Discussion
Hi All,
We have just recently dropped down to 1 car in the household because a) i work from home full time, and b) the engine on my car failed so it was scrapped.
Im in the fortunate position through my OH work that I can get a cheap short lease on bike or scooter. I previously used to own bikes, but not ridden for nearly 20 years. I would obviously go through some refresher training to get back upto speed, but unsure on what bike to go for.
Options are cheapest to expensive
1. Big CC Scooter C400
2. G310R or GS 310R
3. F900R / XR or F750 GS / F850 GS
My requirements would be the odd trip to the office / customer. few trips to see family / going to the gym. It would be fair weather use as i can borrow the car if it rains.
Im either thinking go for a scooter or perhaps go for a large bike F900R etc as it will give me more opportunities to head out for longer rides,
Any advice for someone looking to get back into biking.
We have just recently dropped down to 1 car in the household because a) i work from home full time, and b) the engine on my car failed so it was scrapped.
Im in the fortunate position through my OH work that I can get a cheap short lease on bike or scooter. I previously used to own bikes, but not ridden for nearly 20 years. I would obviously go through some refresher training to get back upto speed, but unsure on what bike to go for.
Options are cheapest to expensive
1. Big CC Scooter C400
2. G310R or GS 310R
3. F900R / XR or F750 GS / F850 GS
My requirements would be the odd trip to the office / customer. few trips to see family / going to the gym. It would be fair weather use as i can borrow the car if it rains.
Im either thinking go for a scooter or perhaps go for a large bike F900R etc as it will give me more opportunities to head out for longer rides,
Any advice for someone looking to get back into biking.
Always difficult to respond on behalf of someone else as we all want and enjoy slightly different things.
In your situation, I'd not even consider the 310. It offers very little over the large scooter while not having a number of the benefits the scooter can offer and only offers an economy advatage over the larger bikes.
If you really only want a bike for the occasional commute (work, gym or family) then the scooter is probably the best option. Comfortable, able to keep up with traffic and with some real practical advantages.
However, you mention the possibility of a longer trip. While any bike can do a longer trip, I'd not want to use a scooter and would like the advantage of extra ccs/bhp/torque. For me, it would then be the 900.
In your situation, I'd not even consider the 310. It offers very little over the large scooter while not having a number of the benefits the scooter can offer and only offers an economy advatage over the larger bikes.
If you really only want a bike for the occasional commute (work, gym or family) then the scooter is probably the best option. Comfortable, able to keep up with traffic and with some real practical advantages.
However, you mention the possibility of a longer trip. While any bike can do a longer trip, I'd not want to use a scooter and would like the advantage of extra ccs/bhp/torque. For me, it would then be the 900.
black-k1 said:
Always difficult to respond on behalf of someone else as we all want and enjoy slightly different things.
In your situation, I'd not even consider the 310. It offers very little over the large scooter while not having a number of the benefits the scooter can offer and only offers an economy advantage over the larger bikes.
If you really only want a bike for the occasional commute (work, gym or family) then the scooter is probably the best option. Comfortable, able to keep up with traffic and with some real practical advantages.
However, you mention the possibility of a longer trip. While any bike can do a longer trip, I'd not want to use a scooter and would like the advantage of extra ccs/bhp/torque. For me, it would then be the 900.
Thanks. My thought was to avoid the 310 anyway and go for either a scooter or a larger bike. Im going to pop and see the dealer on the weekend and have a noisy around. Im 6ft 2 so will need to check the bike fits me and I can sit on it comfortably. In your situation, I'd not even consider the 310. It offers very little over the large scooter while not having a number of the benefits the scooter can offer and only offers an economy advantage over the larger bikes.
If you really only want a bike for the occasional commute (work, gym or family) then the scooter is probably the best option. Comfortable, able to keep up with traffic and with some real practical advantages.
However, you mention the possibility of a longer trip. While any bike can do a longer trip, I'd not want to use a scooter and would like the advantage of extra ccs/bhp/torque. For me, it would then be the 900.
Pica-Pica said:
I would choose Honda over BMW any day.
Unfortunately im restricted to BMW only. I'd rather walk! Only kidding. If you just want practicality and economy 99% of the time, pick a scooter. On the odd chance you might want to go on a longer ride, you're better to put up with a scooter then than you are compromising on daily usage for the occasional longer ride. Given the screen on the C400, it should make a reasonable steed for longer journeys but perhaps will lack the grunt of a bigger bike when you want it.
I'd never heard of the C400 so just had a google. Looks pretty good and I'd bet it's probably fine for longer trips, just not sitting on the motorway for hours on end.
Friend of mine has something similar and he is quite happy using it for a 90 min journey to his boat on a weekend. The under seat storage takes two helmets plus luggage or he said a load of shopping and beer, so quite useful and able to filter too.
Friend of mine has something similar and he is quite happy using it for a 90 min journey to his boat on a weekend. The under seat storage takes two helmets plus luggage or he said a load of shopping and beer, so quite useful and able to filter too.
RazerSauber said:
I'd rather walk! Only kidding. If you just want practicality and economy 99% of the time, pick a scooter. On the odd chance you might want to go on a longer ride, you're better to put up with a scooter then than you are compromising on daily usage for the occasional longer ride. Given the screen on the C400, it should make a reasonable steed for longer journeys but perhaps will lack the grunt of a bigger bike when you want it.
Thanks. It might be the best comprise to get me back into using the bike (cheapest per month) and providing what I need most of the time. The good thing about the scheme is that you only keep the bike for a short lease and then you can upgrade or change depending on your needs. Plus I think after a year you can go up a level in terms of bikes and go for a RNineT or similar which is much more interesting to me.
I have a C400GT, it's great, will do 90mph and currently is giving me over 74mpg on my commute. Heated grips, heated seats, infotainment system that links my phone and helmet intercom through the BMW interface so I can control calls/ music etc via the twirly buttons on the grips. I have a topbox for storage.
Whats not to like (I also ride a motorbike, but tbh, it hasn't moved since the scooter arrived)
Whats not to like (I also ride a motorbike, but tbh, it hasn't moved since the scooter arrived)
I would not dismiss the GS310, if you're not likely to do many long journeys.
Light mid-size bikes can be a lot of fun around lanes and B roads, and handy around town.
I've ridden other people's learner-spec bikes, which is this same 25kW malarkey, good fun around the hills, enough poke to overtake most things you really want to be overtaking. So long as the brakes and chassis and handling don't let it down, it might not be a bad choice.
For a lot of the riding people actually do for fun, it's not going to feel slow if you use the gears and ride it well.
It won't be much good for daft licence-losing activities on dual carriageways or motorways for sure, but such roads are generally not what most bikers look for.
Whatever you get first off, you may want to move on from it.
The main problem with 'middleweight' bikes is that they are no cheaper to run than an older bigger bike which will probably last longer. Also when you are forced to use motorways full of lorries, a bit of weight and power makes the traffic less threatening. Also a light bike with a pillion can be 'fraught' but are you going to do that? With a big bike, you can be lazy, a 120BHP engine doesn't need to be in the optimum gear to get away from Mondeos.
A lot of people who own multiple bikes use their smaller bikes a fair bit for local or town trips. I don't like to do short trips where my bike won't get properly warmed through.
Likewise, a lot of people have fun on mid-range scooters.
Also mid size trail bikes are fun and unlike the gross heavy adventure bikes can actually go further off the tarmac than a pub car park.
Horses for courses.
Light mid-size bikes can be a lot of fun around lanes and B roads, and handy around town.
I've ridden other people's learner-spec bikes, which is this same 25kW malarkey, good fun around the hills, enough poke to overtake most things you really want to be overtaking. So long as the brakes and chassis and handling don't let it down, it might not be a bad choice.
For a lot of the riding people actually do for fun, it's not going to feel slow if you use the gears and ride it well.
It won't be much good for daft licence-losing activities on dual carriageways or motorways for sure, but such roads are generally not what most bikers look for.
Whatever you get first off, you may want to move on from it.
The main problem with 'middleweight' bikes is that they are no cheaper to run than an older bigger bike which will probably last longer. Also when you are forced to use motorways full of lorries, a bit of weight and power makes the traffic less threatening. Also a light bike with a pillion can be 'fraught' but are you going to do that? With a big bike, you can be lazy, a 120BHP engine doesn't need to be in the optimum gear to get away from Mondeos.
A lot of people who own multiple bikes use their smaller bikes a fair bit for local or town trips. I don't like to do short trips where my bike won't get properly warmed through.
Likewise, a lot of people have fun on mid-range scooters.
Also mid size trail bikes are fun and unlike the gross heavy adventure bikes can actually go further off the tarmac than a pub car park.
Horses for courses.
OutInTheShed said:
I would not dismiss the GS310, if you're not likely to do many long journeys.
Light mid-size bikes can be a lot of fun around lanes and B roads, and handy around town.
I've ridden other people's learner-spec bikes, which is this same 25kW malarkey, good fun around the hills, enough poke to overtake most things you really want to be overtaking. So long as the brakes and chassis and handling don't let it down, it might not be a bad choice.
For a lot of the riding people actually do for fun, it's not going to feel slow if you use the gears and ride it well.
It won't be much good for daft licence-losing activities on dual carriageways or motorways for sure, but such roads are generally not what most bikers look for.
Whatever you get first off, you may want to move on from it.
The main problem with 'middleweight' bikes is that they are no cheaper to run than an older bigger bike which will probably last longer. Also when you are forced to use motorways full of lorries, a bit of weight and power makes the traffic less threatening. Also a light bike with a pillion can be 'fraught' but are you going to do that? With a big bike, you can be lazy, a 120BHP engine doesn't need to be in the optimum gear to get away from Mondeos.
A lot of people who own multiple bikes use their smaller bikes a fair bit for local or town trips. I don't like to do short trips where my bike won't get properly warmed through.
Likewise, a lot of people have fun on mid-range scooters.
Also mid size trail bikes are fun and unlike the gross heavy adventure bikes can actually go further off the tarmac than a pub car park.
Horses for courses.
Thanks. I’m going to take a look this weekend at the various options, and go from there. As said the good thing is that it’s only a short term lease, so if I choose the wrong bike, I will only need to keep it for 6 months before it can be changed. Light mid-size bikes can be a lot of fun around lanes and B roads, and handy around town.
I've ridden other people's learner-spec bikes, which is this same 25kW malarkey, good fun around the hills, enough poke to overtake most things you really want to be overtaking. So long as the brakes and chassis and handling don't let it down, it might not be a bad choice.
For a lot of the riding people actually do for fun, it's not going to feel slow if you use the gears and ride it well.
It won't be much good for daft licence-losing activities on dual carriageways or motorways for sure, but such roads are generally not what most bikers look for.
Whatever you get first off, you may want to move on from it.
The main problem with 'middleweight' bikes is that they are no cheaper to run than an older bigger bike which will probably last longer. Also when you are forced to use motorways full of lorries, a bit of weight and power makes the traffic less threatening. Also a light bike with a pillion can be 'fraught' but are you going to do that? With a big bike, you can be lazy, a 120BHP engine doesn't need to be in the optimum gear to get away from Mondeos.
A lot of people who own multiple bikes use their smaller bikes a fair bit for local or town trips. I don't like to do short trips where my bike won't get properly warmed through.
Likewise, a lot of people have fun on mid-range scooters.
Also mid size trail bikes are fun and unlike the gross heavy adventure bikes can actually go further off the tarmac than a pub car park.
Horses for courses.
Lots to think about before I make a decision
You don't say where you live. The C400 will get stolen in London. The 900XR less likely to as they are harder to ride, even for people who no licence who don't care.
The 900XR has a stupid hard seat, plus it is a one piece seat not a two piece (so doesn't have height adjustment). The 850GS has a stupidly high seat. BMW loves stupid seats.
The 900XR has a stupid hard seat, plus it is a one piece seat not a two piece (so doesn't have height adjustment). The 850GS has a stupidly high seat. BMW loves stupid seats.
Edited by Iminquarantine on Tuesday 12th July 00:26
The F850GS is a much better bike than the F900XR in my opinion. More planted, better seat, more versatile and much nice riding position. I’ve had both. The XR I had less than 6 months, the GS I’ve owned 2 and a half years.
Also, they’re not well liked on here but the 310GS is an excellent bike, with the caveat that it isn’t particularly powerful or premium-feeling. I’ve owned 2. I’m not sure whether I’d want one as my only bike however.
Also, they’re not well liked on here but the 310GS is an excellent bike, with the caveat that it isn’t particularly powerful or premium-feeling. I’ve owned 2. I’m not sure whether I’d want one as my only bike however.
thatdude said:
S1000RR. Why not? You only live once! It'll be easy to ride, and has a host of rider aids that make it arguably much safer to ride than bikes of even 10 years ago.
Potentially one day but not right now. The bikes are spilt into Tier's, and anyone new to the program needs to start at Tier 1 (Scooter / G310R / etc), then you can go up the tiers later on. S1000RR is in Tier 4 so will be one for the future. I did see a g310 adventure at the weekend that looked a serious bit of kit, quite tall too so you would not look silly at your height riding it.
I was looking at smaller capacity bikes the problem I found is that they are mostly for smaller people and everyone says they are fantastic apart from going on the motorway. The gs310 is doing 8k revs at 80, how annoying would that be after a couple of hours.
Also as others say I don't want a bike I have to rev its nuts off and be in the correct gear all the time to get anywhere, a bigger engine gives you that added benefit
I was looking at smaller capacity bikes the problem I found is that they are mostly for smaller people and everyone says they are fantastic apart from going on the motorway. The gs310 is doing 8k revs at 80, how annoying would that be after a couple of hours.
Also as others say I don't want a bike I have to rev its nuts off and be in the correct gear all the time to get anywhere, a bigger engine gives you that added benefit
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