what is the cheapest and most reliable commuter bike?

[breakdirt916]

Style and performance do not matter; function pwns form.

It needs to be cheap to buy, cheap to own, reliable, and can do highway speeds. Should buy once and last at least 6-8 months doing 60-70 miles/day commute, some highway, some traffic, and weekend commute of 100 miles round trip + errands.

EX250? EX500? SV650? XR650L?

$1,500 ish ??

[nt650hawk]

RC31 = nt650

[e30addict]

EX250

Cheap to buy, insure, maintain and operate. Will easily do highway speeds and is still stupid fun. They're in that price and will still sell for it years later.

If I had a long commute I'd buy another one in a heartbeat as a second bike.

[KawiSmurf]

KLX250SF

or

EX250

[Puppet]

i'd stay away from the single cylinder bikes (XR, etc) if you're going to be doing a lot of highway. It's not that they won't do it...you'll just beat yourself up a bit more.

Any of the others listed should run day in/day out no problem with just basic maintenance (oil, tires, brake pads, chain/sprockets). For 1500 it may not look pretty, but even with high mileage, they should run for about forever with proper basic maintenance.

[TheIglu]

KLR650.

[Honclfibr]

I'd buy an EX500 over an EX250. I hate working on the 250, it is made really crappy.

[DucDave]

Yamaha 250cc City Scooter

(Not being funny either....250 will get you there, great storage....)

[whynot]

KLR 650. Check around for great deals on new leftovers.

[drowe531]

I may potentially have a 250 in that price range for sale soon.

[scottfromboston]

Having shopped and worked on both, I'd go with the 500 as a better and cheaper all-around machine.

[Kurlon]

I like the GS500E, dead simple to work on. Only maint area the EX beats it on is valve adjustments. GS is shim over bucket, EX is screw and lock nut tappet adjusters. No problems on the highway. Cheap, plentiful and bullet proof.

I don't think you could go wrong with either.

[gregp]

The EX250, and 500 are great bikes for this purpose. I owned a 500, but now own a 250. No complaints with either of them. I hear that the GS500 is nice as well, but I have not owned one.
It is kind of tough to find a nice EX500 under $1500, but you can find very nice 250's fairly easily for that....
For the distances you are going, I would probably try to contribute a little bit more money and look for a nice EX500. Do some research, because there were some significant upgrades around...1998? (wheel sizes, maybe fork diameter?)

[csmutty]

Ex500 or gs500.

[eboos]

KLR 650. Check around for great deals on new leftovers.

I've been considering one for a commuter as well, but I can't seem to find any listed for a reasonably cheap price.

[Chippertheripper]

I've been considering one for a commuter as well, but I can't seem to find any listed for a reasonably cheap price.

advrider.

[schleppy]

Having owned a DR650 that was converted for street use, I can tell you it's not a joy on the highway. Singles and the highway don't make for a good pair.

As everyone else said, Ninja 250 or 500 and go. Can't beat those bikes.

[Damnut]

I have an 03 Buell Blast with 3.6K that I'm selling, gets 60 or so MPG. PM me if interested.

[lopycam]

huffy







sorry.

[ed]

+1 on the gs500.

Not that I have a whole lot to compare to.. but only adjusting 4 valves is nice, and it can't leak coolant!

[Doc]

Just bought a sweet Hawk for $1700. They can be found!

(It wasn't for me it was for a new Hawker)

[duganc1717]

My vote is for the SV650, fun bike.

Also you might look for a well used VFR 750, there were a few floating around on CL this summer under $2K...

[TheIglu]

Virtually no bikes you should really stay away from. Any low buck decent condition bike with proper maintenance will do you well. Could go early 80's UJM and be happy.

Stick to the big J-4 and it's hard to find a lemon. I'd go for a Honda CX500, CB750 Nighthawk, KLR650, EX500 if you wanted sporty, etc

I couldn't recommend a Buell Blast for much of anything.

[Stromper]

Old Burgman 400 if you can find one

Old drz 650 or klr

[Kurlon]

I'd actually suggest avoid the CX's only because they have alternator and water pump issues, and repairing them is a PITA that involves opening the cases.