| Author | Message | ||
     Tbowdre |
the problem is: I have my dream bike... the 1125R. Now I want to "save it" for the twisties and track time. I am shopping to buy a second bike for commuting to work, riding a couple miles to the store etc. My current thoughts: A duel sport bike like an XR650 someone has supermotoed out, Some other supermoto, wr250x, drz400sm looks fun the buell blast (is it really a blast?) Buell X1 seems a good choice Maybe some old school power... like KZ 1000 from the 70's any thoughts? I think Im good with the family if i keep it under 2500.00!!!! todd | ||
| Delta_one |
I hear great things about the blast especially if you like 60mpg | ||
| Metra6924 |
The Blast was my first bike and I really liked it, but I traded it for a Uly. It was great for running errands and short trips, but not so comfortable (for me) on longer trips. I would have used it for commuting, but I ride the train to work. I had no maintenance issues at all, and the gas mileage was great - 60mpg around town. | ||
| Timxb9s |
I have a Ninja 650r as a commuter Bike. Was the GF's bike and she is done riding on her own. Gets 50+ mpg and is a lot of fun to buzz through traffic. It has a little over 18,000 miles on it and has only needed tires, gas and oil changes. I'll treat it to a set of spark plugs and a new chain at the next service at about 20K. It's also great 2 up. We've done a few day trips on it and she had no complaints. Should be able to pick one up within your price range. The Verses is a nice bike too. | ||
| Froggy |
Buell Blast. I got mine last summer used for $1500. 85mpg, cheap tires, and I wrecked it 6 times in one snow storm and that didn't cause any major damage. | ||
| Crackhead |
get a Blast. They are cheep and when it gets knocked over in the parking lot, no much is damaged. It is also not a bike that is likely to get stolen while you are stuck in the cubical. I am 6ft and fit on the blast. For longer commutes, i use the passenger pegs. The 03+ (i think) have a better tall seat and has better gaskets. | ||
| Damnut |
You can get a Blast pretty cheap and they are fun. I have my wife's decked out as a mini tourer. (saddle bags, GPS, speakers, Ipod, windshield, Corbin seat) I used to use it all the time as a commuter, 70 miles RT and averaged ~68mpg. I bought her Blast 2 years ago. It's an 03 and I bought it with 900 miles on it for $1700. | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
dual sports rock, have had an xr650l for 16yrs. great commuter and weekend adventure bike. | ||
| Damnut |
The stock seat on her Blast SUCKED!! I think they changed them in 06? I do know that the older ones are not comfy. If you get an older Blast, buy a new seat. | ||
| Froggy |
I can't comment on the seat, my 03 came with a low seat, and I bought a brand new take off tall seat, so if they changed it I got the newer one. I have been very happy with it, I rode it from NY to Boston and back a few times without discomfort | ||
| Socalbueller |
If your commute has highway speeds I'd stay away from singles and anything under 500cc. While bikes under 500cc and singles are capable of doing those speeds they are not really comfortable doing it. I have a Honda Hawk GT as a commuter and I am at a little over 5k doing 80mph. That is where it starts feeling like it's working about 65 it is happier but I try to move a little faster than the flow on the freeway. I'd say get the newest and lowest mile ex 500 or gs 500 you can find for 2500 bucks. Decent mpg and plenty of parts around since they made them forever. | ||
| Tbowdre |
can i split lanes and accelerate away from traffic with a blast? can they go over 80-85mph?... I know, i know I sound like a hoooligan. Seriously the interstate in SoCal is crazy like that...We're either flying like a scalded dogs or sittin' around like it's a parking lot! | ||
| Tbowdre |
HAAA HHAA that is funny socalbuell LO!!! I was typing as you posted that | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Get an old 600cc crotch rocket. Cutting edge suspension from 1996 = just fine for present day. Try to find one that hasn't been dropped too many times  | ||
| Froggy |
Yep. Splitting is easy, the bike is super thin and super light, its as if you are on a pedal bike. While nothing special, at WOT the Blast is about equal to a regular run of the mill Civic/Corolla at WOT.
I've done 85 briefly on mine, but its rare I go over 60 on it. Most of the highways near me have a 55 speed limit. If you need a bike that does almost triple digit speeds, I think you need to refine what you consider a commuting bike, as anything that goes much faster will eat tires, suck gas, cost more, and require more maintenance. (Message edited by froggy on March 08, 2010) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
The Suzuki GS500 would be good. Or a ninja 500 or 250. Actually the newer Ninja 250 is on my list. But I'd be looking seriously hard at a dual sport... supermoto'd or not, either way is awesome. | ||
| Rocketsprink |
get a supermoto | ||
| 46champ |
Get the best Buell ever made get a M2 I get 52 mpg and it has 57000 miles on it. | ||
| Tbowdre |
thanks for all the input!!... unfortunately you guys are all over the place just like my head! Im really lookin' hard for an WR250X, Im just bummed Its not made here... too bad ATK or cannondale never made it no X1 votes. I have seen a few for sale and seem like a good choice. reliability, parts availablility? what gives? thanks again everybody | ||
| Ezblast |
The Blast is the way to go. Get a beater and make it a project bike. Enjoy the fun! EZ | ||
| Pwnzor |
I paid $2000 for this one and it came with a 5.5gal desert tank which I promptly installed and used on the street. Street construction, pot holes, whatever... who cares about that stuff. I could get everywhere at better than 60mpg. Oh yeah and at 85mph it still had some passing power. It would wind all the way out around 100mph. Added 2 teeth in front and subtracted 1 in the rear.  | ||
| Fahren |
You should try a Blast. They are very versatile, and very fun to ride. I have no prob's with a constant 70mph and room to take it up higher if needed, great handling, great gas mileage, fun to tinker with for performance and cosmetic mod's, you can add a windscreen if you need it.... all sorts of good stuff. | ||
| Aptbldr |
Water-cooled engines give me peace of mind in summer stop & go traffic. | ||
| Babired |
I use the Buell X1 to commute back and forth to work on 95. It does get hot in the middle of summer. I hate taking it thru cities in the summer too when there is lots of traffic. | ||
| Hootowl |
"I have a Honda Hawk GT" Great bike. Ahead of its time. | ||
| Rockstarblast1 |
The 250 ninjas are slowwwwwww the new ones are better but still suck on the highway. The blast is the way to go, I have one and my 1125r... I just don't know if I wanna keep the blast or sell it for other reasons. Having two cars two bikes and a quad is making things tight in the garage. | ||
| Babired |
Hootowl back in 1998 I got certified teaching the ERC on an old Honda Hawk GT that bike corrupted me my cruiser days were over after I rode it. K | ||
| Britchri10 |
I have an '06 Blast & a recently acquired '99 X1. I commute c40 miles/day. I use the Blast for commuting & the X1 for weekends. Blast is light, nimble and relatively quick. My route consists of Suburban, urban and highway driving. The Blast gets55mpg and has enough power to stay out of trouble. I wouldn't commute on the X1 as it gets way too hot here in Fla. it's not good for the bike or the engine when stop/start commuting. | ||
| Andymnelson |
A Blast with high flow intake, K&N filter, V&H exhaust, rejetted and tuned can go 91 MPH, downhill, while in a full tuck and drafting. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Gotta go the Dual Sport if you are just looking for another bike to ride. So much fun, easy on the wallet, and opens up so many more riding opportunities. I paid $660 for this 1984 Yamaha XT600 relic. I put hobbyist plates on it so I never even have to pay registration/plate fees again. At this point it is pretty much a free ride!  |
