I know we have a few bikers on here.....

 

In a couple of months my daily commute will become a 90 mile round trip each day (of which will be about 90% motorway).

 

No way Im using the Z for that so was considering getting myself a diesel but I'm also moving house in a couple of weeks and the new place only really has space for 2 cars (which will be taken up by the Z and the Wifes car), so I'm in a bit of dilemma....

 

used to be really into bikes when I was in my teens (just 50's and 125's on a CBT though), and it would solve the space issue. Looking into Direct access courses atm.

 

Good Idea / Bad Idea ?

 

What bikes would people recommend, what sort of mpg can I expect and other costs ?, is dealing with Bike leathers everyday and all-weather gear too much of a PITA ?

 

Almost bought an SV650 a couple of years back, got a bit of a soft spot for them and their V-twin lump.

aprilia rs125, not a biker myself but my mate had one of these as his first bike and loved it, always get great reviews

sv650 is a good at everything bike.Nice and light, without leaping over bumps.

Easy to be gentle with in the rain, but handles well in the dry too.

Leathers are a pia, new goretex stuff is good for all weather

You do get a lot of good biking days through the winter, no bugs,leaves, or heat.

Sometimes quite enjoy being in the rain, no problem with hot grips+ decent gear + theres always the zed for back up :tongue:

love my bikes to bits and use all year but going 45 mile to work in the rain nd cold is a pain,

cos if you have'nt somewhere to keep spare clothes and change at work you feel cold nd wet all day

I love bikes and used one for many years commuting 60 miles a day. The reality is you will be sweating in the summer if you wear the correct gear, freezing in the winter even with good quality winter gear, when I was younger it was not a problem, but getting older means I like to be comfortable and could not be bothered with it daily. The SV would be a good choice should you decide to go for it.

For those kind of miles and all year round use I would opt for a Honda VFR. absolutely bullet proof and great for touring and a bit of fun when the urge takes over.

 

Invest in some decent Goretex kit though, good breathing capabilities. Also a decent helmet with good ventilation is a must.

Like others have said it's bad weather that takes the fun out of it. Really good (gore tex type) gear helps a lot. But it's still worth it in my opinion - fast, economical and can be fun.

 

As for bikes, I'd go for somethig more upright than a SV650S for commuting.

 

You'd get about 44 from an early (carb'd) SV and maybe 46 from the later injected one.

 

I'd think about a Kawasaki ER-6n or f or a Yamaha TDM900 which I'd find more comfotable and they'll do more miles to the gallon. Or maybe a Kawasaki Versys.

 

Lol.....His Missus

 

CBR 600F, CB600F, SV650, VFR400R NC30, CBR400RR, Banit 650, VFR800. I would leave the usaual ER6N and GS as yould would be bored real quick.

Dave, given your height I think you'd be cramped on a SV650. I've got a VFR750FS and do about 14000 miles a year on it. I'm only 6ft and even that's a bit cramped for me (my next bike will probably be a Triumph Tiger 1050 or Yamaha FZS1000).

 

If it's a basic commuter bike you're after, consider the Suzuki Bandit 600/650/1200, CBF600/1000, Yamaha Fazer/FZ6/FZ1. Expect around 36 - 48 mph depending on bike and right hand control (I regularly do 180 miles for £17 of fuel - and I'm not hanging around).

 

I work in a shirt and proper trousers, so leathers everyday is a PITA but I have a set for the weekends/trackdays (well worth having). However, I'd be quite happy in full goretex gear all the time if I had to (Hein Gericke stuff is great). Get a Shoei, Schuberth or Arai lid and you won't go wrong - don't forget that they have a shelf life (4-5 years) and need replacing eventually even if not damaged. If you buy the right gear, sweating in summer/freezing in winter can be overcome (not cheap at the outset though, unfortunately).

 

Do the DAS - you won't regret it. Then do I.A.M. or RoSPA training. Then contact me about extra advanced training and I'll teach you some mind-blowing bike control stuff. You can never have too much training. Read "Motorcycle Roadcraft" (Police text book) and "Mind Driving" by Stephen Haley. "Twist of the Wrist" and its sequels are good too (by Keith Code - cornering coaching god). Don't believe all the hype about the new swerve test being impossible/dangerous. Get in touch with me and I'll show you how it's actually very easy. If you can't swerve to avoid a car, in the wet, at 31mph then you probably shouldn't be on the road anyway. Anytime you wanna meet up for advice/coaching, just drop me a PM. Distances shrink on a bike. While I think that Glos. to W-S-M is a fair way in the Z, on a bike it's just a short hop.

 

Above all, treat everything as a threat and pre-accept the fact that ANY accident that happens to you is your own fault. If you start with that attitude, you'll be a lot safer.

 

In a way, I have the Z to thank for me being back on a bike. I had 125s as a kid and loved biking. Then got married at 23 and got banned (by the wife). Eventually got a Z and got some of the thrill back. When the fuel costs went up my missus finally relented and let me have a bike again (3 years ago) and it's been fantastic since then.

I h ave a yamaha dragstar xvs 125 for sale. Just put new battery in it got a new clutch and choke cable and trying to find a new rear brake cable for it to put on. Needs a new exhaust, but could easily be patched up for an mot and left after that...sounds great with the holes tho.lol.

Also no MOT or tax...only £15 per year.

 

Im only looking for £500 if intrested.

Oh, and please wear earplugs (if you value your hearing at all). And never ride in 'normal' clothes - road rash is no joke.

VFR all the way now i now your over 6ft. Im 6"2 and used a Fireblade with no trouble of cramps. Always have your gear on. Why not a Blade, pis$ to ride and have great grip. A good 918 RR are about 2200 at the mo.

Thanks guys, given me a lot to think about.

 

I sat on an SV650 in a showroom a while back, and it felt big, but then it was the first big bike I had sat on and I did notice it was a bit smaller than other bikes around it.

 

I discovered you can get Motorcycle jeans these days, which look like regular jeans but with kevlar built in, anyone got experience with these, are they normal to wear when not on bike ?

 

Thanks mac, sound like it would be good to meet up at some point if I definatly go down this route.

SV is a lovely bike, I had mine for about 5 years and it was great!! Last month I bought a GSX-R750 2006 and now selling my SV. Have a look here http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=126281&highlight=650

Well have to say I loved my R1. Was mint. Might get a sore back over a 90 mile commute though haha

SV is a lovely bike, I had mine for about 5 years and it was great!! Last month I bought a GSX-R750 2006 and now selling my SV. Have a look here http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=126281&highlight=650

 

GSXR750 is a cracker, my next bike if i have another. Black ooow yes

I had a GSXR750 which I used as my commuter for around a year, but think it would be a bit big as a first big bike, I think the SV would be a good choice.

I've used a fair few of the kevlar lined trousers - combats, not jeans but they're from the same manufacturers - Draggin, Hood, Giali etc.

 

They're ok off the bike but hotter than normal trousers of the same type.

 

They they don't offer that much protection in an accident, although you can add armour - but then they're even hotter and bulgy off the bike.

 

I like them for pottering about on the bike but I wouldn't want to commute / work in them.

I've used a fair few of the kevlar lined trousers - combats, not jeans but they're from the same manufacturers - Draggin, Hood, Giali etc.

 

They're ok off the bike but hotter than normal trousers of the same type.

 

They they don't offer that much protection in an accident, although you can add armour - but then they're even hotter and bulgy off the bike.

 

I like them for pottering about on the bike but I wouldn't want to commute / work in them.

 

+1. Very good abrasion protection in the kevlar areas, but no impact protection without armour - at which point you're better off with waterproof textiles with armour (cordura is pretty abrasion resistant anyway).

 

SV650, despite being a great bike, would be a PITA commuter - too racy a riding position for 90 mile trips, imho. Even a VFR has a slightly too sporty position for that distance (for tall people). You're welcome to try mine any time.

Edited June 27, 200916 yr by mac300zx

GSXR750 is a cracker, my next bike if i have another. Black ooow yes

 

Mine is black:smash: