Topic: New Commuter Motorcycle?

[laminarflowone]

So, I've just been hired for my first real job out of grad school, and I am looking to acquire a new commuter/do everything/car-substitute motorcycle.  I've basically limited the choices to a few within a very close price range:

(1) Brand new KLR650, possibly last year leftovers
(2) Used BMW F650GS 2005, with ~7kmiles and side bags
(3) Break down and buy a crappy car

Thoughts?

[andy750]

How long is the commute? Highway driving? The KLR is not as good on the highway as the F650. F650 more expensive to repair for parts or if take to a shop.

I bought a Suzuki VStrom DL1000 for commuting and in one year - 10,000 trouble-free miles. Parts are cheap and bike is reliable. It does it all.

Good luck
Andy

[CaféElite]

Buell lightning xb9..   

[winnipeg550guy]

So, I've just been hired for my first real job out of grad school, and I am looking to acquire a new commuter/do everything/car-substitute motorcycle.  I've basically limited the choices to a few within a very close price range:

(1) Brand new KLR650, possibly last year leftovers
(2) Used BMW F650GS 2005, with ~7kmiles and side bags
(3) Break down and buy a crappy car

Thoughts?

 -------->  (2) Used BMW F650GS 2005, with ~7kmiles and side bags

[brandEn]

Yamaha FZ1 (first gen, 2000-2005). Best all around bike IMO.

[mlinder]

Why do you need a new bike to commute?

[laminarflowone]

My job is in crazy-weathered MA, and the commute is mostly on roads with a speed limit of 50mph, and a small stretch of highway.  I am getting a new bike because the Ninja250 won't cut it as my commuter anymore for the following reasons:

1)my CB750 is too pretty to commute on
2)the ninja struggles to hold >50mph
3)the ninja is not good in the snow/all-terrain weather and I can no-longer walk or take the buses to my destination
4)No easy way to get racks on there, and I don't want to fuss with designing some for a commuter

I thought about getting a V-strom, but all the used ones are roughly the same price as I can get the BMW, except with a ton more miles.  This f650gs only has 7k on it, which I think is good for the ~5k range?  Plus, it comes with expandable and lockable hard cases.

[mlinder]

My job is in crazy-weathered MA, and the commute is mostly on roads with a speed limit of 50mph, and a small stretch of highway.  I am getting a new bike because the Ninja250 won't cut it as my commuter anymore for the following reasons:

1)my CB750 is too pretty to commute on
2)the ninja struggles to hold >50mph
3)the ninja is not good in the snow/all-terrain weather and I can no-longer walk or take the buses to my destination
4)No easy way to get racks on there, and I don't want to fuss with designing some for a commuter

I thought about getting a V-strom, but all the used ones are roughly the same price as I can get the BMW, except with a ton more miles.  This f650gs only has 7k on it, which I think is good for the ~5k range?  Plus, it comes with expandable and lockable hard cases.

So, why do you need a new (as in, expensive and new) bike to commute?

[andy750]

I got a 2003 VStrom, 15k for way less than 5K...and it came with $1800 worth of aluminum luggage (top box, sidecases) - check out ADV rider - that's where I got mine. I am also in Mass and ride daily between Boston and Waltham. Mostly highway. I also use my CB750K4 as well for commuting. 

good luck
Andy

[laminarflowone]

Well, I first wanted an used V-strom, but several of my riding buddies have them and have had a terrible time with the build quality.  It's obviously a great bike, but they must have shipped a whole bunch of lemons to the local bike shop which has left scars, scaring me away from them and towards more traditionally 'indestructible' bikes like the f650, KLR, and the DR.  I already have my CB750 which is constantly a work-in-progress, I can't afford to have my commuter bike to be the same, which is why I was looking at newer bikes (aka, less than 10k miles). 

[JBMorse]

Well I don't have any experience with either bike, but having observed some "in the field" it seems to me either the F650 or KLR would be great for your purposes.  Tons of aftermarket for both bikes too. 
Of those two, I would choose the KLR for it's economical running costs.  Plenty of luggage options and damn rugged bikes too.
If I were shopping in this market segment, I'd go for the DR650 for its simplicity over the KLR.  (I also learned to ride on a DR as a teen, so I'm a little partial to Suzuki dual sports ).  But I suspect there are fewer luggage options and it may not be as comfortable as a commuter. 
Of course your CB750 could be a great commuter, but I don't see the problem with having another bike in the stable!

[kirkn]

Yeah, if that's the field you've narrowed it to, I'd go for the big KLR, although, if it were ME, I'd go for the older, pre-redesign model ('08, '09?).  Way more of an "experience base" out there, which is a good thing.

I just picked up a little KL250 (aka Super Sherpa) just before Christmas.  Great little bike, tons of fun, and getting 70 mpg!

Good luck with it, whichever way you go.  Keep us informed!

Kirk

[andy750]

Well, I first wanted an used V-strom, but several of my riding buddies have them and have had a terrible time with the build quality. 

First time Ive heard that. I know several people with VStrom and no one has complained about build quality. And if you look at the online forums (Stormtrooper.com) there are no reports like this. As you indicated it may be a very localised batch. VStroms have proven themselves as very reliable, durable and cheap bikes from 2003 -2010.

[laminarflowone]

Yeah, I figured something was fishy because they all came from the same shop...noob assembly mechanic?
The V-strom was originally my first choice, but the best insurance quote I get is so much more than F650GS and a G650X-challenge, which also strikes me as strange.  Also, its hard to find fairly new V-stroms, KLRs, or DRs with low miles (under 10k) because the owners love them too much.  

It's basically comes down to the following:

1) F650GS 2005 with 7k miles and the bmw lockable side cases
2) G650 X-challenge 2007 with 4kmiles, centerstand + tourtech rack + pelican topcase

Both are ~5k.  

[paulages]

Yeah, I figured something was fishy because they all came from the same shop...noob assembly mechanic?
The V-strom was originally my first choice, but the best insurance quote I get is so much more than F650GS and a G650X-challenge, which also strikes me as strange.  Also, its hard to find fairly new V-stroms, KLRs, or DRs with low miles (under 10k) because the owners love them too much. 

It's basically comes down to the following:

1) F650GS 2005 with 7k miles and the bmw lockable side cases
2) G650 X-challenge 2007 with 4kmiles, no extras

Both are ~5k. 

The dealer here has NEW G650Xs for $5K...

[laminarflowone]

I'm definitely a noob when it comes to buying used or new motorcycles.  All the ones I have bought thus far have been either barn finds or dumpster-diving gems...come to think of it, I don't think I ever paid more than 300 for a bike and I never bought one that was fully working, which was half the fun.

Think they would would ship it to MA?

But now I have to get a commuter (dual sport) bike and I'm looking for something new/ish and dependable because I don't want to work on it a whole lot (at least for a couple years) and I want to take it in all-weather conditions.  I'm still doing more research calling shops in the area/craigslist, but so far, the x-challenge and the f650gs seem to be the best very lightly used bikes available.