Discussion
I have a new job and a relatively short commute (20ish miles each way) with no real requirement to carry any stuff, so I’m thinking I might commit to doing it year round on a bike.
I’ve done it before albeit a long time ago, 60mi each way, on an R1 and it was about as miserable as you’d expect
but I think my current situation could be pretty ideal.
In true ‘overthinker’ fashion I’ve considered every bike under the sun at varying budgets with ‘man-maths’ applied throughout but I think I’ve circled back round to the BMW F800GS as being the sweet spot for purchase cost, ability, reliability etc.
Am I on the mark?
Any real-world experiences/recommendations/alternatives welcome...
ETA: I bought a VFR800 a few months ago and I’ve been doing dry days only for a while but I think hand-guards, a more forgiving ride and taller position might suit the fen roads a bit better.
I’ve done it before albeit a long time ago, 60mi each way, on an R1 and it was about as miserable as you’d expect
but I think my current situation could be pretty ideal.In true ‘overthinker’ fashion I’ve considered every bike under the sun at varying budgets with ‘man-maths’ applied throughout but I think I’ve circled back round to the BMW F800GS as being the sweet spot for purchase cost, ability, reliability etc.
Am I on the mark?
Any real-world experiences/recommendations/alternatives welcome...
ETA: I bought a VFR800 a few months ago and I’ve been doing dry days only for a while but I think hand-guards, a more forgiving ride and taller position might suit the fen roads a bit better.
Edited by roboxm3 on Wednesday 5th October 10:03
Edited by roboxm3 on Wednesday 5th October 10:03
Don't buy a BMW for a year round commuter - or as something to rely on. The VFR is MASSIVELY superioir in the build and reliability department (charging issues aside). You'll be leaving a trail of engine paint along that commute if you take the BMW. If you really want a different riding position look at the NC or the crossrunner.
Biker9090 said:
Don't buy a BMW for a year round commuter - or as something to rely on. The VFR is MASSIVELY superioir in the build and reliability department (charging issues aside). You'll be leaving a trail of engine paint along that commute if you take the BMW. If you really want a different riding position look at the NC or the crossrunner.
Disagree. I've taken my F800S from 500 to 60,000 miles on year-round commuter trips and have had very few issues over the ten years I've had it. The engine paint isn't its strongest point I'll grant you, but for starting every morning and getting me there and back every day it has been brilliant.KTMsm said:
I agree the upright riding position helps and if your roads are anything like mine some decent long travel suspension does too
My only issue with the 800gs is that it's dull to ride
Personally I'd go for a 990 SMT but would suggest you also look at a Tiger 800 or 1050 and a Tracer 900
I’d really like a 990 Adventure (for a bit of additional weather protection and old school cool Dakar-inspired styling) but I thought I should probably go for something a bit newer for reliability reasons...My only issue with the 800gs is that it's dull to ride
Personally I'd go for a 990 SMT but would suggest you also look at a Tiger 800 or 1050 and a Tracer 900
boyse7en said:
Disagree. I've taken my F800S from 500 to 60,000 miles on year-round commuter trips and have had very few issues over the ten years I've had it. The engine paint isn't its strongest point I'll grant you, but for starting every morning and getting me there and back every day it has been brilliant.
my F650GS was bullet proof, I trash it, take it into the wood. daily commuting the BMW GS is really a work horse, dull but get the job done. I get quite tired riding the VFR, it is heavy, I have to beware my throttle when cornering as I experience vtec kicking in halfway through a corner is just asking for trouble.
the VFR800 is high tech and powerful and more fun as a weekend toy, daily commute I would take the GS
roboxm3 said:
I’d really like a 990 Adventure (for a bit of additional weather protection and old school cool Dakar-inspired styling) but I thought I should probably go for something a bit newer for reliability reasons...
People still take them around the world !Age doesn't affect much, mileage does but the LC8 is a well proven lump - just buy a nice one
Although the Adventure doesn't ride anything like as well as the SMT on the road IME
I have a 2012 700GS, which has lived outside for most of its life and currently has ~46k on the clock.
Never let me down at all. Admittedly it is looking a little tired, but everything still works as intended... I had to change the front headlight due to an incorrect bulb being used, now sports a Chinese LED headlight which is great. I also had to get a new front wheel after hitting a brick on the motorway in the depth of winter.
The bars are quite wide for filtering, but the perfect commuter in all other respects.
I bought a tall screen and some wind guards for the handlebars and it is fine.
200 miles to the tank =65-70mpg well in week out.
Never let me down at all. Admittedly it is looking a little tired, but everything still works as intended... I had to change the front headlight due to an incorrect bulb being used, now sports a Chinese LED headlight which is great. I also had to get a new front wheel after hitting a brick on the motorway in the depth of winter.
The bars are quite wide for filtering, but the perfect commuter in all other respects.
I bought a tall screen and some wind guards for the handlebars and it is fine.
200 miles to the tank =65-70mpg well in week out.
F800gs engine will be completely boring compared to the VFR's V4 and totally snoozeville all round compared to a 990 Adventure or even 990 SMT that can be both comfortable and civilized and then barking mad when you want them to be. The 990 is probably the sweet spot in KTM reliability whereby KTM shook off any old reliability issues but weren't yet in the plastic fantastic, glossy screened, rider mode era we are now in where there's more opportunity for things to go wrong. You can get 990 Adventures on 2013 plates...?
Edited by seismic22 on Thursday 6th October 08:56
My 2004 VFR800 was used as an all year commuter bike by its previous owner and seems to be in pretty good shape both cosmetically and mechanically despite its 17 years and 32k miles (usual now resolved VFR charging problem notwithstanding).
The Crossrunner is essentially a VFR800 with all the negatives that you point out that stop it being ideal for your commute addressed. V4 fuel consumption seems to be the only possible downside.
The Crossrunner is essentially a VFR800 with all the negatives that you point out that stop it being ideal for your commute addressed. V4 fuel consumption seems to be the only possible downside.
Edited by Seight_Returns on Thursday 6th October 09:35
Tbh I was very surprised how much I enjoyed riding a mk1 crossrunner. Personally I like the looks (eps in white) that many hate and when I rode one it was surprisingly fun yet comfortable to ride on Devon B roads. Really was not expecting it and had assumed it was for those who preferred a pipe and slippers. Cheap too.
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