[Closed] Motorcycle choices…..

I did 200 miles on my naked goldwing the other day, needed a new neck the next day.

I used to commute on a F660 single cylinder beemer all year round, it suited that job and longer rides well as long as you weren't in a massive rush. My mate has a Honda cb500x which is nice too for what you are looking for. I would say even though I live in the south I still needed a back up car as motorbikes and ice don't mix, I found that out the hard way! Heated grips are a must but knowing when to take the car is also a must.

Lots of nice, middle capacity (700-900cc) nakeds around just now, coming in just under £10k.
Just decide if you want contemporary, retro or adventure style bikes, then decide if you want 2, 3 or 4 cylinders. Maybe then look at how good the dealers near you are...

It's been a while but,

Some sort of fared Honda in about a 600 flavour? Does the CBF / Hornet-S still exist?

Have a car for the really bad weather, but don’t generally mind riding in the rain and cold.

No great rush either, so I could wait and see what Honda bring out to replace the Crossrunner and Crosstourer. There’s talk of a smaller and simpler (800cc?) Africa Twin - that could be nice.

Yamaha FJR1300 obviously:

I don't own one myself, 675R Street Triple is my bike,but going off what you say I would be looking at a Suzuki 650 VStrom,or if you want more power & weight the VStrom 1000.From what I've read a lot of people prefer the 650 as it's less top heavy than the 1000.
There's a few forums about the Vstroms,have a look at what the forum members say.
The Honda CB500X also gets a lot of love & you can buy a new one for 6K,but it only puts out 47HP.
I'm looking at getting one for a big trip to the Nordkapp & I have my doubts about the Street Triple behaving itself in the back of beyond...

In time-honoured STW fashion I'm going to suggest what I've got - a KTM 990 Supermoto. Does everything on your list without breaking a sweat. Huge amount of grunt from the V-twin engine, corners like a housefly and the noise it makes... 🤗
I've used mine for general pootling and multi-day trips, and it's going for a trackday at Knockhill in September. Recently went to Skye and had a few 5+ hour days in the saddle and it's supremely comfortable, although I have upgraded to the KTM ergo seat from the 990 SMT. Removable luggage racks means it'll carry a good week's-worth of stuff, but then you can ditch them and head off for an explore without worrying about looking like a Ewan McGregor/Charlie Boorman wannabe. There are very few rider aids and they're getting a bit long in the tooth now if that's a concern, but they're insane value for the money - you're looking at about £4500-5000 for a decent one at the moment. If you want newer then the 790 Duke is almost as good. I test drove one before deciding on the 990 - just preferred the look of the older bike - but it gave me the same feeling of joy that my SM does.
The only gripe I've got is the fuel economy isn't stellar: on the Skye trip I was getting 140 miles before the fuel light came on and then a fill-up with 150 miles done was close to £20.
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Vfr, zx1200 or Big triumph?

I’ve had a few bikes (180), for that use I’d get another cb500x. Great fun bike that ticks all those boxes. If you want a bit more go I now have a tenere 700 that does the same. But I’d prefer a Honda for the miles you’ll do.

CB500x owner and I echo those who say it would fit your brief. Great fun to ride and performance is good considering it's only 47bhp. At a bit over £6K they are a bargain and can be upgraded with accessories/parts to suit your needs. The fuel economy is good too at over 70mpg without having to try.

Every time I think about changing it for something bigger, more off-road orientated or whatever I go for a ride and it wins me over again.

Here's mine

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Yamaha Tracer 7 GT ?

https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/gb/en/products/motorcycles/sport-touring/tracer-7-gt/

Taking the STW trope even further, I'm going to a) ingore your post about buying new, and b) recommend my actual bike. I'm not commuting anymore so it's sitting under-loved in the garage.

1996 CBR1000F Swims through its MOT every year, comfy, fast, can trundle through town as well. Lovely, smooth engine. Appreciating classic! 🙂

Tracer 9 or the older Tracer 900 comes in around 10k and is a decent all-rounder.

For longer runs you might want to consider more fuel range, better wind protection and comfort (which I think it has covered). The seat is mega uncomfy on my 2015 tracer, but mostly resolved with an Airhawk cushion 🙂

Failing that, Versys 650 is worth a look too...

Thanks for so many excellent suggestions!

Like I say, too much choice 😀

Tracer 7 GT is the one I keep coming back to, seems to tick all the boxes.

How about a Versys? It’s not naked or a street-style bike, but it would be good for the commuting part and you could easily tour with it. It’s also not a BMW GS, although the 800cc version might work with road tyres.

I reckon you need a Honda CRF250L, great for non motorway commuting, super reliable, peanuts to run, and you can go trail riding at the weekend, or a bot of light enduro.

As it happens I have a 2017 1700miles for sale..

The big one or the wee one? I do quite like Kawasakis. How do they compare reliability/quality wise with Yamaha and Honda?

Lots of Hondas for sale on here, what’s wrong with Honda? 😀

Nothing, I just only ride my other bike these days, don't need 2.

What’s your other one?

Having done the year round commute with no car as backup, in the SE, don't underestimate just how much it will ruin a nice new shiny bike.

I owned a 2001 Honda VFR800, did the daily commute on it, did the alps on it, brilliant thing and sounded epic with the V4 and straight cut cam gears.

Bought and sold for about £1800.

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Then I saw your new and £10k requirements... 🙁

For the commute you will want a fairing, and a scottoiler or similar, and not care when it looks like this after a week of commuting during the depths of winter.
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Oh and forget heated grips. Get heated gloves.

Otherwise, first - decide what engine configuration you like. I'm a V4/Vtwin guy. Not a huge fan of IL3 engines. Other's are the opposite. That'll reduce your possibles by lots. Then decide if you want a sports tourer or an upright adv style.

There's simply far too much choice at that budget and with those few requirements. I mean do you want a 600 or a 1200? both will ride very differently. How long have you been riding? I wouldn't suggest a K1300s for a new rider, but for an experienced rider they're awesome.

I’ve got a Bonneville at the moment, so I know all too well how minging they get, and I don’t want chrome on the next bike. I like the torquey twin, but I feel a bit cramped on it, and my arse aches before an hour is up. Ridden a mates RT a few times, but it’s a bit high, and too expensive. Then I have use of a 1600 Thunderbird from time to time as well, and it’s awesome, but probably not the ideal commuter! Maybe I need the new 1100 Honda Rebel?!

1100 rebel would be a nice choice and you could have dct too. Honda build quality and reliability is still unbeatable imo.

And no chrome!

VFR is the obvious answer.

I’d be looking at a nice Ducati Multistrada though. Not even close to a naked but perfect for a lot of your requirements

10k

MT-07, MT-09 or the Tracer version either.

Cheap(ish) reliable and a lot of fun. I ride with a guy who has a few and they have been great. Also more importantly they are a lot of fun 🙂

Whats your budget and experience level?

Just saw your budget is 10K brand new MT-09

Or if you want something exciting and in the get what I have tradition, a second hand BMW S1000XR, though you did say reliable so maybe not 🙂

The S1000 engine is buzzer than one of those murder hornets. I’d avoid. As much as I loved my XR it was uncomfortable to cruise on at 75ish mph.

The S1000 engine is buzzer than one of those murder hornets. I’d avoid. As much as I loved my XR it was uncomfortable to cruise on at 75ish mph.

Heavy bar ends and a few miles on the engine and its fine. I have done 30K miles on mine, use it for European tours. Its not as relaxing as say a GS but a lot more relaxing than some of the other bikes I have had and still have 🙂

I think the whole XR vibrations thing is a bit over stated, that or some of them are far worse than mine. The fact little things go wrong is more annoying. I had no dash when I turned on the key in Wales the other weekend. Started and ran, no dash. Dash runs indicators too 🙂 So no indicators. Everything else was fine though 🙂

thegreatape
Free Member
What’s your other one?

Firestorm. Play bike.

I use to do a round-trip 90-100 mile commute in pretty much all weathers, 200 days in a year was the max I managed (mild winter).

Bottom line - you want to be safe & warm.

I went through a variety of bike types, all bought new and I put lots of miles on; superbike, sportsbike, adventure and sports touring and the one I had was probably the best - Triumph 1050 GT.

Utterly dependable in all weathers, and serious safe & secure and faster than pretty much anything else you'll meet on the road (even gave Sunday-riders a shock as it's ability off the lights was up there with previous superbikes in the real world). Big fairing, loads of room and 60mpg.

Oh, and avoid panniers, use a top box.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/triumph/sprint-gt-1050/2010/

That ST looks good, not many of that type of sports tourer on sale these days - Ninja 1000SX, VFR800, R1250RS…..that might be it? Seems that ADV or road biased ADVs have replaced them for most manufacturers.

BMW F800 GT
Economical parallel twin engine. Belt drive, so no messing with chain lube. Well under your £10k price tag. Excellent dealer back up.

for that sort of use a mega scooter is ideal. a pal of mine has 750 scooter. Looks like a hoot.

Z900rs

No point in half-measures here... go straight in for a BMW1250GS.
If budget doesn't allow, or you want simplicity, go for an earlier GS (Anything from late 90's 1100 onwards).

Triumph Tiger 850 Sport could be worth a look.

Less than £10k new.

It's on my radar, just need a test ride.

No point in half-measures here… go straight in for a BMW1250GS.

Try commuting on one of those and you'll end queueing with the cars etc.

Does the NC700 series still exist? Is it the 750 now?

Seems like a motorcycle range designed for commuting

I used to commute year round on my Suzuki SV650s and then my Triumph Street Triple R - I ended up with heated grips and heated gilet for the depths of winter, that really helped

I was looking at the Tiger 850 Sport as well, that does look nice.

Triumph Tiger 850 Sport could be worth a look.

or a lightly used/ex demo tiger 900

GS isn't a bad shout actually. A friend of mine had one. Fantastic ride.

(And so was the bike.)