Commuter and tourer

[kaushikc32]

Hi Guys
I am looking for a bike which can act as commuter and use it for the occasional touring. Want a bike that can withstand the windy conditions of NZ too. Another thing is that it should be pillion friendly so this rules out many possible options. Is KTM 690 good against the wind. Suggestions welcome.
Thnks

[Banditbandit]

Budget ???


Anyway - go Bandit ..

[kaushikc32]

Approximately 10K

[Akzle]

gn125 .

[Banditbandit]

gn125 .

Yeah right ...

have a look at these.

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/2012-suzuki-gsx650f-ar133148.html

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201207/2012-suzuki-gsx650f-4_800x0w.jpg

[BrendonF]

I'd have a serious look at a Vstrom. Most bikes will do what you are asking unless you looking at a litre superbike. I would also try to avoid single cylinders if you want to do a bit of touring two up.

[EJK]

Approximately 10K

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/177872-Triumph-Tiger-SE

Bargain of the century (or whenever Maha sells his bike).

[neels]

I used to commute and tour 2 up on an old XJ600 without any dramas, a couple of modern equivalents have been suggested above already, I know someone who is using a GSX650F for exactly the purposes you are after and has no complaints.

Inline engines tend to be a bit nicer to operate around town than big v-twins.

[kaushikc32]

thnks for the suggestions

[jonnyk5614]

1200 GSX-F is an awesome machine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wingnut]

VFR800. Reliable. Effective. Almost fun

[OddDuck]

Ducati ST2 / 3 / 4 ?

Big pinch of salt with this, I have no direct experience with these bikes, but those who do run them tend to be passionate about them.

[Addo007]

I owned a Kawasaki versys 650 and instantly regretted selling it when I did. Nice upright riding position, plenty of useable power, great handling and extremely reliable. 10k would get you an almost new one, regularly come up for around 6k. I also took the wife on the back a lot of the time, with no issue. Worth a look in my opinion.

[neels]

Ducati ST2 / 3 / 4 ?

Big pinch of salt with this, I have no direct experience with these bikes, but those who do run them tend to be passionate about them.

Awesome for touring, or a bit of a hoon on the bendy bits, not so much fun around town and far too easy to get up past the speed limit

[TheDemonLord]

Yeah right ...

have a look at these.

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/2012-suzuki-gsx650f-ar133148.html


I had one, put nearly 30,000 Km on it in just over a year - great bike for Commuting and Touring.

I took its bigger brother the GSX1250FA out aswell - pretty much the same bike, bigger engine.

I have a Busa now - Great bike for Commuting and Touring.

Bearing in mind I ride in all weathers to work and back and have ridden over the harbour bridge in full on gales - the 650 was great in shitty weather, the Busa is also fantastic.

[Duncan74]

I went Wee-strom. Actually the LAMS version to be precise. I'm 6'4" and use it for commuting between Tauranga an Akl, and TGA and Hamilton. Also toured north island in early January. DO a search you'll find the review thread I did and also a thread on the tour. Aside from adding a 12v socket under the seat and Givi panniers and cases, the only thing I'm looking to change is the tyres to something better on wet tarmac.
Did first 1000km in 4 days, less than a month until the 6000km service and still working almost flawlessly. I say almost as I was a muppet and left the park lights on yesterday meaning I needed to get a jump start, but that's my fault not the bikes.

[Phleep]

VFR800. Reliable. Effective. Almost fun

Can *mostly* second this.

Started riding again recently on a VFR. I commute everyday on it at peak hour and it is comfortable and sufficiently upright to not torture your neck lane changing down the Ngauranga Gorge. Also, IMHO, the combined braking feature comes in handy to increase reaction speed when lane splitting as I can use the rear brake pedal to start the front braking even if I am not poised over the front brake lever. ABS certainly helps avoid the back end getting messy too.

My only real complaint with my particular bike is that it sometimes decides to surge on a steady throttle which can make slow riding more challenging than it should. Apparently many suffer the same fate.

[LearnerRider81]

I owned a Kawasaki versys 650 and instantly regretted selling it when I did. Nice upright riding position, plenty of useable power, great handling and extremely reliable. 10k would get you an almost new one, regularly come up for around 6k. I also took the wife on the back a lot of the time, with no issue. Worth a look in my opinion.


I rode my mates 650 abs versy and its awesome good for big guys with bad knees as the upright position is very comfy tons of power too!! i completely agree with you on this!!