Looking for advice on commute bike

deftoner

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Hello there!

Thanks for reading.

I'm looking for a recommendations on a commute bike, will be a 20 minutes ride. Back in Argentina I used to have 3 bikes. A Yamaha FZ16 (160cc), an honda biz (105cc) and my XT 660. The FZ16 was enough for traffic and some highway since top speed was 80 KM/H. But now I'm living in Florida. and people drive like the end of the world. Like getting away from a nuclear explosion., so an small engine bike wont work on highways.

I was looking for a bike light to handle in traffic and for not using my S10 on every day commute (those miles are for cool adventures not traffic :D)

I was looking intro the XT 225, but damn, small engine bikes prices are really near to medium engine....

Any recommendations on a bike that I could find used in around 3k?

Thanks!!!
 

cycledelic relic

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If you fit on a Ten....then you'll be right at home on a Strom 650....running 75-80 all day long without a glitch... & lo maintainence too. The 07-11 models get better mpg than 04-06 but cost less than the 12-16 (& have the larger tank).
RideNow Georgetown has a very lo mile 11 ABS for under $4K...but ..Id bet you could buy it for less

Oh...& ..Ive only owned 4 650 Stroms for a total of about 200K miles (3 1000s too)
so Im not predisposed or anything...!huh

Sent from my LML212VL using Tapatalk
 
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Don T

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Why not just use your S10 for commuting?

It's a great bike for that.
- nice comfortable upright riding position.
- good handling.
- good range.
- low maintenance and running costs.

Riding your S10 every day will make you know the bike better.
Most bikes died of old age rather than high mileage so why not use it as much as possible?

And the 3k you save could finance a nice long trip :)
 

Checkswrecks

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I commuted on two Teneres for years. Plus you already own it so no additional expenses.

Craigslist is full of dual sport beaters if you are worried for the bike being damaged. I'd second the thought of a 650 Strom.
 

cycledelic relic

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Stroms are pretty close in comfort to the Tenere......a taller seat & lower pegs make it almost identical in ergonomics...+ its 100lbs lighter.

&...there are bunches of em available

Sent from my LML212VL using Tapatalk
 

EricV

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In that price range you have a wide selection of bikes under $3k. I did a quick search in the Orlando area w/a 250 mile radius and $1k to $3k price range, not knowing what part of FL you're in. Everything from a 63k mile FJR for $3k to a Sportster 883. LINK Tons of bikes. Filter out the cruisers, (unless that appeals to you), and sort thru what's closer to you and what you find appealing, then go take some test rides.

The stand out bikes, to me, in the standard class, which would be more comfortable for commuting are:

Yamaha FZ-1 - (great ergos, 42-50 mpg, great brakes and power, but bigger than you really need) In GA

Suzuki GW250 - Small, great brakes, easily do 70+, but like any smaller bike, lives at higher rpms. These are great little bikes. I'd have bought one if I could have found one closer to me.

Honda NT-700 that already has a top box and built in luggage with only ~27k on it. (DeLand, FL)

'18 Honda CB300F - ~6k, big enough for hwy speeds and cheap for a newer, low mile bike. Unsure about the ergos, but worth a look. (Ocala)

2015 PIAGGIO BV 350 Yeah, it's a scooter, but it's a 350 too, so likely plenty fast for commuting. Top box already. (Ocala)

V-Strom 1000 with ~32k. Better brakes than the 650, but not as smooth. Good bike, if a tad bigger than needed.

Suzuki Burgmans in the 400 or 650 (some have top boxes, plenty fast, step thru comfort. Down side is maintenance is a little different that what you're used to. Belt drive, but pretty darn reliable and good weather protection on those rare rain days.

2004 YAMAHA FZ 6 w/ ~35k in Kissimmee. Plenty of power and speed, lives above 5k most of the time, ~42 mpg, light, comfortable rider position and bulletproof. Downside, loud aftermarket pipes.

In the hooligan class, there are even a few bikes like a Ducati Monster, a Honda VFR 800, A HD 500cc and others at that price point.

My basic rule of thumb is don't be afraid of older bikes with under 50k miles on them. Stick to Japanese brands unless you're willing to risk paying top dollar for Euro parts and service. 250-700cc range for better mileage and still enough speed for commuting. Bonus things like already having a top box will save you money. After that, what appeals to you? For a 20 min commute you can accept less than ideal ergos if it puts a smile on your face and lets you cut thru traffic on the ride to/from work. You can put a top box on almost any bike.

My examples above are all in the $3k range, but click the link and reverse the price search to start looking at the bottom priced bikes and work up too, see what looks interesting to YOU. I bought my FZ6 with 45k on it. It was priced at $2300 and I bought it for $1600. I put a new front tire, front wheel bearings and another $100 of basic maintenance and minor farkles in it and it's set. Commute wise, I'd add a top box off ebay for ~50. Mine already has a rear rack, so I wouldn't need to buy that.

Hope that helps
 

steve68steve

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I commuted my S10 70 miles/ day for about a year and half in central FL. It's a GREAT choice for the job:
traction control for summer afternoon monsoons
ABS for emergency stops
sufficient power for highway and passing
cruise control
seating position and visibility
low maintenance and shaft drive - ride it hard and put it away wet.

Seriously, if I had to do it again, I'd do it again. It's the perfect slab daily commuter.
In hindsight, I wish I'd bought a second, used, cheaper S10 for commuting which could be kept stock. I hated running my skid plate and knobby tires on the FL State Turnpike every day. That meant when I was planning to take a trip or go to a rally, I'd have to waste time changing tires and skid plate. I also racked up a lot of commuter miles on my "good" bike.

I bet a used high mile S10 could be had for a few grand.
 

spklbuk

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DR650 with a 16-tooth front sprocket. Lightweight, Cheap, versatile and bulletproof. And fun!
 

Tenman

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My brother has a naked FZ 1 for sale. It's about 5 years old and has less than 200 miles on it. It's been kept inside his house. Mint condition. His vision is bad and he only rides it occasionally to warm it up. I can find out what he wants for it if anybody's interested.
 

Madhatter

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don't forget the Suzuki DR650 , low price and been around for ever. a great commuter as I had one for 3 years before I got my '12 Tenere. just put a good seat on it and you will be happy. lots of after market stuff if you want to get crazy...... and welcome to the USA deft0ner .
 
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