[AAAESLLESO]

I've had a scan around google but it's not being very helpful, so I thought I'd ask here for a few ideas before harassing the blokes in my local motorbike shop.

I want to get a motorbike for commuting as the traffic is appalling in the mornings near the office, but I'm a bit stuck on what I need. I'll be doing about 12,000 miles pa, but when I look at classified ads, most of the bikes that are around 5 years old have around 20,000 miles on the clock, which makes me think they're not meant to be ridden as much as I want to use it for.

I'll be sitting my direct access test in November, so I won't be limited by HP or CCs, so what would you guys suggest? I was reading good things about the BMW F800 ST as a starter bike, but not sure if it's designed for what I have in mind, plus I'd rather start off in the second hand market in case it's not for me.

[Glanteeignile]

I'm not a Motorbike person, but remember that motorbike use can be very seasonal for many people. As soon as its wet almost every day, or icey, people turn to cars for a safer ride to work.

That might be why mileage is a bit lower?

[AAAESLLESO]

They're looking like 4,000 pa though, which is a significant drop. I think it may be that the classifieds I was looking at were mainly for sport bikes i.e. weekend ragging machines.

[glopomcyte]

They're looking like 4,000 pa though, which is a significant drop. I think it may be that the classifieds I was looking at were mainly for sport bikes i.e. weekend ragging machines.

I have a few mates that bike, the ones that want to preserve their lives to a healthy timescale only take them out on sunny days with bone dry concrete. Most of them stop using them for all the winter months as well.

[SerycegeBunny]

What's your budget? And what's milles PA?

[AAAESLLESO]

I have a few mates that bike, the ones that want to preserve their lives to a healthy timescale only take them out on sunny days with bone dry concrete. Most of them stop using them for all the winter months as well.

I completely agree, but I'm going to be going to and from work on it on relatively non-busy countryside A-roads. The traffic I am trying to avoid/get past is 20 or so minutes of stop-start crossing Guildford due to stupid bus lanes that are barely used and 20-30 minutes getting in to Reigate due to the level crossing being most active between 0800 and 0900. The bit in between has barely any cars at all. At night, the journey takes about 30 minutes, in the morning it can take 90 and is regularly over an hour.

What's your budget? And what's milles PA?

Miles per annum. I guess for a decent second hand I'd spend £5k, so pretty much anything.

[Buyemae]

For town riding/commuting, you don't need much power. Something like a 250 twin 4 stroke should be perfectly adaquate, you'll save a fortune on insurance and fuel as well.

[glopomcyte]

I completely agree, but I'm going to be going to and from work on it on relatively non-busy countryside A-roads. The traffic I am trying to avoid/get past is 20 or so minutes of stop-start crossing Guildford due to stupid bus lanes that are barely used and 20-30 minutes getting in to Reigate due to the level crossing being most active between 0800 and 0900. The bit in between has barely any cars at all. At night, the journey takes about 30 minutes, in the morning it can take 90 and is regularly over an hour.

I was including this. The ones that commute on their bikes in the summer get back in their cars in the winter. I've never done it to know how dangerous it is, but I don't go downhill mountain biking once the frost sets in as even going that fast usually ends in something broken in bad weather.

I really fancy a motorbike at some point in the future, and I don't think they are too dangerous to ride and all that mumbo-jumbo, but it will be a strictly sunshine toy.

[Aleksis]

honda hornet or a bandit - both 600`s , really nice to ride (borrowed a friends hornet) suzuki sv 650 is also nice;

steve (my mate who i borrow his 600) is an all year biker , but even this year he`s looking at getting a car - being cold and wet is one thing , cold wet and sliding around on the ice and snow , even down south isnt funny.

you`ll get bored of a small bike quite quickly - a 4 stroke 250 has about 30 bhp

[glopomcyte]

To be honest, if I was just using it for commuting I'd seriously consider a "super scooter". One of the 400cc ones like a mini goldwing.

[KacypeJeope]

I have a few mates that bike, the ones that want to preserve their lives to a healthy timescale only take them out on sunny days with bone dry concrete. Most of them stop using them for all the winter months as well.

Part timers I ride mine in all weathers. Pissing it down or no, there's few things as entertaining as carving around the lanes on a dual carriageway/ any road between stopped boxes

[KacypeJeope]

They're looking like 4,000 pa though, which is a significant drop. I think it may be that the classifieds I was looking at were mainly for sport bikes i.e. weekend ragging machines.

Yep - they'll be dry miles and bikes that'll be put away or sold for the winter.

[SerycegeBunny]

If you will be using it for commuting only, then yes.. a scooter might be the better choice.
If you want to use it for commuting but also for fun, then get something like a bandit 600f, gs500f, fazer 600, maybe even diversion 600/900 (boring). etc
If you want pure milage go big touring bikes...

[KacypeJeope]

If you want pure milage go big touring bikes...

Shitty for filtering/the commute though.

[DoctorBretonDen]

If you are doing that amount of miles, then a Honda will serve you well as they have the best and most reliable engines, their parts are not that cheap though. If you are after economy and not to worried about looks then either an ER6-F ( faired ) or and ER6-N ( naked, but really ugly imo! ) Then of course there is the classic commuter in the Suzuki Bandit, a very solid bike with bullet proof engine. Stay well away from any chinese imports, they are cheap to buy but unreliable, hard to source parts for and insurance is more expensive. Triumph have also come on in leaps and bounds over the years and make some cracking bikes!

Good commuter bikes:

1. Honda Hornet
2. Kawasaki ER6 / ER5
3. Suzuki Bandit
4. Suzuki SV 650
5. Suzuki Gladius
6. Triumph Street Triple
7. Triumph Speed Triple

All of the above are good bikes. Stay away from Ducati, their engines are unreliable and costly to maintain. BMW are ok, but there are none I would consider a practical commuter bike and again they are expensive to maintain.

20k on the clock is not an issue even for your mileage so long as it has been looked after. Ideally you want to get a full service history if possible. If it is a naked bike ( unfaired ) watch out for rust especially round the heatpipes. Also keep an eye out for bikes that have been dropped. You can tell this by things such as exhaust scrapes, damaged crash bungs and bar ends etc.

As mentioned insurance wise, it will be cheap as chips. If you are not bothered about who you go with, the internet is the best way to go. Avoid MCE like the plague, horrible customer service and all I hear is bad things about them from my customers. Same goes for E-Bike, they are cheap but only because when you have to make any changes they have premium rate numbers and charge the earth for changes. I would say you could get insured on the web for under £200 comp or less if you are prepared to spend an hour or two.

[SerycegeBunny]

If you are doing that amount of miles, then a Honda will serve you well as they have the best and most reliable engines, their parts are not that cheap though. If you are after economy and not to worried about looks then either an ER6-F ( faired ) or and ER6-N ( naked, but really ugly imo! ) Then of course there is the classic commuter in the Suzuki Bandit, a very solid bike with bullet proof engine. Stay well away from any chinese imports, they are cheap to buy but unreliable, hard to source parts for and insurance is more expensive. Triumph have also come on in leaps and bounds over the years and make some cracking bikes!

Good commuter bikes:

1. Honda Hornet
2. Kawasaki ER6 / ER5
3. Suzuki Bandit
4. Suzuki SV 650
5. Suzuki Gladius
6. Triumph Street Triple
7. Triumph Speed Triple

All of the above are good bikes. Stay away from Ducati, their engines are unreliable and costly to maintain. BMW are ok, but there are none I would consider a practical commuter bike and again they are expensive to maintain.

Hmm...especially the street and speed triple are more 'fun' orientated.. GREAT bikes but for commuting only it would be such a shame. SV650/gladius are also not made for pure commuting.
About the ducati's.. just wanted to add that newer ducati's are very reliable and have a maintenance schedule with wider ranges than some japanese equivalents.
But ye mostly fun bikes.
About BMWs, the 1200GS (adventure) is a great commuting bike\

edit: some more alternatives:
Suzuki V-strom
Triumph Tiger
BMW F650
Honda Transalp