What Motorbike?

[SteVRs]

As per the title really... Just in the process of doing CBT & direct access test with a view to doing my commute in a bit less time (certainly in the fine weather, though possibly into winter). I've had a few insurance quotes and a reasonably nippy 600 isn't going to be expensive to insure (Bandit 600 & CBR600F both weigh in around £100).

The problem is I know absolutely NOTHING about bikes! I've read up about shaft drive, chain drive, tourers, sports bikes, sprockets, chains, Scott Oilers etc but I'm by no means an expert...

I can cover off most of the knowledge gaps myself, but I need to know what bikes are reliable (I do fairly high mileage) and relatively economical if ridden sensibly. I'll be doing 120 mile round trips so it's got to be comfortable & more of a tourer than an out-and-out sports bike - this ties in to the economy too.

So, any recommendations? Budget for this one is about £1500 as I'm sure to drop it and bash it around a bit.

Requirements in short:

Reliable
Comfortable
Quickish
Economical (when not using the quickish bit!)
Capable in all weathers (with a fairing to protect me too!)
I'd like it to be fun too!

Any suggestions?

Cheers chaps

[jedi]

push the boat out ...yzfr6.....the dogs

[SteVRs]

Originally Posted by jedi

push the boat out ...yzfr6.....the dogs

Performance isn't everything here... I'll be on it for up to 3 hours a day!

[UncleRic]

My sister got a CBR600f when she passed her test. Loves it to pieces, very impressed with the power, comfort etc but she did have to alter the seat height. Its proved very reliable so far.

Now, I'm not saying its a girls bike but...

[Dr Zoidberg]

Try a yamaha thundercat.

Faired , but more of a sports tourer than a flat out racer like the R6.

I've had one in the past and it was very comfy on long rides , decent enough economy and still bloody quick when you give it the beans.

YAMAHA YZF600R THUNDERCAT with years MOT & TAX on eBay, also, Yamaha, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 21-May-08 09:42:56 BST)

is an example of what you might get for your money

[peter0976]

For that sort of daily mileage and money how about something like a Honda Deauville, they're supposed to be bullet proof:

Honda Deauville Review in Tourers at Review Centre

If they are too dull, how about a Suzuki SV650S, Hornet 600, Fazer 600, GSXF600 or for something more sport focused how about a Kawasaki ZX6R or CBR600F. The GSXR600 and R6 and not as comfy as the two 600's mentioned above. The CBR600F and the ZX6R G1, G2, J1 and J2 models are probably the most touringish sport 600s.

I previously owned a ZX6R J1 for 4 years and that bike never let me down once, I rode it as Kawasaki intended it, i.e. used all 14,000rpm, did track days on it, toured Scotland on it. The guy I sold it to has just been to the ring and back on it and he never had any problems either.

[Lance]

Any of the Jap four would be reliable, with Honda likely to be top of the pile.

If you are going to be doing lots of miles, the shaftdrive would be ideal, however there is a very limited selection of such bikes in the 600cc or so range that come with shaft drive.

Personally I reckon something like the deauville or a Transalp would fit the bill. Sadly they're not the most exciting bikes, but are more ideal for your purposes.

Trust me on this, if you are spending most of your biking time commuting, then find something that suits that. Things like R6's, GSXR's will drive you mad after a short while.

[beeftech]

Yamaha Fazer 600 is an absolute Hoot of a bike! Better than a bandit!

[vrswhite]

Originally Posted by SteVRs

As per the title really... Just in the process of doing CBT & direct access test with a view to doing my commute in a bit less time (certainly in the fine weather, though possibly into winter). I've had a few insurance quotes and a reasonably nippy 600 isn't going to be expensive to insure (Bandit 600 & CBR600F both weigh in around £100).

The problem is I know absolutely NOTHING about bikes! I've read up about shaft drive, chain drive, tourers, sports bikes, sprockets, chains, Scott Oilers etc but I'm by no means an expert...

I can cover off most of the knowledge gaps myself, but I need to know what bikes are reliable (I do fairly high mileage) and relatively economical if ridden sensibly. I'll be doing 120 mile round trips so it's got to be comfortable & more of a tourer than an out-and-out sports bike - this ties in to the economy too.

So, any recommendations? Budget for this one is about £1500 as I'm sure to drop it and bash it around a bit.

Requirements in short:

Reliable
Comfortable
Quickish
Economical (when not using the quickish bit!)
Capable in all weathers (with a fairing to protect me too!)
I'd like it to be fun too!

Any suggestions?

Cheers chaps

deffo a CBR600 on say an R-REG.

It meets all those requirments, the only bike i could go to the other end of england on and beat so called much tricker bikes (upside down forks etc) on the bends!

Just needs a bigger screen (one of those bubble ones forget the name) and you've got a right do all things well weapon

[Lance]

Originally Posted by vrswhite

the only bike i could go to the other end of england on and beat so called much tricker bikes (upside down forks etc) on the bends!

Just needs a bigger screen (one of those bubble ones forget the name) and you've got a right do all things well weapon

A well ridden 'trick' bike as you put it, will always beat a well ridden basic bike. Agree though that a CBR600 is a very capable bike.

If your beating say, a current R1 on an old CBR6, then it's clearly down to the lack of ability on the R1's rider.

Double bubble is the screen name you are looking for.

[rigsby]

Originally Posted by beeftech

Yamaha Fazer 600 is an absolute Hoot of a bike! Better than a bandit!

Ill second that , i know a few who have had these bullit proof bikes, and both are cheep to repair when you fall off

[SteVRs]

Originally Posted by Lance

If your beating say, a current R1 on an old CBR6, then it's clearly down to the lack of ability on the R1's rider.

I'll not be beating anything for a while with my riding ability!!