[Closed] Motorcycle Commuters

You've missed the best bike of the lot.
I took a chance and bought a Honda NC700X in January and it's, no kidding, quite simply the best all-round commuting/utility motorcycle I've ever ridden. It's got the manoeuvrability of a scooter (low c of g), the height to see over cars and cruises effortlessly on the motorway. It's superbly built and I'm now getting an (real, calculated) average 85mpg. Tyres look like lasting 12-13,000 miles, servicing is every 8000.
I get 200+ miles before reserve. It'll probably do 250 to a tank.
No, it's not fast, but I rarely use all the power it has anyway, but it's smooth and torquey and not without character.
Just over £4k gets a used one. Seriouisly, go try one.

The only problem it has is other people's opinions of it. 'real' bikers don't understand them, they don't get it.

I commute around 23 miles a day on a honda pcx 125. Does 70mph and I get over 100mpg easily feels fine on the motorway too. Tbf I can't fault it in any way at all apart from the stigma of riding a scooter of course

Out of those, I'd think the Versys was probably the best commuter

I'd look at a Tiger800 too [as long as you're not too short] I have one as an everyday runabout and it's extremely versatile with a stunning engine and great handling.

The Versys and Eeyore are both good, though the older ones had pretty poor build quality- are you buying new? Vstrom 650 is nice enough for an "adventure bike" but knobblies make ****-all sense if you're not going offroad. And other than that it's basically a heavy SV650 with a slightly better fairing.

I think the correct answer is probably a deauville- it's a 2 wheeled car.

Used probably. Budget up to £4000

My brother got rid of his NC700 for a Deauville as his year round daily commuter. He thought the NC700 was unbelievable dull. Saying that and changing it for the Dueaville it must have been boring.
Out of the bikes you listed though I would go for the V Strom 650 which isn't a bad bike just make sure it's coated with ACF50 come winter. If you're short in the leg the SV650.

Vstrom 650 is nice enough for an "adventure bike" but knobblies make ****-all sense if you're not going offroad

Do they not come with Trailwings on as standard? Or am I misremembering?

You think the GSR 600 is too easy to go too fast on... why makes you think the other 600-650 options are going to be that much better?

That said, for commuting I'd go with the VStrom or the Versys: faired, nice upright position, stick a box on the back and they won't look stupid.

NW: yup, trail wings, but calling them knobblies is a misrepresentation. They are pretty much a road orientated tyre with farm track potential... I've only had 2 'moments' with them (the rear). one was (probably) diesel on exiting a roundabout in the wet (I saw the back end come around...!!!) and once cranked right over (I dragged my foot) on a tight corner at speed it skipped a fraction.
And they're not much cop over the gravel driveway...

I'll sell you a nice, low miles 1050 Speed Triple for £4000.

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My brother got rid of his NC700 for a Deauville as his year round daily commuter. He thought the NC700 was unbelievable dull.

That's it in a nutshell. He didn't get it. Proves my point entirely.
I don't find it dull at all. It's got more character then the 110bhp Ducati I also ride, and the Speed Triple I used to own. Power does not equal character.
It's an absolute hoot! It feels so light and direct. You can throw it around good and proper - heave on the away with confidence on the ABS, scrape the pegs round the corners, and hoof out of corners from seemingly zero revs on a wave of torque. I can do 90 degree turns round queuing cars,,in and out wherever there's a gap because I can SEE the gap and because it turns so neatly and easily. Honda have done amazing things with the handling. It's amazingly easy to ride.
It's home is in traffic, and on the motorway. It's a utility bike. The storage box in the tank is a genius idea, it's got the best mirrors I've ever had n a bike, it's cheap to run. I've added a bigger screen, handguards and a Scottoiler, all for practicality. I've done 250 miles plus a week since January on mine, 9500 miles so far, and I love it. For a long commute with traffic its perfect. I can see me keeping it a long time. And, being a Honda, I know it'll last as long as I want it to.

Sensible answer:

Of the bikes you listed the Versys is the best all round, it always gets great reviews, the twin engine is reliable, economical and quick etc etc....Kawasaki always have good deals on too if you're buying new.
Loads of top-boxes, luggage etc available for them.

Snarky answer:

I can tell from the bikes you listed and your current machine that you really dont care for performance...if you want to go slowly get something completely different but with the ability to go off road....get a Honda CRF250L
You can then have a new hobby and try green laning etc etc

The better half works for Honda and i had a demonstrator for a day, my previous bikes have been R1, GSXR-750, ZX6-R, FZ1 etc etc....all fast but increasingly boring as the years have passed, i had a hoot the day i borrowed the 250 dirt bike.
Surprisingly practical, good economy, excellent visibility, good acceleration, sits at 70mph....and goes off road, i cannot tell you how fun this is, try one, you'll develop a whole new skill set too and its just like MTB-ing but with an engine!

I'll sell you a nice, low miles 1050 Speed Triple for £4000.

And it'll be an awful commuter bike. I did 33,000 miles on a 955i Speed 3 and it was great, but they are one top-heavy old lump of a bike. I sat on a 1050 in a dealers at the weekend and it's worse than my 955 was! Top heavy, too much power you'll never use, big expensive tyres and lots of torque and weight to wear them out, no weather protection, no manoeuvrability in traffic. Nahh. As good as they are, that's the wrong bike for the job.
🙂

metalheart - Member

NW: yup, trail wings, but calling them knobblies is a misrepresentation.

OK, fair dos, that was a bit fast and loose. Basically what I should have said was, proper road tyres in proper road sizes are a better choice for a road bike, than dual use tyres in offroad sizes.

Nah not fussed on performance. Love a speed or even street triple but I want something sensible these days. Had a ride of a Ducati 899 last week and as brilliant as it was I just can't see the need for something that goes that fast on a commute.
Even my Suzuki is doing ridiculous speeds quite easy in third gear.

Punchy useable power is what I'm after.

I cant tell PP do you like that new bike of yours or not?

+1 for the Honda NC700X.
I have the DCT version which is a superb commuter bike, so easy to use in heavy traffic coupled with it's maneuverability and good visibility.
I get an average of 85 mpg, my last 3 tank fulls have been commuting only returning 87.0, 87.0 and 87.7, calculated.
I admit it's not the most exciting bike I've owned or the best, but it does my 20 mile each way commute my very well, gives me reliable journey times.
I've added a taller screen, hand guards, extended mudguard, rear wheel hugger and a centre stand.
Give one a try, within 300 metres I was sold on it, some people seem to question the low rev limit, for me that wasn't an issue as I like torquey engines you don't have to rev to get the best of.

Peter Poddys bought an Nc700X has he? Funny, he's never mentioned it. 😐

BMW gs might be worth thinking about, shaft drive, big road presence, handle really well. You wil have to put up with weird beards telling you about Morocco but they are great bikes you really connect with.

Or maybe you don't

Triumph Bonneville? I'm biased, but they're certainly not stupid fast. Bit heavy, but they sure do look good.

Big GS would be a heavy old brute I'd imagine, expensive too. The F650 GS would fit the bill though. Even cheaper G650 single cylinder might not be so good on motorways.

Honda Transalp

if you're gonna commute in winter, buy a Honda, simples. VFR or Blackbird. BMW's expensive but I love mine..
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Gs1200 will be to expensive to buy and to run. Expect 40mpg on motorway. Gs800 which I have is cheaper to buy and run but still only 55mpg.
If you want big mpg can't help! All my bikes have been short travel commuters with power or torque 😀 (gs is by far the most boring bike I have owned, but I'm getting old)

onboard readout on my GS1200 says 62mpg 😀

My gs800 says 51mpg, but I tag it a lot 😀
A mate at work commutes 40 miles each way on motorway on his 1200 and tells me he gets 40mpg? He's thinking of changing bikes as it's too expensive. Although shaft drive, he has had to have the shaft split on lots of services, making it expensive and pointless!

I used to use a Suzuki GS500 for work and commuting around London. Was as cheap as anything to run.
Changed jobs and quit motorcycling when we had our lad. If I were to get into it again, i'd get the new Honda CB500.
I've had a few different bikes but the 500cc Suzuki was the only one I ever felt truly capable of riding and it did everything I asked of it.

Yeah I really like the Honda it's a cracking looking thing. Can't believe I completely overlooked it. May annoy Honda for a demo bike.

I've never owned a GS but I used to work for a bank, and just about everyone with a motorbike got a BMW. Watching them deteriorate in the car park even faster than my Suzuki was pretty shocking, flaky frames and engine cases etc... Scottish winter is hard on bikes but still.

bwfc - Im with peterpoddy on this.

Im a "new" motorcyclist. Only did my DA last winter after 2yrs on 125.
I love my NC700X. It's so comfortable to ride, does everything I want it to without screaming around at 8,000rpm.

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Got mine for a good price as an ex demo with 1k on the clock from my local dealer with a good trade in on my PCX.

and 75mpg cant be sniffed at.
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A lot of guys working hard to justify their dull bikes.
They're middle of the road compromises. Get a 125cc scooter (250cc if you go on motorways) or buy a rocketship bike and rag the crap out of it.

Just remember that bikes SUCK in bad weather. Cold, rain, snow, grip, loads of layers - you look like the Michelin Man and walk into work dripping all over the place. You can't carry anything worthwhile either.
They'll rot like hell through winter and don't pretend they are cheaper to run than a small car. Tyres, chains, service intervals. The car will still be dull, but also dry and warm.

For £4k you can get a fun bike and a shitty wee car.

The car will still be dull, but also dry and warm.

Which is handy, as I'd be sitting in it for an hour longer each day.

I have my telly-tubby suit, and space for 150 litres of dry cargo on my bike. I also fitted some s/h heated grips. I love the bad weather! so thrrrrrrprppppppppp!!!! @ guitar boy.

For me with currently 3 points and a previous license revocation (6 points in first year) on a car license. Car insurance is daft for me. Plus I actually don't mind cold and wet. My commute is a great stress reliever from work. Only time I won't ride is in the snow, luckily I do have access to a car but I've drove it once since we bought it last November.

Been riding for 11 years now through all weather's and I won't give up till I have too.
I don't need or want a crotch rocket, the most exciting thing about a motorbike is the acceleration and even a 500cc twin excites compared to a car.

The NC700x looks good.

yourguitarhero - Member

Just remember that bikes SUCK in bad weather. Cold, rain, snow, grip, loads of layers - you look like the Michelin Man and walk into work dripping all over the place.

It took me a while to realise, but in my goretex-and-plastic spacesuit I always arrived in the office dry and warm, whereas if I drove to work the walk/run from the car to the office often left me wetter and colder.

Aye Gortex, waterproof boots, fleece and heated grips I'm toasty. Set off at 0600 for work. Arrive at 0630. Takegear off , brew up and ready for work relaxed at 0700.

Aye Gortex, waterproof boots, fleece and heated grips I'm toasty. Set off at 0600 for work. Arrive at 0630. Takegear off , brew up and ready for work relaxed at 0700.

Have to say that when it gets properly cold I have bar end muffs, yeah they look a bit crap but it's dark when I ride in, and dark when I ride home. And warm hands beat frozen style any day.

I heart my heated gloves. Heated grips are alright but heated gloves are like voodoo.

What heated gloves do you love so much? My heated grips don't cut it and I think gloves would be better.

Mine are old Gerbings, quite bulky but ace. I think there's probably better options now though

Thanks. If they are both old and ace they sound good. Stuff with wires is often old and no longer working 🙂

My heated grips don't cut it and I think gloves would be better.

I've got heated grips, and while they're great for autumn I agree they don't cut it when the weather turns properly grim. Hence the bar end muffs, dumb looking but oh so warm with decent gloves + grips 🙂

They keep your gloves dry in the rain, too - which is great for the ride home.

I don't disagree, I have some Tucano Urbano muffs I can stick on in an instant and they really help. Only downside is remembering I have to get my hand back in the muff after wiping my visor or whatever rather than just slapping it back on the bar.

Only downside is remembering I have to get my hand back in the muff after wiping my visor or whatever rather than just slapping it back on the bar.

Yeah, that is a problem until you remember. Mine pretty much live on the bike from December to February, by that time I've learned 🙂

I like the cold and rain. It makes me feel alive. Having said that I only do 15 miles so dont have to get proper cold. Problem with heated kit is it makes you ride when it cold be icy and then you fall off outside school!

Those of you that ride in the Winter - what do you do about road salt etc - are you washing the bike down every night or something??

Rachel

I don't think regular washing really works (especially when it gets properly cold, your hose freezes solid, and if you do manage to get any water onto the bike it forms a sheet of death underneath it). I just got mine really clean at the start of winter, then sprayed it with ACF50 and let road crap accumulate on top- the bike looked like it had been parked in the sea, but stayed in good shape underneath. Despite the Legendary Suzuki Build Quality. It probably got cleaned about once a month.

I think cleaning regularily without protecting basically means you get a new coating of fresh salt on every morning, and a nice dose of wetness every night.

I agree with Northwind on the clean and protect with acf50 then don't clean it off. The honest answer from me is I don't worry about it. My commuter has done 70000 miles and looks awful but does the job. I have other bikes for when the sun is shining. Ride a bike year round and it's going to suffer.

I never wash mine, it breaks down when I do.

Nothing wrong with a 1050 Triple for commuting, my one had a few issues so I got rid of it. For £4k I'll sell you my KTM 990SM.

I don't wash mine either during the winter.

Heated gloves are the best thing since sliced bread.. unfortunately they tend only last as long! Mine are EXO, had them changed a couple of times, but gave up. The gloves themselves are pretty warm - also got a size larger so I can wear inner gloves as well. Got heated grips on the BMW, so that'll help, although I've used them before and your hands will still get cold (my commute is only 15mins 🙂 )

About 5l/100km on a 650 Vstrom here.

A lot of guys working hard to justify their dull bikes.

Get a 125cc scooter (250cc if you go on motorways) or buy a rocketship bike and rag the crap out of it.

Just buy a Honda and then you don't need to worry about corrosion, they are (or at least were) built to last commuting all year round.

Well it's now between the NC700s, CB500f and CBR300/250.The first two are ideal for commuting and the CBR same sort of mpg but can be thrashed on twisty roads without being in licence losing territory.

pirahna - Member

For £4k I'll sell you my KTM 990SM.

Do go on...? 🙂

Well I'm not sure about the NC700, but the 750 can get to license losing speeds without too much trouble.

A '700X has almost the same performance as the 750, so licence is a possibility if you're so minded.
Remember the old adage, the throttle goes both ways!
It isn't a switch, so use some common sense and a bit restraint and you'll be fine?

This thread makes me sad

This thread makes me sad

Shame.

I'm currently awaiting a 'cost to change' for a Guzzi California Custom 1400. Don't know about you, but that bike put a smile on my face...

Would meet absolutely none of the OP's criteria though....

Good, affordable electric commuting bikes are very close

Brammo have dropped the price of the Empulse R to £8000

http://www.brammo.com/empulse/

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what's the advantage of an electric bike over a petrol one? (not being sarcastic)

[quotechojin - Member

pirahna - Member
For £4k I'll sell you my KTM 990SM.

Do go on...?

For reasons of house moving I'm going to have to sell it. It's an 09 with 14k ish miles. Just about to put it in for a service so £4k before the service or £4200 after.

At that price it's well under the dealer buy in which is currently £4400. Dealer retail is £5200.

what's the advantage of an electric bike over a petrol one? (not being sarcastic)

As a motorbike? Nothing IMO

As a commuter vehicle, lots I would think
Fuel costs, parking and traffic lane concessions etc. may make them more attractive than a normal bike, I guess it depends where you're commute is to.

I'd go electric based purely on numbers. If it worked out cheaper than £1,500 on petrol and £80 tax per year I'd have one. Trouble is the average cost per year of ownership is still rather high for electric as they are expensive to buy and I'm not confident the range is good enough for a 60 mile round trip commute.

Never had a go on one either, I'd jump at the chance.

I'll just leave this here.

[url= http://www.motogoloco.com/blog/whats-the-best-commuter-bike/ ]What's the best commuter motorbike?[/url]

Although, after all that I ended up buying a Tiger 800 - brilliant all-rounder, decent on juice, decent wind protection and way more than powerful enough for the road.

It's not what I'd buy as a full-on winter commuter though, a sub-£1500 ratter with some decent wind protection, headed grips and a couple of tins of ACF50 would be my choice there.

Or a cheap, £500 car from Gumtree/eBay.

decent wind protection

Are you sure?
The the OEM Triumph screens are pretty useless at any sort of wind/weather protection.
Unless you're very short, even the touring screen can't direct the wind flow high enough - most people tend to get it straight in the face resulting in very tiring buffeting.
On mine, I have the saddle at its highest and the screen at its lowest, which puts the wind straight on my chest as a best compromise.
There quite a market in alternative screens for the 800

Madstad 😉

Madstad 😉

Barn door and an ugly one at that 🙂