Commuting hacks

So we're slowly edging towards winter and I'm wondering whether a third
bike might be an idea, to avoid exposing the thou to another hideous
winter of abuse.

Needs to be cheap to insure, what with me being public enemy number one
for another couple of years, but not entirely shit to ride. Budget for
purchase is 2 grand tops, preferably significantly less. My own cut-
price value brand of personal dignity means no Hondas.

My first thought was a Bandit 1200 but they seem to hold their value
astonishingly well. My second thought was another SV650S since the last
one I had was utterly competent if equally uninspiring.

The commute will be a 17 mile round trip through central London so
filtering ability is an absolute must.

What say the font?

 

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198344
Just the job (not BMW)

 

Maybe not, eh?

 

GPZ500 with a skirt. What's not to like?

 

Supermoto?

 

A dirt bike of some description. Light, narrow, and with huge amounts of
steering lock.

Suzuki 400, or just about any 600/650 single. With my fondness for
Yamaha XTs, I'd say an XT600E is *just* what you want.

No depreciation to speak of, either.

 

TDR.

 

Well, I'm obviously getting a Bandit 1250GT for my winter hack. But
it's doubling up as a tourer and visit-customers bike, hence a new
one.

 

Are you expected to wear a suit? I've always wondered how that works
if using a bike, I mean yes you could wear it under your workgear but
it'd end up creased, and it's a hassle to arrive at site then ask
where you can get changed.

 

Crimplene. YKIMS.

 

Why the fsck would you want a 1200 for a city commute ?.
You need something lightweight, narrow and agile for filtering.
Plenty of winter ratbikes around for under a grand in the 250 to 500 cc
range. As per tradition I commend the GS500 and the 400-4.
Stop worrying about your image and think about the right tool for the
job, cheap to insure and ratty enough to be reasonably uninteresting
to the scrotes.

 

When not needing a suit, chinos under riding gear works ok.
Otherwise keep gear in tailpack/top box. Just about all workplaces have
facilities for cyclist, so I just use that. I usually check with customer
before going that there is parking for bikes, and then the info flows.

 

And if you are not bothered about depreciation, Aprillia Pegaso, same motor
as XT since 2006, Rotax before that. Much cheaper to buy.

 

I reckon I could probably squeeze trousers under the HG gear I just
bought but it'd be hotter than a new dehli summer, and about as
appealing.

 

Those were my first thoughts, but dirtbikes are guaranteed scrote magnets
and he is trying to rebuild an insurance record. Probably not a good
idea to have something that will almost certainly get nicked if left
around in london.

 

I'll wear shirt and tie under the jacket, and change trousers when I
get where I'm going. For most of my work, I'm based somewhere for a
period of time, so it's easy to suss out changing. For day meetings,
I'll either get the receptionists to point me to the loo before
announcing me to my host, or I'll get the train.

With the luggage space provided by topbox and side hard panniers, I'l
have no trouble carrying a week's clothes and laptop. For normal work
in my office it's easier as it's casual dress, so just the topbox for
laptop and lunch.

 

I don't think his stumpy little legs would touch the floor and a
commuter where you can't touch the floor is going to get you a lot of
slaps when you lean against cars whenever you stop.

 

Yes, very good point. Think of what happened to my last XT600E three
days after Donald bought it off me.

 

Insurance on a supermoto is about twice what it is on something like an
SV. Andy's point about my stumpy legs is also highly relevant.

 

wrote:

You've never seen me throw a b12 around, have you?

I'd rather put my balls in a vice than riding something that shit. I
don't want a ratbike, I want a decent bike that I don't mind getting a
bit grubby, as opposed to running a perfectly good sportsbike into the
ground.