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Commuters can you recommend a good sporty commuting bike?

cormacewindu

cormacewindu

Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2003
Location
Oakland, CA
Moto(s)
2023 KTM Super Adventure R
2020 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto
Name
Cormac
Can any of you recommend a good sport tourer that can be had for around $3-4K. I have a 1999 SV650 which I love around SF, but I commute to San Jose and was thinking about picking up something a little more comfortable and with more wind protection. I looked at VFRs, but I heard maintenance on that V4 is a pain in the butt. Also, I’d like something that has reasonable insurance rates so I don’t have much use for a 1100cc+ beast. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
believe it or not you can pick up relativly lightly used bmw r1150rts for really good prices and they are a pretty comfy and damn fun bike
 
Funny I would say that an SV is the perfect commute bike.
Need more wind protection? Get a little windshield.
A big sport touring bike is good to ride to Seattle, but not the 45 miles to San Jose.
 
yeah, the bmw is a good tourer.

I think you might like a bandit 1200S, you can get a great deal on one of those.

I commute on my bandit - I got the nekkid one - and I can't complain.
 
GrifterF3 said:
Can any of you recommend a good sport tourer that can be had for around $3-4K. I have a 1999 SV650 which I love around SF, but I commute to San Jose and was thinking about picking up something a little more comfortable and with more wind protection. I looked at VFRs, but I heard maintenance on that V4 is a pain in the butt. Also, I’d like something that has reasonable insurance rates so I don’t have much use for a 1100cc+ beast. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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depends on which generation V4 theyre talking about.....

the 02 and up VFR with VTEC can be pricey for maintenance if ya don't know where to go but doesn't need a valve INSPECTION for every 16k miles ( recommended ) but was told to do it every 32k instead by a few mechanics, or till I hear ticking sounds....

any VFRs previous to that can be done by yourself at the same amound of mileage of the 02s...16k + miles...

the 97 and before VFRs are nice and around the price range you got but hard to find one with low miles.....
 
I commute 120 miles a day on my SVS without any issues. However, the SVS has a higher final gear ratio than the standard and the ferring helps.

I'd get a windscreen and bump the gear ratio up...
 
For the price you want to spend. Try a 98' TO 02' ZX6R. I have a 02'ZX6R that I commute daily (rain or Shine) on. Comfortable, AND sporty.:teeth I've been riding for 34 years, and have owned all makes. This one is by far the one I love the best! I weigh 145 lbs, so if you are heavier, try a ZX9R, still some of those out there too.

My 2cents worth!
Mark
 
For a cheap commuter Bandit 600s, very comfortable, 200 mile range, cheap to buy, semi-sporty, good wind protection. I am doing 80-100 miles a day on mine.
Stephen
 
Dude, I do all of my VFR Maintenance myself and to tell you the truth, opening that front head is not much harder than opening that on an I-4 or even a twin. The oil cooler is in the way in the case of the V's but you get used to it.

Also having the gear driven cams counts for precision.

The VFR doesn't have much wind protection but TONS more than my old F4i did. After I bought the VFR, in fact, I never rode the F4i. It just wasn't any fun anymore in comparison.

When you get your VFR you'll need a Corbin ... makes a world of ass pleasing difference.
 
I would also like to add that the VFR gets about 40mpg and don't buy a Superhawk or an RC51 because they get about 4 mpg. :teeth

I myself was looking for a BMW 1150RT but "cheap" is all relative. I couldn't find any for less than 8k. I'd rather buy a newer bike for that much.

The V-strom 650 can be had for less than 6500$ OTD BRAND NEW. Bye
 
i have a '96 vfr that i ride to santa rosa from livermore every other weekend and tear up mines with. i might be willing to part with it for a very reasonable price (around 3k) since i might be joining the air force soon.

PM me
 
seriously, the vfr is the way to go. nuetral steering, plenty of power, comfy ergos and the great sound of the v4 engine. the vfr is the kind of bike you could ride from Utah (been there, done that) then throw on the track (want to be there and do that) or commute to work everyday(which i do) then drop the tire pressure and tear up mines (ask the other guys if i do)

i rebuilt the whole electrical system (r/r, stator and rotar) as well as the cpu fan mod 10k ago. i just changed the clutch, chain and sprockets. put in racetech springs, had the rear shock rebuilt and checked the valve clearances. amazing after 33k the valves are still in spec (checked at 16k too of course)

you'll often find low mileage vfr engines on ebay that no one ever buys, cause no one ever needs them.
 
My BMW K75S. :teeth Seriously, it's a really nice sport-tourer that handles well, is very comfortable, has a tall windscreen, is bullet-proof, has a lot of panache, and the price is right. It's for sale, PM me if you're interested in more info.

1084424-bmwcrop.jpg
 
JeffKoch said:
My BMW K75S. :teeth Seriously, it's a really nice sport-tourer that handles well, is very comfortable, has a tall windscreen, is bullet-proof, has a lot of panache, and the price is right. It's for sale, PM me if you're interested in more info.

1084424-bmwcrop.jpg
Click to expand...

I don't like Beemers much, but that's a pretty cool looking one :thumbup
 
I really like my Bandit 1200S as a commuter, but there are two problems:

33 mpg
4.8 gallon tank

I usually have to switch to reserve at 117 miles. With a 44 mile commute each way, I'm filing up every other day. Kinda sucks.
I spent $100 on a taller screen from Zero Gravity, which helps a bit.
 
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