Bike suggestions for long commute learner?

[nomnomnom]

Starting a new job and will go onto my regular hours in a few months time, so have lots of time to make a decision, but I will be commuting in total about 100ks each day mostly open road/motorway.

I have my learner license (STILL, cos I am too lazy to go for restricted) and looking for suggestions for a reasonably cheap bike, that is amazing on gas.

I have owned a Suzuki Bandit before and found the size and sitting position really good for me after a few very minor adjustments, however the few times I rode it to work it didnt seem to be that fantastic on gas.

Style wise I guess I would say sporty or same kinda lines as the Bandit, but low budget - like under 10K

Any suggestions hugely appreciated, cheers

[Robbie_]

For $10k you could just about buy any LAMS bike.
If you're a learner I'd highly recommend taking $1k from that budget for decent full gear, and maybe $200-$300 for some good rider training. Then you will be away laughing.

If you're doing mostly open road speeds, a bigger bike on the upper end of the limit may be best, and at open road speeds will almost be just as economical as a little 250. And much more comfortable to do it in too.

Before giving exact suggestions, how much of the budget would you LIKE to use? Will you be doing any other personal riding except motorway commuting?

[haydes55]

Get a new gs500

[nomnomnom]

Yup im on the lookout for some pants to match the jacket I have already, and then boots and helmet

Budget i would LIKE to stick to would be 5-6k if possible (saving for an impending wedding lol) but it all depends, if I spend a little more and am in turn saving money on gas that would suit me fine. I am looking for a bike that I can have a bit of fun on in weekends too, but majority of use will just be to and from work.

[Milts]

Sounds like a Honda VTR250 would suit your needs perfectly. More than enough grunt for highway touring or commuting, and fun on the weekends...

With that budget I'd just sit and look at every bike on trademe filed under sports between maybe 250 and 500cc. Get something newish but not brand new - that way you minimise any loss when you resell, but get a shiney and hopefully reliable bike. Some sensible options include:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-610371049.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-618272658.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-588174140.htm

Or top pick:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-612870995.htm

Sit on a few and see what suits...

Alternatively, you could be properly sensible and get this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-606390520.htm


Edit: one of the new honda 500s could be ideal as well, if you could pick one up at a reasonable price. If you were happy to wait 6 months you might be able to grab an ex demo one.

[Robbie_]

+1 VTR250 for your needs. It's a cracker of a bike and it's cheap to run/Maintain/ Insure whilst still being fun to take on some back roads on the weekend.

No point spending 5k on a newer bike. It will take a LONG time and a lot of K's to even break even on the extra money for fuel if there is only 1-2l/100km difference.
That's not even getting into the other costs of ownerships.

Although, if money was no issue I've ridden the 2013 390 mentioned above (I work for KTM) and it's a brilliant bike.
.. Not being biased or anything :rockon:

[mossy1200]

gs500 if your doing 100 a day.

[Motu]

BMW R65's are cheap, will eat those miles and require less maintenance than any Jap multi.

[F5 Dave]

And heavy & ugly & strangely Teutonic.

GS500. Easy to ride, manoeuvre, touch ground. Real brakes, super reliability.
And within reason fun.

[SMOKEU]

Buy something at least 400cc, as it will generally be easier to ride on the open road and the extra weight adds more stability.

[Motu]

And heavy & ugly & strangely Teutonic.

That's why they are cheap. He hasn't got a bike, he's commuting - image is not even secondary, get the bike out and ride it to work everyday...forever.

[george formby]

Great little mile muncher. Ticks lots of your boxes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Deauville#Specifications

They goe round corners, too.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?searchString=honda+650+deauvill e&rptpath=1-&type=Search&searchType=1255&generalSearch_keypresses=19&generalSearch_suggested=0

[F5 Dave]

. He hasn't got a bike, he's commuting - . .
She
Maybe being sexist, but learners need lighter bikes & gurlz are usually smaller. I did know a slight lass with a 65 & she was fine, but a fair bit more experienced.

[nomnomnom]

Im liking the look of the vtr250 so far. they're pretty good on gas then?? Dont have access to trademe at the mo but I'll take a better squizz later. I guess another thing I want is something pretty light incase I drop it (or it tips over on the street in an earthquake :blink:) as you can see from the little symbol thingy im a girl so will struggle with bikes you guys think are ok :P

[george formby]

IMHE all bikes are heavy when they are having a lie down. That Deauville I posted has built in crash bars, inside the black wings on the fairing. And panniers. They are designed for the odd drop & lie at an angle rather than flat, easy to pick up. The Japanese Police, hardly the biggest of riders, use similar bikes, men & women. Part of their training is how to pick a bike up after a whoopsie. Vids are on youtube somewheres.

[Milts]

Will be great on gas, looks sexy as hell, more than powerful enough for highway commuting and reliable as a tank.

And yes, possibly better if you're shorter or less keen on heavy bikes.

Some people are adverse to 250cc bikes on the motorway. My ZZR250 could do over 150 km/h so I tend to ignore them.

Speaking of, something like a ZZR250 or ZZR400 (or even the newer kawasaki/honda 250s) might give you more wind protection. But they have more plastic to break and are pricier.

[Glowerss]

Will be great on gas, looks sexy as hell, more than powerful enough for highway commuting and reliable as a tank.

And yes, possibly better if you're shorter or less keen on heavy bikes.

Some people are adverse to 250cc bikes on the motorway. My ZZR250 could do over 150 km/h so I tend to ignore them.

Speaking of, something like a ZZR250 or ZZR400 (or even the newer kawasaki/honda 250s) might give you more wind protection. But they have more plastic to break and are pricier.

It's a matter of how relaxed the bike feels with a 250 for the most part. I had a ZZR250 as well. The thing had to work really fuckin hard to keep me at the 110-115 I like to sit at (some 9k RPM with a 13k redline). It was also a very buzzy bike. I couldn't imagine doing it for 100+KMs every day. That all said, the thing did get fantastic fuel economy :cool:

A 250 running at 120kph with a top speed of 150kph is working considerably harder than a larger capacity motor with a considerably higher top speed. I would imagine running at near your operational max would have a rather significant impact on the motors lifespan. Is prolly why things like Goldwings last forever =p

I do 60km, maybe slightly more, a day on my Hornet 250. It handles it pretty well, but now that it's winter and cold n raining, I can't help but think a proper bit of fairings would be a lovely thing to have. I'd also certainly recommend something 400cc+ if you can find and afford it.

Something like a GS500 would be pretty suitable for your needs/pricerange. A ZZR 400 wouldn't be bad either if you can find one in good nic.

[HenryDorsetCase]

That's why they are cheap. He hasn't got a bike, he's commuting - image is not even secondary, get the bike out and ride it to work everyday...forever.

prices for those (and R80's) seem to be climbing too. its an investment.

[F5 Dave]

Yeah, but they're Fidious:sick:. Hey a new word. You can use it, just drop me a dollar coin in the post in each instance.

An old GF had the GS500 & being a twin they are pretty easy to lift. VTR250 are pretty useful bikes & lighter still. I taught some lass to ride on one & rode it :calm: a bit & was impressed. Have a model life of several decades it seems, so don't get anything too old.

[f2dz]

I commute 50km+ a day on a VTR250 and it's not as good on gas as my Ninja 250 was.

If you're super concerned about fuel efficiency I'd recommend a Ninja, but a VTR250 is a lot more fun to ride.

The parallel twin on the Ninja is horrible in the lower RPMs, but it does better at motorway/open road speeds than the VTR, especially due to the windscreen, so a bit of a catch-22.

[EJK]

With that money you can buy my bike.

Wanna buy my bike? It's a Kawasaki. A 'tad' more powerful than a Ninja 250. :msn-wink: