Refurbished rider needs commuter bike opinions

[Diggler]

Well, first post, so here's my story.

I rode for a couple years back in the early 90's when I was about 20, I had a CB650. A labrador retreiver darted out in front of me, I hit it, went over the handlebars and spent a week in the hospital with a ripped open knee , a broken ankle and numerous abrasions (the dog received some stitches and was released that day). I haven't ridden since. Of course back then I didn't know anything about MSF courses so I don't know if I could have avoided wrecking after hitting the dog or not. And of course I was wearing tennis shoes and jeans, so I may have been able to avoid the broken ankle and torn open knee if I had leathers and boots.

With the gas prices the way they are (as well as the entertainment value of bikes) I would like to give it another try. I am looking for a bike to commute to work, with great gas mileage. The cheaper the better. Used, old bikes are OK as long as they aren't beat up. My commute is 42 miles one way, mostly on regular 2 lane rural roads, with 8 miles on a 65mph highway, that then changes to 55mph for the last 7 miles.

I have no interest in speeding; you won't see me zipping around at 75mph on a bike. I know how bad it hurts. I am 6'1, 190-200 lbs with a 34" inseam.

I like the fuel economy of the 250's... a lot. Of course everyone around me says that I need something bigger, I'll get blown around and I'll grow out of it quickly. Well, right now my car is a Saturn SL1, not a Mustang. I'll be perfectly content to ride around at 55-60 mph, I just want it to do it well. And since my car gets around 35mpg, the bike needs to get great mileage to justify insurance, etc... a 42mpg bike isn't going to cut it.

At 100mpg, I would even consider a sportier looking scooter if my wife wouldn't divorce me over looking dorky on one, plus it's not fast enough for the highway.

Are there any fuel miser bikes that will carry me well and be comfortable enough for a drive like this?

Thanks...

[totalmotorcycle]

to the TMW motorcycle community Diggler and another warm welcome back again to the motorcycling community in general too!

Total Motorcycle does have the first (and only) Motorcycle Fuel Economy Guide which you should look through when you have the time: http://totalmotorcycle.com/MotorcycleFu ... yGuide.htm it will list a lot of bikes and their fuel economies.

A 250cc will work with your needs. It will do highway speeds fine and gets good gas miliage. A 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R will get 72 mpg for example which will save you a lot of gas.

Your CB650 should get around 48mpg back then.

You mentioned 2 lane rural roads, are those paved or rock?


Mike.

[Diggler]

I've been looking at the fuel economy guide... that's awesome.

The roads are all paved.

I probably missed the boat on getting the good deals during the off season, but it's getting easier to justify the cost this year versus last year.

My wife's car is an Avalanche, so I will get trickle-down savings if we can park the Av more and let her drive the Saturn when necessary during the day.

How difficult is it to switch to a Ninja-style bike when you've only ridden a cruiser?

[CNF2002]

The Ninja I hear is more standard than anything.

Virago and Rebel and Nighthawk are fine options for the 250 category. If you can tolerate a little vibrating thumper, I'd recommend my Blast (a standard), a 500cc.

I get 65-70mpg, it can get up to 80mph easy and does not get blown on the freeway (I commute every day, 4/5 freeway 1/5 in city).

Doing any long trips? The blast isnt for you...but for 30-40 minute jaunts, its perfect.

Plus, they are cheap. Get a 02+ model year (the earlier ones had some tsb's but if they were corrected, mainly sprocket and rocker gasket, they are reliable too) for around 1,500 to 2,500. Avoid any bikes used in the Harley MSF classes.

[jstark47]

....... with 8 miles on a 65mph highway, that then changes to 55mph for the last 7 miles.

I have no interest in speeding; you won't see me zipping around at 75mph on a bike.

If your "65mph highway" is anything like mine (I-295 in Burlington & Mercer counties, NJ) faster is actually safer. You might reconsider your need or desire to go 75mph as a capability of your bike. Of course you don't want to go that fast at first, but commute-time traffic on divided highways in metro areas can be brutal to slower vehicles. The safest strategy is sometimes to be in the left lane, going slightly faster than the rest of traffic. Once you get used to it, it will seem quite natural.

[Diggler]

I tend to miss a lot of the rage-filled rush hour people; I am on the road between 6 and 6:30 am, and 3-3:30pm. The traffic is fairly thin then. I'll have to pay more attention to it on the way to and from work while in the car; I go the speed limit every day due to fuel savings (though everyone probably hates me for it).

[CNF2002]

Keeping up with traffic will cost you a little with gas, but what REALLY helps is just to keep smooth acceleration and braking. You see these guys commuting in traffic, slam gas, slam brake, slam gas, slam brake, in a Ford Excursion, and they're the only ones in the car, sipping a $5 cup of coffee. These are the people complaining about gas prices.

[Diggler]

Keeping up with traffic will cost you a little with gas, but what REALLY helps is just to keep smooth acceleration and braking. You see these guys commuting in traffic, slam gas, slam brake, slam gas, slam brake, in a Ford Excursion, and they're the only ones in the car, sipping a $5 cup of coffee. These are the people complaining about gas prices.

Yep. I set cruise control to 65 as soon as I get on, kill it and coast to 55 when it changes, and set it again until my exit.

A lot more relaxing that fighting traffic, too.

[blues2cruise]

Read this thread.
viewtopic.php?t=10862&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0