Beat cheap ish bike for commuting

[formula400]

Right it look’s like I’ll be commuting a little more by motorcycle soon. Looking at a 16 mile ride each way. So looking for something decent, cheap to run and all that.

I’ve had a few different bikes in the past (GSXR750/R6/CB400/GROM)

Grom was fun and cheap (£6.20 petrol would do 130 odd miles)
R6 was £18 for around 100 miles of in town and being a twat.

Don’t fancy a 125, or a bandit.

Was looking at maybe a scooter, X-max 300/400 or maybe a CB500.

Cheap is what comes to mind as I’ll be keeping the triple 675r for the time being.

No rush as I still have 2 months until I need it

[KungFooBob]

Can't beat an NC700X (or a 750).
maybe a CB500X too.

[formula400]

What the range on a tank of petrol???

[KungFooBob]

They only take 13l in the tail tank iirc, but do 60mpg when raped, nearer 70 when ridden carefully. Pietins got an Auto one for the commute iirc.

[Mussels]

I used to do that distance into Central London each day on an e-bike, takes slightly longer but it was the most enjoyable way of commuting. There were loads more routes avaliable that I couldn't use on a motorbike.

[Skub]

Honda SH300i

Tenpin and myself have both had them,he maybe still has his?

Can deal with heavy traffic,motorways,carriageways and still able to entertain on country roads,within the limits of ground clearance.

70-80mpg isn't to be snffed at either.

My old bus after half a dozen Winters and just before I sold it.

[Asian Boss]

I think people always said the old single cylinder BMW F650GS was really cheap to run.

There are lots of modern 250/300cc single cylinder Japanese bikes these days too, I imagine they're pretty frugal.

[KungFooBob]

These are on 0% Finance atm. I'd be tempted if I was a foot shorter.

https://www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/products/ ... VoOWVAOUQo

[Supermofo]

I think I'd go for a scooter.

[Dodgy69]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124603862701

[the_priest]

I'd be looking at that electric thing Dodgy posted. I had a NC700DCT and it was a brilliant commuter over the 15 odd miles into Central London, but realistically, that electric thing would have been ideal, if a bit slower and restricting it to commuting duties only. If you have other bikes, this is an ideal weapon for commuting only. Saying that, an electric bicycle could do the same duties and give you access to greater options on your choice of routes.

[weeksy]

Tough one as it has to not suck the life out of your soul too, but a super scooter certainly seems the right option as it can do storage, shopping etc, plus protection from elements and being cheap on tyres/upkeep.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I'm a bit surprised how cheap that Soco electric bike is....sub 2 grand. Its only got about 5bhp and 40 mile range (quoted as 80 miles on "two batteries") so a 30 mile round trip might be a bit squeaky bumhole when you consider cold weather and diversions.

But as a second bike just for riding in that London something along those lines would surely be ideal? I can't imagine that city is going to get more petrol friendly in coming years.

[Mussels]

I'm a bit surprised how cheap that Soco electric bike is....sub 2 grand. Its only got about 5bhp and 40 mile range (quoted as 80 miles on "two batteries") so a 30 mile round trip might be a bit squeaky bumhole when you consider cold weather and diversions.

But as a second bike just for riding in that London something along those lines would surely be ideal? I can't imagine that city is going to get more petrol friendly in coming years.

Even though mine had enough range in theory to go both ways I used to take the battery into work to charge it, if I left it on the bike it would have been stolen anyway.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Is it a full MC or can you ride it on Cyclepaths etc?

[ogri]

Second hand leccy bikes can end up being expensive if you need to replace the batteries.
Just something to take into account.

[Taipan]

I used a Sh300 scooter for years. Took it up to 80k miles and was still okay when I sold it, albeit with a rear hub bearing singing a bit. Only thing that went wrong with it was the main 30a relay which I replaced with a 2nd hand one off of eBay! Great things to slice through traffic with. 75-80 mpg with a similar top speed. They'll sit comfortably at the legal limit all day. Not that desirable to thieving yoofs either.

As I love autos for commuting on, I'm trying a Nc700x with a dct transmission and absolutely loving it. Sort of bike and scooter combined. Returning around 70mpg too. Only downside is its chain drive, but I've got a tutoro chain oiler on there to hopefully help keep the chain in good shape. No where as nimble through the traffic compared to the sh300, but the trade off of it being a proper bike makes it worthwhile.

I'd recommend both of them as great commuters.

[Mussels]

Is it a full MC or can you ride it on Cyclepaths etc?

Mine was an e-bike, definitely more pushbike than motorbike. Being able to ride it on cycle paths made my commute far more interesting and pleasant, instead of the A2 dual carriageway I could ride along the Thames path.

Second hand leccy bikes can end up being expensive if you need to replace the batteries.
Just something to take into account.

A replacement battery for mine was £450 and expected to last upwards of two years, a scooter may be double that cost if you can even get a replacement.

[ogri]

Is it a full MC or can you ride it on Cyclepaths etc?

Mine was an e-bike, definitely more pushbike than motorbike. Being able to ride it on cycle paths made my commute far more interesting and pleasant, instead of the A2 dual carriageway I could ride along the Thames path.

Second hand leccy bikes can end up being expensive if you need to replace the batteries.
Just something to take into account.

A replacement battery for mine was £450 and expected to last upwards of two years, a scooter may be double that cost if you can even get a replacement.

Sounds great compared to some i had the pleasure of being informed of, as the tech gets older and better will probably be more affordable for long term ownership.

[formula400]

Like the Honda NC700 auto. Could be good. Great mpg.

Yeah don’t want the journey to suck the fun out of riding, but I don’t think I’ll ride 5 days a week, so hope that helps. I used to do 11 miles each way and was ok.