New rider

[steve_b]

Hi all. Recently found this forum and spent hours reading posts (wife not too impressed about that!). I am due to start my DAS this weekend so that I can then get a bike for the 30 mile commute to work - had enough of sitting in traffic jams.

I have been carrying out some research and, so far, the Yamaha dealer recommended a 600 Fazer and the Honda bloke suggested either a 2 year old Deauville with 12k on the clock or a new Transalp (he also said a centre stand, heated grips and a top box might be useful).

If I ask the question 'Which bike should I go for?' I suspect I already know your answer. However, are the any reasons why I shouldn't pick the Transalp? I am in my late 40s and haven't ridden a bike since my teenage years when it was Yamaha 100cc something, I intend to use a bike everyday (snow or ice permitting).

I look forward for your views.

[rlkat]

Fazer 600:
Top bike. Bought it brand new in April 1999. Had it for 18 months, traded it in for my first Transalp. Never looked back (except for a moment of sheer madness when I bought a new TDM 900). Fazer was nice on the motorway, obviously quicker but for what I wanted to do; commute, weekend fun on knackered B roads and the odd bit of touring, the Transalp topped it. Took a little while to accept the loss of 50hp but I wouldn't go back to one now.

Deauville:
Never tried one so can't comment, though for me I'll never go back to a 100% road bike (unless I'm forced to because the manufacturers seem to be slowly turning their dual-purpose bikes in to road bikes ie. Triumph Tiger - peuk, peuk, honk)

Transalp:
Brill. Peeeerrrfect for what I want. Cheap to run, reliable, comfortable. Tyres £90.00 a set. Always starts. Just protect the rims, lube the chain, change the oil and filters.... er that's about it. I'd definitely recommend a centre stand.

The Transalp would a better 30-mile-a-day-all-year-round-commuter than the other ones purely because in wintery conditions the knobbly tyres will be better than road tyres. You also get hand guards as standard.

Hope this helps.

Rob
ps. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp. Transalp.

[steve_b]

rlkat,

Thanks for the reply. I think my mind is made up and it rhymes with your ps

[ger]

Deuville corrodes like fury.......Did a lot of looking around six months ago, found lots of 3 yr old Deauvilles looking like they lived in a salt mine....

TA does me all year round,..

Ger

[Mudwiz]

Just gotta be TA !
I used to comute 50 miles each way, all year, 'cos there was no parking for cars at work (Central London!!)

Traded in my CBR 1000 for it, and never looked back. Even going long distances is cool on the TA, and you don't have to wash it very often! (My 13 year old fashion expert recons the mud looks cool!!)

You also get to play places like here, and on unsurfaced roads, MX tracks, rallies and so on that many other bikes can't access!

[Pete Rock]

Purely for the commute the Deauville might be better, it´s probably better regarding weather protection, and the shaft is great.

They´re both bulletproof, and the Transalp is a very easy bike to ride in any kind of tarmac, the Deaville´s sidecases might suit you and they´re very integrated into the bike. For a daily commute of 30 miles each way I don´t think there´s a better bike than the Deauville, but I like the Transalp better.

You can´t go wrong with either, so just take what you fancy the most.

[Fatjohn]

I tried the new 700 Deauville a few months ago and was *very* impressed. Can't comment on the older 650 model. Would definately consider a NT700V if I was back in the market for a new machine and could stand the damage to my image (such that there's one to be damaged).

Having said all that, I love my TA and am very aware that any other bike would have a seriously tough act to follow in terms of reliability and quality.

[24ftlb]

I use my ta for everything, from a daily commute, to camping trips with some of the guys off these forums. A regular 58-60mpg, comfortable riding position, cheap on tyres and chain. A blast to ride and certainly more license friendly than some of the more exotic stuff. Still a quick bike.

Brilliant bike

Paul

[steve_b]

Guys,

Really grateful for all your comments. CBT/DAS begins tomorrow and test on thursday, after that I think it will be a trip to the Honda bloke for his new Transalp. Better pass that test after all the effort!