Cheap bike for work commute?

[2forme]

Ninja 650, excellent commuter bike and can get out of its own way

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Wes B.

If you're looking for a brand new bike, I'd like to suggest the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone. It features a 90-degree 744cc V-Twin (50 hp at 6,200 rpm and 42.7 ft/lbs of torque at 5,000 rpm) that is capable of 50+ mpg. Brand new, costs start at $8,390.

That is kick-ass! But no way the OP should be spending that on a bike. Used bikes are cheap and you can always find one that's been in a garage and barely ridden (no reason to get one that's faded/rusty even with low miles).

But agree with the conclusions above: you're not going to save money by buying a decent used bike plus gear over simply commuting in the car and enjoying it.

[Trashed675]

I agree with the EX500 comment. They never got the body refresh like the 250 did so they still look kinda 80's, but you can get them dirt cheap. A buddy got one right after high school and turned a low 13 in the 1/4 mile with it so it'll keep up with anything short of a corvette. I believe he was getting in the 50's for mpg on the highway.

And if you get the right tires they should plenty long enough, just don't get something like a battlax bt016 or diablo corsa and you'll be fine, I got 5k miles out of the last set of battlax's i had on my 675.

[johnnie]

I'm not in the US, so my cost per mile is much higher than yours. Keep that in mind.

Anyways I had never ridden a bike regularly but about 2y ago I bought a cheap Honda PCX125 scooter just to commute, about 34 kms roundtrip with some highway. I got a 2y loan with 0% interest, and all things included, i still save money! My monthly commuting budget is way down. I only need to grab the car when theres a storm outside. I also save shitload of time as I can lane split and you can really save even more hassle and money on parking if you work downtown.

IMHO a comuting bike is not a toy bike and you can't have them both! But it's totally possible to keep the costs down while having a good amount of fun. Just buy a sensible bike, you don't need a CBR1000RR to have fun. The BMW F800R, BMW F650GS, Ducati Monster 600, Honda NC700, or the new Honda CB500 are all pretty good commuting bikes.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by johnnie

I'm not in the US, so my cost per mile is much higher than yours. Keep that in mind.

OP is in NY (USA).

IMHO a comuting bike is not a toy bike and you can't have them both!

Sure you can! SV650 And others...

But it's totally possible to keep the costs down while having a good amount of fun. Just buy a sensible bike, you don't need a CBR1000RR to have fun. The BMW F800R, BMW F650GS, Ducati Monster 600, Honda NC700, or the new Honda CB500 are all pretty good commuting bikes.

Yes, but they're also at least 3x more $$$ than OP needs to spend on a commuter bike. In the US, anyway, used is the way to go. There are *so* many bikes out there that got bought and then lived an easy life in the garage.

[TylerLieberman]

Ninja 300.

Looks better than the 250, only $300 more than a 250 and the 300 is fuel injected unlike the 250. I've thought about trading my zx6 for a 300 so my wofe could ride as well.

Great bike. Still gets over 65mpg

[wheelhaus]

If you're seriously considering it, just take the MSF course and you'll get a feel for a small bike to use for the course (you'll probably end up using a Honda Rebel or something). If you realize it's not for you, you can walk away from the course at any time. If it turnbs out that you love it, then you'll have the course credentials to get the license, and can start looking for a bike and gear. The instructors are typically REALLY supportive and urge people to take additional classes, so you'll never have a short supply of knowledge.

[Wes B.]

Originally Posted by ZDan

That is kick-ass! But no way the OP should be spending that on a bike.

It was simply a suggestion. The OP can decide how much he can and should spend on his future bike.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by #87

If I got a cheap bike that's good on gas I could save the car and some money over time I believe.
...
What would be a good used bike that's reliable, great on gas, and relatively cheap (without sacrificing reliability and good fuel economy).

Originally Posted by Wes B.

It was simply a suggestion. The OP can decide how much he can and should spend on his future bike.

Of course he can. But he did explicitly state that he wanted a cheap used bike that's good on gas.

$8390 isn't bad for a mid-sized new bike, especially one as cool-looking as that one! But it is a factor of 3x to 4x over what you can get a good cheap used bike for.