Long distance weekly runs....your expert suggestions

Alreet,

Well I have been offered a job down south (Warrington/Manchester) way.
Now the idea is to get a small place down there and on a Friday night pop back up north. The trip will be about 160 miles door to door, but the idea is to just jump on and do it in 1 stretch....sometimes without a full tank. So I am after a bike that will scoot past the Manchester motorway grid lock but big/easy enough to relax on the rest of the trip. Ideally something that can hold decent luggage so I can take a weeks washing back too!!!!

So far I am thinking 650 v storm.

I have around 4K to spend.....so any suggestions?

Originally Posted by Odin

Alreet,

Well I have been offered a job down south (Warrington/Manchester) way.
Now the idea is to get a small place down there and on a Friday night pop back up north. The trip will be about 160 miles door to door, but the idea is to just jump on and do it in 1 stretch....sometimes without a full tank. So I am after a bike that will scoot past the Manchester motorway grid lock but big/easy enough to relax on the rest of the trip. Ideally something that can hold decent luggage so I can take a weeks washing back too!!!!

So far I am thinking 650 v storm.

I have around 4K to spend.....so any suggestions?

Going from an SV to a V-Strom will seem a bit poop. Rode one the other day, and it's gutless after 7000rpm, and I didn't find it as comfortable as an SV650S.
The SV is more than capable of that journey in one go, just keep it at a reasonable speed, and don't use full throttle the whole time.

I know g2d the sv would ok but Wor lass has mine now and she has castrated to 33bhp. Not too bothered about the 'fun' aspect..it really is just to gey me from A to B. At B the fun comes in the form as a superduke

[fizzwheel]

2nd hand Bandit 1200 / 1250 with a fairing. Ooodles of torque easy to ride, fairing gives a good amount of protection to.

[embee]

Deauville.

I've had one since 2002, along with the SVS. They are just very competent bikes which do what it says on the tin. No ball of fire, and not exactly a "fun" bike, but they handle well and are as reliable and durable as you get.

Mine's a 650, they went to 680 ("700") a couple of years ago with FI and 4-valve heads, quite a bit more torque and a little more power, with ABS on most of them. You'd get a good low miles one for less than 4k.

Website here , usually a couple for sale on there.

don't discount the v-strom - give it a go and see what you think - it's designed to be a commuter (and occasional tourer). and think about parts / tyres / servicing as you will be doing about 1300 a month.

I wouldnt spend 4k on something which is going to be an a-b mway bike. Id sort myself out with a Deauville/Bandit/CBF600 and leave it at that. Deauville was my first thought when I saw your requirements.

i did think of the bandit 1200/1250. I like the gt version but probs a little over budget. The Deauville never even appeared in my brain. But as a few of you guys suggested it I will give it some serious thought. Might give the versys and old shape fazer 1000 a look in too.

Shame really my brother sold a very low milage blackbird about 6 months ago with full givi luggage at 'mates rates'. Timing....life is all about timing

[yorkie_chris]

Deuville has another big cost advantage... no chain.

Loads of choice for that money.

A dullsville would be the practical choice but its a bit dull. I'd be thinking more VFR or even a Blackbird. Or a FZ1 Fazer - i reckon you could get a nice 06 for that money.