[Closed] What Motorbike to Commute on?

Depends how much fun you like.My commute is around 50 miles a day on the M4 in wales on an SV 650S.Not the most suitable commuter but the long way home on the backroads is a lot of fun when the sun is out.

Probably someone along soon with more suitable advice

Fun = RGV250 or an NC30/35 (I've never ridden either, and don't really want to, it'd be like meeting your heroes)

Sensible head = honda CB500

Well, for a start, everyone is going to give you a different answer because everyone prefers 'their bike' ! TJ will say a BWM (Yawn! 😉 ) I'll say a twin of some sort, others will say a 4 cylinder bike.

So, that said, I had a CB500. Did 33000 miles on it in all weathers. It refused to do less than 53mpg even when thrashed, and would do 65 if I tried. It was very reliable and punchy in traffic like only a twin can be.

Personally, I'd say Honda CB(F)500 or 600, Suzuki SV650, Kwaka ER6 or Versys, Yam Diversion, something like that, with a bit of fairing 🙂

Fun = RGV250 or an NC30/35

As a COMMUTER? Are you INSANE? No way, sorry..... You'd ruin it....

PP is right-a solid Honda would be a very reliable workhorse-good service intervals.Maybe not so much fun at the weekend though.
The SV is a hoot-service is cheap but quite regular.Hunt around some good later(pointy) 1/2 faired fuel injected ones with reasonable milage.

An R1 will see yoou to the lights quickest!
BMW GS (screams in horror).

CB(F)500 or 600, Suzuki SV650, Kwaka ER6, Suzuki Bandit

CX 500. dull dull dull. reliable. With a fairing.

I would be wanting something with a bit of a fairing for that commute, it seems like all the jap brands that have bikes in there range that fit the bill. Something like a Yamaha Diversion, Suzi (have a ton of models in there 600 range) V-Strom, gsx 660 f, Honda CBF, Kawa Verys.

Beemer GS would be a good choice to.

In fact, I've just bought this for commuting and knocking about on....
Vespa GT200
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Now my commute isn't anywhere near as long as yours, but you can pick up a Piaggio X9 500 or something similar for not much money these days. And they are very, very comfy, have lots of weather protection, and stuff like ABS and a radio to listen to. Don't discount a maxi-scooter until you've tried one 🙂

GS! I thought you said cheap.

If you want cheap, reliable and decent enough for a 120 mile round trip you need a minimum 600cc Jap 4, and TBH I'd suggest bigger.

Whatever you get, it won't be cheap to run.

As a comparison I ran a ZX9r for nearly 50k, mainly commuting, and it worked out at 44ppm (including depreciation), a later Fazer 1000 came in at 45ppm. Both these would be higher now, as fuel then was sub-90ppl.

Peter Poddy - you missed the triples... which is what I would say 😉

For commuting though I don't know... the Wee Strom or the Versys would make pretty strong arguements for themselves I would say. Both comfy, both good on the road and both very economical.

If you really want to go the GS route then check out the 800 - I think it is better than the big un, but with a bit more oomph than the baby version.

60 mile motorway commute?

BMW will do you very well ( I don't want to disappoint PP) NOt the GS tho - RS or RT or S much more comfy. Shaft drive to remove one maintenance task. That sort of milage could cost you hundreds a year in chains and sprockets.

IMO - a full fairing, shaft or belt drive is essential. I would go for a megascooter - up to 600cc these days with a 100mph+ top speed.

Plenty of Jap middleweights that fit the bill as well apart from the chain drive.

But then my last commuter was not what I've recommended - I bought a Tiger 1050.

If you can afford one, get abs - and whatever you buy, heated grips.

[IMG] [/IMG]

b r - mine is Caspian Blue and arriving next Friday 🙂 Full panniers/top box, centre stand, alarm and HEATED GRIPS!!!! They were the sweetner on the deal, got em to throw them in for free - which I thought was good going on a second hand bike! Skipped the ABS though, that was too rich for my blood (managed an 11 month old bike with all that lot for the price of an 07 with nothing but ABS and a lot more miles!)

Can't wait. The touring starts the first weekend in April with a wee jaunt to the Dales!

Must get some hand guards fitted for winter though....

Are you sure purely using a motorbike is the best option? for me personally, it was more cost effective to get a 'fun' bike to ride at weekends and commute on in the summer months. (taking into account tyres, sprocket/chain wear, servicing and total mileage before it decides to pack in!)

EDIT: a zx9r 🙂

But that is because I also have to run a car alongside the bike!

for a 120 mile round trip you need a minimum 600cc Jap 4, and TBH I'd suggest bigger.

NO you don't. Not at all. 500cc twin will be fine. 🙂

I am doing an 80mile round trip commute and have done for 6 years in all weathers. Mainly A-roads and dual carriageway. I started on a GSX600F, then moved to a Kawasaki ZR-7s (750cc) and am now doing it on a Blackbird.

The Blackbird is by far the easiest to do the trip on. I still have the 750 and am putting it up for sale in the next few weeks. Unfortunately, t Kwak has to go as I can't afford to keep two bikes. The Blackbird was an impulse buy as I was intending to run the Zr-7s forever.

EDIT: Ref Shafties/chains. The blackbird x-ring chain/sprocket set cost me £125 fitted and was last fitted at 42k miles. I've done another 8k miles and only had to adjust it once. Regular oiling sees to that. Alternatively, get a scottoiler and double your chainlife. (By the way, the ZR-7s has got 1k old chain/sprockets on it.)

Try a Honde C90, "best" motorbike ever made.

PeterPoddy - Member

"for a 120 mile round trip you need a minimum 600cc Jap 4, and TBH I'd suggest bigger."

NO you don't. Not at all. 500cc twin will be fine.

Correct. CB 500 will do 120 mph and a 70 mph cruise without strain - and cost you significantly less in tyres and chains than a big bike

Something fuel injected, japanese, with windscreen, fairing and heated grips. I second/third the maxiscooter motion.

Tell you what TJ, If I had to do a longer commute (20+ miles) I'd quite possibly go for a BMW F800ST. Has anybody mentioned them yet? They are getting good value secondhand now, and that new parallel twin is silly economical by all accounts, 60+mpg fairly easily.

(Although it has to be said MrsPP test rode one and didn't like it, bought her Monster instead)

But then for that price I could have an 1100 Multistrada. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.....They're wierd. I like them.

I like the idea of the multistrada-just don't like its looks...

I'd have a maxi scooter for a longer commute. Just for the ease. I haven't tried a bmw 800 but they do get good reviews - and belt drive so no chains. Can you tell I hate chains?

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or

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muchos happiness 🙂

I commute 160km per day on a 1150GS...
It's now at 60k km and still running beatifully.

Heated grips, the cyclinders keep my feet / lower legs warm. ABS so hopefully no panic lock-ups when some SUV driver cuts me up.
Big fuel tank - 500+ km between fill ups.
Comfy seat.

Low Milleage honda deauville..
Shaft drive, v twin. Boxes the works.

Just to throw something into the mix. I do 60 miles a day on 650 V-Strom Touring (I've got heated grips, handguards, top box and centre stand as standard) from South London to Kent. So I can mix city riding, fast A roads and if I feel like it motorways. Always get at least 220 miles per tank of petrol. Oh And I run Michelin Road Pilot tyres as opposed to the pseudo off road Bridgstones that came as stock and the handling is much better, especially going into corners as it feels a lot more stable.

If you buy a Deaville I will personally come around and perform the labotomy on you myself.
It's a henious crime without parallel.

I had a "D'oh"ville as a loan bike when the Blackbird was in for a service. It was a very comfortable riding position, but I really didn't like the motor.

Oh, and +1 for the Michelin Pilot Road 2's. Great t*res.

The Deauville was designed for exactly that sort of riding. It's not the most exciting but it's highly competent, handles well, is reliable, comfortable, has good luggage capacity and best of all has shaft drive.

With a 60 mile a day commute most bikes will plummet in value so there is no point getting anything fancier. Something like a BMW GS or tourer would be good as well, however they'll either be more expensive or older.

I had a Deauville as my hack bike for 10 years and they're very decent bikes. Even the mags now agree that they're a good - if unexciting - option.

I've never personally got on with Michelin tyres so stick with Bridgestone for all-weather commuting.

Fun = RGV250 or an NC30/35 (I've never ridden either, and don't really want to, it'd be like meeting your heroes)

It's obvious you've never ridden one, or you wouldn't have mentioned them here! RGV250 for a 60 mile each way commute is mental talk!

Epicsteve - give the PR2's a go. They're very good.

(for info, over the last 3 years I've gone through Conti RoadAttacks, Bridgestone BT020's. Dunlop Roadsmarts x2 sets and Michelin PR2's x 3 sets)

Yep, got the PR2s on the Speed Triple that is going next week... the new one comes with the original Road Pilot I think (may be Sport Pilots though... heard different things...). I may well switch them out pretty sharpish depending on if they are squared off enough to justify it!

That said - been hearing good things about the Pirrelli Angel STs too and since they are cheaper they may get a go 😉

I commute 160km per day on a 1150GS...
It's now at 60k km and still running beatifully.

It's just about reaching the end of its running in period!

Personally, I love commuting on the GS - high, upright position and huge road presence compared to most bikes. It's not a narrow bike, though, and it's f***ing heavy, which makes filtering more difficult if you have to do that. It's surprisingly fun in the twisty stuff on the way home, too.

Having said that, when I lived in London I commuted from one side to the other on a 28 year old Guzzi V50, which was about perfect as a commuter. Nimble, enough grunt to cope easily with motorways and medium length journeys, totally overlooked by thieves, laughably cheap insurance (I think it was £86 fully comp with full European cover). Of course, being a Guzzi you need to be able to do some light spannering...

HTH - Adam...

The Deauville .... It's not the most exciting but it's highly competent, handles well, is reliable, comfortable, has good luggage capacity and best of all has shaft drive.

ZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzYou see what I mean?
Steve was one of my first patients.
How are the stitches Steve? I' told you the hair is unlikely to grow back now, it was 10 years ago.
You know the drill (no pun intended) but you still do have to change your surname to Dullard, it said so in the Deauvzzzzzzzzz labotomy contarct.

This is what replaced the Deauville as my hack tourer/commuter:
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It'd also be worth a look as CBF1000's aren't expensive new and can be had cheaply 2nd hand. The Deauville was better in some ways for the type of work you're after (shaft drive, cheaper insurance, better fuel economy and perhaps a little better comfort) but the CBF's engine is very good, plus mine has ABS which my DV didn't (although the newer ones do).

Dzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzville

ZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzYou see what I mean?

By your reckoning then the more exciting the bike the better commuter it makes? I'd rather commute 60 miles a day on a Deauville than on a GSXR1000 or a Ducati (I'd keep them for weekends and evenings). I've always had other bikes as well as the Deauville (CBR etc.) and for anyone doing 120 miles a day (which is going to be close to 30K per annum) that's a sensible idea.

60 miles each way every day is a lot for a motorbike and after a year of that a sportsbike would be worth next to nothing. I've also owned bikes like the Bandit 600 and SV650 and overall I preferred the Deauville for practical stuff. So what if it's not exciting.

Ti29er. I've just checked back and given your recommendation was for an R1 I can see you're clearly not serious...

I borrowed a Yamaha TDM (Tedium). Very capable commuter and pretty dull. What we'd all be riding if we bought bikes with our heads not with our hearts.

Definitely worth a look as a commuter

Ladies & Gents.
Please move right along.
Nothing to see here.

Steve, as I promised, tomorrow we can visit the zoo. 😉

What you ride speaks volumes about who you are and the choices you make in life. We covered this in the post op meetings. This is why you sold the Dzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Remember?

I've decided to retaliate by posting a picture of my beloved Deauville on it's final spin before being traded in on the CBF1000GT.
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Bought 2nd hand for £4500, ran it year round for nearly 10 years and still got £1500 when I parted with it...

I bet those flower boxes will look a treat come the summer and that roof line looks like it'll need some attention before the winter.

my commuter, cost 900 quid ( Thread hijack my newly re made lap top is giving my # not a pound sign, what can do)

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Wouldnt do all year round 60mile motorway commute on it though, would cost a fortune in getting my fillings replaced

It's already been said, the correct answer is a Deuville. As reliable and economic as it is dull and ugly, perfect. I don't think there's any better bike for simple transportation.

That said, for a 120 mile round trip I wouldn't use a bike at all, I'd have a comfy car with a heater, a roof, and a good stereo.

"If you want cheap, reliable and decent enough for a 120 mile round trip you need a minimum 600cc Jap 4, and TBH I'd suggest bigger."

This is such a daft comment it makes me wonder if it's actually a joke that nobody's getting? Particularily when the next paragraph was complaining about how expensive it is to run a big IL4 as a commuter...

Right, I know nothing about motorbikes. So why would a bike weighing 1/6 what a car does and with an engine half the size get only slightly better fuel economy?

Obviously most people, including myself, will recommend what they use. I bought a new ER6-F for commuting 3 years ago. I bought it to commute in central London but I now use it for a 90+ mile a day return commute on the motorway. After 25k bar a couple minor issues dealt with under warranty, (exhaust manufacture fault) its been solid. It's still running on the original chain/sprockets with tons of life left, scottoiler = WIN. It goes from A- B fine, exciting enough for going the B road way home and manageable on crappy gripless winter roads. I keep a superbike for summer days.

It provides good protection from the weather, you NEED a full fairing for motorway commuting if you want to ride in the cold. Heated grips or gloves essential. It returns 55 mpg at worst and upto 70mpg, I average around 60mpg most days. For that high mileage it's really worth considering MPG as most bikes struggle to do more than 50mpg. That really costs alot over a year.

As a comparison I ran a ZX9r for nearly 50k, mainly commuting, and it worked out at 44ppm (including depreciation), a later Fazer 1000 came in at 45ppm. Both these would be higher now, as fuel then was sub-90ppl.

I manage to run my bike for alot less than half that including depreciation, running costs and allowance for stuff like clothing etc. How the hell did it cost you that much?! I do benefit from DIY servicing but still that's a big difference.

"Right, I know nothing about motorbikes. So why would a bike weighing 1/6 what a car does and with an engine half the size get only slightly better fuel economy? "

Not all do... You can get a lot of mileage from the newer BMWs frinstance, and my old Virago could beat 100mpg. Mainly it's because most motorbikes are built for performance though, so it's not like comparing with a family car, more like a 15mph supercar.

It's also got a lot to do with usage, bike engines are often high revving and tend to get ridden relatively hard. It's easy to see how a 600cc engine can have poor economy when it's running at 15000rpm, especially if it's being thrashed on the road.

Most bikes are basically pretty inefficient fuel-wise though. Carbs have only recently died out and fuel injection is still pretty basic on most bikes.

[img] http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:JTnmccoJhkuOCM:http://www.motorcyclespecs [/img]

If you are of the "Evo" bent, every ride should be an event, take the back roads on sunny days and enjoy the whole experience.
If your commute to work is so dull you are thinking about a dull bike, then please, set your hair alight and opt for some excitement in your 60 mile trip.

Just a thought & hang the extra expense!

I doubt Ti29er has even ridden a motorbike. Possibly he's 12.

Thread hijack continued:

Thread hijack my newly re made lap top is giving my # not a pound sign, what can do

My laptop does the same, but that's cos it has an 'American' keyboard layout, I think, with no pound signs to be seen. If your '3' key actually has the £ symbol on it then you should be able to change your keyboard settings (Control Panel>Keyboard, or something like that...) to a UK keyboard layout. Otherwise, do what I have to do and type Alt+0163 each time. Ho hum, it was a cheap laptop.

Back on topic, I wish I had the guts to get a motorbike...

Had my ZZR 11 for almost 100k miles since 1993. Done most things on it from commuting through courier work to track days and multi week euro tours... and its still going strong.

You can commute on anything that has an engine pretty much, C50 to GTR1400,,, Get a bike you like, one that moves you in more ways than a to b, stuff a bit of extra expense and enjoy every ride. The bike will buy you independence and that precious commodity, time. Use it for commuting. And weekends. And holidays. And just for fun.... Just don't forget a reality/practicality check for those cold wet dark mornings.. the kit can make a great deal of difference too, get good stuff. And a fairing.

Not an actual recommendation, just get into it! If you want a durable low cost low maintenance bike, look what the couriers use and copy it. Nuff said really.

HTH

To answer Northwind and Solamanda

[i]"If you want cheap, reliable and decent enough for a 120 mile round trip you need a minimum 600cc Jap 4, and TBH I'd suggest bigger."

This is such a daft comment it makes me wonder if it's actually a joke that nobody's getting? Particularily when the next paragraph was complaining about how expensive it is to run a big IL4 as a commuter... [/i]

I wasn't complaining about the cost, just pointing it out. Unlike the majority of people I know exactly how much vehicles cost me, because I keep a record. I buy m/c's new, dealer service during warrenty and then a combination of DIY/dealer. Service at 1/2 intervals, never have a problem selling them on.

To actual commute decent distances in all weathers, and then do a proper job at work requires that you arrive fresh and unstressed - therefore you cannot beat big-engined, reliable and comfy m/c's and good warm, safe and waterproof gear - so add Rukka, Daytona, BKS etc.

I'll leave the 500's and DullVilles to the paupers - you're a long time dead!

Epic.
Don't be sore.
You chose a Dzzzzzzzzzzzzzzville.
I raced a 748.
Life-choices, nothing more, nothing less.

This is what Rick & I are trying to illustrate, if you are a Dzzzzzzzzzville, then by all means, get a bike that suits your personallity.

Don't make the (hopeless IMHO) mistake of buying something because it has a greater range in the tank, or it's got 2/3rd rivets as opposed to 1/3rd, or it's comfortable on 1000 mile rides, or it's nimble in treacle.

Buy a bike that fires your imagination, that inspires you, that you want to sit in the garage and just look at, something you'll want to take care of, to have experiences with and which you'll ulitmately be one-with. A bike for B road blasts is what you require, not a commuter, but a bike you love, that sets your hair alight every single time you thumb the starter motor and a bike that just happen to take you to work you.

Invert this entire debate; choose a bike you want as a screen saver and go and try her out.

crikey......didnt expect that many response. in fact i had to check to make sure i hadn't posted on MCN!

problem is that my previous bikes have been gsxr, R1 etc and am finding it difficult to now go and get something sensible to commute on and be reasonably cheap.......will probably end up boring to ride.

as suggested previously i could drive a car but then that would mean stuck in stationary/stop-start traffic for ages.

"To actual commute decent distances in all weathers, and then do a proper job at work requires that you arrive fresh and unstressed - therefore you cannot beat big-engined, reliable and comfy m/c's "

You'll arrive fresh and unstressed on a Deuville or similiar. Nonsense to suggest otherwise. And they're a damn sight comfier than the bikes you mentioned, and have far better weather protection. It's just simply a better bike for this job. Terrible bike for weekend blasts and roundabout chasing but that's not what he wants.

"Buy a bike that fires your imagination, that inspires you,"

This is great advice for someone that just wants a bike. but for someone who wants a bike for a 60 mile commute it's not. This isn't a "life choice", it's a transport choice.

To put it into a biking context, this is a bit like someone coming on and saying "I want a cheap reliable road bike" and you turning around and recommending an Orange Five because it's better at flying down rocky trails in the alps. "Life's too short for boring bikes maaaaaaan".

I wouldn't personally get a deuville just now but if I had a 120 mile commute then every bike that I actually want would be the wrong tool for the job, and I'd get a Deuville. Then, I wouldn't buy a 748 either, don't like the weight and the relatively slow steering. Tried one, wasn't too impressed, threw the budget at dymags and a fork revalve for the SV's GSXR forks instead.

Ive got a CB500, cheap insurance, cheap to run 50+mpg and had *cough* 120 out of it. ultra reliable too. if youre doing alot of motorway mileage i'd suggest the S with the fairing.

Didnt know you had bike history with the Gixer R1.. so...

CBR 600.
Fairing.Tick.
Loads around. Tick
Reliable. Tick
Commute/Fun Tick
Build Quality Tick.

At the end of the day I reckon you probably know what's what...

Let us know as this thread is a hardy perennial and we need info for next time !

get the bmw f650gs you can add panniers,top box bigger screen,is a real joy to drive and also returns between 60-70 to the gallon.On top of this bmw do a lease scheme £500 down £70 a month for 3 years then you can hand it back and get another brand new one ,with the deposit coming from the equity left on the bike.Two years warranty with roadside assistance comes with the bike, and the insurance is a pittance.Along with cheap road tax

Cheap to service,has abs, asc and heated grips for the winter months

what else do you need for commuting

jackthelad

I've got a CBR600 (a fuel-injection one) and while it'd tick many of the boxes I've found it quite expensive to run as I only average around 35mpg on it.

I've also done a fair amount of mileage on a CB500S and it'd be a decent choice however the Deauville is faster, handles just as well, has a better fairing, is more comfortable and most importantly for the mileages concerned - has a shaft drive.

For 120 commuting miles a day a shaft-drive would be very close to the top of my list. A Scotoiler on a chain bike helps but it's no substitute.

I've ridden a Ducati 748 and anyone who suggests one for a 30,000 a year commute is an idiot. It'd bankrupt you as well as putting you off motorcycling all together. Lovely track bike or for sunny Sundays but uncomfortable overy any distance and in town and with terrible build quality and reliability. Commuting on one through the winter would be like burning a stack of tenners each day.

Also ridden an F650GS (including off-road) and that'd be a reasonable choice and very good at any town bits. Nowhere near as good as the Deauville for this sort of thing however. One of the BMW F800's would be a good choice - I considered one of them when replacing my Deauville but went with the CBF1000GT instead.

On the "buy a bike that fires your imagination, that inspires you" - I'd agree but suggest instear thatyou buy one of those for the weekend, not for the commute otherwise you'd hate it.

Good points being made here...

Back to the Beemer then.....

Buy a bike that fires your imagination, that inspires you, that you want to sit in the garage and just look at, something you'll want to take care of, to have experiences with and which you'll ulitmately be one-with. A bike for B road blasts is what you require, not a commuter, but a bike you love, that sets your hair alight every single time you thumb the starter motor and a bike that just happen to take you to work you

I can't argue with that, well put. That's basically what I had with my Monster 696. I loved it, it was wonderful. But I couldn't have brought myself to do 120 miles a day on it.... It would have been fine most of the time, and pretty economical too, but it would have ruined it and I couldn't do that to a bike I loved so much. 🙂

My 2p worth...

Over the last 15 years, I've commuted on the following over the same sort of distance as the OP:

Yamaha FZR400RRSP
Suzuki SV650S
Suzuki GSX-R750W
Suzuki GSX-R1000K1
Suzuki GSX-R1000K8

The SV was the cheapest to run out of that lot. The GSXR750 the most expensive (mainly because I kept crashing it). The K8 is my current toy, so it gets used for a commute in the summer for fun, but never in the winter.

However, I bought a new Bandit 1250GT last September and have been using that since. Full Givi luggage (2x 35l panniers and 45l top box), hugger, taller screen, heated grips, handguards, touring Scotoiler, and lower fairings, £6700 on the road. Bargain.

Been tracking the running costs since new, and it's costing 16p per mile to run. That is petrol, tyres, and servicing, but not insurance as the company pays for that. Although, that's only 250 quid a year inc business use.

Using it for a weekly run up to York from Birmingham at the minute and can comfortably get a weeks gear and two laptops into the luggage. Excellent bike.

Just seen the OP's bike history.

In which case I'm going to change my recommendation to what I'm switching to next year...

A Hayabusa with a full set of Givi luggage and heated grips.

40+ mpg, all the performance you want, and comfy over distance. You can get a clean early-2000s one for 3k.

I'll be swapping both the Bandit and the GSXR for a new one next Spring to save on space. A-road antics, steady commuting, and continental touring in one bike.

Hayabusa for commuting? 2000 mile tyre life? OK, explain that one! 🙂

OP - what bike for commuting?

Assorted STW - don't get a bike for commuting get an exciting bike...

why? its for commuting? weirdos. you may have ridden a 748 but have you commuted 120 miles a day on it? 5 days a week? no, thought not.

what would plod do? they spend a lot of arse on seat time.....

Plod buys Pan Europeans, BMW tourers and, on some forces, Deauvilles.

i'm really surprised plod aren't on 748s? everyone knows they're ace for the long haul 😉

I commute on a KTM Duke 690 sometimes, but to be honest my car is probably cheaper to run, does better MPG's and is less likely to get me killed.
The downside is all the pisstaking I have to put up with for driving a Smart Fortwo CDi 😳
Edit: Just seen the comment above about tyre life, 2000 miles, I wish, I managed 1500 miles and much of that the bike was running in.

for commuting i'd go with a Bandit 650

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or a Honda CBF 600

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anythig else is overkill for commuting - unless you're doing some proper rides on a weekend

[i]PeterPoddy:

Hayabusa for commuting? 2000 mile tyre life? OK, explain that one![/i]

Well, as with anything, it's down to how you ride it!

I reckon on motorways, if you're easy on the gas, and you don't put full-on sticky tyres on it, you'll get 4-5000 miles from a rear and 6-7 from a front. It's acceleration that eats rear tyres, not cruising in my experience.

Certainly, I get 4000 miles out of my GSX-R1000s rear and don't exactly hang around on that.

A 'Busa ain't a cheap commuter, but it is a perfectly valid long distance tourer. That's why Suzuki built it.

I get about 3000 miles out of the rear tyre on the CBR600 and was getting about 6000 out of a BT20 on the Deauville, although 10000 miles wasn't unknown on the (horrible) OE Macadams.

My Deauville will have been cheaper to run than most of the cars I've had (cheap insurance, low depreciation and decent fuel consumption) however my current Honda Jazz would probably give it a run on costs. The CBR600 I've found fairly expensive to run - partly because I don't do a lot of miles on it plus it'd depreciated more because, unlike many people, I still ride it in the wet and in winter. Too early to tell for sure on the CBF1000 but I'm expecting it to be more expensive per mile that the car.

My cheapest bike to run is my XBR500. Good on fuel, zero depreciation (it might even go up a little in value) and cheap tyres and servicing. Fine for a shorter commute but while it'd cope with 120 miles a day it wouldn't be my first choice.

An earlier poster mentioned the Bandit 1250GT - I considered one of those as an alternative to the CBF as it looks great value. I've tended to get on better with Honda's over the years though (although I think I've owned as many Suzuki's as Hondas) which tipped the balance.

Dibbs, you enjoying the smart? What's it like?

Second the Bandit 1250 recommendation.

CBF1000 and Bandit1250 are both good shouts.

Having done my long commute in all weathers on small capacity bikes (600cc & 750cc) it is perfectly possible and they were perfectly capable.

BUT, they were both hard(er) work. I never arrived at work feeling refreshed and ready to go. With the Blackbird (an 1100cc mile muncher), it's a different matter entirely.

[img] [/img]

I saw one of those at Zurich airport parked up at the bike racks

So amalgamating all the above answers, and taking an average, removing any aberrant data, the answer is:

Fiat Panda.

More economical, no need for special clothes or luggage carriers.

Oh, and you may have to smoke something non mainstream to get the happy feeling that a large bike gives you.

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[i]on small capacity bikes (600cc & 750cc)i]

Like the 'small' bikes comment! 😀

Another advantage of high-revving 4 cylinders is that torque is quite high up the rev range. Consequently they are easier to ride in the wet (and on slippery roads), especially when short-shifting - except for exup equipped ones...