Suzuki SV650S. Mine does around 60mpg, the power delivery gives plenty of low end torque for riding in traffic, the tyres are cheap and good, year-old, low mileage examples can be had for under £5k.
Ok, well 125s won't wear the tyres so hard as larger bikes; less weight, less power, less wear. Keep an eye on the tyres for the cracks and punctures etc, but truth be told you will probably get another 6000 miles out of them just fine. 🙂
Bigger bikes are more fun, but that said I REALLY want a VanVan, and I've 6 bikes in the shed and used to have a Hayabusa!
hels - MemberSorry to thread highjack - but how often does one need to change motorbike tires ? The manual is a bit useless on the subject, and I have conducted a visual inspection and check the pressure regularly but don't really know what the tread depth should be.
Have done a whole 6000 miles from new so thinking it will be a while yet ?
For me? Any scalloping of the front, squared off rear or less than 1.5 mm at any point the tyre gets binned. By the time it reaches the legal limit you are riding on a very compromised tyre.
As for mileage - depends a lot on riding style - My BSA with a 110/90 cross-ply rear lasted around 7 000 miles, my BMW r 1100 about 3-4 000 miles. I tend to be heavy on tyres. The BMW cost me nearly as much in tyres per mile as petrol
I REALLY want a VanVan
They are becoming a very cool bike actually, they have a big following, people take them everywhere, touring, off road, the lot! 🙂
It's probably the best suggestion so far for the OP I reckon, seriously. 🙂
As for mileage - depends a lot on riding style - My BSA with a 110/90 cross-ply rear lasted around 7 000 miles, my BMW r 1100 about 3-4 000 miles. I tend to be heavy on tyres. The BMW cost me nearly as much in tyres per mile as petrol
I get as much 30k km on a rear on my BMW but that says a lot about the route my commute takes me.
I get them free too so it's not like I am being tight...
Thanks chaps !
Would I look like a normal size person standing next to one of those Van Van things ??
30 000 km on a bmw on a tyre? Do you open the throttle at all? I would ahve used at least 6 tyres by then. even the 100 cc bike I had only did around 15 000 miles per rear tyre
Van van is a good call.
Do you open the throttle at all?
I ride on the highway except 2km either end of the trip...
I just find that astonishing. 30 000 km on a tyre on a motorcycle. I would not get to 10 000 km
hels - MemberWould I look like a normal size person standing next to one of those Van Van things ??
I dunno? I'm 6'2" and make an Enfield Trials look small;
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but I don't care, the VanVan is so awesome I must own one at some point. I particularly like the purple colour scheme, though it would have to have a brown seat. They made a 200cc version for the domestic market, same as the Yamaha TW...
Depends on distance and type of road. I use a Kawasaki ER-6F with a few mods for winter, (heated grips, diy hand guards, tall screen, scottoiler). I have a 90 mile commute and have racked up 41k on it. Does 55-65mpg depending on how it's ridden and gets good tyre life using dual compound Michelin tyres, 10/18k rear/front despite being ridden hard in the summer months. If you're going to ride all year expect decent wear/tear. It helps alot to be handy at diy repairs and any bike will have it's issues if ridden high mileage/winter roads. Personally I favour a bike which is common so spares from breakers are easy to come by. I can do things like pickup a near new shock for £40 as it's so common and low budget.
I also ride an Aprilia RSV1000 and even still a cheap bike like the ER can be alot of fun plus alot easier to ride when things get icy/dirty roads.
Did you get sorted with a commuter?
A friend has let me know she has a 2009 BMW F650GS for sale with only 300 miles on the clock. Yes it really is only 300 miles so not even run in yet.
Would make a perfect commuter/touring bike on a budget.
