Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > General Motorcycles only > Advice on Supermoto's please

[Jools]

You know it might be heresy, but if I was commuting I wouldn't buy a bike.

I would go for a twist and go superscoot. Something that will cruise at 70, slide through traffic, have loads of cubby holes for your sarnies/lid/laptop/whatever, will have reasonable weather protection, no brainer transmission, big old plush seat, low maintenance and the ability to ride it everyday without ever cleaning it. Just get home and sling it in the shed.

To me a commuter 'bike' is just a tool, you don't have to love it, it just has to do the job.

If you want something to love..."Ducati for the weekend sir?"

[Scooter916]

Originally Posted by Jools

You know it might be heresy, but if I was commuting I wouldn't buy a bike.

I would go for a twist and go superscoot. Something that will cruise at 70, slide through traffic, have loads of cubby holes for your sarnies/lid/laptop/whatever, will have reasonable weather protection, no brainer transmission, big old plush seat, low maintenance and the ability to ride it everyday without ever cleaning it. Just get home and sling it in the shed.

To me a commuter 'bike' is just a tool, you don't have to love it, it just has to do the job.

If you want something to love..."Ducati for the weekend sir?"

Spot on
we have a Gilera nexus on demo at the moment and its a proper hoot, Off the line its as quick as most bikes and you can scare a all but the most dedicated of the R1 brigade on it,
I even considered taking it to day 2 of the dsc track attack this year.
Glyn

[Lily]

another vote for the 950sm

can't say i would want to commute on a normal sm unless it was al through town.

I officially commmuted on a bike for the first time today. Yes I have ridden my bike to work on the odd day in the past, but that was about fun etc, this was on purpose and I have topbox!!

The 950 is stonking good fun and great through the traffic (although slightly wider than a 998 with no mirrors :8 ) and then it goes that step further to be a touring biek if you want it a track bike if you are desperate or just a toy for the odd day out!!

Can't believe I haven't done it sooner

[TP]

Originally Posted by Lily

another vote for the 950sm

can't say i would want to commute on a normal sm unless it was al through town.

I officially commmuted on a bike for the first time today. Yes I have ridden my bike to work on the odd day in the past, but that was about fun etc, this was on purpose and I have topbox!!

The 950 is stonking good fun and great through the traffic (although slightly wider than a 998 with no mirrors :8 ) and then it goes that step further to be a touring biek if you want it a track bike if you are desperate or just a toy for the odd day out!!

Can't believe I haven't done it sooner

I am insanely jealous!

[BDG]

Another totally irrelevant vote for 950 KTM's here as well, however back to the question, for your budget avoid anything european, its gotta be a DRZ400 or a Yam WR400/426/450, though you'll be at the real bottom end of the market with £2k budget, or a Honda XR 400/600/650 but they're all kick start only. You'll pick a late 90's XR400/600 for the budget. They're bullet proof as long as oil has been changed, air filter kept clean and valves done.

Import XR's came with full road kit whereas UK bikes didn't.

A lot of converted dirt bikes aren't really fully road legal.

I don't think you'd lose a bundle of money on some of the stuff outlined above after a years use.

[BDG]

Originally Posted by TP

I am insane!

Yea we all know

[Gizmo]

for any distance on mway don't buy a supermoto, i had a KTM Duke last year, great for scratching and short jorneys but the vibration and wind blast soon irritate on longer journey's or motorways. the bigger SM950 is better with its v twin engine.

[Gilps]

I know it's not a SM but I've got a BMW F650GS as my winter hack. I use it in summer too if I need to carry a bit more than my laptop. Its got expanding panniers, top box, and tank bag too so can carry loads of stuff. It does 70+MPG with 200 mile plus tank range. And its got ABS and heated grips. The downside, its never going to set your world on fire with only 50BHP but it will cruise at 90MPH on the motorway fully loaded with reasonable wind protection (I've got the Dakar screen fitted). Mine doesn't go off road but would handle trails if you wanted to. It's also quite low so if like me you are a bit lacking in the leg department it's a good buy. You should just about be able to get an early one for about 2 grand. Mines a 2000 bike and I paid £2700 from a dealer.

[dave996]

Thanks for all the advise guys and gals, time to go away and have a gooood think now.
cheers
dave