Long distance commuter

[Diggler]

It’s been a while since I last posted

I’m looking to change my work bike. I regularly travel into the centre of London and have found the best way to commute from S’Wales rather than train or car is by bike, ease of getting around the city just makes it a no brainier. My current hack is a Deauville, before you mock, they’re great bikes, I’m on my third ! However, they do fall down in some areas, not having cruise control is probably the biggest downside, although I’ve fitted a throttle stabiliser it’s not great.

So am after ideas on what to replace it with taking into account the following possible criteria:

Budget £5000
No more than 30k miles
Needs luggage
Prefer shaft drive
Big enough to do the distance, small enough to cut through traffic
Must have cruise control
Be crap enough that the moped thieving scallys ignore it
Comfortable

Interested in ideas people have, cheers

[MikeZ]

This looks like a reasonable list. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category: ... otorcycles

[Jug]

The way I see it there's three items in your list that are at odds with each other.

Budget £5000
Prefer shaft drive
Must have cruise control

Cruise control on a used bike at £5000 will be tough ask, but if there is such a bike then I think it'll be chain drive.

[bristolsaint]

Look for an air cooled BMW 1200RT and don't worry about higher mileage. They'll do it easily and 100,000 + miles isn't uncommon.
And get a bloody great big lock for in London!

[Kata]

You could try a fjr 1300 but £5k probably won't get you cruise control. An older one yes.

[Streetmann]

Screenshot_20210318-204059_eBay.jpg

only 8k on the clock

[Jug]

If you drop your requirement for cruise control then you have lots of options.

[Ruffian]

Z1000sx probably being a decent option for a mile munched.

[jer r1]

Will see if any of our fjr bloodbikes are being released soon. Although high mileage they are serviced within an inch of their lives. Fully decommissioned and all hiviz markings removed. Normally a 3 year old bike goes around your price range and we always get first refusal on them.

[Diggler]

Cheers for the feedback all. I think there are options available, the sticky point is cruise control as even bikes such as the Z1000sx have only just received this as standard.

My Deauville is being collected this Saturday and hopefully looking at an option either Sunday/Monday, a Triumph 1200 Explorer. It ticks all the boxes and comes in on budget but keeping my eye open to see what else might be suitable.

That’s very kind jer r1, I would be interested to know.

Streetman, riding a Deauville I have learnt that all bikes can provide pleasure, I think the FT500 may be a step to far down the ugly tree!

[Jug]

I didn't realise the 1200 Explorer could be had for that money, especially as used bike prices seem to be high right now.
Good luck for the viewing.
It's a big beast though, and heavy so cutting through traffic will need care.