Commuter recommendations…

Commuter recommendations…

Author
Discussion

J50N WA

Original Poster:

304 posts

144 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
Looking for the pistonheads community recommendations.
Currently ride a Honda NC750X to commute 22 miles e/w into central London, A3, then heavy traffic.
Problem is the Honda is soo boring, the suspension is garbage and the brakes woeful, it's made cheap and it shows.. I do love the 74mpg and the frunk though.. if they made this with quality items it would do.. but they don't..
So am looking for 60+mpg, something that will last a few years with no expensive service and breakdowns.. upright with a decent touring screen.. any thoughts?

Caruso

7,469 posts

263 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
Honda ADV 350?

HairyMaclary

3,712 posts

202 months

Monday 1st April
quotequote all
I do a 70 mile round trip into central London and was going to suggest a Nc750s biglaugh

I picked one up recently and it's a great commuter tool. Love it as it doesn't need a topbox and last week's commute got me 86mpg!

Other bikes on my shortlist was a CB500x.

Other than 125s I had a Versys 650 for 3 years which was great but you'll need a topbox.

My Super Adventure makes for an interesting commute and does 50ish mpg which is amazing for a 1300.

Biker9090

1,136 posts

44 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
Why not upgrade the suspension and the brakes?

Braided lines and better pads.

New shock and either YSS PD valves with springs as the cheaper option (lots ot YouTube videos on it) or a cartridge conversion.

Ken_Code

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
Honda CRF450 Rally?

RazerSauber

2,548 posts

67 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
I've got a CB500X and it'll probably be a very similar experience but with slightly better MPG. It honestly sounds like a scooter is more what you're after. Storage, good MPG, tall screen, easy to ride.

carinaman

22,066 posts

179 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
Biker9090 said:
Why not upgrade the suspension and the brakes?

Braided lines and better pads.

New shock and either YSS PD valves with springs as the cheaper option (lots ot YouTube videos on it) or a cartridge conversion.
Beat me to it. Great minds....

Video is Chris Moss raving about his NC750x:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlXdCRr-gps

HairyMaclary

3,712 posts

202 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
RazerSauber said:
I've got a CB500X and it'll probably be a very similar experience but with slightly better MPG. It honestly sounds like a scooter is more what you're after. Storage, good MPG, tall screen, easy to ride.
Don't fall for the scooter. I did and found out the hard way that they are st on the motorway. Great in London but 80% of my 35miles in and out are on motorways or at motorway speed.

My vote is for keeping the NC, upgrade bits and getting something silly for occasional commutes and weekends.

Ken_Code

1,566 posts

9 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
HairyMaclary said:
Don't fall for the scooter. I did and found out the hard way that they are st on the motorway. Great in London but 80% of my 35miles in and out are on motorways or at motorway speed.

My vote is for keeping the NC, upgrade bits and getting something silly for occasional commutes and weekends.
Which one did you have? Most 300cc+ should be decent enough for the motorway.

SteelerSE

1,938 posts

163 months

Tuesday 2nd April
quotequote all
OP - in your shoes I'd be looking at stuff like a Versys 650 or the new Vstrom 800 if you're looking for a bit more power. Both would be more fun and will comfortably be 50-60mpg if not more. The rest is down to looks, dealers, budget etc. There's loads of other stuff in that sort of area too but any upright, adventure style twin will have the wind protection and economy that you're looking for.