Bike for commuting and the occasional long trip

[vindy500]

Hey guys, can get my full soon and looking at a upgrade. Was looking for something 400cc-600cc but something which is nice and economical like my hyosung( can get 300km to 12L) I know I wont be able to get anything as economical but whats out there? I dont mind the look of the GS500..

[whowhatwhere]

Bandit 600, the GS500 rots pretty fast. Bandit would use the same amount of fuel and be far better for longer trips.

[Pwalo]

The GS will be fine as long as you keep it clean. In general the weather is a bit less extreme in NZ, and we don't salt our roads in winter. I had two GS' before the SV, and both looked as new after a quick scrub up in the weekend. Painted exhuast pipes were a pain though!

[blackdog]

got to admit there isn't much better in the bang for yer buck department than the GS, except you might soon be lusting for something wiv a bit more ooomph

[marty]

SV650.
BMW GS650
KWAKA ERN650
HYOBAG 650
HONDA BROS 650 (one on Trademe now)
RF400

400's are pretty thirsty - have a habit of converting fuel to noise - especially the IL4's. Just need to pushed that little harder than the 400. I had a GSXRRRRR400 that was thirstier (and slower) than my RS250

[marty]

Although - talk to Gijoe about trips on a 250. I think he's done a few.....

[crash harry]

What you need is an R1. Definitely. As a happy coincidence, I just happen to have one for sale...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=284562009

In all seriousness, I've been using it for commuting and it still uses less fuel than any but the most economical cars, and it's 12 years old and carburated. Get a bike that you like and live with the fuel consumption it won't be that bad.