what is the cheapest and most reliable commuter bike?

[JohnnyV]

Bhavesh as you may recall, I bought my Ninja250 for $1k with 6k miles on it. Crashed it twice, did a couple oil changes and a valve adjustment while I owned it and sold it 2 years later with 21k miles on it for $1200. Parts are cheap, great gas mileage, did ok on the highway, and maintenance is a breeze. I would buy another one in a haertbeat for a nice commuter.

[TheIglu]

Those people that went around the world on them multiple times must have figured it out at some point.

[Ryno]

Can't go wrong with the old Honda Nighthawk if you find one.
They run forever
Older Suzuki GS bikes also a good bet

[Damnut]

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

And why would that be? Have you owned one?

[whynot]

... and older KZs for that matter would do the job very well, check around for KZ550, KZ650, KZ700, KZ750, with KZ650 maybe being your best bet.

As part of your research, you could check out some other forums, for example

http://forums.kz650.info/index.php

[tonyd]

should be able to find a late 90's Suzuki Bandit 600 for around $1500.

[Doc]

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

Coffee table perhaps?


Even Eric didn't like them

[Damnut]

Even Eric didn't like them

Who's Eric?

[whynot]

He meant Erik.

[TheIglu]

I'll trust the company who made them.

If I see a company voluntarily crush all remaining bikes of a certain model, I really don't think that is a bike I'd want to own.

[Kurlon]

I'll trust the company who made them.

If I see a company voluntarily crush all remaining bikes of a certain model, I really don't think that is a bike I'd want to own.

Other than a few for publicity shots I don't think they crushed any Blasts. Last I knew they got HD badges and are sold to riding schools. Mr Boos to the info desk, Mr Boos to the info desk, we have a question for you!

[Damnut]

I'll trust the company who made them.

If I see a company voluntarily crush all remaining bikes of a certain model, I really don't think that is a bike I'd want to own.

It was an ad gimmick. Buell still went on to make the Blast after they made that commercial. They were just debadged as Buells and used in the Rider's Edge progam as they have been for the last 10 years or so. I find it funny that you actually think they crushed the remaining bikes.

Nothing wrong with a Blast, great beginner/commuter/around town bike. The only reason I'm selling it is the wife doesn't ride it and I'm putting mine back into street clothes so it won't be getting ridden much, if at all.

If anyone's interested let me know. it's an 03 with 3.6K for 2K.

[whynot]

Another source of info is the Blast thread on the Buell forum:

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buel...tml?1305914386

[Doc]

Who's Eric?

Umm... Eric Buell.

[Doc]

Other than a few for publicity shots I don't think they crushed any Blasts. Last I knew they got HD badges and are sold to riding schools. Mr Boos to the info desk, Mr Boos to the info desk, we have a question for you!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buell_Blast

"For 2010, a limited run of crushed Blast cubes was offered for sale upon request. They were available in Battle Blue, Midnight Black, and Sunfire Yellow, and were individually signed and numbered by Erik Buell"

[FireboltEric_MA]

I'm FireboltEric..... I think you mean EriK....

[Damnut]

Umm... Eric Buell.

It's Erik Buell.

[gregp]

While I have not owned a Blast, I have spent some "quality time" with a few. IMO, and in most other folks O, the Ninja 500 is a much better machine. The Blast had some strange issues, such as the carburetor *falling off*. The motors were not powerful at all, even with the optional "race" pipe. The shift quality was horrible, and the overall quality of the machine was poor. Attempting to maintain highway speeds with one, is pretty much out of the question.
There are still plenty of them out there. Their best feature was the inexpensive, easily replaceable body work that was actually designed for low speed tip overs.
They did not receive much praise at all, from anybody who reviewed one. In short, they were Dog's, who's only redeeming trait was that they were OK learning tools (mostly because of that bodywork thing, and a relatively low seat height).
As mentioned, they are out there, but you will probably spend as much or more for one, than for a Ninja 250, which has stood the test of time.

[MaRce1o]

I paid $1200 for my 2000 SV650 a couple of years ago

[DocCola]

01 ZX-6R? Comfy and runs like a top. Sure, it's ugly but hey, it works. haha.

I wish but probably better I keep it so I can have something to ride when I come home.

[Damnut]

Well as a Blast owner for the last 3 years I can say your wrong. Carb falling off? Keep your boot tight. Not maintaining hghway speeds? I had no problem riding mine to NYC.

I know one thing, you have no idea what you're talking about.

[zombie]

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.

Utter bollox
I used one as a courier in Dublin and put over 70k on and sold it to my mate with over 100k on it and he stuck a side car on it and it's still running with close to 175thousand on it.
Dead nuts reliable and a piece of piss to work on, never let me down.
Really cheap too if you can find one

[Chippertheripper]

I can attest to Jim riding a blast to NYC and Hudson valley on 2 separate occasions. Overall, I think, the ex500 trumps the blast in just about everything. I can not speak to the 250.

[TheIglu]

Well as a Blast owner for the last 3 years I can say your wrong. Carb falling off? Keep your boot tight. Not maintaining hghway speeds? I had no problem riding mine to NYC.

I know one thing, you have no idea what you're talking about.

Seems like most legit reviews of them seem to not know what they were talking about either.

[RandyO]

Yamaha 250cc City Scooter

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

I was thinking 250cc scooter as well, 80mpg, they can go highway speed, plenty of storage, and better weather protection than a regular bike

but I was thinking more on the lines of a Honda Helix