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.

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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