what is the cheapest and most reliable commuter bike?

[feralchimp]

Suzuki DL650

[duganc1717]

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/mcy/2395565678.html

[Damnut]

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

Are you trying to tell me you're a legit review of the Blast? Hey can you give me a legit review of the MV-Augusta F4CC? I'd love to know what you think of it.

The only legit review in this thread is from me, someone that actually owns one and has for a few years. I can guarantee you that I can find shitty reviews for ALL the bikes people have listed here as good commuter bikes. Are you trying to tell me that the other bikes listed here are problem free?

All I know is that the OP is looking for a good commuter bike. I just said I had a Blast and it's a good commuter bike. How do I know? Cause I actually fucking OWN it and have actually commuted with it. Now you two "legit" reviewers are trying to say my Blast is something entirely different and neither one of you have actually owned one.

[Damnut]

Oh yeah and let me know when you two are tying to sell a bike so I can shit on your sale.

[duganc1717]

Oh yeah and let me know when you two are tying to sell a bike so I can shit on your sale.

This isn't a for sale ad....

So maybe you can stop cluttering up the OP thread about the belast.

[Doc]

Oh yeah and let me know when you two are tying to sell a bike so I can shit on your sale.

Is this a for sale thread? Nope.

It is a cheap and reliable thread? Yep. Is the Blast cheap? Sure. Is it reliable? ehhh?

[Damnut]

No it isn't a for sale thread but I said I had one for sale in this thread.......... so essentially I am trying to sell something here. I am saying is MY bike is a good RELIABLE COMMUTER bike if someone is looking for one, which I think the OP was looking for. Bunch of fuckin Einsteins in this place.

[TheIglu]

Read any of the big motorcycle mag reviews on one. THOSE were the reviews I was talking about.

HEY, BUY MY BLAST. HEY, BUY MY BLAST. HEY, BUY MY BLAST.

If it was that fucking good, you'd be keeping it.

[TheIglu]

BTW, you may as well as link up an ad, tell everyone here who offered an opinion to the OP with NOTHING TO GAIN BY IT that they are assholes and then continue to tell people with first hand experience that differs from yours that they are wrong.

[Rossco]

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

Can you darkside one of those?

[Chippertheripper]

With a golfcart tire?!

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

I know a Guy with a Buell blast He is looking to sell PM ME

[RandyO]

Can you darkside one of those?

wouldn't need to, cause studded winter tires are available for scooter tires

[Kat_man]

Any low buck decent condition bike with proper maintenance will do you well. Could go early 80's UJM and be happy.

That's what I was going to say. There's a ton of 80s vintage bikes out there that'll fit your needs perfectly, cheap too.

[smokinjoe]

For sure an EX500. (its possible that I am biased) Its almost not worth doing the 250 since you can get a 500 just as cheap and it at least has motorcycle power (not scooter power). You can ride a passenger, add luggage, and they are easy to fix. Not that you'll need to.

[nhbubba]

I found this thread looking for something else...

You guys would do long commutes on an EX500? Really? For realz?

Seems a little underpowered and light for such duty to me.

Set me straight here.

[csmutty]

I found this thread looking for something else...

You guys would do long commutes on an EX500? Really? For realz?

Seems a little underpowered and light for such duty to me.

Set me straight here.

The EX500 has plenty of power. It is faster than at least 98% of cars on the road, so I highly doubt that it is underpowered. And the only time weight matters is on the highway passing tractor trailers. Otherwise, the lighter the better.

[nhbubba]

No kidding.

Wiki says 59.1 HP @ 9500 rpm - 30.86 ftlbs @ 8000 rpm - 409 lb-437 lb wet
This about right?

How's the aftermarket? Can you put small hard bags on one? Fiddle with suspension upgrades, carp like that?

Seems like a real grin maker.
You guys run these at NHMS alot, right?

Edit: Interesting stuff

[csmutty]

No kidding.

Wiki says 59.1 HP @ 9500 rpm - 30.86 ftlbs @ 8000 rpm - 409 lb-437 lb wet
This about right?

How's the aftermarket? Can you put small hard bags on one? Fiddle with suspension upgrades, carp like that?

Seems like a real grin maker.
You guys run these at NHMS alot, right?

Edit: Interesting stuff

Sounds about right. I upgraded the rear shock in mine and went with stiffer springs in the front, as well as a stainless steel front brake line. Those are the only mods to the bike.

And yes, they are tons of fun on the track.

[Sheppo]

Sounds about right. I upgraded the rear shock in mine and went with stiffer springs in the front, as well as a stainless steel front brake line. Those are the only mods to the bike.

And yes, they are tons of fun on the track.

and I weigh 240 and have nothing but a blast riding them and they do haul my fat arse all day long comfortably

[gregp]

I found this thread looking for something else...

You guys would do long commutes on an EX500? Really? For realz?

Seems a little underpowered and light for such duty to me.

Set me straight here.

Yes. Absolutely. The EX500 is a great bike that is quite capable. If a person has a limited budget, is not mechanically inclined or does not want to spend a lot of time tinkering, and is looking for a good "Street" bike, the EX500 is one of the best, IMO. Expendables (tires, batteries, brake pads) are inexpensive, easy to find, and last quite a while (in comparison to more highly strung machines). They handle reasonably well. The body work offers decent weather protection. *It is very comfortable*, and it can easily keep pace on any public road in America. Allegedly, the motor is basically a ZX-10 with 2 cylinders lopped off - the entire bottom end (clutch and transmission) are built to withstand much more power than the 500cc motor delivers. This is a good, no, *Great* thing.
Another thing I discovered while I owned one is that their motors are *not* easily improved upon - telling me that Kawasaki did quite a good job with it. Pipes, jet kits, and other mods do not seem to have a huge impact on power output. I am not saying that these motors can not be tweaked to get more power from them, just that it is not easy, nor cheap. They perform quite well in stock form.
I would not hesitate to buy another one if the right deal came along.
JMO.

[gregp]

Suzuki DL650

I also agree that the Suzuki DL and SV 650's are great bikes. The motors have received consistent praise since the original SV 650 introduction.
I have come across a couple that have had fried cranks (from wheelie induced oil starvation - a malady that is very uncommon in the EX series).
IMO, for years, Kawasaki had several models that locked up the market segments - the EX250, the EX500, the KDX200, and the KLR650. All of these models had very long production runs, with very few changes other than colors and graphics.
Suzuki is in a similar position with their SV/DL line, although they have seen more actual design/engineering progressions.