| Author | Message | ||
     Lemonchili_x1 |
There's been much discussion in this house recently about "What is the best commuter?", and since we can't come to a conclusion, I'll put it to the panel: What do you think is the best bike for riding to/from work in city traffic? Trip is 15-30 minutes each way, includes start/stop traffic, occasional running around the city during the day. Your choice may be new or old, Buell or otherwise, but please include reason/s for your choice  | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Pretty hard to beat a Honda VFR. Stone reliability, weather protection. Been making them for decades, must be doing something right. | ||
| Fast1075 |
In city use with low top speeds? You can't beat twist n go. Honda Ruckus.. | ||
| Birdy |
KLR-650 enough "GO" for a little fun, but not enough to get into TOO much trouble. | ||
| Patches |
X-Buell, "Blast" Low Maintenance, Dependable, Flickable(Dodging SUV Cellphone Users), Good Gas Mileage and Fun to Ride! With Badweb THUMPer Forum Modifications it is Many Much More Fun to Ride!  | ||
| Rainman |
I also vote for the Blast. I toss on some soft bags and tail pack to carry small groceries, lattes and such and commute every day. My commute is 90 percent urban traffic with speeds between slow and 50, six-lane congested roads and winding residential areas. I also ride for work, which means up to 50 mile one-way rides to do interviews or go to crime scenes, city hall (free parking) or people's homes and the cute little bike makes kids smile and girls, well, they don't swoon, but I don't look dangerous. The few freeway trips I need to take I can handle at 75 mph no problem and still get a regular 60 mpg, even with ethanol. It's also cheap to buy and so easy to maintain that even a Rainman can do it. I'll get off my soapbox -- uh, cube -- now.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
My 9sx with a backpack and tail bags works outstanding. Sits high, so you have great visibility. Black wheels, so you wash it when you want to, but don't have to. Air cooled, so it is up to temp (better fuel economy and lower emissions) very quickly even on short trips. Hand guards (especially with heated grips) make for a pretty long riding season. Sporty enough to have fun on the 4 good curves between me and work, but standard enough that it's comfortable for the other 90% of the commute. An XT would probably be even better, but without that cool "tiny disappearing beneath you motorcycle" element you get with a 9sx. | ||
| Glitch |
I rode my XB9SR as my commuter. 30 miles one way. City traffic, and Interstate traffic. City traffic it was great. Lots of options once in the city (Atlanta) to take a different route, easy to get around the traffic to make a new route. Interstate traffic...whole nuther story... I don't think there's any bike that makes the kind of traffic Atlanta has turn nice. It's stop and go, crowded, and 9 months out of the year, it's plain ol' h o t. If I had a Blast, I'd ride it a lot, for more than just commuting. One of the cool things about the Blast, is that it lends itself to modification rather well. This one really turns my head!   | ||
| Jaimec |
Suzuki Burgmann, either the 400 or the 650 will do. PLENTY of storage space, enough giddy-up to stay with highway traffic, low center of gravity, and no need to bother with a clutch. I THINK there is a radio kit available for them too, but don't quote me on that. Ever since I test rode one in Daytona I find myself looking at them more and more for commuter duty. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
"Interstate traffic...whole nuther story... " ??? Not good? | ||
| Froggy |
I use my Blast for commuting, and the Lobster 1125CR for the days I am running late | ||
| Glitch |
??? Not good? No not good, not at all. Atlanta traffic that is. The bike did wonderfully. It's just that if one is stuck in this traffic, and having to deal with the "drivers" here there's no bike that could make it "better" | ||
| Jramsey |
+ 1 on the Burgman. I've used one as my daily driver for the last 2 years. | ||
| Crusty |
Chili, He's referring to the traffic, not the bike. On the Interstate,(Multi-lane, limited access highway) the Blast will run 75MPH all day long, and it will deliver 60+ MPG while doing it. My daughter rode hers to Homecoming with my wife and I last year, and those were the speeds we traveled at and the mileage she experienced. The bike was totally trouble free on the trip which was over 3,000 miles in length, though at those speeds, it used some oil. If I remember right, it was using around a quart per 1,000 miles. We were averaging around 400 miles per day, so the bike was being worked. I've used it to commute on when my XT was in the shop, and i find it's an economical and fun way to deal with traffic. To be honest, I prefer my XT, but I don't get nearly as good fuel mileage. | ||
| Brinnutz |
Burgman? Maybe it's me, but ewwww... At least not for this guy...  | ||
| Pammy |
The only trouble with the Burgman is that someone you know might see you riding it. One has to keep ones standards, you know....  | ||
| Barker |
SCOOTER!!!!! | ||
| Bill0351 |
Whenever I don't have my kids I take my Cyclone with a set of Blast saddle bags. It's so much fun to commute on, I usually take it out at lunch to "commute" for an hour or so. Its only real problem is that I have a hard time "commuting" straight home. | ||
| Bo_sox |
Any dirt bike set up in supermoto gear. Easy to navigate through traffic, easily pop it up/off curbs, enough power for 60+ mph runs, upright & high seating position for great visability, and on the way home if you see a dirt/gravel road you've never traveled, go ahead and explore it. I sold my '04 KTM 625smc supermoto in '06 in order to buy my XB12Ss and I can't tell you how much I miss it. I've got the itch so bad that I've been hunting craigslist for a used '05 or newer Suzuki DRZ-400SM to bring that thrill back. | ||
| Ourdee |
81 honda XL500S. | ||
| Nik |
CityX, its in the name. Sit up and beg egros, tall seating position for visibility, small and nimble, with plenty of power on tap to go. Great for lanesplitting. | ||
| Rainman |
I've never ridden the City X in traffic, but it'd be my second guess. I know about the Blast because I do the same thing every day that you're talking about. | ||
| Jaimec |
Don't knock the Burgmann till you've ridden it. Trust me on this! It blew me away. The only thing you need to get used to is the left lever activates the rear brake, NOT the (non-existant) clutch. First time you bounce your face off the windscreen at a traffic light will likely form a lasting reminder. DAMHIK. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
depends on the traffic. before i deployed i got stuck in heavy traffic in Austin and I hated being on a motorcycle at that point and time and i don't think any motorcycle would have changed that. My clutch hand hated it more than anything. | ||
| Jramsey |
Wilson, I have 2 nice tubers and a slick '03 650 Burgman and they all run and are available to ride at a moments notice.............. Hell my old Burgie book's for more than either one of my tubers. Besides it's fun to smoke Sportsters on a "fag bike." | ||
| Dfishman |
XR650R in sumo trim,with 15/45 sprockets.It will turn the traffic into a game!Just watch the cops when the front wheel is in the air! | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
those things are just plain ugly no matter how you look at them. (that scooter thing) (Message edited by firebolt020283 on August 08, 2009) | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
lately I have kinda got the bug for a supermoto bike. | ||
| Jramsey |
Ya, they are kind Hayabusa ugly. | ||
| Ezblast |
The Blast would be the perfect bike for this, due to in city bikes getting knocked over quite often, bumped and scratched as well. Replacement parts are cheaper as well, even less than scooter's, more durable, fun, etc. The XB9 is the great bike to do the occasional week time stuff - like if your late on and then really go have fun on on the weekends - those parts are expensive and after the third drop, you'd be out a lot of money - lol - with the Blast you may still have zero extra outlay - they are durable. EZ |
