How long will an SV last as a motorway commuter?

Originally Posted by thefallenangel

get a BMW.

Let's just assume he wants to keep the job, that means he won't want anything as unreliable as a modern BMW. They really are rubbish nowadays.

Sir needs a Kawasaki Versys with an MRA screen - 200 miles between fill-ups, fitted a Scottoiler and haven't had to touch the chain adjustment in 3,000 miles despite giving it beans almost everywhere. Cruises nicely at 100mph and still gives 170 to a tankful at that pace. Get the Tourer version and enjoy a pair of 35 litre panniers as well. ABS is a worthwhile option.

[Nobbylad]

Originally Posted by ophic

been doing 110 mile round trip for ages, mostly down the M62. I agree the SV could do with being slightly higher geared for this, but I find it the ideal tool. Top gear all the way - but i have changed my saddle, fitted heated grips, hand guards and a taller screen. I get 55-60mpg, I frequently stray the wrong side of 90 and I do 3 legs (165 miles) between fill ups - which average about £14. Sat at 70mph the whole way I can squeeze over 200 miles from a tank. Last rear tyre did over 10,000 miles.

I think you'd be shifting gears more on a sporty IL4. I also reckon you might go through tyres quicker.

Chain maintenance is a nuisance but just one of those things.

Almost identical to moi!

Getting on for 11,500 miles since last July, changed the stock tyres about 2 weeks ago! Average 180 miles between fuel stops (solid light). Scottoiler sorts the chain, hit every service (one tomorrow). Needed heated grips and handguards through the winter (as well as ACF-50), double bubble screen, fender extender and that's about it.

Had a lay off for about a month after my off in Feb, but otherwise, I munch M6/M62 miles most weeks without a problem.

Started to get more vibration recently, not sure if it's the new Hagon springs (which make the front end handle a lot better), the new Avon Storms, the fact that it's due a service or a combination of the above.

Still lovin' it

[Wideboy]

i was thinking of picking up a old tourer of something

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Wideboy

i was thinking of picking up a old tourer of something

that depends on the motorway. Filtering is a lot easier if your bike is narrow. Also being old, you've got maintenance to keep up, and you'll be racking up the miles.

My commute usually involves 10 miles of filtering, or 30 if there's an accident. I keep wanting a new bike, but I can't think of anything better that what I've got

[tigersaw]

Dont get a dullsville. I was near enough given one, and it was still poor value.

[Wideboy]

feck sake you lot are hard to please

alright how about a old blandit or CB, CB would probably be cheaper as blandits seem to hold their value

what about a fj1200 a good tourer deceptively quick too.

[Swin]

Originally Posted by Wideboy

feck sake you lot are hard to please

alright how about a old blandit or CB, CB would probably be cheaper as blandits seem to hold their value

My last two commuters before the SV were Bandits - perfectly capable of the 55 miles per day I do into London.

On one of them the clutch gave up after 60,000 miles and both of them had notched head bearings, apparently common on high motorway milers as the bearing stays in the same position and picks up notches from bumps - the other cause if wheelies, but I don't do them.

I was getting around about the same fuel economy on the Bandits as I do on my SV, although I tend to avoid motorways and use the twisty way in to work!

I have a Bandit with around 100000 miles on it, nobody knows exactly how many miles because the speedo got smashed and the courier who owned it didn't bother putting clocks back on it.

It needed the head bearings, shock and clutch replaced when i got it, but it's been fine ever snce, although it sounds like it needs the valve clearances done. I put the S fairing on it and it's surprisingly effective.

I get high 40's mpg from it, about the same as the SV, it's more comfortable than the SV but that's mainly the quiet exhaust.