Hi guys. I am perhaps moving house soon and looking at upping my work commute to roughly 300km a week, 60km daily return trip. Probably the majority of that will be at freeway speeds. I'd estimate 12km per year for a couple of years at least. I'd love to hear some opinions about possible bikes for such a commute. Currently own a Kawa Z300 but am figuring that some extra HP may be the go for such mileage and being on the freeway for much of this. Any suggestions on bikes from the crew would be appreciated. I'd like something that will deal with these kilometers well and still be able to have a weekend in the twisties too. I had been considering a Triumph Daytona 675R, but am also wondering whether an adventure style bike may be better? Maybe a Susuki GSX-R 750? Happy to hear any and all thoughts and opinions on this one.
Hey Dave I commute to work 2 out the 5 days and I would strongly recommend you test ride the larger sports bikes before committing to one as a commuter, I am finding my 05 GSXR750 to be quite demanding on the hips and wrist so I am considering offloading the Gixxer for a Yamaha XSR900 or a Honda VFR800. Both of these bikes have a much more upright riding position while keeping some of the ponies, these along with the Z750 Kwakka would make great commuters. Book out a Saturday morning and take a few for a ride and see what tickles your fancy. In saying that, I believe my work circumstances are changing in the not to distant future, so maybe I will keep the Gixxer Chris
Depends on the commute. I did Sydney peak hour traffic for the better part of 2 years on the Ninja 250R and FZR250R. Mostly bumper to bumper and filtering wherever possible, it was still faster and cheaper than catching public transport after the initial outlay for the bike. Bigger super sports bikes are not ideal commuters because they are are wider, have a larger turning circle and the ergonomics can make traffic difficult. Kiffsta, I would mod the bike to suit you and see how it goes before offloading it. You could put lowering links on the rear to reduce pressure on hips and wrists. You could raise the bars. Modify the seat so you sit lower and more "in" the bike instead of on top of it. Suspension set up is a big one... I find that I prefer softer/lower than standard on the rear and standard preload on the front. My R6 had been lowered at the rear because the previous owner was a shortarse and had carpal tunnel syndrome. And even then I had to have it on the lowest rear preload setting (I'm ~60KG on an 85KG spring) on standard damping and rebound to get it comfortable. I setup the front on standard preload with stiffer rebound and softer damping. It was perfect, I could ride it hard, hang off the bike no problems and the suspension soaked up all the bumps on our "series of patched pot holes" NSW raods, and really inspired confidence. It definitely makes you a better rider when you are comfortable and the suspension isn't upsetting your line. My gixxer was setup completely wrong for me... I am still tweaking it. I will definitely need to overhaul the seat. The foam is too stiff and makes me sit too high even with the front & rear suspension adjusted + correct profile tyres. Comfort is king, make the bike fit you, not the other way around
Thanks Chris!! Appreciate your thoughts. Some great advice here. I might even have to go down the path of convincing the better half that I , "..need more than one bike!"
Thanks Linkin!! You're right, the current z300 is a scalpel for filtering and I hadn't thought of the turning circle. Appreciate your thoughts.
For traffic and highway I'd suggest one of the new crop of nakeds - the upright position will be better in traffic and you can see the car dicks and they can see you. Also they are thing enough to get between the cars without clipping the mirrors. I'd suggest one of the Yamaha MT bikes with the size depending on how much go you want. You'll get sick of a sports bike in traffic pretty quick. And a naked is just as much fun on the weekends as it's faired brethren. Get this weeks AMCN as it has a big super naked comparison test.
Having owned a Z750 in the past I'll vouch for them yet for highways I'd get something fully faired with an upright seating position whilst still looking the goods. I'd look in the sports tourer market, the suzuki GSX650F is a big winner in my books.
Hi there I own a current model VFR 800 and love it perfect all rounder eats miles up all day or can do weekend trips through the hills without breaking out a sweat Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Great bikes gotta love when vtec cuts in waiting on my exhaust to arrive Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Love the VFR800, the ride is excellent. Thought seriously about this bike when I sold my CBR1100XX, didn't happen
Only gripes are I hate the ugly huge muffler hanging off one side the previous model had under seat and storage options eg saddle bags etc are bloody expensive Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Highly recommend a naked for commutes - but try to get one with a windscreen if possible. The upright rising position will give you a good view through the traffic and easier filtering.
So your daily commute will be 30Km each way (about 1/2 hour). You need something cheap to run (tyres, fuel, chains, etc), cheap to insure, is light to handle and manouverable, comfortable at 100Km/h with enough 'GO' to keep up with the tin tops. So, I suggest a Kawasaki 300 (Oh, you have one of them already ) or an adventure bike, (prefer shaft drive for lower maintaince) as these will get you sitting higher and be able to 'read' the traffic in front better.
I ride my 2014 KLR650 into the Adelaide CBD everyday to drop the missus off at work, then back to my work for the day. She catches the train to my work then back on the KLR to get home(60km round trip). 30kms of the trip is 100km/hr expressway, the rest is heavy traffic. The KLR is good in traffic as i can see over most cars, went up a cog on the front to drop revs @ 100, still plenty of torque from the old tractor donk off the lights. I also have a 52L topbox on the back for all the ebay parcels sent to work/wet weather gear etc. The missus has mentioned her leg gets a bit warm in traffic when the thermo cuts in but nothing unbearable (filtering illegal in SA) Obviously its more fun/comfier when its too wet/too hot for her liking to pillion! Im only 25 but i prefer the KLR for the commute instead of the GPZ, CBR or XJ900. I have a GS1100GK for highway kms Definitely have a look at the adv bike KLR/Versys, Tenere,V Strom etc or even a Bandit(fuel $?)
+1 Personally if I was buying specifically to commute on I would only get a full faired bike, wouldnt even even consider something without a windscreen. My buddy on the other hand couldn't care less and the only time I ever heard him talk of fairing was for his ride across the Nullabor.
