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Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

  1. #1
    Senior Member Crconnor18's Avatar
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    Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    The title is rather self explanatory. I’m relocating offices come February and a parking spot for my truck will be as rare as hens teeth. So what better than getting relatively cheap (Sub $3000 budget) bike.

    I’ll be commuting 20 miles from my house to the office with a route having parallel highway and backroad options.

    I’ve narrowed it down to two options for now. A grom/z125 or a dual sport similar to a DR350 or xr. I want something that is light and fun for around town. Supermoto and full sports are not an option after getting myself in too much trouble on both in my past.

    Does anyone have any input on commute on a grom or dual sport? I used to commute on a DRZ400SM but unsure how the dirt chassis would handle at higher speeds. Has anyone taken the grom on the highway? Just an exit or two max as they are rather maxed out over 60 I feel.

    Is there anything to look out for when buying either one? Is there any other bike that would fit the criteria I’m missing? All advice is greatly appreciated

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  2. #2
    Lifer Tekime's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Haven't ridden a Grom but it seems pretty small for highway riding.

    Love taking my DR350 around town. Does just fine on the highway. Not a lot to spare, and a bit squirmy with knobbies on, but enough to keep up. The DR shines under 50 and it light (relatively speaking), easy to toss around, constantly begging for wheelies, and kept me on two wheels well into December long after my street bike got stored.

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    05GSXR75005SV65090DR350

  3. #3
    Awesomeness, Inc. MattR302's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Where in CT are you? I have both a DR350 and a Grom in my garage. I use them both for my 13 mile (all backroads) commute.

    DR350 can do highway speeds pretty easily, 70-75, ok for short highway jaunts, and gets about 60mpg.
    My Grom tops out about 62 (indicated) on a long flat straight road, no way I’d take it on the highway. Gets ~100 mpg.

    (The DR is kinda for sale, but I have a pending trade offer for it I need to make a decision on)

    If you used to commute on a DRZSM, commuting on a DR350/KLX250/WR250 is basically the same thing. You can get maybe 97% as silly in the twisties on the 21/18’s as you can on the SM’s 17’s. Easier for curb-hopping hooliganism though.

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    Last edited by MattR302; 01-27-19 at 03:27 PM.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Crconnor18's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    I’ll be going between Pawcatuck to New London along the coast. I was siding more towards a DR360 so I can try out Pachaug for some single track action on my days off.

    The 400 was basically bullet proof so you can inky imagine the 350 to be just as rugged and reliable. Are there any dual sport forums For New England where I can broaden my search for a titled bike?

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  5. #5
    Backwoods lobster boy number9's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Aprilia SXV550?

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  6. #6
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Quote Originally Posted by number9 View Post
    Aprilia SXV550?
    He's looking for it to make the whole 20 miles in one trip..

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    Last edited by csmutty; 01-27-19 at 05:17 PM.
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  7. #7
    Backwoods lobster boy number9's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Quote Originally Posted by csmutty View Post
    He's looking for it to make the whole 20 likes in one trip..
    Ohhh

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  8. #8
    Lifer backinthesaddle's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    390 duke?

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  9. #9
    Awesomeness, Inc. MattR302's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Quote Originally Posted by Crconnor18 View Post
    I was siding more towards a DR360 so I can try out Pachaug for some single track action on my days off.
    $2200 gets you a 98 DR350 with just under 10k, a second set of dirt wheels for Pachaug, and free delivery next weekend.
    98 DR350SE, street and dirt wheels

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    Last edited by MattR302; 01-27-19 at 06:12 PM.

  10. #10
    Lifer
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    I was going to suggest a DR650 but they are a little too big for a single track ride. They can do highway speed relatively easily

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  11. #11

    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Haha Busa

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  12. #12

    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    I don’t Understand how the DRZ is eliminated for being unstable at highway speeds but the grom is a top choice

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  13. #13
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    SV would be everything, AND be a fun track day bike, AND would be cheap, AND would get great gas mileage, AND is fun on backroads, AND is way better for highway than the other options listed.

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  14. #14
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Quote Originally Posted by TheIglu View Post
    SV would be everything, AND be a fun track day bike, AND would be cheap, AND would get great gas mileage, AND is fun on backroads, AND is way better for highway than the other options listed.
    Did you miss the whole trail part?

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  15. #15
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Figured a track capable bike would be a good trade off for not being trail friendly.

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  16. #16
    Senior Member Crconnor18's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    I already have a street titled 2nd Gen for LRRS this season so if I was adamant on street riding That I could swap the lights and put the spare q3’s back on. With Pachaug so close I’m going to be sending you a PM Matt on that DR.

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  17. #17
    Changes come butcher bergs's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Quote Originally Posted by csmutty View Post
    Did you miss the whole trail part?


    I don't see the issue here...






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  18. #18
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Quote Originally Posted by TheIglu View Post
    Figured a track capable bike would be a good trade off for not being trail friendly.
    He has one...

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  19. #19
    Super Moderator TheIglu's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Hey, I never said I read good! Though reading the OP, he doesn't mention needing trail capability. And a Grom is NOT a trail bike at all.

    DRZ400 for sure. Cheap, bulletproof, water cooled. Doesn't do anything in particular great, but does everything fine.

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    Last edited by TheIglu; 01-28-19 at 01:05 PM.
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  20. #20
    is not wearing pants Point37's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    tw200 or vanvan?

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  21. #21

    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    How about a benelli tnt 135? They look fun, slightly better on the highway than the 125s

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  22. #22
    Lifer backinthesaddle's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    BMW 310GS? Oops not under $3K

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    Last edited by backinthesaddle; 01-29-19 at 06:33 PM.

  23. #23
    no can kneedown feralchimp's Avatar
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    The sub-$3k price point is the limiting factor here, I think. If you can find a CRF250L in that price range it'd be worth looking at. Down on power but EFI and smooth as hell.

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  24. #24
    Lifer
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    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    Quote Originally Posted by feralchimp View Post
    The sub-$3k price point is the limiting factor here, I think. If you can find a CRF250L in that price range it'd be worth looking at. Down on power but EFI and smooth as hell.
    Agreed. My CRF250L with exhaust and map can get to 80mph and cruise fine at 70mph.

    2015 crf 250L - Sports & Outdoors - Sandwich, Massachusetts - Marketplace | Facebook - here is a $3k specimen

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  25. #25

    Re: Options for a 20 mile fun commuter

    And uh, are you expecting to commute 20 miles in this week’s weather?

    Get a heater built around a corolla with snow tires

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