best commuting bike

6606 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Boots, Mar 3, 2008

jct3788

Discussion Starter · May 15, 2007

For anyone with experience with these bikes, i was wondering which would be best for commuting to work a few days a week. I have a 60 mile one way interstate commute.

2004 Honda Goldwing

2004 Honda ST1300

2004 BMW 1200 RT

Thanks

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1 - 14 of 14 Posts

· #2 · May 15, 2007

For outright comfort, the Wing without a doubt. The ST would be better if you were going a shorter distance, but may get better fuel economy. Don't know anything about the beemer, but I'm betting the Hondas will be cheaper to maintain.

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Smith357

· #3 · May 16, 2007

The Wing will be very comfortable, the ST and RT have a slightly more aggressive riding position which is better for more nimble handling but it's not so aggressive to be uncomfortable for distance. The Wing and the BMW will have more amenities, and the BMW will retain its value a bit better. Most of this is subjective and you really should ride them all to see which one suits your riding style.

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BH121869

· #4 · Sep 3, 2007

jct3788 said:
For anyone with experience with these bikes, i was wondering which would be best for commuting to work a few days a week. I have a 60 mile one way interstate commute.

2004 Honda Goldwing

2004 Honda ST1300

2004 BMW 1200 RT

Thanks

I would check with the shops and ask what the services will cost on each. Just a valve adjustment can run $500 on some bikes and an oil change 150.00so ask first. I have two Harleys and can do it all myself but I have heard rumers of what these above cost over time. Check it out. I'd guess the BMW would be cheaper over time and most of it you could do your self. It would hold its value better if you don't add to many extra's. Most any bike with two cylinders gets pretty good gas milage but ask about these above. Ask first.

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chromekid01

· #5 · Jan 21, 2008

2004 BMW 1200 RT is my vote, I had the chance to put some miles on one and wow i was in love with the power delivery and creature comforts of a bike that could still dice it up on the back roads and mountain passes

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stuco

· #6 · Jan 21, 2008

BH121869 said:
bikes and an oil change 150.00so ask first.

You've got to be kidding!

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BH121869

· #7 · Jan 21, 2008

stuco said:
You've got to be kidding!

When I go in to any shop I ask prices and on average for synthetic oil, filter and gearbox oil changes, expect $125. to 150. So I do it myself in about 1/2 hour.
On my last Honda they wanted more than this to adjust the valves on a 750 two cylinder at a Honda shop. No thanks Honda. Ask them what they get for a four cylinder valve adjustment sometime.

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iamgumby

· #8 · Jan 22, 2008

an oil change 150.00

[You've got to be kidding!/QUOTE] I was on a road trip in ABQ, NM and stopped at a shop for an oil change (about 1k over due - got distracted). Don't know how much it would have cost - they couldn't (wouldn't) get to it for 2 weeks! Right. If you do your own service - not a problem - if you have it done - check your normal service interval costs. My.02.

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chromekid01

· #9 · Jan 22, 2008

iamgumby said:
[You've got to be kidding!/QUOTE] I was on a road trip in ABQ, NM and stopped at a shop for an oil change (about 1k over due - got distracted). Don't know how much it would have cost - they couldn't (wouldn't) get to it for 2 weeks! Right. If you do your own service - not a problem - if you have it done - check your normal service interval costs. My.02.

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I sometimes do the oil change on my Ducati but if not then that would typically cost about 125ish and the 6k/7.5k service is 700 and the 12k/15k is 900 and i have put 30k on my bike since march of '07 when i bought it

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BH121869

· #10 · Jan 22, 2008

chromekid01 said:
iamgumby said:

I sometimes do the oil change on my Ducati but if not then that would typically cost about 125ish and the 6k/7.5k service is 700 and the 12k/15k is 900 and i have put 30k on my bike since march of '07 when i bought it

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Did the 15,000 mile also include a valve adjustment? On some bikes even the Harley V rod I hear they have to drop the engine to do a simple adjustment.

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chromekid01

· #11 · Jan 22, 2008

BH121869 said:
chromekid01 said:

Did the 15,000 mile also include a valve adjustment? On some bikes even the Harley V rod I hear they have to drop the engine to do a simple adjustment.

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Valve check at 6k and again at 12k and neither time needed a adjustment but they typically need adjustments at 12/15k and since mine is a Multistrada there are no fairings its 2v and the motor does not need to be dropped but its still pricey

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BH121869

· #12 · Jan 23, 2008

chromekid01 said:
BH121869 said:

Valve check at 6k and again at 12k and neither time needed a adjustment but they typically need adjustments at 12/15k and since mine is a Multistrada there are no fairings its 2v and the motor does not need to be dropped but its still pricey

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I saw a post you made in the Triumph section I believe and hope you don't mind me using it here to show pricing can be high but as you say it is worth it. I agree but still think they are making a mint on us.

Quote I personally own and ride the hell out of a Ducati Multistrada 1000DS and yep you have to pay to play but i wouldn't trade it for anything Same motor as the S2R

30k miles on it since march of last year service intervals are 600,3000,7500,15000 and the prices are as follows (may vary slightly) $275,$125ish,$750,$900

So far for me tires are the most costly thing on my Harleys that I've laid out for. How are your holding up?

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chromekid01

· #13 · Jan 23, 2008

BH121869 said:
chromekid01 said:

I saw a post you made in the Triumph section I believe and hope you don't mind me using it here to show pricing can be high but as you say it is worth it. I agree but still think they are making a mint on us.

Quote I personally own and ride the hell out of a Ducati Multistrada 1000DS and yep you have to pay to play but i wouldn't trade it for anything Same motor as the S2R

30k miles on it since march of last year service intervals are 600,3000,7500,15000 and the prices are as follows (may vary slightly) $275,$125ish,$750,$900

So far for me tires are the most costly thing on my Harleys that I've laid out for. How are your holding up?

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I go thru tires all the time and my personal favorite right now is the Pirelli scorpion sync
Proper attention to your bike will reward you with many many miles of fun for me the Ducati is the first bike i want to keep for 100k and more, before it i was changing bikes once a year and sometimes sooner but with the Multistrada miles be damned its a keeper I can turn it into a track day bike, a 2 up tourer, a easy commuter, a solo tourer, a mountain hell raiser or a full on touring bike, it also goes thru FS roads with ease and to be honest there are very very few bikes that do so much so well

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Boots

· #14 · Mar 3, 2008

The 2004 BMW 1200 RT

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