jw5876 Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 Hi all,I'm thinking about purchasing a second bike which will primarily be used for commuting.Therefore, I'm looking for suggestions.Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trcooke Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 I ride a 2004 Honda 650 TransAlp and use it for commuting. The low rev torque and the high seating position is nice for chugging through traffic and being able to see over the cars. Plus as it's 14 years old I'm not super precious about it getting mucky and stacking the miles on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw5876 Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 Cheers Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trcooke Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 I'm told if looked after well the Honda v-twin will go on forever, same for the Suzuki v-twin that you'll find on the SV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 My SV is a great commuter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttly Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 I’m a complete newb so ignore the next bit.Depends on what your commute is like?My 125 is everything I could need to get from an outer suburb of Birmingham to the centre and anywhere within the Wider Birmingham area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastbob Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 ER5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 I use a 2006 CBF 500. Reliable, comfortable, easy for filtering, cheap, light round town but able to keep motorway pace. No fairing on mine but those are available if you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAYK47 Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 Take no notice of me as I have not passed my test yet but hopefully will be in the market in a few months. Obviously I have been looking loads and have my eye on so many FZR8, CBR650 and also MT-07. Like I said I have no experience but just what I like the look of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phill Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Fazer 600 fox-eye model. Very good lights, comfortable, flickable, fun, good mileage(~57mpg, over 200 miles to the tank without reserve, that's another gallon left).Not that I'm biased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Fazer 600 fox-eye model. Very good lights, comfortable, flickable, fun, good mileage(~57mpg, over 200 miles to the tank without reserve, that's another gallon left).Not that I'm biased Plus 1, cheap to insure, cheap to run, still enough poke at the top end to have fun when needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw5876 Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 Thanks everyone.Personally I like the look of the Kawasaki Versys but am not sure on reliability etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Thanks everyone.Personally I like the look of the Kawasaki Versys but am not sure on reliability etc.? Ask [mention]Throttled[/mention] ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastbob Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Do the big four Japanese manufactures ever make an unreliable bike these days ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted February 4, 2019 Share Posted February 4, 2019 Panigale v4.Budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jw5876 Posted February 4, 2019 Author Share Posted February 4, 2019 Budget is £1500 - £2500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trcooke Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 My Transalp cost me £2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mississippi Bullfrog Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Budget is £1500 - £2500 Is that for the bike - or bike plus gear? Decent riding kit can set you back quite a lot.If you've got up to £2500 to spend on a bike then there's loads of low mileage used bikes out there which will make good commuters. When I was looking I based it on what I wanted included on the bike - for commuting purposes I wanted a top box, fly screen and centre stand (just makes maintenance simpler) so I looked mainly for anything with those already installed. You can add them later but they cost, whereas if they come fitted you don't really pay much extra for the bike with them included.Given the reliability of most Japanese bikes you might be better looking for accessories and comfort as your main concerns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Budget is £1500 - £2500 Is that for the bike - or bike plus gear? Decent riding kit can set you back quite a lot.If you've got up to £2500 to spend on a bike then there's loads of low mileage used bikes out there which will make good commuters. When I was looking I based it on what I wanted included on the bike - for commuting purposes I wanted a top box, fly screen and centre stand (just makes maintenance simpler) so I looked mainly for anything with those already installed. You can add them later but they cost, whereas if they come fitted you don't really pay much extra for the bike with them included.Given the reliability of most Japanese bikes you might be better looking for accessories and comfort as your main concerns. The op says second bike so I'm assuming he has gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Throttled Posted February 5, 2019 Share Posted February 5, 2019 Thanks everyone.Personally I like the look of the Kawasaki Versys but am not sure on reliability etc.? My Versys 650 was fine. Bough new and run to over 20k without much happening. The main issue was water got into the coils and they split and corroded. It always ran fine. The Versys 1000 has been fine as well, bought with 20k and now with 24k. The only issue was that the running light came out of its mount and the hot bulb melted a bit of the headlight casing. I replaced it with an LED. Both bikes have good forums and you will see there is not much about reliability issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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