Cheap Winter Transport?

With the winter approaching I have looked into both getting a cheap car for the winter or a second bike. I quickly found that having a second bike just for winter will be a lot cheaper than a car no matter what car I go for.

I don't really want to use the SV for winter as I am looking at selling it early next year or this year to go towards another bike but in the meantime still need transport to a from work.

Ideally I want a bike that is going to be capable of 60 - 70mph as my commute is 10 miles down a 70mph dual carriageway. It also has to be cheap to run and relatively reliable and robust.

An enduro of some sort is what I think would be best but this is the first time I am looking at getting a bike just for winter so any tips on what to buy would be appreciated.

I don't really want to rely on public transport as this will add almost 2 hours onto my normal daily commute time.

[Biker Biggles]

I doubt if the expense of buying insuring taxing and possibly repairing a second bike will be worth it.Just use your sv and keep it as clean as poss or cover it in ac50.The extra depreciation over the winter months will be nothing compared to the costs of another bike.

I don't like the idea of potentially wrecking the SV when it is still worth some money and I'm looking at selling it early as possible next year. I was thinking of owning a second cheaper bike just for the winter and put that on a multi bike policy but keep it for next winter as well so I don't have to risk my main mode of transport in the snow and ice. Which can get pretty bad up north.

Honda C90. Simply the best bike ever and cheap as chips if you search around.

Get a car mate it'll be worth it, you'll regret not forking out a bit extra for a cage when its -5 outside and ****ing with rain

I would get a car but when insurance is going to cost me £3000 plus on a £250 car I might as well just put a cheap bike onto my current policy which is only £400 with all the extras.

[mikerj]

It does rather depend on you definition of cheap but:

Honda Dullville. Shaft drive so no hassles with cleaning/lubing chains, nice tall screen, built in luggage to hold your work clothes and they are very well built (plenty for sale with >60k miles on them).

Suzuki Burgman (or other maxi-scoot), enough grunt for motorways and with lots of storage and decent weather protection.

Get a DRZ400, it will do 70, though not a huge amount more. Great in the winter and you can go green laning on it which is the bestest of fun. Oh and they do stupidly good MPG's. I dont have exact figures I just know my best mate always pays less for the same number of miles as I do on my dominator. (which isnt shabby on fuel, 45mpg most of the time on the dommie).

DRZ400 is out of the question, especially for a winter hack, as they cost more 2nd hand than what I have. Has to cost around £500 and not put much or anything on top of my current insurance.

c90 as already said.