Motorbike for Edinburgh city commute

[luiceur]

I have been thinking to change my Honda Visio 110 with something a) more stable b) equally comfortable to drive in the city. I can ride any motorbike but I need to consider that the motorbike will be parked and chained in my street. I don't plan to do take the bypass or other high speed roads. Because of all that I want to set my budget to a max £3500. I have been thinking about the following options:

--- Brand new ---
1- Benelli 125cc £1999.00
2- Benelli BN 250cc £2699.00

--- Used---
3- Honda Grom 125cc £2200
4- KTM Duke 390 3,295.00
5 - BMW G310R £3,295

I have been commuting in Edinburgh less than 1 year, so I was wondering if people here would give me a better idea of what kind of bike to go for.

Thanks!

[Tasmin200]

If it's just for commuting I'd be buying a bike that looks worse than all the others you park next to...A Duke 390 is going to have a hard time staying chained to the lamppost.

Buy a shonker to go to work on, like an old SV650 for a grand.

[luiceur]

Would not be too big and chunky an SV650 or similar for city commute? What about the Grom?

[Tasmin200]

Naa, any upright bike would be fine but an SV isn't a big bike. I suppose it depends on what you feel is too big. Sorry I don't even know what a Grom is!

[BuzzBravado]

I do an Edinburgh commute on a SV1000. It can be done on anything really. If i were in your shoes i'd look for something you don't care too much about. Its going to get covered in salt, damaged and devalued pretty quick. Ninja 200 or z250 are really cheap and would fit the bill.

Edited by BuzzBravado on Tuesday 4th December 14:09

[Jammez]

Did almost 100,000 miles commuting in and out of Edinburgh on 600 & 900 Hornets. Both reasonable size, comfy, easy to ride & can be picked up pretty cheap now, The 900 actually felt better, required less revs so happy trundling through the traffic.

[Tasmin200]

Job done at half your budget. My mate had one of these. Good bikes with great riding position.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda-motorbikes/honda-h...

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the SV650 ticks all the boxes:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-SV650/1927418198...f:0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/suzuki-sv650s-2010/2232...f:0

ER6N

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-er6n-motorcycl...f:1

[luiceur]

The Honda is good one, but always more expensive than its friends. However it is here in Edinburgh. Any of the other ones are also great. But too far to test them...

[ZX10R NIN]

Find some for sale locally & try them out. also if you like one that's a bit far away most bike shops will deliver for around £100.

[Brads67]

Vespa GTS300.

Whatever you buy just make sure it`s either parked securely, chained up to the max, electrified, protected by a dog, or is a worthless piece if st that you don`t care about.

It`s Edinburgh, it will get stolen or at the very least an attempt will be made that will leave it damaged.


When it does go missing it will be in the North of the city. Pilton, Granton, Muirhouse.

[luiceur]

I have a Honda Visio 110cc and I use 3 different chains. However, I was expecting that this level of security would not be required with a big and old 600cc like the ones posted before.

[Dinoboy]

Sorry, nothing to add other than saying good on you braving the potholes on a bike!

[luiceur]

I have recently changed the front tyre twice because of the bloody potholes!! I hope this gets better with bigger wheels...