Question for the high milers

I have just applied for (and in all likelihood, will get) a job that involves a fair bit of travel, all over the UK. Now, having gotten used to bikes, there is no way I'm going to sit in a slow, gridlocked cage for a couple of hours a day when I can be flying past laughing my head off.

So, it looks like even if I keep my car for when I need to move kit round, I need a bike that is a great long distance machine and cheap to run. My car (PUG 106) is cheap to run/insure, so even if I sold it, I don't think I could afford to keep 2 bikes (especially as I may be parking on-road in a city overnight).

I'm reluctant to get rid of my beloved SV, but I imagine after a few weeks long journeys, I'll be prepared to sacrifice some fun for comfort.
I know Carsick and The Mass have both used K4s as big mileage bikes, what're you finding the servicing costs likes (I know you do your own Carsick)? Bear in mind that whilst simple things like oil changes, etc. I'm comfortable with, I'm no master mechanic. Also, how hard is it to learn to do the majority of servicing tasks yourself?

Once you factor in servicing costs, longr service intervals (important if I'm self-servicing), the conveniance of integrated hard luggage (gah, topboxes!) and comfort, do you reckon I'd be better off selling the SV and buying a workhorse like one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW

or

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW?

or should I keep the SV? Before you snigger at the beemers, a guy in work has a 750 version of the second one and having done all self servicing (bugger all bar consumables like oil, pads and sparkplugs, by the sounds of it) since 12K miles and it's now 100K+.

I also fancy a proper fairing and even heated grips. Does the full fairing on an SV make a lot of difference to weather protection? I know I could fit heated grips to my SV too.

Any suggestions of other bikes to consider, bearing in mind they need to be comparatively cheap to buy, service, reliable and comfortable? As I'm 23 with 1 years NCB, insurance cost is also a factor.

VFRs look tempting as a nice real 'sports tourer', but they seem pretty pricey to buy and I read that some servicing tasks can be really costly, particularly on the VTEC bikes, they're also fairly pricey to insure.

I don't do a very high mileage anymore, just coming up to 16k.
Servicing is pretty simple, apart from pads, I've only had to do the stuff listed in the manual.
Heated grips are very nice in the winter, obviously.

If you were prepared to get another bike just for the long distances, you could look at a divvy. They're cheap to buy, cheap to insure and I think they're a shaft drive so maintenance is that much easier.

[Biker Biggles]

I'd keep the sv and use that rather than take an instant hit if you sold it now.It's cheap to run when you consider fuel chains tyres brakes and other consumables,and insurance is competative.Servicing can mostly be done by you,such as oil /filter changes,and if you do that it will be well up to it.More difficult stuff you may have to farm out but how often is that?
The only thing is your bike will become your transport more than your toy,and will have to be thought of as such and replaced from time to time.

Buy a low milage VFR 800 Fi (pre Vtec). They will run forever, with minimal looking after, you can change the oil and filter yourself in about 20 minutes and you'll be able to ride it right through the winter.

An early low (for a honda) milage bike will cost you about £2-2500 but yu can get them cheaper if you look.

The VFR is one of the few "sporty bikes" that you can genuinely do 1000 mile days day after day after day, although if you are going to be doing more than 500 miles a day I'd change the seat.

Above all they are a blast.

Based on 60,000 miles in 18 months on a 1998 VFR Fi-W for which I paid £400.

I also have a BMW GS, if I have a long haul to do I always take the VFR.

I'd agree with Patch that if you do change, have a look at a VFR. I had two, a '98 800 and a '92 750 and they were both fantastic bikes.

I used to commute (only 40 miles) on the 800 and it was perfect for the job. They are quick bikes too, and I actually used to like the linked brakes.

Originally Posted by ijeffery

I'd agree with Patch that if you do change, have a look at a VFR. I had two, a '98 800 and a '92 750 and they were both fantastic bikes.

I used to commute (only 40 miles) on the 800 and it was perfect for the job. They are quick bikes too, and I actually used to like the linked brakes.

If I can afford the insurance and find a decent model in reasonable nick, I may well go for the vfr as it seems an ideal cross between a fun and work bike. Looks like I've really got three options, in order of cost from cheapest to most expensive:

1. Make the SV into a more touring-friendly bike (full fairing, comfier seat, heated grips, maybe hard panniers)

2. Get rid of the SV and get a VFR.

3. Keep the SV purely as a toy and get a cheap but reliable dedicated old tourer which I would use for 'work' (BMW/Divvy/etc.) I think I'd definately have to get rid of the car to afford this.

I'll probably start by using the SV as it currently is, then based on the mileage I find I'm doing, I'll consider doing one of the above. It could be I end up having to move lots of kit all the time and have to use the car (boo hiss!).

Thanks for your advise folks, all things I will consider.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

2. Get rid of the SV and get a VFR.

I can put you in touch with a couple of cheap VFR's if you fancy one mate. IIRC it's a 93 @ £1k and a 97 @ £1.5k but I'll check if you're interested.

Originally Posted by minky

I can put you in touch with a couple of cheap VFR's if you fancy one mate. IIRC it's a 93 @ £1k and a 97 @ £1.5k but I'll check if you're interested.

Cheers, I wouldn't be looking to buy till August, probably not even September, but is it okay if I PM you around then if I am still looking?

Would have to agree that a pre Vtec VFR would be the right price, comfortable and economical. Should also offer you around 200 mile tank range too....

.

VFR's are an excellent touring bike and commuter. I'd love one.

My only comment is that i've heard they chew through their chains a bit quicker than an SV