted at 42k miles. I've done another 8k miles and only had to adjust it once. Regular oiling sees to that. Alternatively, get a scottoiler and double your chainlife. (By the way, the ZR-7s has got 1k old chain/sprockets on it.)
Try a Honde C90, "best" motorbike ever made.
PeterPoddy - Member"for a 120 mile round trip you need a minimum 600cc Jap 4, and TBH I'd suggest bigger."
NO you don't. Not at all. 500cc twin will be fine.
Correct. CB 500 will do 120 mph and a 70 mph cruise without strain - and cost you significantly less in tyres and chains than a big bike
Something fuel injected, japanese, with windscreen, fairing and heated grips. I second/third the maxiscooter motion.
Tell you what TJ, If I had to do a longer commute (20+ miles) I'd quite possibly go for a BMW F800ST. Has anybody mentioned them yet? They are getting good value secondhand now, and that new parallel twin is silly economical by all accounts, 60+mpg fairly easily.
(Although it has to be said MrsPP test rode one and didn't like it, bought her Monster instead)
But then for that price I could have an 1100 Multistrada. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.....They're wierd. I like them.
I like the idea of the multistrada-just don't like its looks...
I'd have a maxi scooter for a longer commute. Just for the ease. I haven't tried a bmw 800 but they do get good reviews - and belt drive so no chains. Can you tell I hate chains?
or
muchos happiness
I commute 160km per day on a 1150GS...
It's now at 60k km and still running beatifully.
Heated grips, the cyclinders keep my feet / lower legs warm. ABS so hopefully no panic lock-ups when some SUV driver cuts me up.
Big fuel tank - 500+ km between fill ups.
Comfy seat.
Low Milleage honda deauville..
Shaft drive, v twin. Boxes the works.
Just to throw something into the mix. I do 60 miles a day on 650 V-Strom Touring (I've got heated grips, handguards, top box and centre stand as standard) from South London to Kent. So I can mix city riding, fast A roads and if I feel like it motorways. Always get at least 220 miles per tank of petrol. Oh And I run Michelin Road Pilot tyres as opposed to the pseudo off road Bridgstones that came as stock and the handling is much better, especially going into corners as it feels a lot more stable.
If you buy a Deaville I will personally come around and perform the labotomy on you myself.
It's a henious crime without parallel.
I had a "D'oh"ville as a loan bike when the Blackbird was in for a service. It was a very comfortable riding position, but I really didn't like the motor.
Oh, and +1 for the Michelin Pilot Road 2's. Great t*res.
The Deauville was designed for exactly that sort of riding. It's not the most exciting but it's highly competent, handles well, is reliable, comfortable, has good luggage capacity and best of all has shaft drive.
With a 60 mile a day commute most bikes will plummet in value so there is no point getting anything fancier. Something like a BMW GS or tourer would be good as well, however they'll either be more expensive or older.
I had a Deauville as my hack bike for 10 years and they're very decent bikes. Even the mags now agree that they're a good - if unexciting - option.
I've never personally got on with Michelin tyres so stick with Bridgestone for all-weather commuting.
Fun = RGV250 or an NC30/35 (I've never ridden either, and don't really want to, it'd be like meeting your heroes)
It's obvious you've never ridden one, or you wouldn't have mentioned them here! RGV250 for a 60 mile each way commute is mental talk!
Epicsteve - give the PR2's a go. They're very good.
(for info, over the last 3 years I've gone through Conti RoadAttacks, Bridgestone BT020's. Dunlop Roadsmarts x2 sets and Michelin PR2's x 3 sets)
Yep, got the PR2s on the Speed Triple that is going next week... the new one comes with the original Road Pilot I think (may be Sport Pilots though... heard different things...). I may well switch them out pretty sharpish depending on if they are squared off enough to justify it!
That said - been hearing good things about the Pirrelli Angel STs too and since they are cheaper they may get a go
I commute 160km per day on a 1150GS...
It's now at 60k km and still running beatifully.
It's just about reaching the end of its running in period!
Personally, I love commuting on the GS - high, upright position and huge road presence compared to most bikes. It's not a narrow bike, though, and it's f***ing heavy, which makes filtering more difficult if you have to do that. It's surprisingly fun in the twisty stuff on the way home, too.
Having said that, when I lived in London I commuted from one side to the other on a 28 year old Guzzi V50, which was about perfect as a commuter. Nimble, enough grunt to cope easily with motorways and medium length journeys, totally overlooked by thieves, laughably cheap insurance (I think it was £86 fully comp with full European cover). Of course, being a Guzzi you need to be able to do some light spannering...
HTH - Adam...
The Deauville .... It's not the most exciting but it's highly competent, handles well, is reliable, comfortable, has good luggage capacity and best of all has shaft drive.
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Steve was one of my first patients.
How are the stitches Steve? I' told you the hair is unlikely to grow back now, it was 10 years ago.
You know the drill (no pun intended) but you still do have to change your surname to Dullard, it said so in the Deauvzzzzzzzzz labotomy contarct.
This is what replaced the Deauville as my hack tourer/commuter:
It'd also be worth a look as CBF1000's aren't expensive new and can be had cheaply 2nd hand. The Deauville was better in some ways for the type of work you're after (shaft drive, cheaper insurance, better fuel economy and perhaps a little better comfort) but the CBF's engine is very good, plus mine has ABS which my DV didn't (although the newer ones do).
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ZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzYou see what I mean?
By your reckoning then the more exciting the bike the better commuter it makes? I'd rather commute 60 miles a day on a Deauville than on a GSXR1000 or a Ducati (I'd keep them for weekends and evenings). I've always had other bikes as well as the Deauville (CBR etc.) and for anyone doing 120 miles a day (which is going to be close to 30K per annum) that's a sensible idea.
60 miles each way every day is a lot for a motorbike and after a year of that a sportsbike would be worth next to nothing. I've also owned bikes like the Bandit 600 and SV650 and overall I preferred the Deauville for practical stuff. So what if it's not exciting.
Ti29er. I've just checked back and given your recommendation was for an R1 I can see you're clearly not serious...
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