Out of the blue I get a call from an acquaintence with a very good job opportunity should I choose to pursue it. Only problem is that it is 50 miles away. So my commute goes from seven minutes to an hour each way. If I did it, I would plan to ride every day I could, for sake of argument say it is 150 times/year or 15-20k miles per year on the bike plus weekend riding.
I have two Ducatis, the 851 would definitely be out. Too uncomfortable and loud, riding it on the interstate is torture. The 999 would be possible, I find it to be comfortable enough. Although putting big miles on one would mean big service bills, and of course the concern of how it would hold up. You don't see many 8V Ducatis with 100k on them. On their original engine anyway. I would do some service myself, unless I don't have time. All things considered, the 999 would not be my first choice for this. My closest dealer is two hours away.
I would like to limit the discussion to sportbikes/nakeds only for now, while something like a Goldwing might be ideal, it doesn't interest me. For reference a VFR800 or Sprint would be about the least sporty model. There is a poster who recently exchanged his 100k+ RC51 for a CBR1000RR, now that is what I'm talking about. Just seeing a superbike like that with huge mileage just seems cool.
I would seriously consider buying new just for the typical unlimited mileage warranties. But then the budget would be about $12k max. I would also assume that service would have to take place at the dealer to keep the warranty unquestionably in effect. So additional expense there too.
Realistically the brands that would be considered (due to dealer location) are:
Honda
Kawasaki
Yamaha
Suzuki
Buell
KTM
Triumph
Moto Guzzi
OTOH, if I could buy a reliable bike a few years old much cheaper, say $6k, you could do a lot of repair work for the additional monies saved. I would consider any bike with 100k miles to be basically worthless, but even throwing away a $12k sportbike is much cheaper than buying a new car and doing the same. Brands for an old bike are more open than the list above.
So the question is if anyone has experience or an opinion putting a sportbike through this, Japanese or otherwise, I would appreciate your response.
The idea of the new Buell 1125r intrigues me because of the belt drive. It seems like one big maintenance area is effectively eliminated. Being a brand new bike though, I don't know. Buells haven't exactly had a great reputation in that area.
An old bike that I have always wanted that would fit the criteria would be a 1996-98 Moto Guzzi Sport 1100i (the fuel injected one). Shaft drive, sporty looks, and a reputation for reliability.
personally i wouldnt ride a twin that distance daily unless i had nothing else to ride. spoil yourself and get a smooth bike - I4. i say grab a 929 or 954. it will do everything you want and more, gets 30-40 depending on how you twist it, but will never let you down, and its a good bike to ride when you arent paying attention, its forgiving. and they are cheap.
If the current FZ1 is anything like my old '01 R1 motor then Id say hands down go for the FZ.
To date, I recorded the BEST mileage on that R1. On a trip to Loudon from NNJ I recorded an average of 51mpg of mostly backroad riding........so interstate cruising I would imagine could be better. Just be smooth. Plus the FZ would be much more comfortable for a commuter bike..
__________________
'12 Tri Explorer
'05 GSXR1k (4Sale)
'00 RC51 (4Sale)
If mileage were the only concern, I'd say any of the 600's. An F4i comes to mind. A year or two old model can be had for half what they were new (everyone wants the RR) and you have the stone cold reliability of a Honda. The distance you are driving and your size may dictate a larger bike. For a Commuter/Sport it would be hard to beat a VFR, but I'd lean more towards a CBR1100XX or even a 'Busa. SUPER comfortable bikes and tons of power for making short work of the freeway. Again, many of these bikes can be had very cheap for a couple year old model (worth it if it's clean) and money can be put into some sensible mods and maintenence.
just a note but the guy who had the rc51 with 100,000 miles on it swapped bikes cause he got hit by an old lady with 103k on the ticker. Wasn't exactly a planned change... I'm sure he would've run it to 200k
When I was in grad school I did it all the time (126 miles round trip). My Triumph Daytona was perfect for it. I did it on the 851...once.
The 999 has much better airflow management than the Daytona. I can ride even down to high 30's without much problem on it. Anything below 45 on the Daytona was frigid.
I would ride the 999 except that it would be a PITA to keep it on the road racking up big miles. I would be money ahead to simply buy a throw-away bike for $5k and ride it until it falls apart. On a bike like the Blackbird it could take years to wear it out.
Today I was looking at some of the original tests on it from 1997. It stil got 40 mpg according to Sport Rider.
Out of the blue I get a call from an acquaintence with a very good job opportunity should I choose to pursue it. Only problem is that it is 50 miles away. So my commute goes from seven minutes to an hour each way. If I did it, I would plan to ride every day I could, for sake of argument say it is 150 times/year or 15-20k miles per year on the bike plus weekend riding.
I have two Ducatis, the 851 would definitely be out. Too uncomfortable and loud, riding it on the interstate is torture. The 999 would be possible, I find it to be comfortable enough. Although putting big miles on one would mean big service bills, and of course the concern of how it would hold up. You don't see many 8V Ducatis with 100k on them. On their original engine anyway. I would do some service myself, unless I don't have time. All things considered, the 999 would not be my first choice for this. My closest dealer is two hours away.
I would like to limit the discussion to sportbikes/nakeds only for now, while something like a Goldwing might be ideal, it doesn't interest me. For reference a VFR800 or Sprint would be about the least sporty model. There is a poster who recently exchanged his 100k+ RC51 for a CBR1000RR, now that is what I'm talking about. Just seeing a superbike like that with huge mileage just seems cool.
I would seriously consider buying new just for the typical unlimited mileage warranties. But then the budget would be about $12k max. I would also assume that service would have to take place at the dealer to keep the warranty unquestionably in effect. So additional expense there too.
Realistically the brands that would be considered (due to dealer location) are:
Honda
Kawasaki
Yamaha
Suzuki
Buell
KTM
Triumph
Moto Guzzi
OTOH, if I could buy a reliable bike a few years old much cheaper, say $6k, you could do a lot of repair work for the additional monies saved. I would consider any bike with 100k miles to be basically worthless, but even throwing away a $12k sportbike is much cheaper than buying a new car and doing the same. Brands for an old bike are more open than the list above.
So the question is if anyone has experience or an opinion putting a sportbike through this, Japanese or otherwise, I would appreciate your response.
I had a 2000 ZX-9R and what a great bike to tour on. Plenty of power and comfort for long hauls. No issues what so ever. Thats my pick.
i've been commuting on a honda 919 for the last 3 yrs. put 67k miles on it and it has been flawless. just regular maintenance and she is still running great.
I have been using my VTR1000 (with Sargent seat and Helibars) for sport-touring for a few years now and am happy with it. Not sure if this qualifies but I put some decent saddle time on a Bandit 1250 on the weekend and all I can say is WOW!!!
I have almost 11K miles on my '07 FZ1 since April. All I have done to it at this point was install the Yamaha touring windscreen, a Sargent seat, barsnake in the bars and gel grips. I rode it from Minnesota to the Moto GP at Laguna and back, riding just over 1000 miles the last day.
I love the way the bike handles, the power is more peaky than my '01 R1 that I just sold but has comparable HP. Fuel mileage isn't as good as I would like or even as good as the old R1, I get 35 MPG on average with the shitty gas/gasahol we have here in MN.
I think the biggest downfall of this bike is the mid-range isn't as strong as I'd like, but it is overgeared from the factory. 80+ MPH in first gear really isn't necessary on a bike like this so most owners swap a 16 tooth drive sprocket and install a speedohealer.
Ivan is supposed to be working with Yoshimura on an exhaust and tuning set up to fill in the mid range power of the FZ1. Exhaust, air box mods, an ignition advancer and a PCIII have some people getting up 150 RWHP.
I think the new Bandit would be a great streetbike, tons of torque would be nice on the street.
I must admit being smitten with some of the Moto Guzzi models like the cafe sport.
The new Z1000 from Kawasaki has been retuned for stronger mid-range at the expense of top end power, but it is garnering favorable reviews from the press.
The new bike from Buell is also an interesting alternative, good wind protection and a torquey motor.
There are so many good bikes available it's hard to decide what to get, I got a good deal on my FZ1 which is one of the reasons I bought it, but originally in '01 I was going to buy one but when I walked into the showroom and looked at the R1 I just had to have it. I never regretted buying that R1 and after 6 years of trouble free ownership I sold it because it was time to move on to a more practical bike for everyday life for me.
Ninja 250's sporty enough if he's of healthy weight. 70+MPG, simple to maintain, and tough as nails.
PS: I commute 92 miles a day on my 1995 Yamaha YZF600R. She has 56,000 miles and gets roughly 40MPG. I go through 3 full sets of tires a year on that bike compared to the 1 set I use on the RC51.
__________________
2002 Honda RC51
1995 Yamaha YZF600 - the commuter with FCR's
1995 Kawasaki KLR650 - 705cc
2008 Suzuki GSXR600
Best sportbike for big mileage?
Linear Mode
