Commuter - wot to buy?

**FROSTY:Me** · 19th September 2007, 20:57

Originally Posted by dennisr

Hi Frosty - GS are you referring to this bike: http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/suz...500_e_1999.php

GS500 naked or faired - guess that doesn't matter except naked costs less if dropped.

Yep thats the one -they've been around since 1989 but you can still get em almost new -2005

**HTFU** · 19th September 2007, 21:00

Yeah those GS 500s look nice. Shame they don't bring them in anymore like the Kawasaki 500s. Thats why I went to the 250 again, wanted something new but it was either cheap 250 or expensive 650. Really wanted the mid priced 500 that does not exist. Can not believe I am the only one looking at mid sized bikes in the $7500-9000 retail bracket. Good power and economy ratio and cheap start up cost. Guess it comes back to the Kiwi demand for bikes (and cars) with big engines.

Still think for a cheap commuter the GN will be good. Put some straight bars on it and a rack and you are away. Advantage over a 500 etc is that they are also easy to move around as they a pretty light. Guy that bought mine has a 900 Duke and wanted my GN for commuting. After first ride he rang to say it is perfect especially with new bars.

**rogson** · 19th September 2007, 21:05

Do you enjoy your job?

If so, commute on your SV (or something else that spins your wheels more) - and revel in the "Joie de vivre"
If not commute on your SV (or something else that spins your wheels more) - and get something out of the day.

Why choose tedium?

**xwhatsit** · 19th September 2007, 21:14

Originally Posted by rogson

Do you enjoy your job?

If so, commute on your SV (or something else that spins your wheels more) - and revel in the "Joie de vivre"
If not commute on your SV (or something else that spins your wheels more) - and get something out of the day.

Why choose tedium?

I'll be keeping my RS after I `upgrade'. For pragmatic reasons as well as sentimental ones.

It's not only the usual economic reasons to use it as a commuter. If I were to commute on a GSXR600/SV1000 every day I'd get fscking bored. Big, heavy, fast bikes; great for dragging Skylines at the lights, but 50kph comes up pretty quickly.

You can have a hell of a lot of fun chucking a small light skinny bike around roundabouts, flicking it around 90-degree corners onto side-roads and nipping between cars parked nose-to-tail like you're on a push bike.

You can also give it full throttle and wind it up through all the gears and never break 60kph.

Much more fun than bumbling through traffic on a big expensive thou. I also hear that riding a diminutive oldish 250 takes a big load off the back of your mind -- if you forget to put your foot down at the lights, or lose the front on a tar-snake, you're not looking at paying the insurance excess for a $10,000 gleaming piece of technical art; more likely just a night spent in the gargre with a crowbar and a hammer.

**sinned** · 19th September 2007, 21:25

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

I'll be keeping my RS after I `upgrade'. For pragmatic reasons as well as sentimental ones.

It's not only the usual economic reasons to use it as a commuter. If I were to commute on a GSXR600/SV1000 every day I'd get fscking bored. Big, heavy, fast bikes; great for dragging Skylines at the lights, but 50kph comes up pretty quickly.

You can have a hell of a lot of fun chucking a small light skinny bike around roundabouts, flicking it around 90-degree corners onto side-roads and nipping between cars parked nose-to-tail like you're on a push bike.

You can also give it full throttle and wind it up through all the gears and never break 60kph.

Much more fun than bumbling through traffic on a big expensive thou. I also hear that riding a diminutive oldish 250 takes a big load off the back of your mind -- if you forget to put your foot down at the lights, or lose the front on a tar-snake, you're not looking at paying the insurance excess for a $10,000 gleaming piece of technical art; more likely just a night spent in the gargre with a crowbar and a hammer.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**breakaway** · 19th September 2007, 21:39

Exactly right Tom. I'd rather commute on a rough as bike than my 'main' ride. It might get stolen etc.

**xwhatsit** · 19th September 2007, 21:58

Originally Posted by breakaway

Exactly right Tom. I'd rather commute on a rough as bike than my 'main' ride. It might get stolen etc.

That's true, too. Take that guy who got his RSV stolen from uni, leaving it parked on Symonds St. What does he turn up on next week, but a nice shiny R1! @_@

In terms of suggestions, get a single

I might be slightly biased, but a single seems the cheapest and best way to commute. Thumpers are great for crawling along at low speeds; you want all the torque you can get when you're down on cubes.

GB400/500 has to be the best commuter in existence. Huge tank, skinny long-lasting tyres, lightweight and chuckable, reliable. Kickstart as well as electric. Fork gaiters (!!!) and a drum rear mean that maintenance is next to nothing. Nice torquey single, lots of engine braking so you'll never wear the front pads out. Definitely has all the characteristics I mentioned in my post above. Cheap as chips, too -- as little as $1500 will nab you a nice enough 400.

Lots of people here on this site like the Suzuki NZ250. Lots of horses for a 250 single, 35 or something. Revvy though. GB400/500 just as cheap though, running costs too, and the choice for me is easy.

**MaxCannon** · 19th September 2007, 22:18

I commute on a GN250 and can't wait to get off the thing.

The brakes suck, the ride sucks, the mirrors suck, the engine sucks (are we seeing a pattern here).

Good points are no one wants to steal it and it gets 25km per litre.

I guess my two main issues (the brakes and engine) only come up on the motorway section of my commute.
Around town it's pretty easy to handle and isn't going to bite when you peg the throttle to jump through a gap in the traffic.

**Grub** · 19th September 2007, 22:33

In terms of Bangs for your Buck, I agree with those who've mentioned a 400. The 250's are waaay overpriced because of the demand whereas a 400 is a sort of in-between, a bit of a vacuum bike. Too big for the learner/restricteds and too small for those who've just got their full.

**HTFU** · 19th September 2007, 23:36

Originally Posted by Grub

In terms of Bangs for your Buck, I agree with those who've mentioned a 400. The 250's are waaay overpriced because of the demand whereas a 400 is a sort of in-between, a bit of a vacuum bike. Too big for the learner/restricteds and too small for those who've just got their full.

I agree, in theory a secondhand 400 is a great allrounder, but bang for buck? I spent a month trawlling through trademe waiting for such a gem and nothing. Heap of bikes on there but a 400 or even a 500 thats not 10-15 years old and with low ks is a rare species indeed.

As soon as they were priced around the $6000 mark the gpx for me still represented better value as a commuter bike, considering it was new and had a two year unlimited Ks warranty, I looked past its smaller engine size, especially as its performance is pretty good, for my commuting needs. Also helped I am the target size for the bike. If I could have got a new 400 or 500 twin for 7000-8000 new then this would have been great.

The 250s being overpriced in the sports market has changed in the last year as there just isnt anything between them and the 650cc to compare them with.

You can get a 160-170 km/hr 0-100 6sec 250 bike for $6000 new. If you want a bigger bike you are looking $11000 for a 650, the $5000 difference is a biggy for some of us poorer folk. No value for money 400-500cc bikes in sight except the older secondhand ones.

250 twin crusiers still seemed overpriced because you can still get 650 singles and 500 twins for only a $1000 or so more, that buying decision for a full licensed rider is a no brainer.

I reckon a semi naked 500 twin with a sports/touring position would still sell well in NZ. Especially if it retailed around that $7000-8000 mark.

**Paulusgnome** · 20th September 2007, 19:27

I commute on my old CB250RS, and I love it to bits. Its no faster than a GN250, but it has good brakes, sporty handling, and its very cheap to run. It seems to be totally in its element in town traffic with a nice combination of light weight, small size, nimble handling and just enough power.
They are getting a bit rare these days though, and the wreckers are running out of spare parts...
I saw a bike the other day that I reckon would be a pretty good alternative to the CB : the new Yamaha Scorpion 225. A sporty 225cc single that looks like it should have most of the qualities that I like in my old CB. I'd suggest giving these a good look.

**Nat** · 21st September 2007, 13:28

Get a scooter, they're actually loads of fun. I've got a 100cc and it goes pretty well, and its good fun to go everywhere on full throttle! At least don't write it off completely until you've given one a go.

If you're really anti scooter 10kms isn't too far to cycle (unless there are some big hills) and that's the most fun way to commute. (and cheapest, and good for the environment and good for your health etc etc)

Me, I've got the best of all worlds - cycle, scooter and big bike too, each is more fun (and more practical) than the other in its own way.

**geoffm** · 22nd September 2007, 19:13

Commuting is hell on bikes - I use the Beemer and it is noticabbly worse for the experience over the last few years. I just can't make the economics of a second bike work with rego, insurance, etc. This would change if I ever got a new bike.
I would look at a trail bike/ dual purpose bike - say Honda XL250 or equivalent or one of the many clones. With the crap roads, the suspension helps, they are cheap to run and fix, tyres last forever and maintenance labour won't kill you. You can also use it in the dirt as well for a hack, although then you come back to the risk of bending something that has to get you to work the next day.

Geoff