Wanna buy » Good for commuting?

[ashridge]

Hi there all.

I currently ride a Honda Transalp 650 into London every day from the suburbs. Wouldn't think of travelling any other way! I'm getting bored with the tranny and want something with a few more horses but love the upright riding position.

Saw my first MST today and experienced love at first sight!

Although it has a service interval 50% more than my Honda, can these stand up to a communiting life?

Also as bikes have a habit of getting absolutely trashed in London, are there any model or brand-specific pitfalls to buying used?

Would appreciate any advice or anecdotes.

Thanks
Adam

[kneepuck - Moderator]

Welcome. I rode a transalp as a rental in Italy for a month. Not a bad steed, but I can understand wanting a couple of more ponies. Handling on the MTS is WAY better. As a commuter it will do fine. You might check that your clutch pull is lighter (models seem to vary, mine if nice and light). There are a number of posts on model pitfalls. As long as you get a mid 2004 or later you'll have no problems. As for earlier models, there are sidestand issues (too close and don't hold up with lots of weight. Ducati was replacing them, so early model may be fine). Mirrors are tough to see out of. Lots of models have been updated. Real early '03 models had engine paint issues. If it isn't a problem, it won't be. Seats are harder on the older models, I like it that way, some don't. Some have valve guide problems. You will need to search on that, cuz I don't know much about it.

Good luck

[atwood 2004 1000 DS (Gray)]

Biggest pitfall of the multi for everyday city use is the composite gas tank. If the bike gets knocked over or run into while parked, and the tank takes a good whack, it will crack rather than dent/bend. If that happens it usually costs over $1000 to replace it ($1700 is retail price for the tank). If you have a safe place to park it, great, but if you're talking London street parking I'd worry about it.

A bagster cover would help protect it, but a metal tank that can take a beating would be preferable to me.

[misterpink 2006 1000 DS (Black)]

don't worry - enjoy - i use mine all the time for everything, having traded the 748 in on it. the MTS has more grunt than the transalp, and you will love it. i miss how skinny the 748 was in traffic (size 0 in model terms) the MTS is wider about the mirrors, but probably the same as your trans alp. i often do a herts ride on the weekend - so keep an eye out for a black MTS with termi's there are pitfalls but they are more potholes than pits.

[ashridge]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll winter on the Transalp and upgrade in the spring - with everyone else... The composite tank does sound a worry as mine has got lots of scratches where moped riders shove their bikes in between others in the bay.

Do MSTs come with a centre stand as standard - otherwise a worthwhile upgrade me thinks.

The MTS looks as high as the Transalp, so in traffic I find mirrors go neatly over car mirrors. The indicators on the MTS mirrors look a worry (expensive to replace me thinks!).