Motorbike for couriering on.

**clint640** · 26th September 2005, 08:33

Originally Posted by FlangMasterJ

If you are after a bullet proof supermotard you can't go past the new Suzuki DR400SM. They use the very reliable DRZ 4 stroke engine. Just do regular oil changes and check the valve clearances every so often. In inner city traffic it couldn't be beat.

Yup, the DRZ would be a good pick, you'd need to change the seat though.
If you can stretch your capacity limit the bigger singles will need less maintenance than the lighter DRZ motor. The XT660R mentioned above would be good - a nice comfy seat & a well proven motor, they even have EFI which makes em pretty light on gas. A KTM 640SM would do the job nicely too but you pay quite a bit more than the XT for the better power, suspension & brakes, especially if buying new. The beemer F650 GS/CS are probably the most comfortable of the breed & very light on gas but they are heavy & expensive.

Cheers
Clint

**Lou Girardin** · 26th September 2005, 10:45

DL650?
Not so hard on chains as a single. Economical. Cheapish to run. It's a Suzuki.

**dawnrazor** · 26th September 2005, 13:08

Honda CB 500 parallel twin. Bullet proof engine. Without doubt the most common courier bike in London. Check out BIKE magazine august edition, theres an article in there about them, in stores now. Would be perfect for the job, don't know if they where that popular here though.

**FlangMasterJ** · 26th September 2005, 13:12

Honda CT110

**Biff** · 26th September 2005, 13:19

CB600s are big with dispatch riders in London, but they're not the most economical machines. Fazers are also up as the choice of those that know. Apparently.

**texmo** · 27th September 2005, 22:25

Originally Posted by Sniper

Its gonna suck downgrading to a motorbike aye texmo.

PT

I agree, no spare tyre to throw on when you puncture, no glove box, not a step through, making it harder to get on and off, not as narrow for around town ect... But my bike is a little too slow and hard to mantain, I have to put oil in it 2 times a week tighten the clables once a week, just basic 2stroke/scooter stuff that needs to be done every 500k's.

I am either going to get a;
A) gillera runner or similar, has plenty of grunt automatic to make life easy 0-100 5.1 seconds 130km/hr all day long step through, Its just a little bit too big.
B) Supermotard bike of some form, 4stroke reliablity, faster, better blance, better clearance, better tyres for curb hopping, better brakes, better suspenshion, bigger wheels, Making for a smoother ride.

**marty** · 27th September 2005, 22:46

Originally Posted by dawnrazor

Honda CB 500 parallel twin. Bullet proof engine. Without doubt the most common courier bike in London. Check out BIKE magazine august edition, theres an article in there about them, in stores now. Would be perfect for the job, don't know if they where that popular here though.

i'll second that - a great article. how 'bout that buell?

**fredie** · 8th October 2007, 23:21

can u make good money in auckland . motorbike courier

**Romeo** · 8th October 2007, 23:51

I heard that Zeocen might be selling his '90 GPX 250, supposedly they're bulletproof and get amazing milage. Might be worth a PM.

//EDIT: Based on his videos it definitely looks like it's been well taken care of, not thrashed!

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 9th October 2007, 06:39

Originally Posted by texmo

Can you guys please have a little think about this and give me some advice? please keep the pointless drivel to a absoulte minimum. Oh and the reason I am changing from a scooter is so I can do jobs in the greater auckland region instead of inner city as there is a lot more money in it.
Thanks in advance for all the great advice your about to give me.
Texmo

Years ago I did Eagle Express in the Hawkes Bay... we had a couple of bigger bikes. But one of th eguys had a GB 500 and it was the most econominal.

You don't want a high proformance bike as they are harder to maintain keep it low tech.

Change your oil regularly if it is recommended to change it every 10,000 do it every 7 or 8.

Set aside maintainance days (weekend) and give the bike a good going over looking loose and warn out bits etc.

The 400 to 600 km is pretty low some days I would do that in a day

**sAsLEX** · 9th October 2007, 06:55

Originally Posted by Romeo

I heard that Zeocen might be selling his '90 GPX 250, supposedly they're bulletproof and get amazing milage. Might be worth a PM.

//EDIT: Based on his videos it definitely looks like it's been well taken care of, not thrashed!

Cool I will just lend Texmo my

so he can purchase it!

**Quasievil** · 9th October 2007, 07:16

Originally Posted by FlangMasterJ

If you are after a bullet proof supermotard you can't go past the new Suzuki DR400SM. They use the very reliable DRZ 4 stroke engine. Just do regular oil changes and check the valve clearances every so often. In inner city traffic it couldn't be beat.

yEAH GET A dr YOU WILL BECOME GREAT MATES WITH THE LOCAL PETROL STATIONS, WHATS THE RANGE 170 KMS ?

(oops caps)

**idleidolidyll** · 9th October 2007, 07:46

I second the Goose suggestion: wickedly economical and utterly reliable but with light weight and good handling.

Never forget that you're there to make money so don't be too tempted to waste it by buying a sport bike if it's not needed. Even a Yamaha SR250 or NZ250 Suzuki would be great if you can find them in good condition with low km's.

One of my best/most reliable riders in the UK rode a Cossak outfit (long distance). He regularly delivered parcels between Cardiff, our base, and North Wales/Northern Britain.

The next best courier we had started with more expensive bikes: BMW, Suzuki Katana etc but eventually he saw the light and bought an ugly, cheap economical Honda "Plastic Maggot" CX500.

He went from being a broke arsed student to buying his own home in just a few years.