what bike to do it all????

Motorcycling
1

Hi Guys,

This is a random question and may lead to nothing. But the wife wants to move back to the midlands where both our families are. The virgin train is ok but I’d like to keep using the bike if possible.

The route would be M1 1hr/1.5hrs to A1 then into canary wharf.

So I need something that will do 75miles on the motorway and then be able to filter in traffic to get to canary wharf.

Reading reviews the Ducati Multistrada seems to be the all in one bike but is it??

Also needs to be comfy as it’ll be 2hrs in the saddle each way…

thanks in advance for such a what if situation.

kulj

2

Triumph Explorer? Yamaha FJR?

I would probably go for a shaft drive for that sort of usage…

3

VFR

4

Yes, the default choice. Does everthing. I think it was SuperBike magazines “all things to all men” bike or something along those lines.

5

get yourself a bandit. :slight_smile:

6

2008 Fazer FZ1

And I’ve got an immaculate low mileage one for sale :slight_smile:

7

My b/f has just bought a new Multistrada and he says it is the best bike by far that he has ever owned (been riding 20 years). Had an R1200 GSA before, says this is MUCH more comfy, much more flexible (has sports, urban and tourer mode) which adjusts the bhp/ suspension etc to deal with different types of riding. He can’t praise it enough - but he may just be justifying to himself that it really was worth spending over £15k on!

8

These only one… get a Busa:w00t::wink:

9

You are going to need comfort, fuel economy, reliability, ease of ownership.

BMW F800ST or Yamaha TDM900A.

I would go for the latter, they can do huge mileage on the engines, and in winter you can fit VStrom or 1150GS handguards.

10

VFR 750/800 they munch miles easily and great around town…i used to do a 150 mile a day commute on mine with ease

11

Great bikes, but the VFR are known for high servicing costs especially the valve checks.

And the TDM & 800ST are very very frugal.

12

how often have valve clearances actually needed doing on a vfr :rolleyes: especially the older gear driven cam versions

13

I took this pic especially for you …

7735b6f2-d0b5-4684-8209-8223.JPG600×800

Can you tell what it is yet ?

14

Looks like an empty garage.:slight_smile:

15

r1100S ?

16

Either 650 or 1250 bandit will do what you want :smiley:

17

Impressive knowledge :slight_smile:

A good high mileage, DIY servicing, workhorse bike that also does ok round town as its not too big. But an acquired taste. Had this one about 5 years.

18

Hi,

To answer your question, I think we need to split your choices into sections:

If money is not a major issue:

By far one of the best choices is a new Ducati Multistrada. It is a comfy tourer with a sports engine. I am doing Institute of Advanced Motorists, a bunch of them have the Multi and love it as they can still have the excitement of their old sports bikes, but now they can have it while sitting comfortably. Lets face it, having the power without cramps is not a bad thing

The BMW 1200 series are always a good choice, but for your town riding I don’t think they are as good as the Multistrada. The Multi wins on being thinner and slightly easier on the agility side of things

Triumph have come out with the Explorer etc, if you are into their engines, this could be a good choice

If frugal and being a “diet coke” of petrol is more important:

The BMW F800ST is well known for being extremely frugal. It is a twin engine hence a bit too vibey for your motorway bits in town it will be excellent and use a lot less petrol than the others. Belt drive useful, no more chain tensioning for you

FZ1 is never a bad choice, great little bike for short motorway commutes although for the excitement bit you will have to thrash it. Fairly good in town too. Easy to trick out if you like that kind of thing

Some people love the Suz Bandit. I don’t (bit heavy for me) but it should still be here as it is super cheap to buy. Hence although not all that frugal, you have saved loads of money on purchase price 2nd hand

If you prefer a sporty sitting position and want to save £££, the CBR600F is never a bad choice

If being comfortable on the saddle isn’t that important

Get yourself a nice R1/CBR1000/998/insert sports bike name here. They will be horrible on long motorway rides and not great in town, but for the summer weekends (2 months of the year?) you will love it