[Closed] A 'what commuter motorbike' question

honda CB 500 Its the only answer unless you get a megascooter ( which would be my choice)

Sv650 Suzuki

V twin power and good, fun handling yet relaxed enough for commuting.

OK on fuel too.

My main concern would be fuel economy on something that size, what am I likely to achieve? (I've tried googling but mpg doesn't seem to matter to motorbikers).

What would you class as a big scooter? 200? 300? 600?

Thanks
Matt

Fuel economy with either bike mentioned will be OK - not great. Scooter - for what you are doing 250 cc+ IMO

All year round is no problem especially with a scooter with its weather protection

SV 650 more fun maybe - cb 500 more practical / cheaper.

a big scooter would be ideal for all weather commuting, a yamaha tmax for example, but they are unbelievably expensive.

cb500 would be very good, especially if you found one with a fairing, and invested in goretex gear.

CB500 but try to make sure it's not been used for training, it'll probably be pretty obvious if it has, ie scuffed casings and body work. Suzuki also did a 500 twin. Plentiful spares and simple to maintain for both.

Re fuel economy, for a cb500 are we talking ok for a car sort of mpg? In order for the numbers to work I need to be getting in the region of 70mpg+ otherwise I'll just take the car. If the only way to do that is stick with the cg then maybe that's what I will do.

I like the simplicity of a scooter but what else would I gain?

Seems like I wasn't too far off with my thoughts. I will look into faired cb500's

Thanks
Matt

For that kinda commute and to be as cheap as chips you'd be wanting a simple new/newish scooter, say 125cc. Anything else is just overkill. 😉

My last commuter, obviously paying no attention to the above advice...

[IMG] [/IMG]

Edit - tbh once you get onto decent bikes, you're into car-like costs

You will not get 70 mpg from anything but a cg125 sort of bike I would have thought

60 mpg on my old '92 Gs500. It isn't going to win any awards, but it's my first bike and if fun enough for now.

I get 110mpg on my 125cc scooter.
Im planning on doing my test in a few months having done a few thousand miles on the scooter since my CBT at the beginning of the year.

Even after the test, I doubt Id get rid of the PCX 125, it's so nice to ride and with great mpg. I also fitted a large windscreen to it for added weather/wind protection.

Once someone can show me a safe way of attaching a downhill bike to a motorbike, then I'll do my license.

Once someone can show me a safe way of attaching a downhill bike to a motorbike, then I'll do my license.

Sv650 without a doubt one of the best commuters .

bwaarp - Member

Once someone can show me a safe way of attaching a downhill bike to a motorbike, then I'll do my license.

(the reason I'm asking here is if you google 'best commuter motorcycle', singletrackworld is the fourth result so you must know what you're on about)

You haven't said what you do, if you wear a suit then a proper bike isn't going to be a good idea after you've creased everything under the waterproofs. Go for a scooter, there's some pretty beefy scooters out there.

If that's not a problem I'd be looking at something like the SV650 or Fazer. At 6' you'll be too tall for the BMW 650F, maybe the BMW GS800, but they're not going to be anywhere near the cost of the 125.
For me? I'd have either the [url= http://www.arpem.com/motos/modelos/bmw/modelos-08/bmw-f-800-gs.html ]GS 800[/url] or [url= http://www.bmw-motorrad.es/es/es/index.html?content=http://www.bmw-motorrad.es/es/es/bikes/endurobikes/r1200gs/r1200gs_main_1.html&notrack=1 ]GS1200[/url].

Thought my username was a giveaway, I run 18bikes in hope, I don't normally bother with a suit 😉

I'm now thinking going bigger will loose a lot of the advantages, I will look into how much better a modern cg125 or 125 scooter would be (from a power/vibration perspective). If they are a bit better then maybe sticking small is best.

Another option would be to put a bigger engine in the cg, I gather 140's are available, but I'm not convinced this will improve it much.

Maybe a slightly bigger scooter, like the 200 vespas, would be a good in betweener

If you'll be too tall for an F650 bmw (which you wont be) a sv or cb 500 will be tiny. I comute on an ol f650 the sinvle cylinder older type. Its ideal for what you describe.

Thought my username was a giveaway, [b]I run 18bikes in hope[/b], I don't normally bother with a suit

The shop is doing fine, the reason for my tightness (and also the reason for the possible move to Sheffield) is that my gf will be starting a masters next year so funds will be tight.

The roads round here are a bit of a mixed bag, I wonder if the bigger wheeled scooters (fly 125?) wold haHndle it better, although I can't find anything with bigger wheels and bigger engine.

Not against any style at the moment, basically whatever will fill my needs best, running costs take priority over everything else though

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will look into each option

I will look into how much better a modern cg125... would be

I ride a CBF125 (the modern version of the CG) and I struggle to maintain 50 on 10% inclines, and approaching 60 it feels like my brain is being vibrated out of my skull.

It's still cracking fun though! 🙂

The Honda PCX is a fantastic little scoot for commuting. 120mpg here and a top speed of 65 (on the speedo). I do a 45 mile round trip for about 90% of my commutes and it is great. Occasionally feel the need for a bit more power and may consider the Honda Integra at some point. Pricy, new, but promises good things.

Yamaha Thundercat (YZF600)
Crazy reliable, good looks, big for a 600 (suits bigger rider), cheap as chips!
Ive owned 3 now and still regretting selling the last one. You can pick up a low miler in great shape for around £1250 if you are patient.

Get a scooter. From some one who commutes on a 604 CCM.
Equally stay small.
I ran a CRF230 Honda which gave 85 to the gallon on a 25 mile commute on open roads, hills and slow traffic. Only issue was crap lights and no indicators.
The answer?
Find a SL230[b]. whopping front light and indicators. Trail styling and suspensions so roads, crap snow etc no issue. Comfy seat, same engine as my CRF but better gearing. Nice stable position for crap roads and high enough to see over cars. Plenty of green laning where you live.
Unless its motorway work a big bike is an indulgence.

Hi Matt,

Try a Transalp or XT660.

I'm 6'1 and started on a CG125,then an SV both a little on the small side but the SV is fun.

On a 650 Transalp now-it should tick most of your boxes.

Here's my PCX.
I get 110mpg as opposed to monkeyp's morally superior 125mpg because I rag the nuts off it everywhere, weigh 95Kg and between my 6'4" frame and the big windscreen take on the aspect of paving slab in a headwind. But that's still an amazing economy IMO.
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Ive always wanted a big transalp, but even if I did get one (and I might pick up an old second hand one for fun once Ive done my test) I doubt Id use it in place of the PCX.

Really smooth ride, responsive, comfortable. I got mine on 3yrs 4% finance from Honda. £2,500 ish with the box and the windscreen fitted. With the box and the under seat I can stow my lid and riding bits when I get to the train station. Also carry my toolkit.

Re fuel economy, for a cb500 are we talking ok for a car sort of mpg? In order for the numbers to work I need to be getting in the region of 70mpg+ otherwise I'll just take the car. If the only way to do that is stick with the cg then maybe that's what I will do.

XT660's aren't particularly economical, i've had 3.

[i]I apologise In advance because I am sure you have done the calculations but surely it would be a massive number of miles before it would make sense to buy a mnew (meaning additinal) motorbike instead of using an existing car? [/i]

Correct, unless there are other reasons - for me its time (often saves 1-2 hours per day with London commutes vs car/train), and that I can pretty much park anywhere (usually for free).

If you don't want it for fun you may as well keep the CG.
Train in on the grim days & cycle on the lovely days?

I'm with those saying keep what you have for economy. I commute on an FZ600N and the [b]only[/b] reason I do is because traffic and parking are such a hassle otherwise I'd be in the car keeping my hair nice.

I wouldn't want anything less than a 250 for that sort of commute and I'd rule out scooters as I don't like them out of town. Something like the CB250R or similar might be a decent choice although personally I'd accept a bit of a hit on fuel consumption and go bigger.

CB500 would be good if you can find a decent one. Best year round mid-size commuter is the Honda Deauville though (shaft drive) and early ones can be had reasonably cheap. I used to only get 45mpg on mine in general riding but plenty of folks with more throttle restraint report 60mpg+ (and I used to get those sort of consumption figures when two-up on gentle touring).

If you thin a cg125 is full of vibrations then motorbikes aren't for you!

Big MPG usually means big singles (or mid sized twins) as despite being inefficient they rev so slowly that they never get to burn any fuel. Reviews would suggest that W650, BMW 650 and Enfield 500 all do 80+ mpg although I'd not pay over the odds for dental work as it'll rattle out. On the other hand I've done 200 miles on the back of a XT500 (with the stupid f**** plastic yamaha badge digging into my ass) so my idea of comfort may have been slightly warped.

honda CB 500 Its the only answer

If you can find one for a reasonable price that's not wrecked or been to the moon and back let me know. I've got money waiting.
You'll get a far better bike for your money buying a good 600. All the 500 twins seem to be in demand as used bikes and are not available new any more. 400s and 250s haven't been sold new in the UK in any significant numbers for many years now (apart from trail bikes) so are very scarce but hold their price due to the 33hp restricted licence market. Scooters over rough roads will be horrible due to their small wheels. Think trying to ride your favourite trails on a BMX.

As for the cost savings, the op is about right. For a 2k bike + insurance, tax etc etc 80mpg is about the break even point for me WITHOUT getting rid of the car. For the PCX I need to use it just over 2 times a week (4 day week) for my commute to break even assuming the car is used the rest of the week.

Is good:
[img] [/img]

Ok, my calculations are based on a few things you won't know. I am looking at total vehicle costs for two people, which at the moment is two car loans, 3 lots of tax and insurance and a metric assload of petrol. Things will be changing so we will be doing less miles but essentially we are aiming to have vehicles better suited to the use they get and reduce overall costs. We will be going more down the bangernomics route with e main aim of eliminating the major monthly cost of the loans. The next big cost is the fuel now that my insurance is at a reasonable level. I can tax and insure the cg125 for about half a months worth of fuel in the car, provided other costs are kept low (which basically means parts as I will do as much maintenance as possible myself) I should save money compared to using the car all the time. It will definitely be cheaper than the current situation. I realise the very cheapest way of doing it would be a really economical car or bike on their own, but this doesn't give the option of a comfortable car for longer journeys/moving bikes/giving lifts etc

Re bike choice, I think I will have to accept that if I want mega mpg, I can't have proper power and my commute will take 5mins longer, I am ok with this if it saves me money.

I'm thinking a new 125 (for reliability reasons) is probably going to be the best option, but I need to look into what's out there. Does/has anyone made a faired 125 that might be a bit nicer to ride? I think a scooter might be a good option but I'd need to try one on the kind of roads I'll be riding

Thanks for all the advice

Matt

If you need to analyse costs to this degree I'd say you probably don't want three vehicles!

That said, the only thing that I can think of that would suit your needs is a 125 Varadero - tall seat for a tall lad, screen, Honda reliability(?), should be ok on dodgyish roads.

I realise that running one car and a motorbike would probably be the absolute cheapest option but we would have quite a few situations where it would cause problems. I have also wanted a motorbike for a long time so this is a good way of doing it. I'm reluctant to get rid of a car and loose all the no claims that have taken so long to get.

I had a quick look at varaderos last night and I couldn't find anything particularly cheap, I'm guessing they are quite a new model. That's probably the sort of thing that I'm picturing but it would need to be a bit cheaper

Varadero 125 would be a good idea . They are still current I think but have been around for a good while. Maybe 8 to 10 years? Def 5.
How about a Yamaha XT125. Lovely basic air cooled engine also used in the road 125's. Superceded by the WRF 125 but plenty of XT's in the shops. Great min trail bike.

Isn't it interesting how our views differ. Someone reckons small bikes are no good for that distance commute yet I fell the opposite etc.
Just goes to show that you will never get a definitive answer here!
What ever, Think about speed. At motorway speeds you will be working a 125 hard so maybe something bigger unless you are very restrained. Alternatively on country roads you may only average 30 mph where a 125 for pottering along will be nicer.

I was recently looking to buy a bike (MLC rather than necessity) but was looking at the old XL125 250/500s. I reckon a 250 would give a good mix of mpg to mph to cheap road tax etc. In the end i bought a CB600 hornet for £1850 as the XLs I looked at had sadly fallen in to the classic tax bracket.
10 miles on a 250 would be a piece of piddles.
An xt/xl/dt would suit your height better than a CG125 and would soak up the dreadful road surfaces. I find my Hornets budget suspension a bit crashy on Calderdales crap road surfaces.
You should get about 80mpg from a 250 commuter enduro
Or stick with the CG125 if its about saving money you cant beat the little CGs. Remember wear a full face helmet and no one knows its you 😉

Tidy

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/yamaha/2010-yamaha-xt250-ar62873.html

There is a grey import XT223 available as well, never ridden one but Im sure someone on here has.

GS500: used to have one, nice handling bike, but wheezy and rusted very quickly

[i]I'm thinking a new 125 (for reliability reasons) is probably going to be the best option, but I need to look into what's out there. Does/has anyone made a faired 125 that might be a bit nicer to ride? I think a scooter might be a good option but I'd need to try one on the kind of roads I'll be riding[/i]

For the journeys' you are looking at I'd agree with you. Take a look at these:

http://www.pulsemoto.co.uk/

Others will disagree with me and tell you that the Chinese/Indian scooters are all crap, but we bought my lad one last year and tbh as long as it is PDI'd properly (find a local dealer) they are good enough. Especially for the money, in fact the 125cc's are cheaper than the 50cc we bought him.

If you've the money for the Burgman sized scooters, then obviously spend more, but if you've not...

Just make sure you service/look after it - nothing kills a bike (and this applies to all makes) more than it been badly looked after.

Bought for £900 quid with 30k on clock, 3 years later it has 50k on clock, used to commute on. Couldnt tell you what mpg is (what are these strange miles and gallons you speak of?) but it costs about £18 to fill up these days and that'll do around 165 miles, although it does have a smaller front sprocket on which doesnt help fuel consumption I wouldnt think.
[img] [/img]

Stoner, I bet if you got a Transalp you would hardly ever use the scooter again!!! 8)

Its not as shiny now!!

Reclaim the roads. 😈
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/63916749@N02/6962823132/ ]scooter[/url] por [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/63916749@N02/ ]kala y simon[/url], en Flickr

There is a grey import XT223 available as well, never ridden one but Im sure someone on here has

They're definitely a 'small' bike. Good off road and for pottering about at up to 50mph but little better than a 125 on A roads and lost under anyone 6ft+.

I think the OP is getting too hung up on the smugness inducement of 70mpg or more. A good new or recent 125 will cost £2500 or thereabouts and will depreciate significantly as the miles clock up. Spend £1200 wisely on a bigger bike and in a year or two's time you'll still have a £1200 bike. That's got to be worth more than a few extra mpg. New bike sales are well down at the moment so good secondhand stock will hold it's value well. That the mainstream motorbike magazines are regularly singing the praises of bikes from the last 10-15 years only reinforces my above opinion.

Problem for the op is that it seems only really with modern bikes that fuel consumption has become important. He could get a new G650GS beemer which is essentially the same as my bike but with engine management and fuel injection, it'll do 65-70 mpg apparently and the new Honda NCX700 or whatever its called which is slightly better. Unless he wants to spend £6000 he isnt going to get one. Based on my figures above my bike does about 55-60 mpg which aint bad but not at scooter level.

I do that distance on a regular basis on my FZ6, a bit of extra power over a 125 is nice for overtaking on country roads. That said, it's not the ideal commuting machine - that'd probably be a 400cc scooter.

TBH, though, if you're not getting rid of the second car I'd just use that on bad weather days, and a (push)bike for the rest.

I'm not planning on buying anything new, I should have said 'newer 125' not new. I'm rocking a cg125 brj, so kick start and drum brakes.

I will look Ito the various suggestions made but I think a more modern (but not new) 125 scooter or motorbike is on the cards

Thanks
Matt

Scooters over rough roads will be horrible due to their small wheels.