Commuting on a Moto

[Frankenchevy]

I’m kicking around the idea of a reliable motorcycle to commute on. Two have caught my eye. One is sensible and one is fun. BMW F650gs and DR-Z400SM. Both get around 65mpg. Both are 100,000 mile engines with nice long maintenance intervals. The bmw is the durable rotax 650 that’s been around for ever. The 400 Suzuki is also a legendarily robust engine.

I found a GS owned by an older guy with 7000 miles for $4200.

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The only DR-Zs that I’ve found used have multiple young owners. A new one with tax, title, destination etc is about $9000. I know for sure I’d enjoy the DR-Z more.

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I have another supermoto that I used to commute on when I was younger and it’s hard to have more fun on two wheels. Problem is, it’s a race bike that gets less than 40mpg, needs oil changes every other ride and valve adjustments every 50 hours. It’s more for fun than practicality.

I can’t get excited about the BMW, but it’s a far more sensible choice. I’m torn on what to do.

 

[WebMonkey]

when it comes to bikes, don't buy one you don't like.



i wanted a honda 919.

test drove half a dozen 'similar' bikes.

finally a dealer called me with a new, leftover 919.

i test rode, bought, loved.

(i'm too old and decrepit to ride now though)

good luck!

 

[Shorty81]

I had an XR650R with a power up kit and full Motostrano supermoto kit. It was awesome fun to ride. But as I aged...I found myself commuting on my Goldwing more and more.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I try really hard to use common sense, but everything except logic is pulling me towards the Supermoto.

 

[skysurfer]

I've always considered single cylinder bikes as play toys and multi-cylinder bikes as commuter tools. You didn't say how far your commute is, or if it's surface streets vs. freeways, but riding a one-lunger long distance sucks. There are some fine supermoto twins out there. My personal fave without ever owning one is the '09-'13 KTM 990 SM which are currently going for $5-6k on the used market.

 

[82sbshortbed]

If I were you I'd get more of a cruiser style bike if your ride is longer then 10 miles. I had a Yamaha V-star 750 in my early twenties. It was my only transportation for a year rain or shine. It was a great bike very comfortable for longer rides. Rode it to Austin with 3 other friends and it was not a bad ride.

I'm 49 and wouldn't want to ride that 400 back and forth to work everyday for sure. If you can buy it for fun and a street bike for your work bike.

 

[shiftpro]

I’m kicking around the idea of a reliable motorcycle to commute on. Two have caught my eye. One is sensible and one is fun. BMW F650gs and DR-Z400SM. Both get around 65mpg. Both are 100,000 mile engines with nice long maintenance intervals. The bmw is the durable rotax 650 that’s been around for ever. The 400 Suzuki is also a legendarily robust engine.

I found a GS owned by an older guy with 7000 miles for $4200.

You must be registered for see images attach

The only DR-Zs that I’ve found used have multiple young owners. A new one with tax, title, destination etc is about $9000. I know for sure I’d enjoy the DR-Z more.

You must be registered for see images attach

I have another supermoto that I used to commute on when I was younger and it’s hard to have more fun on two wheels. Problem is, it’s a race bike that gets less than 40mpg, needs oil changes every other ride and valve adjustments every 50 hours. It’s more for fun than practicality.

I can’t get excited about the BMW, but it’s a far more sensible choice. I’m torn on what to do.

Do you have any previous riding experience?

 

[Frankenchevy]

Do you have any previous riding experience?

Yep, been riding since I was 4. First bike was a pw-50. Have several motocross bikes now and one street legal 450 supermoto. Sold my last street bike a while back.

 

[WFO]

Yep, been riding since I was 4. First bike was a pw-50. Have several motocross bikes now and one street legal 450 supermoto. Sold my last street bike a while back.

Since you already have MX bikes and a Supermoto, I'd go for another street bike.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Since you already have MX bikes and a Supermoto, I'd go for another street bike.

I thought about it. My apprehension lies in the first/last 15 miles of my commute. The roads are gnarly, very rough and pot holed.

 

[shiftpro]

Yep, been riding since I was 4. First bike was a pw-50. Have several motocross bikes now and one street legal 450 supermoto. Sold my last street bike a while back.

Oh that's awesome, good for you. Sorry but I was afraid you might be one of those guys who never rode before. I never advise
adults with no kid experience riding to get into the sport. As you know, bikers crash... and it's something you want to learn top do when you still have rubber bones.

I would advise you to stay away from the DRZ platform. It's really heavy, kinda handles like turd, and the suspension really ain't happening. If you want a single consider a KTM EXC model. Or the Husqy platform also has the street legal big bore. If you really want something, and your not a short ass (like me) then consider a KTM adventure bike. Yes they are pricey but they hold value... not like a DR Tank.

 

[shiftpro]

when it comes to bikes, don't buy one you don't like.

When it comes to women, don't bang one you don't like... it's even worse than riding a bike you don't like.

 

[rt66paul]

I am a youngish old man because of a few motorcycle injuries. You can get hurt in the dirt(particularly with 4 wheel vehicles out there), but the asphalt really chaps your hide. Riding in commuter traffic on Monday morning is just asking for it.
Ride for fun on uncrowded highways or in the dirt. Just remember the 4 wheelers win against 2 wheelers. Anything larger - like tractor/trailers - stay well away when on the highway. He may not be able to see you at all.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I am a youngish old man because of a few motorcycle injuries. You can get hurt in the dirt(particularly with 4 wheel vehicles out there), but the asphalt really chaps your hide. Riding in commuter traffic on Monday morning is just asking for it.
Ride for fun on uncrowded highways or in the dirt. Just remember the 4 wheelers win against 2 wheelers. Anything larger - like tractor/trailers - stay well away when on the highway. He may not be able to see you at all.

Tell me about it... before I graduated high school, I had my first shoulder surgery at 14, wrist at 15, knee at 17, not to mention back injuries that I fixed with religious exercise.

I raced moto and H+S back then. Now I ride moto tracks for fun, quite a bit of single track and only have a couple get-offs per year. I’m way more level headed now. However, I don’t trust myself on a full super-sport bike. Hence the pokey supermotos.

Speaking of sport bikes, kawi now makes a factory supercharged “HyperSport” bike with 250hp. Yes, I know Honda, Ducati, BMW, etc all make bikes with that horsepower to meet homologation rules, but they are $100k bikes. This is a $20k bike for every man. Except me, they’d be cleaning me up with a shovel in no time.

 

[shiftpro]

Tell me about it... before I graduated high school, I had my first shoulder surgery at 14, wrist at 15, knee at 17, not to mention back injuries that I fixed with religious exercise.

I raced moto and H+S back then. Now I ride moto tracks for fun, quite a bit of single track and only have a couple get-offs per year. I’m way more level headed now. However, I don’t trust myself on a full super-sport bike. Hence the pokey supermotos.

Speaking of sport bikes, kawi now makes a factory supercharged “HyperSport” bike with 250hp. Yes, I know Honda, Ducati, BMW, etc all make bikes with that horsepower to meet homologation rules, but they are $100k bikes. This is a $20k bike for every man. Except me, they’d be cleaning me up with a shovel in no time.

Nice to hear you're still riding. It's been 8 yrs for me and I miss it, well... a lot more than women! So I don't have the regular aches and pains from riding and taking dirt samples... yet I have more pain without this level of exercise. I still plan to get back into it. Now that I'm in my 60's I would fare well racing off HS. But I need to hurry with that dream as many of the experts I was fortunate to ride with will soon be in their 60s and well **** I'll have to race them... and get waxed!