Cheapest overall ownership for a 40 mile commute
Discussion
Currently bikeless but have always had 1000cc+ bikes.
Due to the parking situation at work getting worse in the near to medium term I'm think of getting something for the 18 mile each way commute.
It would have to live outside and I'm not bothered about the shiniest or the best.
What do you recon? An old CB500 or similar or maybe a new electric scooter, range could be an issue?
As it would be abused and used solely for commuting I'm interested in doing it as cheaply as reasonably possible.
Due to the parking situation at work getting worse in the near to medium term I'm think of getting something for the 18 mile each way commute.
It would have to live outside and I'm not bothered about the shiniest or the best.
What do you recon? An old CB500 or similar or maybe a new electric scooter, range could be an issue?
As it would be abused and used solely for commuting I'm interested in doing it as cheaply as reasonably possible.
Older bikes will have higher maintenance costs due to stuff wearing out, and as a commuter you just want something that starts and runs first time, every time.
I'd look at as new a bike as you can manage, and one with a fairing, a big headlight, and good fuel economy. This might even be on PCP - a brand new bike might be the way head here. I'd be looking at a V-Strom 650, Honda CB500X or NC750X, Kawasaki ER-6F, sort of bike. Maybe even a big scooter like a Burgman, X-Max or Forza?
What sort of roads will you be using?
I'd look at as new a bike as you can manage, and one with a fairing, a big headlight, and good fuel economy. This might even be on PCP - a brand new bike might be the way head here. I'd be looking at a V-Strom 650, Honda CB500X or NC750X, Kawasaki ER-6F, sort of bike. Maybe even a big scooter like a Burgman, X-Max or Forza?
What sort of roads will you be using?
I used and abused a couple of er5s for years - other than the occasional oil change - all I had to do was clean the front caliper every so often and unseize the rear drum once. First one was sent down the road once by my mrs and 2 or 3 times by me - very little damage each time and was fine to ride away. Only stopped usiing the first one as it was gettign really rusty at the subframe where I'd been cutting things about and I got the chance of the 2nd for £300. May be a bit long in the tooth now, so possibly an er6?
I would be careful OP to not get too attached to the ‘minimum cost only criteria’ line of thinking.
Not sure if it’s my age or my general changing of the way I think these days. To use a slightly apt analogy “thinking about the journey as well as the destination” I.e I would definitely choose something that you can enjoy the commute on. Even at just 18 miles each way, this will be a considerable amount of your daily time associated with the commute. So would suggest which bike which meets your requirement for low cost but also brings you the most joy and/or the least discomfort.
I don’t know how old you are, or how long you plan keeping it for, but finding a bike that you have always liked but are now at te bottom of their depreciation curve (I think VFR800’s are already on the up) might be something that brings you a lot more joy than a CBF125.
Interesting a poster mentioned the Forza, I would imagine this to be as cozy as a commuter gets and probably quite a lot of fun too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20230103...
Not sure if it’s my age or my general changing of the way I think these days. To use a slightly apt analogy “thinking about the journey as well as the destination” I.e I would definitely choose something that you can enjoy the commute on. Even at just 18 miles each way, this will be a considerable amount of your daily time associated with the commute. So would suggest which bike which meets your requirement for low cost but also brings you the most joy and/or the least discomfort.
I don’t know how old you are, or how long you plan keeping it for, but finding a bike that you have always liked but are now at te bottom of their depreciation curve (I think VFR800’s are already on the up) might be something that brings you a lot more joy than a CBF125.
Interesting a poster mentioned the Forza, I would imagine this to be as cozy as a commuter gets and probably quite a lot of fun too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20230103...
If cost really is the main driver then something sub 200cc will be required. Going over 200cc will noticeably increase costs for fuel, tyres, servicing, consumables etc. which will likely have a bigger impact in overall ownership than depreciation. When I've done running cost calculations (admittedly for larger bikes) tyres and chain & sprockets were almost as much per mile as fuel so need serious consiteration.
black-k1 said:
If cost really is the main driver then something sub 200cc will be required. Going over 200cc will noticeably increase costs for fuel, tyres, servicing, consumables etc. which will likely have a bigger impact in overall ownership than depreciation. When I've done running cost calculations (admittedly for larger bikes) tyres and chain & sprockets were almost as much per mile as fuel so need serious consideration.
Fit a scott oiler or similar and you'll get 30k miles or so out of a chain and maybe re tension it every 6 months. As an added bonus the swing arm won't rust either 
Size really depends on the roads, if it includes a bit of motorway or dual carriageway I'd want something 600cc or so. If it's all urban then electric might well be worth a look, plenty should be able to do that kind of distance, and if you have the ability to charge at work then it gets even easier.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 7th February 14:21
kiethton said:
Near enough my brief.
Currently have an NC750x, prior bikes were ex. CoPart (often never fixed cosmetically, never washed or serviced) CBF 600 and CBR600F both bought for <£1.2k and sold for c£900 broken.
Of little/no interest to thieves, dirt cheap to run and reliable
Interesting you mention Copart. Currently have an NC750x, prior bikes were ex. CoPart (often never fixed cosmetically, never washed or serviced) CBF 600 and CBR600F both bought for <£1.2k and sold for c£900 broken.
Of little/no interest to thieves, dirt cheap to run and reliable
Quite like this.
https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/37351113/clean-title-...
Don't suppose you've still got an account and could put up the reg for a MOT check? The mileage isn't listed. Probably a decent buy unless it's got >50k on the clock.
mersontheperson said:
I would be careful OP to not get too attached to the ‘minimum cost only criteria’ line of thinking.
Not sure if it’s my age or my general changing of the way I think these days. To use a slightly apt analogy “thinking about the journey as well as the destination” I.e I would definitely choose something that you can enjoy the commute on. Even at just 18 miles each way, this will be a considerable amount of your daily time associated with the commute. So would suggest which bike which meets your requirement for low cost but also brings you the most joy and/or the least discomfort.
I don’t know how old you are, or how long you plan keeping it for, but finding a bike that you have always liked but are now at te bottom of their depreciation curve (I think VFR800’s are already on the up) might be something that brings you a lot more joy than a CBF125.
Interesting a poster mentioned the Forza, I would imagine this to be as cozy as a commuter gets and probably quite a lot of fun too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20230103...
I'd considered a VFR actually but reckon it would be a little too desirable and a bit juicy on fuel. Assume it runs a 180 tyre too. Used to commute 100 miles a day and the tyre cost became significant. Not sure if it’s my age or my general changing of the way I think these days. To use a slightly apt analogy “thinking about the journey as well as the destination” I.e I would definitely choose something that you can enjoy the commute on. Even at just 18 miles each way, this will be a considerable amount of your daily time associated with the commute. So would suggest which bike which meets your requirement for low cost but also brings you the most joy and/or the least discomfort.
I don’t know how old you are, or how long you plan keeping it for, but finding a bike that you have always liked but are now at te bottom of their depreciation curve (I think VFR800’s are already on the up) might be something that brings you a lot more joy than a CBF125.
Interesting a poster mentioned the Forza, I would imagine this to be as cozy as a commuter gets and probably quite a lot of fun too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20230103...
_Rodders_ said:
Interesting you mention Copart.
Quite like this.
https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/37351113/clean-title-...
Don't suppose you've still got an account and could put up the reg for a MOT check? The mileage isn't listed. Probably a decent buy unless it's got >50k on the clock.
I don’t any longer I’m afraidQuite like this.
https://www.copart.co.uk/lot/37351113/clean-title-...
Don't suppose you've still got an account and could put up the reg for a MOT check? The mileage isn't listed. Probably a decent buy unless it's got >50k on the clock.
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