Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

Afternoon All.

I have been commuting 5 days a week on my lovely SV since early November and although I haven't had any issues on it, touch wood, I often see supermoto type bike getting about a lot quicker than me, they just seem more nimble.

So this made me wonder what the best commuting bike is?

I'm not talking about a compromise between commuting and weekend use, I'm talking about a sole commuter for my 25 mile round trip each day, a bike that is fun to drive too would be good though, just to break the mundane journey.

I was speaking to a guy this morning who was driving a Yamaha supermoto (might have been an XT?) and he said that his previous bike was a Fireblade and he actually preferred his current bike and "would definitely recommend it to anyone".

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

That wasn't you next to me on London Bridge today was it (at the lights?).

See my post about my Bandit. SV is by far a better bike for the weekend (but makes you want to ride fast :lol: ) but as yet, for commuting, i really really cannot knock the Bandit 650 i've got. Its comfier, more upright, better weather protection, bigger fuel tank, and the missis rates it much better to sit as pillion. Parts are the same and just as cheap, just as much scope to modify (and you don't have to cut off the exhaust :lol: ).

Supermoto is a great bike, IF you live in the city. Travelling down the A2 i think u'd get cheesed off it it hammers it down like it did the other day. No protection, and a long way to drop down should someone hit you. Plus i'd be too tempted to go off road on it at some point to miss the traffic :lol:

I have to say, comparing the SV650 (non S) and the Bandit, i'd go for the bandit. But for more of a weekend toy, i'd go for the SV650S over the Bandit. Commuter wise, its been perfect so far.

Oh, and the Bandits turning handlebar turning circle is MUCH MUCH better than the SV's!!!!

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

Supermotos look like great fun, but I think they come across as a bit try hard. Plus for £5000+ I'd want more than one cylinder.

I always think that sports bikes are perfectly good at commuting, and they offer the precision braking and agility that town traffic requires. Comfort is all very well, but I get annoyed by the wider and higher mirrors on more upright bikes, and the fact that I always feel like there is a much less instant weight transfer onto the front wheel under initial braking response.

I personally feel sorry for BMW riders: all that money spent looking like Ewan, but you’re stuck way back in the queue as your glove warmers scrape along car sills…

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

Nah Daimo not me - I never go that far.......

Going off-road was one of the things I see someone doing on the Dartford Heath turn-off and it got me thinking.

They are also a lot lighter if and when you do drop them, was just thinking.

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

They're also quite popular with scum, because they're light enough you can chuck them in the back of a van with 2 blokes rather than 3 or 4 and they are comparatively easy/safe to sell as many people use them off road.

Might be worth considering if you don't have secure parking at your destination...

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

My mate commutes from Surrey to Docklands on an XT660 and loves it. Personally I have issues going between cars if I'm not "head first" :D Don't know what it is, just seems strange.

When I had my naked SV I found that it commuted fine except that the bars were so wide (Renthals) that I needed bigger gaps. My K4 GSXR 600 was the best commuting bike I ever had, but then I did have the M4 on my route.

.

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

For serious commuting you can't beat a Deauville, but somehow I don't think it will ring your chimes. :riding:

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

I'm currently commuting (north london-->the city) on fazer 600 (the t'cat engine'd one) which is fine, although a bit heavy/revvy. I used to have a cb500 (before it got nicked) which was better - lighter, more tractable at the bottom end, honda idiot-proof-ness. quite fun too in a budget, chuckaboutable sort of a way. I wish I still had it really, I'd convert it into a cb500 cup bike :-D

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

My Honda is fabulous for commuting. Light, small, but still quick enough.

Its in such a state that cars move out of the way thinking I'm a courier. But it got a brake and suspension overhaul last April so it goes and handles very well (for a 18 year old bike), just looks a state.

Plus the ex CBR400 engine is an absolute peach.

The mild clip-ons help; the right balance between SV clip-ons and Hornet flat bars.

Plus it was made at the time when Honda's had the build quality of a tank, so the CB-1 is over-engineered. The VF 'chocolate cam incident' was still in their minds. Chucked it up the road quite a few times, and no serious damage.

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

I'm still tempted by a vfr400r...:smt029

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

commuting with a grin:rolleyes:

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

Yeah I've noticed the wider bars issue myself and seeing people on them type of bikes getting caught in gaps I can fit through.

Hadn't really given the weight transfer much thought, but now that it has been mentioned the SV is superb under braking and has kept me out of trouble once or twice.

I'm probably only wondering as the SV is the only bike I have owned (and only one i've riden) since passing my test and I wonder what else is about and how they feel. Maybe I should go for a test drive on one to get it out of my system?

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

Can't beat this on a sunny day commute
http://www.livermorepolice.org/photos/goped.gif
:riding: :riding: :riding: :smt038 :rolleyes: ;)

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

i wouldn't mind a go on a GSXR600 either to be honest.

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

I've just read an article about the Aprilia SXV Supermoto on Bike magazine and it was titled something like 'Is this the UK's craziest road bike?'. Mike Armitage the article writer says its the most fun he's had in years and says it is, but Simon argreaves disagrees and says that it vibrates too much being a high reving single, the seat flosses your behind, the tank range is ****e and as soon as you get onto a road the bike stops being fun and stars being like getting trapped in a lift with an army of psychopathic weasels. Now you know.

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

Deffo test drive one, and try and do one of those off-road day as well as they are great fun and a very different slant on the biking thing. Personally I don't like single 4-strokes over 350-400cc, well not on road at least. The SV engine is brilliant in town, has plenty of pull and can be driven around under 5k rpm all day plus it has a nice top end when you need it to overtake those supermotos from the lights :p

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

Nor would I.... I'll just have to put up with the 'Blade I guess :rolleyes:

.

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

The SVX is a V-Twin though innit ;)


Ben

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

proper supermoto's are normally derived from enduro competition bikes and are really not suitable for commuting. The highly strung single cylinder engine usually fitted to sm's needs regular maintainance if you dont want it to go pop.

Some of the tamer stuff like the xt660 or a ktm lc4 which are popular can do 3000 mile service intervals but at that point the above mentioned aprilia sxv requires new pistons (v twin)

i'd love a supermoto but for me they are a bit to single minded at the mo it would have to be a toy only.

Could you be bothered changing the oil on it after every ride?

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

Yes you're right. Hence the name SVX. Problem is it idles at 3000. Would you believe that?

Re: Commuting Bikes - Is there a better one?
 

To be 100% honest forget all the other bikes,
you want a gilera runner moped . . . .:smt071 :smt070 :smt078

Trust me im only joking lol, i find my SV does it all but i guess it really depends on wether you want comfort or a quick ride home or to work it takes me 15 mins both ways, twenty if i have to filter, its a good ten miles give or take, my other choice would be a hornet or something just a real pack horse,
but getting on my SV every morning makes my day before work.