mtnroads

Consider your source - Sport and Leisure. VFR are awesome SPORT bikes but when you start discussing hard-core commuting in all weather, a different set of requirements arise. Less about fun and more about reliablity and survival. I'd have to agree with Syke - a BMW K75 with shaft drive and virtually no maintenance requirements, heated grips as well as ABS brakes (optional) for stopping in crap weather - wins hands down. In some ways it is almost a car (for better and worse). You see them being ridden as well as parked out all winter long with no worries at all.

bigjim1

Not sure if you are aware but Hershon is a well respected American journalist who uses his BMW for everything including supprting pro cycle racing events transporting cameramen. The VFR comment was not his. The VFR has facility for ABS, Dual braking, and heated grips making it a very sure footed machine. It is not considered an out & out sportsbike, but a quality piece of kit with good weather protection. Couriers over here use them and I know of at least one that has reliably covered over 200,000 miles. A better bike than the olderBeemer is IMHO the Suzuki GS850 with shaft drive, smooth motor and sweet gearchange. Japanese or BMW gearbox? No contest.

Jim

sykerocker 

Glad your able to find the stuff. I work the parts department at a Honda motorcycle shop, and what's left on the shelves for twenty year old Honda anything ain't much. Part of the problem is that Honda has made too many different models over the years. I seem to remember that your GS500 (twin, I believe, was previously a GS450?) has been in production for ages, so that helps the parts situation greatly.

I get a lot at work where somebody comes in just having picked up a non-running 20 year old Honda cheaply, and then discovers why he got it so cheap. The previous owner probably stood in front of me a few months earlier looking for the same parts.

Bike Bandit is a wonderful resource. Little secret: If you're trying to deal with the local dealer's parts department, and insist on dealing over the phone (something I usually dread), have the Bike Bandit fiche on in front of you while you're talking to the parts guy. You're looking at the exact same picture that the parts guy is, only Bike Bandit changes the parts numbers. However, if you can point to, say, part #2 on the transmission picture, you and the parts guy are now talking the exact same part. And it's the only way dealing over the phone - other than actually knowing the make's exact part number - that will get you the proper parts ordered.

BikeManDan

I realize I may have it easy with my GS. The bike has been in longstanding production and very little has changed. Seems like theres a good community behind this bike and parts are plentiful. In the midst of a mini overhaul on it right now and so far its been super easy to work with. Im anxious to get back on it but have to wait until next month as I'm waiting on some critical parts to arrive.

PurpleK

Even though I had a car, I used a motorcycle for years as my primary means of transportation. Then one day at 60mph, I had a crash which totalled the bike, reduced the county deer population by one and shattered my collarbone. Even before I healed, I went right out and bought another motorcycle almost twice as powerful as the one I crashed. Somehow, it was never the same and I ended up junking the motorcycle after a few years and began spending more time on my bicycle.

Fast forward to today. I do most of my errands and commuting on a bicycle. However, I purchased a Vespa which has been one of the best buys I've ever made. It's a stretch to call it a motorcycle, but it sure is a handy little devil for some errands and can carry a surprisingly large load of groceries, etc. Last October I bought my wife a little pink scooter (25 mph max speed) for her birthday which she has begun using for her two mile commute. (She's not much of a bicyclist, and we have a loooooong uphill right outside our front door. At least the scooter keeps her from driving her car.)

overed

Got my MC endorcement today. Was riding on MC learners permit.
Bought a chinese scoot. Only 150cc. Great gas milage.
Fractured 3 ribs last week. Feeling no pain, thanks doc.
Looks like I'll be using the scoot now.
Put bike in shop for tune-up.
Soon as I heal, I'll be back on the bike.
If you don't understand, I can't explain. Riding the bike is fun.

HaChayalBoded

I kinda liked that bike

HaChayalBoded

Jackets are better, warm arms, also makes hooking up electric gloves easier.