newbie commuter bike suggestions

[viffer57]

I am trying to help my brother pick a "commuter" bike. He has never ridden a motorcycle before and wants it basically for roughly 10 mile commute back and forth to work. He tells me his wife will never get on it. Also, he will probably need
some some luggage capability. Will consider new or used. Any suggestions??

[KillBill]

If it's just around town this would be perfect

http://www.nestreetriders.com/classi...6&limit=recent

[viffer57]

NCE BIKE!
I just forwarded this info to my bro. we'll see what happens.

[KillBill]

What kind of bike are you currently riding?

[viffer57]

I currently ride a 1999 vfr800 which I love. Still getting used to the power. Much different than the gs400 I had when I was twenty. Wife finally relented after 25 years and I bought used off Craigslist. Had to replace front tire but otherwise bike is in great shape.

[Josephd14]

A new ZX-14 would cut his 15 minute or so commute down to under 5 minutes..

[KillBill]

just saw this one too

1999 Suzuki SV 650s

[viffer57]

I already mentioned the 650/650s as a possibility. I looked at them myself before finding the vfr.

Any suggestions on where/where not to go that for test rides?

[jimaug87]

If he has never ridden a motorcycle before he should go thru the MSF course. I don't know anyone in their right mind that would let their bike up for a test ride to a rider that's completly inexperienced.

Both bikes mentioned above look like winners to me, the 650 would be a much nicer if it's a possibility. A 90's EX500 would be nice too.

[richw]

I have a Suzuki Burgman 650 the giant scooter

I love it for commuting
easy and convenience
locking storage
road grime and spray protection
real 47 to 54 mpg automatic systematic
drag sport 600 only 5 lengths behind up to 80
little safer because keg and foot not between bike and impact
will do 120

must be a secure person to get over dork factor however garners for interest then the gixer does so ehh on balance

[breakdirt916]

how about a generic sport tourer like a kawasaki concours?

[slaps76]

how about a generic sport tourer like a kawasaki concours?

As a first bike???

EX250 or 500....Suzuki GS500...

[jmh992003]

I would go with one of those new united motors (formeyly hyosung) you can get 500 brand new for around 4 or 5 I think

[ChikkenNoodul]

If he's commuting into Boston with no highway travel, something that can be stickered as a moped would be ideal since you can park on the sidewalk.

[markbvt]

Something like a Honda Nighthawk 250 would be a great commuter bike as well as long as no extended highway travel is required. Added benefit: great gas mileage.

--mark

[richw]

Hyosung good idea for Boston no one would steal it

[ChikkenNoodul]

Hyosung good idea for Boston no one would steal it

Anything old and rusty works for that, too.

[Cheese]

I am trying to help my brother pick a "commuter" bike. He has never ridden a motorcycle before and wants it basically for roughly 10 mile commute back and forth to work.

There's an a$$ in every thread. Today it's my turn. Why does he want a bike? You say a commuter bike like he's trying to save a couple bucks on gas. Motorcycles are not cheap modes of transportation. Insurance, maintenance, gear and possibly interest on a loan will easily overpower any gas mileage savings he's hoping for. If it's just some bull$hit he's giving his wife as an excuse to buy a bike, he'll do better to be honest, grow some stones and tell her he wants to get into riding.

K, now that I've said that, tell him to take the BRC course, buy an SV650S then take the ERC course. After than he can join us on some rides if he has a mentor riding with him.

[ChikkenNoodul]

Actually, they *can* be cheap, but you have to work at it and not be afraid of weather - and your situation comes heavily into play.

From a pure commuting perspective, you can pick up a solid early 80's UJM for around $1000 that doesn't need anything immediately. Insurance should be around $20-$30 a month. Depending on the size of the engine you could be getting 50-60mpg. If you shop around you can get good gear without spending a fortune.

Of course we didn't have two cars when I did it like that - so if this is in lieu of a car already in place, you'd be riding for a long time before the costs evened out like you say - but it did cost less a month than a bus pass - not to mention all the errands I was able to run using the bike instead of my wife's car saving even more money on gas.

[TheIglu]

You guys are all way off.

I haven't sat in my truck in nearly 2 weeks. KLR650 every day. Milk crate strapped to the back.

I paid $1100 for mine. It's a '93. Ugly as sin.

So far, total investments into the bike: rear tire, jet kit ($25), two rear tubes (my fault and nail), 1 clutch cable, 1 turn signal.

60+mpg with me driving like a Richard.

220+ miles per fillup without waiting for it to hit reserve. I've seen 250 with just hitting reserve.

Tires? $110 for the pair.

Does 85mph stock forever on the highway. Get a better front fender and it's fine as a high speed highway bike. I used it as such for a 70 mile each way commute for nearly 5 months.

I pay $54 a year insurance.

Pennzoil 10w40 for $7 per change plus $4 for the filter. I go 2500 miles. It doesn't complain.

Alternator has enough juice to run a Gerbings at 3/4 thermostat indefinitely. That should be worth around 30 degrees normal, 40-45 degrees highway.

Ego? Come on a spirited group ride with me some time. I'll show you what 36 hp and DOT knobbies can do in the "fast group" on Rt.100, 8A, 17, etc

[viffer57]

It's why we all like bikes! More in touch with the whole experience of commuting.
Agility,smells,sights,sounds.
It's inherently a risk-reward culture. Don't you think?

[benVFR]

That EX250 looks like a great deal. I mean geez... both of my bicycles cost more then that!

Motorcycles are only "not cheap" when you go buy a Supersport on a ridiculous loan that gets horrible gas mileage, burns tires in 2500 miles, and has way too much power to run efficiently at street speeds, and you have to pay someone else to do all your maintenance.

Actual intelligent commuter bikes are cheap, low maintenance, easy on tires, etc...

[Honclfibr]

You guys are all way off.

I haven't sat in my truck in nearly 2 weeks. KLR650 every day. Milk crate strapped to the back.

I paid $1100 for mine. It's a '93. Ugly as sin.

So far, total investments into the bike: rear tire, jet kit ($25), two rear tubes (my fault and nail), 1 clutch cable, 1 turn signal.

60+mpg with me driving like a Richard.

220+ miles per fillup without waiting for it to hit reserve. I've seen 250 with just hitting reserve.

Tires? $110 for the pair.

Does 85mph stock forever on the highway. Get a better front fender and it's fine as a high speed highway bike. I used it as such for a 70 mile each way commute for nearly 5 months.

I pay $54 a year insurance.

Pennzoil 10w40 for $7 per change plus $4 for the filter. I go 2500 miles. It doesn't complain.

Alternator has enough juice to run a Gerbings at 3/4 thermostat indefinitely. That should be worth around 30 degrees normal, 40-45 degrees highway.

Ego? Come on a spirited group ride with me some time. I'll show you what 36 hp and DOT knobbies can do in the "fast group" on Rt.100, 8A, 17, etc

Fuck, now I want a KLR.

I gotta get rid of this ugly pink 6R first tho.

Anybody wanna trade?

[TheIglu]

DO IT BIG D!!!!!

My next project on the KiLaR is to attach large waterproof ammo boxes where a set of saddlebags would normally go.

And Herculine the entire bike black.

[Puppet]

I loved my DRZ SM as a commuter. It's not great on the highway, but it's tolerable for short jaunts. On the back roads and in Boston,though, it couldn't be beat. It's light and easy to maneuver, easy to see over/past traffic and small enough to split in the city to get through the congestion. Put a rear rack with a tailbag and you've got luggage. Easy to bounce over curbs, stairs, etc for "ahem" improvised parking if necessary. And used ones are going for decent prices if you look around

oh yeah...and because it's light, it's easy to learn to ride, it's really easy on tires, maintenance is basic, and it doesn't cost much to fix if you happen to drop it