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Long Distance Commute Bike????

Ssky0078

Ssky0078

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Dec 8, 2012
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Scottsdale, AZ
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Hi guys,

I am contemplating a move here in the future to northern AZ. I would be on average 50-100 miles away from the places I would need to go for work. Mostly highway, but opportunity to go on twisty mountain roads if I wanted to avoid highways.

I love the hell out of my FZ1 and will keep the bike until it gives up the ghost. However I'm thinking about getting a second touring type bike like an FJR to commute on. (I refuse to get back into a car unless I absolutely need to).

Criteria I'm considering.
1. Comfort: must have a comfortable seat and riding position. The Fz1 is good but after about 35-50 miles my butt and then legs go numb, and standing while riding down the freeway is generally frowned upon by LEO's. Also I love my naked headlight setup but a nice big windscreen would be better I'm sure for the type of commuting I'm considering.

2. MPG's: The Fz1 is good at 35 mpg, but I would like something up around the 40s-maybe 50s.

3. Luggage: integrated luggage like the FJR is desired. I don't have much to carry but would like to avoid riding with a backpack.

4. Easy(ier) maintenance schedule. I know every 500 miles to lube a chain isn't asking much but that would be once to twice a week with my new schedule and routes.

Anyone else who commutes long distances on their bikes please jump in and point out any other stuff I'm not thinking of. I still don't have a full year on 2 wheels under my belt but I'm already at 18,000 miles in 8 months, and that is not living in the boondocks. My point is, I'm still a noob, but I do have some experience.

Also, if you think I can convert the Fz1 to fit the criteria easily enough, then let me know. However, I was planning on setting it up more for getting to the track and still sport riding on the weekends.
 
Kawasaki Versys. 2006-2009

- Dual sport-style seating position, great for tall gents like yourself

- Supermoto fun times handling

- Good wind protection

- 650 cc twin with 70 hp solid mid range and 50+ mpg

- Large fuel tank. I believe it's 5 gallons.

- Takes full hard luggage
 
Ssky0078 said:
Hi guys,

I am contemplating a move here in the future to northern AZ. I would be on average 50-100 miles away from the places I would need to go for work. Mostly highway, but opportunity to go on twisty mountain roads if I wanted to avoid highways.

I love the hell out of my FZ1 and will keep the bike until it gives up the ghost. However I'm thinking about getting a second touring type bike like an FJR to commute on. (I refuse to get back into a car unless I absolutely need to).

Criteria I'm considering.
1. Comfort: must have a comfortable seat and riding position. The Fz1 is good but after about 35-50 miles my butt and then legs go numb, and standing while riding down the freeway is generally frowned upon by LEO's. Also I love my naked headlight setup but a nice big windscreen would be better I'm sure for the type of commuting I'm considering.

2. MPG's: The Fz1 is good at 35 mpg, but I would like something up around the 40s-maybe 50s.

3. Luggage: integrated luggage like the FJR is desired. I don't have much to carry but would like to avoid riding with a backpack.

4. Easy(ier) maintenance schedule. I know every 500 miles to lube a chain isn't asking much but that would be once to twice a week with my new schedule and routes.

Anyone else who commutes long distances on their bikes please jump in and point out any other stuff I'm not thinking of. I still don't have a full year on 2 wheels under my belt but I'm already at 18,000 miles in 8 months, and that is not living in the boondocks. My point is, I'm still a noob, but I do have some experience.

Also, if you think I can convert the Fz1 to fit the criteria easily enough, then let me know. However, I was planning on setting it up more for getting to the track and still sport riding on the weekends.
Click to expand...

What is your price range?

Your only requirement that stumps me is the full luggage. is this a commuter or are you going to tour with it?
 
Dustin said:
Kawasaki Versys. 2006-2009

- Dual sport-style seating position, great for tall gents like yourself

- Supermoto fun times handling

- Good wind protection

- 650 cc twin with 70 hp solid mid range and 50+ mpg

- Large fuel tank. I believe it's 5 gallons.

- Takes full hard luggage
Click to expand...

Great point Dustin, I forgot about the Versys.

Hail said:
What is your price range?

Your only requirement that stumps me is the full luggage. is this a commuter or are you going to tour with it?
Click to expand...

I occasionally would have to carry files and a laptop. As a backup I wouldn't mind it for long trips like my trip to CO I just did.

Price Range is around 5k-7k.
 
Ssky0078 said:
Great point Dustin, I forgot about the Versys.



I occasionally would have to carry files and a laptop. As a backup I wouldn't mind it for long trips like my trip to CO I just did.

Price Range is around 5k-7k.
Click to expand...

Get a nice duffle designed to attach to the rear. Throw your work clothes, laptop, rain gear or whatever in it and throw it over your shoulder heading in and out of the office. You can use it on all your bikes be it touring or commuting.

You can get different sizes but this is what I use.
Cortech by Tour Master Cortech Tail Bag :: MotorcycleGear.com
 
Dustin said:
Nothing beats a hard case for commuting. Once you go black (plastic) you never go back
Click to expand...

Only you look like a dork trying to carry them in to the office. ;) Even with my excellent hard cases on the bike I prefer my duffle when commuting. I don't change clothes in the parking garage so I like something easy to tote in to the office.
 
So, have you given any thought to the Super Tenere? I have recently been looking at adding an adventure bike to the stable and after hours on the advrider forum I have narrowed it down to two bikes, one being the tenere. Won't have the hp of the fz but by all accounts has everything else you are looking for. Good luck with the search!
 
returnrider said:
So, have you given any thought to the Super Tenere? I have recently been looking at adding an adventure bike to the stable and after hours on the advrider forum I have narrowed it down to two bikes, one being the tenere. Won't have the hp of the fz but by all accounts has everything else you are looking for. Good luck with the search!
Click to expand...

I have been thinking about a Super-Tenere quite a bit actually, originally wanted an adventure bike before I was considering this move.

I test rode both the Tenere and the FJR during bike week. I think the FJR would eat up the highway miles more easily and the Tenere would be a good option, just was lacking a little power I would have liked compared to the Fz1.
 
I hear you on the power concern. I haven't ridden the Tenere but a riding buddy of mine has an fjr and it is a great bike. Tons of power and shaft drive, and a bit more comfy than my gen1, just not as sexy!
 
If you want to stay in the FZ family don't over look the Gen 1. The riding position for me any way was was much more natural than the Gen 2 I'm 6'3". MPG is better, all though I have never seen anything over 39mpg. But my commutes are short with a lot of on off throttle. I'm doing the Raven Rider mod and carb balance right now so I hope to see some improvements with that.
As for luggage hard bags can be added of course. I thought I would add Hard bags to mine but found a deal on the cortex bags and grabbed them to use until I get the hard bags. I found that the tall bag is all I need for daily use so I haven't gone with hard bags yet. I like that it is expandable and can hold more that I ever thought it would. The wind protection is the biggest negative, there doesn't seam to be much out there for it. Even the tallest shields are to short to call them protective.
I looked at and rode the FJR before I bought my 03 and loved it so I would not talk you out of it. Really I went with the Gen 1 because it was the closest option to the FJR for a 3rd of the price. I just didn't need a touring bike as a daily driver, but wanted a bike I could use that way with a few quick mods If I ever had the time to take a longer trip. I have done a few all day trips on it and comfort was not an issues for me.
 
I put 90,000 miles on my 04 FJR and loved it (Damn deer did too) so here's my take.

Power? At 127hp to the rear wheel it is no slouch and will easily cruse at 125. Try that on a FZ1 for 20 miles (love Nevada!) and you would be beat to death. 85 mph is a real sweet spot on the FJR. At 5'6 I never had any problems riding it.

Shaft drive- chains suck! Yamaha did a very nice job with the shaft drive. Oil changes are easier than the FZ1

I would look for a Gen 1 (03-05) that has been well loved and don't worry about a bike with 60-100k miles. Mine pulled just as hard at 85k miles as it did at 5k miles.
The genII had some grounding issues but is still a good bike.
The new Gen III is really getting high praise from the boys who have bought it, a big plus is the factory cruise control.

Gen1's can be found for less than 5 grand. Buy one and ride it for a few months, if it's not for you sell it for about what you paid for it.

Sounds like the FJR would be perfect for you.

I've been asked why I didn't buy another FJR when replacing my deer struck 04. I had always planned on getting a Gold Wing for long distance duty as my wife rides with me sometimes and the Wing is the best in pillion comfort. Plus with aging the wind noise even with ear plugs on the FJR was getting to bother me on those long 500 mile back to back days. The Wing is so quiet I can even listen to the spoken word with my ear plug speakers. I do miss the ease of service on the FJR compared to the Wing.
 
Get a gen1.

I ride about 70-100 miles a day, get 44mpg average, and the half fairing with the little windshield keeps the buffeting off for the most part. Luring the chain once every two weeks takes about 30 seconds.

Or if you want closer to 50mpg get an fz6.

:welcome:
 
This is me on a 700 mile camp trip.

terdog-albums-pics-picture3766-quincy-pics-7-13-058a.jpg


I would commute 700-800 miles every week to the SF bay area workin construction.
That means enough work clothes for all weather, rain & shine.

terdog-albums-pics-picture3767-cell-pics-022.jpg


My MPG after the reflash is in the low to mid 40's.
 
Be careful on the '03-'04 Gen I FJR's......they had severe heat problems emanating off the engine onto the riders legs.....they were a roaster. Yamaha redid the fairing inlets and ventilation and solved the problem but living in AZ you do not need the heat flow the early models gave out.
 
Hail said:
Only you look like a dork trying to carry them in to the office. ;) Even with my excellent hard cases on the bike I prefer my duffle when commuting. I don't change clothes in the parking garage so I like something easy to tote in to the office.
Click to expand...

I agree, the Givi have a high dork factor.

I like the soft side bags. Google SW Mototech. You'll find the US retail site. They have lots of "cool" options. :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
 
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