Cheap commuter

Looks like I might be commuting to Telford for the next couple of months
(from Nottingham). Given this is a bit crap in the car even going
A50/A38/M54 I've been trawling the classifieds for a cheap commuter.
Bike must come with some luggage capable of carrying a laptop and a
change of clothes, my hunt for a laptop carrying tank bag hasn't been
very successful, all the options I've found need a fitting kit and in
this price range it's better to buy a bike with luggage.

So which bike? Must be comfy, reliable and as low mileage as possible,
not bothered about speed too much. At the expensive end there seem to be
Varadero and V-Strom, getting cheaper there are TDMs and under a grand
you can pick up 600 Divvys[1]. Have I missed anything? If I could get a
600 Divvy in decent condition with under 25k for about 1-1.5k I'd be
happy.

I've found very few Bandits, ERs and SVs with luggage fitted, so given
up on those. I quite like the look of some of the newer BMWs but
they're too expensive and the older ones are fugly.

I'd spend more but I've decided I'm also going to get a RGV vj22 in blue
if I can ever find one.



[1] This would be ideal if it were a bit nearer
http://tinyurl.com/36kfon5

 

Gixxer thou.

404

 

Any sportsbike, a spare pillion pad to mount a topbox plate onto, and
a 46 litre topbox.

YKIMS.

 

Hmm, so it is, that worked 5 minutes ago. Here's a similar one.

http://www.wiganyamaha.co.uk/used_bike_detail.php?AdvertID=4528

 

I can't be the only person that doesn't want to spend 140 miles a day 5
days a week commuting on a sportsbike? Plus, the divvy is a lot
cheaper, try and find s sportsbike with luggage thrown in for a start.

 

As you've mentioned the ER5..... The KLE500 has a rack fitted as standard
and I've bolted a Givi top plate to mine to take a 52 litre box. The bike
does 60 to 65 mpg, wears cheapish Distanzia tyres (£81 a pair) and can keep
up at motorway speeds. The plastic in front of you keeps some of the weather
off and the high riding position is useful when threading between cars. Mine
is a 2005 and the original seat is not comfortable - too soft. I sourced a
cheap (split) seat from a 1990s model, added a layer of high density camping
mat foam and had it covered with some vinyl stuff farmers get put on their
quad seats - total cost was £60. It's not gone wrong in 22k miles and is
probably worth £1000 at best. Shops seem to be asking quite a lot more but
they are selling low mileage ones. They have noisy engines from new so don't
be put off when you hear one start up - it all smooths out when cruising at
6k rpm.

John

 

Come mid-June I can do you a fully kitted Bandit 12 GT for £5500.

I'll be working in Scotland until November, and then likely use a
cheap car over the winter. So it'll be sat gathering dust in the
garage for a year.

 

I was thiking it's just a decent excuse to buy a sports bike again,
rather than being practical. I'd not even try and find one with
luggage already on it.

You're getting too sensible in your old age.

 

Deauville.

OTOH, I might be persuaded to part with my very nice GS500K2.
03 plate, T&T december, only 4000 miles, plenty fast enough and very
economical on fuel. Comes with throwovers, tank bag, minifairing and
some S/H engine bars (not fitted yet).

For a daily commute you really need to consider fuel consumption
and tank range which probably rules out most sports bikes.

 

Does it come with a paper bag to put over yer head so no **** can see you
riding it?

--


Nige,

Land Rover 90
Yamaha R1
Range Rover Vogue

 

superscoot like the TMax often has a huge topbox - same engine as
GPZ500/ER5

 

easy mistake, getting eatmorepies' zoom lolly & the TMax mixed up

 

Have you considered a little Honda?

 

Heh.

Not too bothered about petrol, gets paid for anyway.

 

Interesting suggestion, I think you're under pricing yours though.
Dealers are advertising at around 2k or just under for 05/55 with 20kish
on the clock. It seems better value than similarly priced Divvys and
the fact it comes with a rack is a definite bonus.

This isn't too far away from me... ebay: 230469453869

I don't really get how the Givi stuff works with a pre-fitted rack, is
there an adapter kit you need? What fits the factory fitted rack?

 

C90?


no.

 

I was thinking about your Bandit as I typed, but it's way out of budget.

 

CG125 <MSOHP>

 

Kawa H1 then.

 

Compared to some of the crap recently seen in your stable that sounds
like a serious case of pot-kettle-black.