Top High Mileage rides

[sjbmw]

OK, so ride to work day (train station really) after 3 days is now a full blown bug. I like the R, but it's an "average" mileage bike at best. I am considering venturing into the used bike market, and getting a high mileage second steed, good for small errands, and a daily 20 mile round trip to work.

High mileage, reliability, small luggage for a lunchbox etc, and low cost of ownership will be the criteria. (Just can't break the mental scooter barrier right now).

I really like the F650.. but their used prices are not really great, as it seems no one parts with them voluntarily.

So what are the choices? Why?
Let hear it.

[NoRRmad]

http://world.honda.com/news/2003/2030305.html
Sort of a mini-V-Rod...

[MikeCam]

But Herb, You are going to win the XT225!

[sjbmw]

But Herb, You are going to win the XT225!

If I believe that, I am a sure loser. I have to be opposite, to give me a fightin' chance.

Although I am in a heavy state of covet about it

[Biff's R]

http://world.honda.com/news/2003/2030305.html
Sort of a mini-V-Rod...

95 km/l is pretty amazing. That is over 200 miles/gallon.

[wncbmw]

sjbmw - my own plans are to get a second bike, a dual-sport bike, specifically a Suzuki DR650. You might consider the same. The DR has a reputation for reliability, ease of maintenance and a good 50/50 bike for road and trail. Reports are 55 mpg or so. Not as good as a scooter but then, you can't take a scooter off for a weekend of riding Forest Service roads in the mountains either.

I don't regularly commute on the R1150R but might do so when I get the DR. Cheaper on gas, tires, etc. and if I have a minor parking lot incident, no worries; I will probably be banging it up in the woods anyway!

[sjbmw]

I live in NJ. Riding in the woods is a crime. I gotta get out of here.

[Biff's R]

Yes you do Herb.

[wncbmw]

Sorry Herb. I forgot you lived in NJ.

Come south, ride in the woods and collect guns!

[bruno71]

I would humbly suggest a mechanically solid 1970's Honda CB 500-750cc or a late '70-early '80s airhead. No museum pieces but reliable buggers that are functional and retro-cool. Even duck taped accessories are considered cool in some circles and circumstances if you take it to the Rat Bike route. I have been looking for a R75 or R90 as a daily driver, but the prices this time of year just keep climbing. Maybe by next Christmas?

-Bruno

[sjbmw]

Thanks Bruno. My first bike was a 1980 CB 750, and my third bike was a 1999 750 Nighthawk. Great bikes, and I rode the snot out of them.
My older brother started out with a 1973 CB 500, that was my "starter" bike before I was old enough to ride legally.

I recommend the Nighthawk to any first rider who ever asks me.

I am interested in less cylinders (and weight), as the 750 inline four's mpg was not too far away from my 2 cylinder R.

Although I did sit on a 80's GS once, they used to be made for short people, and I LOVED it.


Whenever I see a Fundoro at a rally or open house, I stop dead. Strangely, no one that owns won ever entertains the idea of selling it.



The other bike, (I have only seen one in the flesh, bobbing through Center City Philly) is the MZ Baghira. It has the Yamaha TT660 motor, the model Yamaha never sold in the USA.

[sjbmw]

Sorry Herb. I forgot you lived in NJ.

Come south, ride in the woods and collect guns!

I hear ya. Loud and clear.
sorry, hijack alert.
It takes 6 months to get a firearms permit in NJ. I want to start trap shooting again, like I did as a youth, but I will have to wait till NEXT year to do it legally on my own. I had more freedom when I was age 15, than I do now at 47.

Next year's BMW MOA rally has been announced... Johnson City TN.... a hop from Asheville.
We can have our own Bash within a bigger Bash. I expect to meet you there Vann. We will have three fingers of single malt to toast.

I will make it a point to go to Asheville, to see my top relocation choice.

[Biff's R]

Sorry Herb. I forgot you lived in NJ.

Come south, ride in the woods and collect guns!

I hear ya. Loud and clear.
sorry, hijack alert.
It takes 6 months to get a firearms permit in NJ. I want to start trap shooting again, like I did as a youth, but I will have to wait till NEXT year to do it legally on my own. I had more freedom when I was age 15, than I do now at 47.

Herb,
That is poo to have to get a permit for a shotgun. Go buy one, and if you are questioned, cite the Second Amendment.

[wncbmw]

Definitely culture shock if you move down here!

And I heard about the next MOA rally! An easy day ride from here! We will need to arrange a R1150R.org meeting spot or perhaps camping together! Look forward to meeting you! Want me to bring some local real estate guides?

Back on topic - the airhead suggestion was good. I love my bike but have often longed for the 'Simple by Choice' days. (Conveniently forgetting of course any Airhead problems and the lousy brakes). A good PD GS model would do me as a second bike! Actually, as an only bike. But they are pricey nowadays!

[BigEasy]

+1 for the DR 650 as a commuter, here's a couple pic's of mine





My commute is 35 milesish each way starting out on 2 lane state highway ending in downtown Indianapolis and she does fine. I will tell you right now to be prepared to do someting about the seat, they are widely known as an instrument of torture. Some folks go with Alaska sheepskin or taxi beads the next step is the Suzuki gel (did not hear goods things about that one) or Corbin replacement saddles. I opted for a custom job by Renazco and am very happy with it.

The milage is reported on a stock bike to be anywhere from the high 40's to into the 60's/mpg (60 is antecdotal at best). The PO of my bike installed a Dynojet kit and I am unaware of what size but the power is quite smooth and predictable an my milage is consistantly 44-48 mpg.

[Boxer]

My last tank of gas riding back and forth to work for two weeks cost me $11.82....That came to 70mpg. I didn't carry anything but myself and a backpack loaded with lunch, a half gallon of water, a plastic container of blue and white paper clips, a small camera and a ball point pen. OH! One day out of those 10 I rode the R1150R....and I almost forgot...One day I drove the truck.

What am I riding?

[iowabeakster]

Herb,

My 2 cents...

I wouldn't worry too much about gas milage. For the most part, all bikes get really good mileage. I would pick a bike for other reasons.

If we estimate gas at $4/gallon....

A bike that gets 40mpg will cost 10 cents per mile in gas.
A bike that gets 60mpg will cost 7 cents.

10,000 miles/year, yields a difference of 300 dollars per year. 5K miles/year yields 150 bucks difference.

That mileage difference is pretty small considering some other expenses involved like: Purchasing price, maintenance, accessories, insurance, etc.

Riding 10K annually, if the bike getting 60mpg costs $1000 dollars more, it will be 3+ years before your bank account sees a benefit.

So anyway, I too wouldn't use my R for the daily grind of commuting. It is my pleasure machine. I would reccommend that you not purchase one because of a 10mpg or even 20mpg difference. Get the one that serves your needs best. You will be happier, keep it longer, and save money by not replacing it.

edited-for awful grammer.

[sjbmw]

Herb,

My 2 cents...

I wouldn't worry too much about gas milage. For the most part, all bikes good really good milage. I would pick a bike for other reasons.

If we estimate gas at $4/gallon.

A bike that gets 40mpg will cost 10 cents per mile in gas.
A bike that gets 60mpg will cost 7 cents.

10,000 miles/year, yields a difference of 300 dollars per year. 5K miles/year yields 150 bucks difference.

That is milage difference is pretty small considering some other expenses involved like: Purchasing price, maintenance, accessories, insurance, etc.

Riding 10K annually, if the bike getting 60mpg costs $1000 dollars more, it will be 3+ years before your bank account sees a benefit.

So anyway, I too wouldn't use my R for the daily grind of commuting. It is my pleasure machine. I would reccommend that you not purchase one because of a 10mpg or even 20mpg difference. Get the one that serves your needs best. You will be happier, keep it longer, and save money by not replacing it.

Makes a lot of sense. Thanks.
I am still partial to the F650. I got to ride one as a loaner from my dealer, and it's a really fun bike.