Commuting on a scooter? What bike help
Discussion
I have started a new job 20 miles away with a commute of mostly 50s, a bit of nationals and a couple of miles of 30s with lots of traffic. Currently commuting on a fazer 1000 (gen2) with tall screen, heated grips and a pyramid plastics fairing. Its awesome, however rubbish on fuel (30 ish to gallon) and poor range. Thinking of selling/px for a scooter with good mpg. The BMW c400x looks ok to me, 70mpg, heated seat etc. Anyone have any experience or done a similar thing? Bike is purely for commuting as have other fun things in the garage. Would I be better with a small capacity bike like the vstrom 250 or are there other scoots that would do a better job?
I done a year on a xmax300, bought it purely for commuting and actually quite enjoyed riding/owning it. I think it would get about 80mpg, enough storage for a helmet and textile jacket under the seat, and surprisingly nippy.
I’d choose a scooter all day long, excellent weather protection, low center of gravity is nice for filtering and manoeuvring in small spaces and the twist and go is so handy about town.
Biased I know, but check out the xmax300.
I’d choose a scooter all day long, excellent weather protection, low center of gravity is nice for filtering and manoeuvring in small spaces and the twist and go is so handy about town.
Biased I know, but check out the xmax300.
I've got a Honda Forza 350 for runs to work (approx 25 miles on a mix of NSL, dual carriageways & town) and the station a couple of miles away. It's not an exciting piece of kit but I admire how competent it is. 75-90mpg depending how you ride it, a massive under seat storage area which swallows my lid & textiles, a great electrically adjustable screen, comfy seat (I use it to go to my parents 90 miles away occasionally and I don't feel the journey on it) and handy lockable "dash" storage area with a USB port.
It'll touch 100mph on your local airfield/private road and has plenty of roll on power for overtaking in NSL's-the MPG takes a hammering if you ride it like this, obviously. It's happiest cruising at 60mph on a single carriageway-here it'll return just shy of 90mpg. A motorway cruise of 70mph returns early 80's. It also doesn't mind being hustled through the lanes, although you obviously look a right tit doing so
Downsides are the Honda heated grips could be hotter, and use throughout the winter requires liberal application of your choice of anti-corrosion slop.
8k mile service intervals, 4k in and the rear tyre is barely worn and my local dealership is excellent.
As a tool for transportation, avoiding parking fees & traffic, it's great.
It'll touch 100mph on your local airfield/private road and has plenty of roll on power for overtaking in NSL's-the MPG takes a hammering if you ride it like this, obviously. It's happiest cruising at 60mph on a single carriageway-here it'll return just shy of 90mpg. A motorway cruise of 70mph returns early 80's. It also doesn't mind being hustled through the lanes, although you obviously look a right tit doing so
Downsides are the Honda heated grips could be hotter, and use throughout the winter requires liberal application of your choice of anti-corrosion slop.
8k mile service intervals, 4k in and the rear tyre is barely worn and my local dealership is excellent.
As a tool for transportation, avoiding parking fees & traffic, it's great.
I used to commute year round on an SH300, ideal for the job, 12 miles each way, but it could feel a bit strained on the motorway. After a job change my mileage went up to 20 miles so I swapped the SH for an NC750X dct and can honestly say it's the best commuter I've ever had, at 6' tall its comfier than the scooter, more relaxed at speed, does 78mpg, easy and cheap to service and the storage compartment is very useful. Highly recommended.
I own a Honley RX3 250 which I picked up for the same reasons (riding a K2 GSXR 1000 on commutes isn’t fun really).
The 250 single cylinder has enough pep on all road types and doesn’t struggle at 70 on motorways. Fuel economy is great and running costs are minimal at £20 a month tax and insurance for me and £10 in fuel fills it and gets me circa 200 miles dependent on how I ride it.
I’ve also enjoyed having to really ride the thing. The power band runs from 6.5k - 9k so it really needs to be ridden to be effective in delivery which makes riding fun again.
I’d say your suggestion of a Vstrom 250 is a good starting point if you want the geared, touring option however there are other bikes that may fit the bill for slightly less money.
The 250 single cylinder has enough pep on all road types and doesn’t struggle at 70 on motorways. Fuel economy is great and running costs are minimal at £20 a month tax and insurance for me and £10 in fuel fills it and gets me circa 200 miles dependent on how I ride it.
I’ve also enjoyed having to really ride the thing. The power band runs from 6.5k - 9k so it really needs to be ridden to be effective in delivery which makes riding fun again.
I’d say your suggestion of a Vstrom 250 is a good starting point if you want the geared, touring option however there are other bikes that may fit the bill for slightly less money.
BMW C400 rides well, but check the servicing costs, they are very high. Also, if you're short in the leg the passenger foot platforms impede your legs when stopping on the GT model. Not so on the non GT. I'm 5' 5" tall.
Forza 300/350 are great except the wobbly mirrors. I got 90mpg whilst I had those. Got the 350 ADV on order now, mirrors on the handlebars where they should be.
I also have a PCX 125 for my train station bike. That would cope with 50mph limit roads well enough if you're happy sitting with the traffic.
Itll do 60mph but strained to do that for any length of time. Not so good when its windy, bigger scoots so much better in the wind.
Pcx does 127mpg and is the best for low speed maneuvering. Guess it's why they're so popular in the city. I'll always have one for my short station trips, they cant be beaten for town work in my view.
If you get close to buying the C400 go on the forums first. Wish I'd done more research. Mine had three issues of which two they sorted, although three months wait for parts, forum showed me I wasnt the only one. The main issue they refused to investigate further after failing first attempt to fix it. BMW gave me the "it performs as expected" even after attempting to fix.
No more BMW for me.
Let us know what you get.
Forza 300/350 are great except the wobbly mirrors. I got 90mpg whilst I had those. Got the 350 ADV on order now, mirrors on the handlebars where they should be.
I also have a PCX 125 for my train station bike. That would cope with 50mph limit roads well enough if you're happy sitting with the traffic.
Itll do 60mph but strained to do that for any length of time. Not so good when its windy, bigger scoots so much better in the wind.
Pcx does 127mpg and is the best for low speed maneuvering. Guess it's why they're so popular in the city. I'll always have one for my short station trips, they cant be beaten for town work in my view.
If you get close to buying the C400 go on the forums first. Wish I'd done more research. Mine had three issues of which two they sorted, although three months wait for parts, forum showed me I wasnt the only one. The main issue they refused to investigate further after failing first attempt to fix it. BMW gave me the "it performs as expected" even after attempting to fix.
No more BMW for me.
Let us know what you get.
Edited by Trevor555 on Friday 31st December 22:45
DanGibsonRacing said:
My commuter is a Gilera Nexus 500. Not the newest thing, but comfy and perfect for the job. Loads of weather protection and enough punch - i think about 40hp
Wow, I forgot about those.The first real big scooter and very quick.
I’ve been commuting on big Vespas since 2006, very capable and handy on a motorway too.
Another vote for Xmax 300 here 👍
I have a KTM 890 Duke R and the Xmax and if you just want to get a to b with minimal hassle and lots of practical storage space (two helmets under the seat or a helmet plus big lock and cover and waterproofs), the Xmax is a great bike. I’ve lost count of the number of bikers I’ve annoyed with its speed off the lights and I find it’s handling to be honest good fun. 👍
Am sure Ive seen 90 on a private driveway.
I have a KTM 890 Duke R and the Xmax and if you just want to get a to b with minimal hassle and lots of practical storage space (two helmets under the seat or a helmet plus big lock and cover and waterproofs), the Xmax is a great bike. I’ve lost count of the number of bikers I’ve annoyed with its speed off the lights and I find it’s handling to be honest good fun. 👍
Am sure Ive seen 90 on a private driveway.
Simes205 said:
DanGibsonRacing said:
My commuter is a Gilera Nexus 500. Not the newest thing, but comfy and perfect for the job. Loads of weather protection and enough punch - i think about 40hp
Wow, I forgot about those.The first real big scooter and very quick.
I’ve been commuting on big Vespas since 2006, very capable and handy on a motorway too.
Although I’ve never seen one on a motorway outside of charity type rides.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/motorbikes/102086/ve...
five50 said:
Another vote for Xmax 300 here ??
I have a KTM 890 Duke R and the Xmax and if you just want to get a to b with minimal hassle and lots of practical storage space (two helmets under the seat or a helmet plus big lock and cover and waterproofs), the Xmax is a great bike. I’ve lost count of the number of bikers I’ve annoyed with its speed off the lights and I find it’s handling to be honest good fun. ??
Am sure Ive seen 90 on a private driveway.
I assume off the lights is 0-30mph performance? 0-60 appears around 10-11 seconds from various web pages.I have a KTM 890 Duke R and the Xmax and if you just want to get a to b with minimal hassle and lots of practical storage space (two helmets under the seat or a helmet plus big lock and cover and waterproofs), the Xmax is a great bike. I’ve lost count of the number of bikers I’ve annoyed with its speed off the lights and I find it’s handling to be honest good fun. ??
Am sure Ive seen 90 on a private driveway.
Still I totally get why the XMAX has so many fans, it looks perfect for city work and appears very versatile.
Scobblelotcher said:
Simes205 said:
DanGibsonRacing said:
My commuter is a Gilera Nexus 500. Not the newest thing, but comfy and perfect for the job. Loads of weather protection and enough punch - i think about 40hp
Wow, I forgot about those.The first real big scooter and very quick.
I’ve been commuting on big Vespas since 2006, very capable and handy on a motorway too.
Although I’ve never seen one on a motorway outside of charity type rides.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/motorbikes/102086/ve...
I gave the latest 300HPE, they are limited at the top end but have more torque. Great from 0-50 and overtaking
Scobblelotcher said:
I assume off the lights is 0-30mph performance? 0-60 appears around 10-11 seconds from various web pages.
Still I totally get why the XMAX has so many fans, it looks perfect for city work and appears very versatile.
Yep twist and go territory is the 0-30 pull, after that they start running a bit short of puff compared to a geared bike.Still I totally get why the XMAX has so many fans, it looks perfect for city work and appears very versatile.
Bit like cars with CVT, great for baiting
Trevor555 said:
Just another thought.
Get an insurance quote.
Some people have been shocked at their quotes. Mostly London I'll guess?
When I insured my Forza the broker said "oh, there's only two companies that'll quote for that"
Didn't have an issue insuring my Forza, mind I don't live in London... Get an insurance quote.
Some people have been shocked at their quotes. Mostly London I'll guess?
When I insured my Forza the broker said "oh, there's only two companies that'll quote for that"
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