Hypothetical question - commuter bike?

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MartDude · #1 Post by **MartDude** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:55 pm

My employers are considering relocating our workshop. This would entail a commute of around 28 miles - as opposed to my current 1 1/2 miles. needless to say, I'm hoping this doesn't come to pass.

If it does happen, I'd expect to do some of the travelling by bike. About three quarters of the route is rural/semi-rural, about half of that hilly and twisty, and the last quarter is urban (Kidderminster)

Would I use the Futura?

Or, might I get a second bike, and keep the Fut for 'best'?

If I were to get a second bike, what? It wouldn't need to be overly big, or hugely powerful. It would have to be cheap to buy and run, reasonably simple and cheap to maintain, reliable, and ideally have at least a half-fairing. I 'd have a preference for a carburetted engine, and perhaps air-cooled as well.

Common sense suggests something like a CB500.

However, my heart veers towards something more interesting - perhaps a ZZR 600, or another old BMW (got a soft spot for the old air-heads). Having missed out on a chunk of potential biking in the eighties to mid-nineties, I'm not overly familiar with most of the bikes of that period, i.e. the ones that would be affordable.

So, chaps and chappesses, any suggestions?

#2 Post by **Kwackerz** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 8:58 pm

Why not go for something like a Bandit 600?

It'd save on front tyres and brakes...

MartDude · #3 Post by **MartDude** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:06 pm

#4 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:28 pm

Perhaps an early SV650 - still got the V-twin element, but Japanese, cheap and (by all accounts) reliable. Should be fun as well, plus they do a half-faired variant.

Just looked and there's 194 listed on eBay...

D-Rider · #5 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:41 pm

If it's the cost that is why you're thinking of not using the Fut, then you are obviously after something with good economy .... then it's a case of working out how much it would cost to own and run a second bike compared to doing this on the Fut.

If it were me, I'd use my Falco but might consider anything with super-dooper economy if it saved me money ..... but then, if I wasn't riding it to work, the Falco would get very little use (don't get much opportunity to play)

MartDude · #6 Post by **MartDude** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:21 pm

If I'm honest, at least half of this is me looking for ways of justifying having another bike, so the cost-benefit analysis isn't really relevant - tho' I wouldn't want to spend too much.

Samray · #7 Post by **Samray** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:31 pm

Definately something other than a V twin then!

CBR6 has served me as well as a hack as it did in the past for hooning.
Still lifted her skirts on the track too.

BikerGran · #8 Post by **BikerGran** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 10:42 pm

And it would fulfil these criteria as well...

It would have to be cheap to buy and run, reasonably simple and cheap to maintain, reliable, and ideally have at least a half-fairing.

Falcopops · #9 Post by **Falcopops** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:00 pm

CX500

D-Rider · #10 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:02 pm

Falcopops wrote:CX500

Great security too

No b#gger in their right mind would want to steal it

Willopotomas · #11 Post by **Willopotomas** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:05 pm

Look for something shaft driven. Old Suzuki GS's, BMW's and some Kwaks.

A good reliable work hack has to be just that. Personally I'd go for a BMW K100RS. Reliable, bags of oomph for the twisty's, shaft driven, cheap to find, run and insure and above all they're tough.. So if you were to fall off, you know it's not going to have done too much damage. I know of a K100LT that's for sale, but they're a big old bus.. Ideal in the winter months mind.

D-Rider · #12 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:19 pm

Just been chatting with Will ..... we both think a C90 should be included as a serious contender.

#13 Post by **Kwackerz** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:15 am

Never underestimate the power of a Crunchie!

snapdragon · #14 Post by **snapdragon** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:43 am

SV S 650

MartDude · #15 Post by **MartDude** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:18 pm

Was wondering when the C90 would appear

Willopotomas wrote:
A good reliable work hack has to be just that. Personally I'd go for a BMW K100RS. Reliable, bags of oomph for the twisty's, shaft driven, cheap to find, run and insure and above all they're tough.. So if you were to fall off, you know it's not going to have done too much damage. I know of a K100LT that's for sale, but they're a big old bus.. Ideal in the winter months mind.

I've heard the early Ks had gearbox problems; is that correct? Also, what about K75's - know nothing about them - more familiar with boxers.

But, TBH, I was thinking of something rather smaller & lighter.

Keep 'em coming, please