Commuting to Paris - Bike choice?

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bmwonder
22/07/2011 at 20:08

Hi all...I need your collective wisdom.

I have just got a new job in Paris, starting in October. I live in Surrey and I plan on staying there (kids schools, wifey's job). I plan to commute to Paris on a Sunday night on the bike, get digs there in the week and come back on a Friday night. I'll use the bike to get the short distance from my digs to the office in the week.

 So question is.....what bike? I want long distance comfort, decent fuel efficiency, hard luggage, reliability and moderate weather protection. My thinking right now is; BMW GS1200 (shaft drive is handy), Honda CBF1000 (or Fazer thou?). Not sure if I want to go for the full tourer BMW R1200 RT, but maybe that's what I need?

Currently I have a Fireblade (929) (mostly for trackdays), which I plan to keep, and a 2008 Superduke (mostly for being a dick on!), which I think I will sell. I should add that I'm 6'1" and 16st.

 So...get your collective brains in gear and get me a bike please! Thanks.

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

Edited: 22/07/2011 at 20:13
bmwonder
24/07/2011 at 14:40
no ideas anyone?

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

Braddy
24/07/2011 at 17:48
Honda cbr is a good bike but I have litle to no experience just trying to help so don't quote me on it but from what I have ridden on a cbr its top
spider phil
24/07/2011 at 20:25
FJR1300 good on fuel, very comfortable, good weather protection (with the adjustable screen,a good sporty tourer.
icedfusion
25/07/2011 at 08:15

Have you seen the traffic in Paris? It is alot worse than London so I am not sure if having a 'big' tourer bike would suit the transition to commuter once you have made the journey.

ice
bmwonder
25/07/2011 at 15:50
I have seen the traffic in Paris. I am well used to riding on the North Cric in London but the Peripherique scares the crap out of me. I was hoping to ditch the panniers once I get there during the week. Getting a psuedo-tourer (Bandit 1250, Fazer, CBF etc.) is cheaper but would I be better of on a BMW RT or Honda ST for the 250km to the coast?

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

bmwonder
25/07/2011 at 15:58
FJ looks good. Shaft drive too. What's the fuel economy? Yamaha don't quote it, which is odd for a tourer. I'll see what they go for second hand as Yams new prices tend to be a little high.

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

spider phil
26/07/2011 at 19:14
I go down to see my dad in kent on the FJR1300 from kings lynn in norfolk about 270 miles round trip on £30 pounds worth (70to10!!! )ish so not to bad.If you take the panniers off the bike looks normal (not like the pan-European) that looks very odd.You being over 6ft will fit ok as the screen gives very good protection .
bmwonder
27/07/2011 at 18:49

Thanks. I looked at the prices. New they are very high but used values really take a huge nose dive, making it a pretty good second hand buy. The BMW RT holds it's value much better. But since I plan on doing about 18k miles a year it doesn't really matter. After two or three years it won't be worth a lot, but I'll have had the value from it.

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

Centauro
27/07/2011 at 20:04
Moto Guzzi Norge
Kawasaki GTR1400
Suzuki GSX 1250FA ST (maybe not a full tourer but huge savings and might be easier on commuting)
twoeyedbob
28/07/2011 at 08:14
Blackbird
Reliable,cheap(ish)
Commutable,fast
Quite narrow for filtering
bmwonder
28/07/2011 at 14:51
Anything I put big miles on is not going to worth a lot after a few years so it might make sense to go for the cheaper option. On paper the 1250 Bandit might be a good option. It is definately a cheap option. Longevity was a worry with my old 600 Bandit, it didn't look too good after a couple of winters. Always liked the Blackbird though. It's a proper sorted bike. Like my Blade but a bit comfier and better suited to distance. But I always go back to the fact that on a cold Feb monring I will be cursing myself that I didn't splash the cash and get the beemer with the huge screen, heated grips and heated ball warmers.

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

twoeyedbob
28/07/2011 at 14:56
On the other hand..hot balls may not be so pleasant
When sitting in a traffic jam,after uv given up
Trying to filter on an elephant
bmwonder
28/07/2011 at 15:18

That's a lot of open motorway miles for a few miles of filtering pain. Right now top choices are;

  1. Top all-rounder - Yam FJ 1300
  2. Money no object - BMW RT
  3. Budget choice -Suzuki 1250 Bandit tourer

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

Centauro
28/07/2011 at 18:07
If you look at new prices, I think the Yamaha will have to take the money no object spot.
bmwonder
02/08/2011 at 17:52

HELP!!! Just hit a roadblock. Chosing the bike turns out not to be the issue here. The issue will be the insurance. Don't know why I didn't realise this? DOH!

1. Insuring a UK reg bike at my UK house but the bike will spend half it's life outside the UK. Is this possible? Will I get insurance from a UK insurer on this basis?

 2. UK bike insured with French insurer at my French digs. Don't know where to start with the one? I don't have any driving history/no claims in France, so turning up with a big tourer and zero no claims will not be good.

Anyone got any suggestions?

Thanks

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

arnunn
05/08/2011 at 12:20

Your insurer can issue a Green Card, and you can extend your insurance to cover France, this would be fine for say an extended tour, I am not sure how this would work long term, speak to a UK insurer.

I live in Spain, work in Gibraltar and cover over 240km on the daily commute. But I hold 'residency' in Spain so I had to get a Spanish plated bike and indeed a Spanish driving licence. The green card covers me when in Gibraltar.

On the other hand, there are hundreds here that ride UK plated bikes on UK licences day in and day out, most with local insurance, but no MOT etc etc. They never have any bother, some have done it for years, and will continue to do so. Me, well I'd get caught and busted so I went legal!

I ride a Hayabusa, best of all worlds, good tank range, comfy, handles very well, good stability in the rain/wind, a pussycat in heavy traffic with its low down weight, built like a tank etc, oh and keeps me entertained! I also used a Bandit for many years and that was fine but needed more fettling! BMW's.... reliability?

Best of luck!

rtuffsm
18/08/2011 at 10:24

I commute into Paris a fair bit, and live near Reading.  Currently doing it on a GSXR 1000, and although not comftable it is possible.  I use Kriega luggage and it has suffered some extreme conditions, including when I got caught in snow... that was fun.

The traffic in Paris is nothing to be worried about, they are a lot more aware of bikers than the British, but you will struggle to make progress on anything too big.

You should also look into getting yourself a Telepeage as it makes the journey a lot easier, especially summer time when they start to queue back at the tolls

brg
08/11/2011 at 21:20
How about using the superduke in Paris and commuting via the train? The duke would be perfect around Paris. In the middle of winter those French northern motorways can be lethal with the fog, snow, ice etc on a motorbike.
Momentum Blog
09/11/2011 at 13:32
That sounds like the ultimate commute! How about a Suzuki V-Strom 650? Great comfort and fuel economy, plus options for plenty of luggage.
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