M/Cycle for Commuting

[atomant48]

Looks like there are a bunch of experiencend bikers on here. Im after a bike for a reasonably long commute - 100 miles/day. Anyone got any pointers/favourites/good/bad reports etc?

After something comfortable and reasonably good mpg.

Have had several bikes in the past but mostly sports bikes and my days of leaning over the bars staring at the white lines with sore wrists are long gone!

Cheers

 

[Robotstar5]

There doesn't seem to be much in the 125 to 500+ range since the licenceing conditions changed so something like Honda Hornet (500) and Suzuki 500 (GS?) seem popular or Kawasaki ER6 and Suzuki SV650 are very popular as training bikes so survive a hard life.
I have wrist problems and found my DL650 has a very nice riding position with almost no weight on my wrists and returns about 55mpg commuting 20 miles a day.

 

[pedrobedro]

You've ridden bikes before and know what you don't want so the best bet is to go in some shops and sit on a few bikes to find what suits you. You might have short legs or arms and not fit on some styles of bike. Best thing for commuting these days is a big scooter like a Suzuki Burgman or Yamaha Majesty 400 upwards, twist and go and they do go well.

 

[norlander]

I'd go for a big scooter.Some weather protection, underseat storage, wear any boot you like as no gear lever, easily capable of distance work.
That would be my choice, I have had a 180cc sports scoot which was a hoot, but never got round to having a go on the big touring/commuting style scooters but one of them would be my choice for commuting.

 

[ronan]

Honda pan european ? I know a couple of lads who swear by them, never rode one myself but sat on one and it seemed really comfortable.

 

[MCKDAVID]

Agree with pedro, some of these maxi scooters, T max etc, long gone are the nifty fifty scooters etc.... some of them go up to 750cc now so might be adapted to the higher mileage. Seem comfortable enough, you can get these covers for them, so you've got decent protection against the weather...

tons of them over here in paris, maybe one of these would do you??

 

[MrFluffy]

id buy two, then u have one for when the other is sick. i did ur commute for a year,100 each way, travelled in late and left late to miss traffic, changed jobs in the end.
i ran a old kawa gt750 a gs850 and whatever else, its hard work

 

[ajlelectronics]

I can't praise my K1200LT enough. For long distances it has all you could wish for. Forum here: http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11

 

[Mr shiney]

I commute 60 miles each way every day. I have a few bikes but my main commuter is a Kwak Z1000SX. Awesome bike, plenty of storage in the panniers. Really good weather protection and very economical. At normally cruise I am getting 60mpg.

 

[chunkolini]

100 mile commute that would be murder on a lightweight bike day in day out.
I was going to say a Pan European.
They are huge but handle nicely and are not tiring to ride, also cheap to buy reliable and reasonably cheap on fuel about 50mpg.
Just dont go dropping one of them.

 

[BrokenBiker]

my 1200 bandit was brilliant for long distance touring, especially before I took the nose fairing off.

xjr 1300 with /a fly screen was good too but a bit heavier on fuel.

my father had a cbr1100 blackbird and that was comfy too, so was his hyabusa but that was very thirsty. he currently has a 1050 tiger for back and forth to work over about 80 miles a day, he likes it, nice riding position, fair amount of power and easy to ride.

im looking for another bike but think im going to go for either a yzf 426 or a drz 450 with endure tyres as I only do about 20 miles a day back and forth to the factory and then 4 wheels every where else.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

What about burgmans. They go up to 750 too I think. Or a BMW tourer of some sort.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I used to do a 50 mile a day commute and sub 500cc was painful after a while so I'd say look at BMW's. I had a R80LT and the modern versions are even better. Mate (in his mid 70's) has a R1150LT and goes on long tours of Europe. He has changed the seat but otherwise no aches and pains even after over a week "in the saddle" for his old bones


Paul h

 

[Normsthename]

I bought a Honda NC700X a few months ago and it is a Great bike with great MPG!
80mpg is easy, only drops to 70mpg if you thrash it!

Andy

 

[reedx]

I was also going to mention the NC700X (the 2014 model is going up to 750 cc from 670cc). New it's priced at less than £6000 and there is also an automatic version for about £6900. The bike is build on a modular platform and is also available as a naked or a scooter. Great review here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTOy5wZWKJQ

Colin

 

[octo0072000]

what about a Honda Deauville

what about a Honda Deauville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCAevwCK-HA&html5=1

 

[Wedg1e]

what about a Honda Deauville

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCAevwCK-HA&html5=1

The Deauville is nicknamed the Dullville partly on account of its Porta Potti looks but it's a long-running, proven machine that does a very good job as a commuter or tourer.
Think Pan European's kid brother - not as muscular but also a lot slimmer, but can still carry a squaddie's bergen to... well, Bergen
The 1100 Pan Euro can be had for a few hundred quid to a couple of grand but the later 1300 still hasn't got down to bargain basement money even though they have a reputation for weaving at high speed. Solution: avoid high speed (mine weaves at 130mph, therefore not very often).
Deauvilles are about par with the ST1100 for price.

M&M's mostly-twaddle review of the ST1300:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrpfV4xGOJU

No, it hasn't 'had a facelift', 'been revamped' or 'bored out' from the 1100; it's a 99% different bike. The only bit of the 1100 that fits the 1300 is the rear brake pads. The engine's completely different, the frame is alloy instead of steel... no link between the models other than the name.
Call yourself bike journalists?

...and here's the 1100 for comparison:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muV5NFPHqDs

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

600 bandit, can't kill them

 

[atomant48]

Thanks guys. Some great advice there. I hadn't considered a big scooter.

Looks like more some reading and riding reqd. Will check out the links posted. Cheers.

 

[pedrobedro]

600 bandit, can't kill them

They are dying of old age usually nowadays If you find one that's not been thrashed within an inch of it's life you'll be lucky. Seen a few with gearbox problems clunking and crunching as well.