Need an all rounder - any ideas?

[blatch]

ok so I'm selling my 03' Duke 748, it's been a blast and I never had a single problem with it (just up for it's yearly service), but I want to start commuting on a bike and it's just not a commuter really (open to discussion of course...).

So, I'm looking for something that's easy around town, does not mind high mileage for commuting, but if I want a weekend blast then it's gotta have some balls as well...

[barry sheene]

Triumph Tiger, but you knew I'd say that

www.tigerlist.org for second opinions....

[dern]

I have no hesitation at all in recommending a Honda Fireblade based on 3 and a bit years of ownership of any RRY model. Don't use it as often as I should recently (something about having children seems to drain your energy) but it's been bob on for absolutely everything for 17k miles.

Great handling, loads of power, reasonable economy, fitted a top box for commuting and keeping my kit dry, double bubble screen for keeping me dry(ish) and service it myself.

Commute on it on A/B roads and it's great, used to commute 120 miles a day on dual-c and it's great at that and taken it to France for some scratching fun and it's great at that (even with the luggage on).

I chopped in a GPZ1100E1 and a ZX6R against it and it's a better sportsbike than the ZX and not a million miles off the GPZ for a tourer (well, almost ).

Mark

>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 24th August 16:34

[blatch]

I had looked at the Tiger, but I'm leaning more towards the sport bikes; basically I'm not going to have time to go and test drive all the bikes I'm considering, so the one that pops up the most here will likely be the one I go for...

I know this is silly, but does anyone use an R1 on a daily basis? Love the design (and obviously performance...)

[Mad Dave]

I would happily commute on my Bandit, but if youre thinking about an R1, the Bandit probably isnt quick enough!

[barry sheene]

but you said commuter, not top-of-the-range sportsbike......

Obviously any sports bike is useable as a commuter _but_ you'd get way more visibility and easier control on something upright like the tig.....therefore a more relaxed journey.....

I also have a blackbird, but I know which one I'd take into London every day (and there'smuch less chance of it getting nicked than say a Fireblade or R1)....

[dern]

barry sheene said:

but you said commuter, not top-of-the-range sportsbike...... Obviously any sports bike is useable as a commuter _but_ you'd get way more visibility and easier control on something upright like the tig.....therefore a more relaxed journey.....

The primary function of my blade is as a commuter and the reason I recommended it was because it's so good at it.

Each to their own though I guess.

Mark

[pesty]

SV1000?

[80Bob]

BMW GS. Either an 1150 if you are going used or a 1200 new. I'm on my third now and they are excellent. I know lots of people might think twice about them but as an all round bike they are ideal. I commute on mine and tour a lot plus I use it for fun on weekends. Also you can use them through the UK winter without worrying about them falling to bits. Sure it's a leap of faith to go to a GS from a Ducati but well worth considering. A friend of mine went from an R1 to a GS Adventure and would not go back.

[Steve_T]

Fazer thousand was where I ended up when thinking about this. Well thought of was the conclusion on the my thread.

>> Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 25th August 07:47

[rsvnigel]

Ducati Multistrada?

A friend is getting one in a few weeks, more character than a jap bike for sure

[humpbackmaniac]

I commute 80 miles a day on a 2001 R1, now up to 20k on the clock and no probs, eats tyres but thats about it.
Just cant live with the looks of the Fazer, mine looks more solid.
Now thinking of a new one for no good reason at all.

[Stig]

I use an R1 to commute into Chelsea every day - that's about 90 mile round trip.

I've done the same journey on an Aprilia Pegaso, TDM850 and Triumph T595.

Opinions on them are:

The Aprilia - bit fragile, too wheezy with single cylinder. Crap tank range, fill up every day.

The TDM - excellent commuter bike. Long tank range (300+ miles), but bars can be a bit wide for filtering. V.comfy. Sounds great with some aftermarket cans

T595 - Dead stable sports bike, but clamp your wrists into a vice for an hour for an impression of the riding comfort. Tank range not the best.

R1 - Excellent and extremely flexible. Comfy (I'm 6'), can potter along in 5th from almost nothing. Steering lock a bit shallow - but that's sports bikes for you! In fact, the only downside is that I have to refuel every other day. Tank range for commute about 170 miles.

[Racefan_uk]

Fazer 600.

If you're commuting on it and only usng it for weekend thrash's, why bother with the 1000?

Great all rounder, lovinh every minute on mine!

[dern]

Stig said:

R1 - Excellent and extremely flexible. Comfy (I'm 6'), can potter along in 5th from almost nothing. Steering lock a bit shallow - but that's sports bikes for you! In fact, the only downside is that I have to refuel every other day. Tank range for commute about 170 miles.

Good point, my blade needs filling up every 120 miles regardless of how I ride it which can get a bit of a pain.

Mark

[Badapple]

How about keeping italian?
Benelli tnt?


or a brutale?


Or definately a multistrada, they are cool as shit

>> Edited by Badapple on Wednesday 25th August 12:12

>> Edited by Badapple on Wednesday 25th August 12:14

[Andy OH]

I did 14,000 miles commuting on a Honda CBR 600RR last year, and have done 4,500 miles commuting on a CBR 1000RR this year, I don't see a problem using a sports bike as a commuter. I see plenty of guys commuting on R6's and more on R1's......each to their own I say and commute on what you feel comfortable riding on everyday

[dern]

Badapple said:

How about keeping italian?

Eek! One major benefit of the full bodywork and the build quality of the blade is that when I give it its annual clean it comes up looking lovely. I wouldn't want to try and keep one of those or a half faired bike clean.

PS. Got my blade brand new (uk bike) for 6k... keep an eye out for last years models being flogged off and get yourself a bargain.

Mark

[blatch]

Sounds like the R1 i a strong possibility then; started of on a Monster 900 then moved to the 748, I guess the R1 is the next logical step (don't like the new '9' series from Duke).

I'm glad there's a few of you out there commuting on this level of motor; I know I don't really need 1000, but it is fun. Right, off to do some insurance shopping then...

26 years old with 5 year NCB, SE16 postcode though, clean licence - what's the deal?

cheers

[dern]

Try bikesure for insurance. They insure my blade for a lot less money than other quotes I got. Mind you I do have an Honda's smart water microdot stuff, an alarm and two immobilisers

Mark