Slightly longer commute - alternatives

[Zim]

My job is changing a bit and I'm looking at having to do a 110 mile (220 round) commute once or twice a week. Obviously, my 08 pointy can manage that easily enough, but it's not exactly what it was built for. I see in other threads that loads of people are very happy doing 25 mile (50 round) commutes but I'm looking at four times that.

I'm wondering what other bikes people have ridden that they'd rate for a longer commute such as this. (i.e. around 1 hour 30 minutes on the motorway and 30 minutes messing about in london, then the opposite for the return trip at the end of the day).

I wouldn't want to be spending much more than 4 or 5k for something secondhand, and I'd need some luggage capability.

[Red ones]

VFR?

[Zim]

Hey Red, strange syncronicity - I was quite literally just reading your thread from about August about the flying brick etc, how did that search end?

[Tomor]

I do my 20 mile each way on my street triple when its nice.

Sent from my magical portable device

[NTECUK]

Originally Posted by Tomor

I do my 20 mile each way on my street triple when its nice.

Sent from my magical portable device

20 miles is getting into push iron territory
110 miles is no way the same area

[Bibio]

220 mile round commute. you need your head examined. if it were me i would be telling my boss to 0898 dooone or expect the company to pay for train+taxi+travelling time expences to the door.

[Red Herring]

If you are used to commuting already on the bike then it may not be as big an impact you you might imagine. I used to commute a mere 20 miles each way to work and when that went up to nearly 50 I thought it would be a problem, but to be honest I found that most of the agro is in getting all kitted up each end and given you were doing that anyway the extra bit in the middle made little difference. Obviously your increase is a fair bit more than that, but if it's only going to be once or twice a week that will help.

[DJ123]

Originally Posted by Zim

My job is changing a bit and I'm looking at having to do a 110 mile (220 round) commute once or twice a week. Obviously, my 08 pointy can manage that easily enough, but it's not exactly what it was built for. I see in other threads that loads of people are very happy doing 25 mile (50 round) commutes but I'm looking at four times that.

I'm wondering what other bikes people have ridden that they'd rate for a longer commute such as this. (i.e. around 1 hour 30 minutes on the motorway and 30 minutes messing about in london, then the opposite for the return trip at the end of the day).

I wouldn't want to be spending much more than 4 or 5k for something secondhand, and I'd need some luggage capability.

For once or twice a week it should be ok, if it was more often getting a different bike would be a better idea.
The SV is capable of taking soft luggage easily or even a top box-Givi arms, SW Motech rack or bolting it on the pillion seat. All at reasonable prices.

Honda VFR, preferably an ABS model, for the London craziness! Lots of power, V4 engine, very comfortable and lots of luggage can be mounted.

[Zim]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I fitted one of those cheap (£13!) chinese double bubbles today [linky] and was pleasantly surprised by what a difference it made on the motorway. (Didn't realise I was somewhat on the fast side due to the lower drag!).

Makes me wonder if I should up it again and get one of these [linky2] full on touring jobbies and try the commute distance before I make any decisions.

My mate has basically been telling me to get a BMW flying brick boxer bananarama. I'm 47, is it time?