So... if one works in the UK and lives in the south of Spain and needs to travel back every so often...
...which cheap, reliable, fuel efficient bike. Thinking worst case multi-year volcano spew.
I'm thinking a VFR 750/800
Nice radar detector, maybe a bigger screen and bobs your uncle. I have calculated a return trip would be about £400
If you want cheap and reliable and a comfy stable 80mph cruise, i've had a diversion xj600 before that was great, you can also get the 900 one model of which is shaft driven if i remember correctly!
Honda Blackbird. That's what I'd have for big, fast miles. Silly reliable, at sane speeds will be sooooooo unstressful, decent on fuel, and cen be had very cheaply these days.
I hadn't considered Yamahas... though a blackbird would be fun.
I like the idea of a VFR 'cause the engine is bombproof
My Blackbird is good for 48mpg and can really shift 'if required'. I can spend all day on it and still feel reasonable fresh at the end of a long run.
Look for bar risers, after-market screens and air-hawk seat pads for ultimate comfort.
via the Santander ferry ?
flamejob - MemberI like the idea of a VFR 'cause the engine is bombproof
So is the 'birds. And they cheap too.
Kawasaki ZZR1100, looks far better than any Honda.
Cheap too.
via the Santander ferry ?
Naa.. Through france... it's quicker. Also... ferry prices from Spain are pretty high.
All this is pie in the sky, of course. Well.... soot in the sky really 
mmmmm.... he mentioned pies. 
+1 ZZR 11.... 230 miles tank range, sub £100 insurance... 91k miles on mine.... comfy as a comfy thing.
I have calculated a return trip would be about £400
Fuel, tolls, ferries - are you sure?
Anything would do the trip, but not sure I'd want to be on it... PanEuropean?
C 90 you know it makes sense.
Now that is a job for a beemer. Comfy fast enough, 200+ miles on a tank, shaft drive.
Its what Beemers were made for - and you can get r1100 of various types nice and cheap now. I have never ridden a bike with such a good fairing as my RS - At 100 mph you were sat in a bubble of still air. Longest day on it Edinburgh to Eindhoven.
TJ, I raise you Edinburgh - Prague..... Na Na Na Na-Na.......
Bolgna - Edinburgh. On a Ducati. 
I'd get a Blackbird myself, but just because I like them, probably not the best choice. Not all that fuel efficient, but reliable.
I've done London>Valencia non-stop.
The Blackbird does sound good. I have had 'access' to a R1150 and it just wasn't fast enough 
It's gotta be a Honda - I have a pic of my sister and I sitting on the bonnet of my Dad's brown metallic airbrushed Honda dealer pickup truck in the 70s.
CBF1000GT is a better option than a VFR800 IMHO (which is why I bought one). I'd be tempted by the Blackbird but also have significant concerns about both my license and my liberty!
multistrada 1200 end off thread...
Yes Juan - if one thing could tempt me back....
However, the OP did ask for "cheap".....
Now that is one ugly motorbike.
Not convinced I'd want to be relying on a Ducati for regular long trips either.
It is gopping isn't it. I suppose you can't see it when you're riding it. That'd be an advantage on a long trip, you'd never want to get off.
You people should really stop with ducati failing. If you were to ride them like they should (everyday) they won't be falling apart. LBS owner had a 900ss for 6 years, no problems. Conan revs the tits out of his 748 and the only problem the motorbike has is the tendency of the driver to disengage his brain and fell off. Remi has a monster 100 for about 5 years now and the same only default of the bike is apparently its tendency to do wheelies. Pierrot sold his hypermotard because brakes where too powerful. Didier's ST4 still got trashed on a regular basis. I comes across a lot of dukes here and I have yet to see one broken down on the side of the road. however I give you that they don't rest in a garage for 9 month...
OP yes a multistrada isn't cheap, but passion is priceless
Druidh there is a few going for a bout 4500€ around here
I comes across a lot of dukes here and I have yet to see one broken down on the side of the road. however I give you that they don't rest in a garage for 9 month...
He's absolutely 100% spot on. Dukes - Ride 'em hard, thrash the tits off them, keep them serviced, and they love it. Leave them in the garage, and they fall apart.
There's a lovely ST3 in our LMBS right now............
* puts fingers in ears *
LA LA LA LA LAAAA -
I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!
Juan: Conan, Remi,Pierrot, Didier...? It's reading like an episode of Joe Bar!
Is the BMW S1000RR out yet?
I must get a go of one of those ASAP 
I comes across a lot of dukes here and I have yet to see one broken down on the side of the road
Spotted a broken down one being recovered at the weekend.
I think you nailed it first time with the VFR... but the BMW suggestion is also bang on...
Mugsy_m8 and that is without the ones riding non dukes
doubs, olive', le monge, christian and michel
And talkign with them about motorbike (or mountain as it matters) is like an episode of jo bar team;
Juan; I'm also in love with Dukes; in fact Mrs Flamejob said "if we ever move to Spain I'll buy you one"
I think what I am after is something that is mechanically sound, but looks like a heap.
It is looking more and more likely that this may not be pie in the sky after all.... I'll never get home at this rate.
A K-series beemer, SuperB'bird, 'Busa, Kwak, anything as long as it's a sports tourer. Cheap you say? My ex-LMBS had a VFR 750 for a grand. Simple choice - K1100.
I think what I am after is something that is mechanically sound, but looks like a heap.
Blackbird it is then. Or a Triumph Sprint ST/RS.
Scabby Blackbird
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikesforsale/searchresults/detail/?R=NXGN-1993575&mfy=
This one's a bit better
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikesforsale/searchresults/detail/?R=NXGN-1989678&mfy=
My money would go here though!
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikesforsale/searchresults/detail/?R=NXGN-7538166&mfy=
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