The Best Commuter Bike

MKEOGHAN

Hi,

I live in Offaly and with the current job market have found myself back in Dublin working again. Not so bad with so many people out of work at the minute.

I'm looking at commuting and currently the distance is 100km each way. I live 20min from the Galway Dublin Motor way and need to get right into the city centre beside Connolly Station.

In an attempt to reduce the amount of time spent either waiting in the car or on a Train/Bus Im seriously looking at buying another motorbike. I have had quiet a few in my time. But in my early days I was not interested in a commuter/Tourer bike. If it wasnt fast then I wasnt interested... How times have changed.

I have been looking at 2 Honda's - Pan European and the Deauville also found a BMW F650 CS which I quiet liked. Anyway I need advice from those who have experience in this type of commuting.

Any help would be gratefully accepted.

Mick
Biffo And Proud

Wossack

go with honda for that sort of mileage - pan sounds perfect tbh

jackhammer

Hi Mick,

I reckon the Pan may be a bit wide (and heavy) when it comes to filtering in the city centre. Come to think of it, I don't see many Pans on the commute into Dublin 2 where I work. From what I can see, the Deauville and the BMW seem to be fairly popular.

Reliability wise, the Deauville seems to be fairly bullet-proof. Don't really know about BMW.

Another option might be the Bandit GT. It has a > 1 litre engine (1250cc, I think) and is faired. Plus it's not too wide so filtering shouldn't be a problem.

Best of luck.

agent_smith

Would you look at a BMW r1200GS.... they are a tall bike but are very manoeverable and a great all rounder.
With regard to the pan in city center traffic , TBH i dont see it as a problem. The pan is not much wider than the deauville and the guards use both.
Also worth your consideration is the yamaha FJR.

Fabio

I'd go with the Deauville - better fuel consumption I think.

The fuel pump tends to go at about 30k from what I have read but is easy to replace for about €70 (again I read this elsewhere).

J-blk

I've got a Suzuki Vstrom DL650 myself and commute on it pretty much every day - it's a comfortable bike, easy to filter through Dublin traffic and has been very reliable. It would be pretty different to the bikes you're considering but the higher riding position is great in traffic...

macnab

I have been commuting from meath to dublin southside for over 20 years and have had over 30 bikes in that time from Honda 50's to GSXR750's to BMW tourers. I think the best allrounder is probably the Honda CBR600, up to and including the 1998 model, I have the '99 F4 and its just a little too sporty for commutes. I also have a BMW R1150RT and take it from me although it is a seriously comfortable bike it is way over the top for commuting, it is similar to the Pan Euro in size. I had a BMW F650 (04 model) a couple of years ago, that was a great commuter but let down by a plank of a seat. The Honda VFR750 or VFR800 would be a good choice too. Have a look at a Yamaha Fazer 600 or the 1000 if the insurance is OK.

pipsqueak

get a classic pan, 1990 to 1993 , few on donedeal.ie. bullet proof engines, comfy, economical 50mpg, sturdy, handle well in wet non abs and abs, the 650 deauville is great in the city but on open road it struggles.

marlin vs

If you can afford the pan, go for it, the're very reliable and they also hold their value.

MKEOGHAN

Thanks for all the advice its great to get what people really think of these bikes. macnab What was the best bike you found for the wet weather. Lets be honest we really go a few days before a down pour. As most of my travel will be on the motor way their is nowhere to hide....

Thanks again
Mick

LoveDucati2

Hiya, you should try out a Fazer 600, an 03 or 04 model, fast when it needs to be, docile in town, handles very well and cheap to run.

Odysseus

I often do a 160km round trip on either my KLe 500 or a transalp 600 both great for that type of distance. I got the KLE new in 04, I have gone round the clock on it and have had few problems. Both bike have a nice hight for commuting as well as enough power to get you away from those pr!cks you meet on the road.

macnab

MKEOGHAN wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice its great to get what people really think of these bikes. macnab What was the best bike you found for the wet weather. Lets be honest we really go a few days before a down pour. As most of my travel will be on the motor way their is nowhere to hide....

Thanks again
Mick

The best wet weather bike by far is the R1150RT, I didnt realise how good it was till i rode a CG125 for a few months during the summer. The CG has no weather protection what so ever. When you are doing any speed at all on a tourer the wind movement created by the front fairing will keep the rain off your body. The trials type bikes are a bit naked on the lower part of the bike so your boots and shins will get wet, also they are very "sit up and beg" in seating position so if the fairing/screen isnt big then you will take a lot of wind and rain on the chest and helmet.

rameire

I do 150km a day from athy to leopardstown and back, use the new deauville 700, great bike, great commute and great to filter, also nice comfy ride and exceleration, there is great protection from the screen which is adjustable, you would need extra hand protection, i have bar muffs, wind defractors and heated grips and even during the -7 degree weather 2 weeks ago, was very comfy and not too cold.
its great on the fuel consumption about 21km per litre.

fabio, are you sure the fuel pump goes after 30k, would that be every fuel pump cause that would be 1 pump a year for me.

Fabio

Read it either on IrishBikerForum.com or Biker.ie so have a quick search there...

I think it was something that used to happen on the old ones, probably sortable under warranty at the time. I'd say it's not an issue with the new one.

How does it ride? I've heard it's a dull one to ride but I'd love to own one...they just seem so so competent at everything.

rameire

its a comfy bike, nothing wooo hooo, but realiable,
left it for 2 weeks without touching and started straight away.
the only thing i think it needs is a 6th gear.
im constantly wanting to change up from fifth.

Fabio

Ever taken her for a proper tour around the place at all? Would love to do that myself!

rameire

not yet only have it 6 months, prob go to france some summer with a mate.

Dan Sanchez

Surprised nobody mentioned a VFR. Maybe a bit pricey.

macnab

Dan Sanchez wrote: »

Surprised nobody mentioned a VFR. Maybe a bit pricey.

I did already (post #7)

Fabio

rameire wrote: »

not yet only have it 6 months, prob go to france some summer with a mate.

Class! bring back pictures! Now I better stop my hijacking of the thread...

The VFR would be fairly pricey I'd say.If you're used to bikes then get yourself a Pan-European or an FJR (or is that FYR?....hmmm...the Yamaha tourer anyway).

MKEOGHAN

Hi All,

Thanks for all the help and advice. After doing my research and looking at endless options I am going to go with a BMW1150RT. It's shelter from the elements is unsurpassed.

Thanks again
Mick

galwaytt

MKEOGHAN wrote: »

Hi All,

Thanks for all the help and advice. After doing my research and looking at endless options I am going to go with a BMW1150RT. It's shelter from the elements is unsurpassed.

Thanks again
Mick

It sure is. Had a few. Great mile-munchers. Annoying around town, though (tall first gear).

Very, very good value to be had in them right now, here, a lot on the market.

macnab

I have my RT up for sale on Adverts.ie, its worth a look. I am as they say "a motivated seller" (I want a sports bike) so willing to haggle. I bought a BMW M5 last year and find I now use the bike less and less so a commuter type bike is not my thing any more.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=81065&cat=47

Fabio

Best of luck with it fella!

beanhead

get a shaft drive unless you like getting your hands dirty every weekend adjusting the chain, even with a chain oiler, you will need to adjust every week at that distance. soomething like macnab's bike would keep the weather off you & keep you in a proper upright seating position - comfort is major consideration if you're doing winter as well.

gok

Thanks for all the help and advice. After doing my research and looking at endless options I am going to go with a BMW1150RT. It's shelter from the elements is unsurpassed.

Thanks again
Mick

BMW have mad maintenance prices so you might want to consider this with your high mileage. Just ring up Maddocks and ask how much for a regular service and you will be lucky to come < €400. Lovely bikes though..
I do an 80 km on the Deauville NT700 and cost-wise, its fine. The story about the fuel pump is for the older model which was replaced 3 years ago and doesn't apply to the NT700.

miller82

Hi Folks,

Didnt want to start a new thread so found this one.
over the next few months I will be moving up to Dundalk from Dublin, but still working here. I am anow thinking i will get bike for the commute.
Have driven bikes a bit a good few years ago, but on a very very small scale and will have to do the IBT etc etc

I know there are some recommendations on this thread, but it is 5 years old. So, I am wondering what people feel is a good commute bike for a novice. Looking to keep the budget as close as possible to 2k.
Would be doing some weekend spins, but the main function is up and down the M1 Monday to Friday, so safety, comfort and fuel consumption are the main boxes to tick i suppose. Will also want some luggage space for the tin of fruit and shoes

Any thoughts appreciated.

Wossack

seeing as it is 5 years old, probably best if you did start a new thread..!

miller82

done