Commuter bikes, which is your favourite?

Following on the response I got from the NC700X thread, I'm intrigued to know what people like to commute on...
Comfort, weather protection, economy...etc...

I'm not in a position to make a purchase now, but would like to have a few specific ideas, in case a great deal were to appear.

I'd consider trading the car in, getting a commuter bike and keeping the CBR as the toy (which it currently is now)...

So... experiences..?

So far, I've had little 50 scooters. Honda CG 125, Cagiva 125 Mito & Planet, Hyosung GT125R, Curvy SV650N. And a small while on a 2003 Ninja.

I have to say. I can't think any of them being better than the other at commuting.

In my eyes, if you like riding it then you like riding it. When it comes to commuting, unless it's something big like an Adventurer that might be difficult to filter I think I'd be fine.

EDIT: Now come to think about it. Both my 2-stroke Cagiva were tuned to High Compression and hi Rev powerbands. Commuting I did have to try and rev them a lot more. And kept having to change the plugs due to low revs and bumming around in the traffic flowling them.

Originally Posted by Destruktor77

So far, I've had little 50 scooters. Honda CG 125, Cagiva 125 Mito & Planet, Hyosung GT125R, Curvy SV650N. And a small while on a 2003 Ninja.

I have to say. I can't think any of them being better than the other at commuting.

In my eyes, if you like riding it then you like riding it. When it comes to commuting, unless it's something big like an Adventurer that might be difficult to filter I think I'd be fine.

EDIT: Now come to think about it. Both my 2-stroke Cagiva were tuned to High Compression and hi Rev powerbands. Commuting I did have to try and rev them a lot more. And kept having to change the plugs due to low revs and bumming around in the traffic flowling them.

Kinda agree on the 50/125cc on this. People have always said the smaller bikes are best to commute with and also can be quite fun. Thrashing them around is a lot easier than anything over 500cc

My scooter is down for commuting too.

[STRAMASHER]

SV650S!

Been commuting on mine for about 7 years. All year all weather.

Starts on the button everytime.

Narrow (clip-ons) and nimble (thin-ish tyres and great turning lock to lock), so can get in about the traffic like I'm on a trials bike.

Noisy!

Fast away from the lights if needs be. (Lower the gearing to make it king of the traffic light GP, I'm back to OE though....too revvy at cruising speed.)

I average 55mpg , 10mile city commute.

180miles average before I need to go a petrol station. Still never filled up more than 15litres. (I have extended my range by 20 miles after using http://www.fuelly.com for a while.)

Cheap insurance. Cheap to run.

Still a ton of fun when you want to take the long way home.

Heated grips and a hugger and away you go.......

SV gets my vote on this too. Guess it depends what kind of roads you tackle on the commute.

[pookie]

To date, the sv650s curvy was great for the 7mile each way. When the commute went to 23miles each way I bought the sv1k. Fuel economy and tank range has fallen but much less effort on the long stretches.

I enjoy the kwak but havent managed to get a 52ltr top box on it yet to make it practical. The lower fairing is a cause for concern when jamming in between the scooters in the motorcycle bays so the sv1k remains all weather choice. I realised having a fun bike makes the commute a little bit more interesting ( I rode a gs500e for a while and whilst practical was dull and rattly).
Wind protection isnt much of a factor as 1/3rd is town and 2/3 on dual carriageways, usually busy.
How long is your commute and what types of roads are you riding on.

[NTECUK]

Id have thought one of the super scooters get a vote.
250 or 400 ones big seats and weather protection

Id have said sv650 was ideal we are on here after all, but then 4 miles across town, then 650 is a bit big in some peoples eyes, a 400 bandit or similar is better suited.

those maxi scooter just look too bulky for my liking, longer than a canal boat

but as said by others, Id rather commute on a bike I enjoy, than ride some turd I despised.my current bike isnt ideal for town commuting due to its long gearing, but im enjoying riding it so its not really an issue......for now

I'd think anything not too big would do a decent job. I commute on my Tiger 1050, which is not small by any measure. But it's not that thirsty for a liter bike (5.5-6L/100km ~ 50MPG Imperial) in town and I don't have the money to get myself a real commuter right now.

If I had some money, I'd get myself a 125/250 scoot or a bmw G650 (yeah, i know it's left-field).

For the tall folks:
The G650 eats about 3.5-4L/100km ~ 75MPG Imperial, which is close to what you'd get from a 250 (the ninja 250 gets around 4.0L/100km, the honda cbr250r gets around 3.5L/100km) or from a nc700. It has plenty of room and lots of carrying space if need be. It has the fuel tank under the seat, just like the nc700x, but no space under the former tank. You can also get a decently cheap one and it's decently light (~160kg fully fueled). It's only disadvantage is its fuel tank size. It has only 10L, which means about 300km range. Not bad, but could definitely be better.

For the shorter folks:
The scooter world is full of good examples. A yamaha xmax 250 gives you good poke with lots of space and weather protection, can have abs and eats around 3-3.5L/100km.

[yorkie_chris]

Depends how far you go...