[DaveD]

Hey all,

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.

[The Greek AKA The cat]

Really depends on you and to some extent the commute.

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.

[Darkcloud]

Depends on your age really...and condition of your back

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

[PaulB]

Blanch to city centre is a short commute so it should be no problem.
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.

[The Mex]

I used a ZX6R as an all year, all rounder for a long while....

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.

[DaveD]

Cheers lads!

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!

[Pilot]

I do about 50km a day on my cbr on motorway and through traffic and I find it great for the commute, especially the filtering. It's true it sucks up the petrol but it's worth it. Rain or sun I always have a smile on my face and the fairing keeps me a bit covered from the rain. The most difficult thing is to stay within the speed limit!!

[Drumy]

take a look at a CBR600F ticks all the boxes

[Pilot]

Drumy, on 13 April 2011 - 02:45 PM, said:

take a look at a CBR600F ticks all the boxes

+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.

[Drumy]

Pilot, on 13 April 2011 - 03:12 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.

Between saturday and monday I did 750miles last few hurt mind

[Pilot]

Drumy, on 13 April 2011 - 05:08 PM, said:

Between saturday and monday I did 750miles last few hurt mind

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.

[Tazzzie]

Pilot, on 13 April 2011 - 03:12 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.

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?

[Blade RR]

Sportsbikes nowadays are pretty comfy. My last three fireblades were excellent so no issue there. Some lads i know have gsxr 1000's so they are of the same opinion, grand for heading to work and will also do the 2 week Euro trip when needed without any hassle.



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.

[flash1]

rode a zx6r for 4 years on a daily basis with no problems what so ever appart from filling up to often when compared to others.that was 10 years ago.

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.

[Fr Dougal]

Honestly, if it's your dream bike, go for it mate.

[Darkcloud]

Drumy, on 13 April 2011 - 02:45 PM, said:

take a look at a CBR600F ticks all the boxes

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 )

[The Mex]

I had one of them earlier CBR's back in the early 90's, it was an FM model (1991)

.... often thought of getting another, less sharp that the ZX6R I had over here, but easier to behave on!

[petecourtney]

Tazzzie, on 13 April 2011 - 07:42 PM, said:

Make that 2. Must recover that bike from the carpark in work !

Is that the one with the leaky sump? Jeez Tazzz, that was AGES ago. Is it still in work?

[Konfucious K]

I'm in my mid-20s and drive a 2000 zx6r every day. Its great for handling:comfort ratio... but after a few hours on long trips it does help to let the blood flow back into your arse by taking a break... I wouldnt really care if it rattled the spine out of my skin though so I'm a little biased

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.....

[fabio]

Hmmm CBR 600f....I wouldn't mind one of those now at all. 99/2000 shapely model with the black tailpeace and the yellow and turquoise fairing. I love that colour scheme. This one:

This post has been edited by fabio: 20 July 2011 - 11:39 PM