Sportsbike - all year round commuter?
#1
Posted 13 April 2011 - 10:26 AM
Always wanted a Sportsbike, in particular a K7 GSXR 600.
I'm on a Bandit 600 at the minute and may be in a position to get a GSXR shortly. Is a Sportsbike an all year round commuter? I know it'll great now with the dry weather and long evenings but i'm also thinking ahead of the cold dark winter nights. I use the bike primarily for commuting to work (Blanch -> City Centre) with the odd spin here and there at the weekends.
Anyone use a Sportsbike as an all year round commuter? Good idea or should i just stick with the Bandit? Won't be able to have 2 bikes unfortunately.
Cheers.
Other Replies To This Topic
#2
Posted 13 April 2011 - 10:38 AM
If it is through a lot of traffic (filtering) then I would say no but if you are on motorway/dual carriageway a lot then why not.
Lots of guys here commute through the city on sports bikes all year round so it is really donw to your personal preference.
I blew the engine on my CB1 at the weekend and had to get the R1150R back on the road in a hurry and so glad I did. Upright position just makes this a fantastic commuter. Ability to see all round makes life so much easier.
#3
Posted 13 April 2011 - 10:48 AM
Us oldies have a problem with the leaned over sports riding position on gixxers...I bought the Fazer for commuting as my back was killing me on the CBR600..
Also as the Greek says the upright riding position gives you a much more commanding view of the traffic and conditions
So it's really down to personal choice...of course you can commute on it..but is an upright safer and will your bones manage on a sports bike commute..choice is yours
#4
Posted 13 April 2011 - 11:02 AM
As said, sports bikes are not ideal for filtering but it shouldnt be a major issue, I commuted into Dublin on my Busa with no problems. The busa is more comfortable than a gsxr 600, but I was travelling from Laois, so blanc->city on a gsxr easy peasy.
#5
Posted 13 April 2011 - 11:41 AM
No real bother but you will tend to find that because they are, by their nature heavier on consumables, it would make having a second bike both more affordable and sensible!
This post has been edited by The Mex: 13 April 2011 - 11:41 AM
Reason for edit: typo... again.
....2 wheels transport the soul!!
memento mori
#6
Posted 13 April 2011 - 12:24 PM
Still in my 20's (only just!) so my back shouldn't be a problem.
It's a bike i just have to own, have been watching others on Sportbikes in the City and they make filtering look easy on them! Others have warned that my wrists will ache but having sat on a GSXR i didn't think the riding position was that extreme!
#7
Posted 13 April 2011 - 02:32 PM

The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred. ~Soichiro Honda
#8
Posted 13 April 2011 - 02:45 PM
#9
Posted 13 April 2011 - 03:12 PM
Drumy, on 13 April 2011 - 02:45 PM, said:
+1 on that, haven't tried one but I've heard their low down power delivery is much smoother than most sportbikes, saddle looks pretty comfortable too.

The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred. ~Soichiro Honda
#10
Posted 13 April 2011 - 05:08 PM
Pilot, on 13 April 2011 - 03:12 PM, said:
Between saturday and monday I did 750miles last few hurt mind
#11
Posted 13 April 2011 - 05:36 PM
Drumy, on 13 April 2011 - 05:08 PM, said:
That sounds pretty damn comfy, I get uncomfortable in the cinema at anything more than a couple of hours. I thought 750 miles in a few days was more pan euro territory.

The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred. ~Soichiro Honda
#12
Posted 13 April 2011 - 07:42 PM
Pilot, on 13 April 2011 - 03:12 PM, said:
Make that 2. Must recover that bike from the carpark in work !
That said, I commuted for a good while on a gsxr 750 blanch ('97) -- city center. Piece of pish.
So longs as being in your 20's doesnt preclude you having one due to the insurance cost?
#13
Posted 13 April 2011 - 07:43 PM
As already said, sports riding position can be iffy when in heavy traffic, its dark and raining - your visibilty can be slighlty impaired but not drastically. A more sit up type bike would probably suffice.....So, why not buy a smaller hack for the commute and spoil yourself with something special for the weekends.
#14
Posted 14 April 2011 - 08:27 PM
last year i bought another because i loved the last one so much but the experience this time round is a lot different.lifesavers are a stretch,wrists and fingers ceasing up after 20 mins and the back ache is hell after a half hour of heavy traffic.time for a change me thinks.
olde age i guess.
#15
Posted 14 April 2011 - 11:15 PM
Caution: May contain traces of nut
#16
Posted 15 April 2011 - 07:02 AM
Drumy, on 13 April 2011 - 02:45 PM, said:
The BEST bike ever
You can't beat the old pre FI models (99/00).... one of my biggest regrets EVER is selling my 99 600FX model (for fcuk all too
#17
Posted 15 April 2011 - 08:42 AM
.... often thought of getting another, less sharp that the ZX6R I had over here, but easier to behave on!
....2 wheels transport the soul!!
memento mori
#18
Posted 17 April 2011 - 09:22 PM
#19
Posted 20 July 2011 - 07:07 PM
As mentioned above, the CBR600F is a wonderful bike that ticks all the boxes, I've never had one but my brother swears by his and I;ve heard similar sentiments from most people.....
#20
Posted 20 July 2011 - 11:38 PM
This post has been edited by fabio: 20 July 2011 - 11:39 PM
Always ask why...
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