Long distance commuter options

[Whysub]

My X-Max 250 is well balanced too, but no need for the weather protection out here.

[GuzziPaul]

Looks like we will be passing each other on the M11. I start a new job in a couple of weeks just north of Cambridge, 60 miles each way a couple of times a week. I'm going to use my Tuono or car initially. The car is more econimical and there possibly won't be a lot of difference in time once I have got all my gear on and the bike un locked out the garage and gate. I've bought an Oxford high viz waterproof over jacket as my main concession to commuting so far, but do wonder if some sort of maxi scooter might be an answer.

[maccecht]

I commuted every day on my burgman 650 which I bought in 2016 with 8 miles on it. Now has 72k miles on it and it is the perfect tool for the job. Huge storage so you can put l your kit away on arrival. 55mpg cruise at 80mph all day mega comfy. Can't recommend it enough.

[Beancounter]

I commuted every day on my burgman 650 which I bought in 2016 with 8 miles on it. Now has 72k miles on it and it is the perfect tool for the job. Huge storage so you can put l your kit away on arrival. 55mpg cruise at 80mph all day mega comfy. Can't recommend it enough.

Awful, hateful thing, more so with that car tyre on the rear, but hard to argue its suitability for the job.

[MrLongbeard]

100mile each way commute

Honda Civic

Already have a car for the depths of winter - it's fine until there's a crash on the M11/A1 or I hit the M25. At least with a bike I can filter and get home at a reasonable time without incurring domestic shock and awe from the long haired general.

I'll never do it again.
My commute is only 85 each way but when I rode it it totally killed my biking vibe and I never rode for fun, plus the wear on tear on the bike and the constant struggle with road grime and kit stinking like a diesel tanker put paid to it quick sharp.

[PitaNaanRoti]

ZZR1400 (nod wink) or Z1000SX

[maccecht]

I commuted every day on my burgman 650 which I bought in 2016 with 8 miles on it. Now has 72k miles on it and it is the perfect tool for the job. Huge storage so you can put l your kit away on arrival. 55mpg cruise at 80mph all day mega comfy. Can't recommend it enough.

Awful, hateful thing, more so with that car tyre on the rear, but hard to argue its suitability for the job.

you want one admit it it stings to admit you like it when you ride it. Go on come out of the closet

[PitaNaanRoti]

There was a zzr14 in the for sale section yesterday !

Cheers - Never really got into the sportsbike thing though.

It’s still there until next Thursday.
It’s not a sports bike. My ZX10R is a sports bike.
The ZZR is a tourer with the Starship Enterprise hiding under the tank.

[G.P]

Did my first long distance commute for a while today, a 140 mile return trip into Cardiff on the old Tiger, all day comfy at 85mph on the motorway.
That said, an S1000XR Beemer came past me at around the the ton. Similar power to the ZZR but with an upright riding position and a biggish screen.
not sure what MPG you'd get out of one though.

[PitaNaanRoti]

165 bhp and 112Nm is way off a ZZR1400.
210bhp and 160Nm!
Not disagreeing about the more upright position but then having had one for a while on loan - they carry the weight very high and are a bastard to pick up.(didn’t drop it - was demo’d as differences between GS/XR/etc)
They aren’t as comfortable as they look either. GS has better ergonomics despite them appearing a similar layout.
Mpg was around 50 as it’s a hoon. Fun but gets tiresome as needs to be revved to get the power

[Dodgy69]

Upright for good filtering vision.
Bullet proof motor with zero oil use.
Hot grips standard.
60mpg depending.
3 cylinders.
Comfy.
Plenty of go...


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184940356826

[Beancounter]

Upright for good filtering vision.
Bullet proof motor with zero oil use.
Hot grips standard.
60mpg depending.
3 cylinders.
Comfy.
Plenty of go...


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184940356826

I rode Maccecht's standard Tracer once, only for a few miles, the seat was uncomfortable right from the off (and I have a well padded arse). Saying that, my own MT-09 has the comfort seat and it's really not much better. Maybe years of GSs and RTs have spoiled me.

[Beancounter]

I commuted every day on my burgman 650 which I bought in 2016 with 8 miles on it. Now has 72k miles on it and it is the perfect tool for the job. Huge storage so you can put l your kit away on arrival. 55mpg cruise at 80mph all day mega comfy. Can't recommend it enough.

Awful, hateful thing, more so with that car tyre on the rear, but hard to argue its suitability for the job.

you want one admit it it stings to admit you like it when you ride it. Go on come out of the closet

I'd rather shave my nipples off.

[Slenver]

I'm going to test ride an KTM Adventure 890 soon to see what the fuss is about with the bikes that have electronic everything. Sadly dealer doesn't have a demoe 1290 SD, and apparently they aren't floggging 1290 GTs anymore

Didn't realise they'd stopped selling the 1290 GT, though there were rumours awhile back of a new model in the next year or so, so maybe that's incoming.

[The Spin Doctor]

I rode Maccecht's standard Tracer once, only for a few miles, the seat was uncomfortable right from the off (and I have a well padded arse). Saying that, my own MT-09 has the comfort seat and it's really not much better. Maybe years of GSs and RTs have spoiled me.

I put in 3500 miles round NZ whilst working for the NZTA in 2019 on the just-released model and can't say I found it particularly uncomfortable on 200+ mile days. SHMBO got an Airhawk for the pillion though.

[Beancounter]

I rode Maccecht's standard Tracer once, only for a few miles, the seat was uncomfortable right from the off (and I have a well padded arse). Saying that, my own MT-09 has the comfort seat and it's really not much better. Maybe years of GSs and RTs have spoiled me.

I put in 3500 miles round NZ whilst working for the NZTA in 2019 on the just-released model and can't say I found it particularly uncomfortable on 200+ mile days. SHMBO got an Airhawk for the pillion though.

Maccecht never complained about the seat and I know a friend of his has covered thousands of touring miles, so long days on the bike, on a standard Tracer without complaint so there's a good chance it's just my delicate, overly-padded posterior.

[Hawkman]

Did my first long distance commute for a while today, a 140 mile return trip into Cardiff on the old Tiger, all day comfy at 85mph on the motorway.
That said, an S1000XR Beemer came past me at around the the ton. Similar power to the ZZR but with an upright riding position and a biggish screen.
not sure what MPG you'd get out of one though.

Might be worth a look - although I have to get over my mental block re BMWs first.

[Hawkman]

I'm going to test ride an KTM Adventure 890 soon to see what the fuss is about with the bikes that have electronic everything. Sadly dealer doesn't have a demoe 1290 SD, and apparently they aren't floggging 1290 GTs anymore

Didn't realise they'd stopped selling the 1290 GT, though there were rumours awhile back of a new model in the next year or so, so maybe that's incoming.

Aye - it's a pity I'd have liked to have taken a test ride on one to compare it to the 990 SD. Sadly nothing nearby...

[Slenver]

Aye - it's a pity I'd have liked to have taken a test ride on one to compare it to the 990 SD. Sadly nothing nearby...

Seems a bit odd really - no mention on the KTM site of it not existing and my nearest dealer claims to have one in stock at a healthy discount and one available for demos. Though no idea if it's still valid of course.

I've not ridden a 990 SD but did take out the current 1290 SDR while my GT was being serviced. TBH, the practical difference between them is very much what it is on paper - the GT feels like the SDR but with an extra 20kg, a screen, a big fuel tank and various practicalities added. The SDR is always talked about as being a bit of an animal, especially by KTM, but I found it to be perfectly pleasant and easy to ride. Like my GT after a diet and a few clothes taken off.

[Hawkman]

Aye - it's a pity I'd have liked to have taken a test ride on one to compare it to the 990 SD. Sadly nothing nearby...

Seems a bit odd really - no mention on the KTM site of it not existing and my nearest dealer claims to have one in stock at a healthy discount and one available for demos. Though no idea if it's still valid of course.

I've not ridden a 990 SD but did take out the current 1290 SDR while my GT was being serviced. TBH, the practical difference between them is very much what it is on paper - the GT feels like the SDR but with an extra 20kg, a screen, a big fuel tank and various practicalities added. The SDR is always talked about as being a bit of an animal, especially by KTM, but I found it to be perfectly pleasant and easy to ride. Like my GT after a diet and a few clothes taken off.

I suspect possibly more to do with not having an SDGT to sell me.

Been offered £2700 part ex for my 990SD, for a 890 Adventure which I've reviewed in a separate thread. Still have to test ride a Multitrada and Tracer.