Best Town Bike

I do most of my travelling in and around town, and this type of riding has its own requirements and usefulness.

While most of the world is currently in a horsepower/capacity war, most of it is absolutely useless around town. Sure 150+hp and 165kg weight is great fun, but absolutely useless in an area ridden with potholes, slick surfaces and tin tops trying to kill you.

I ride a scooter, which is an absolute ball around town, but 50cc just does not offer enough power, and the fuel economy, while good, is not as good as it should be. I think this is predominantly due to the amount of weight the poor little thing has to haul around on a day to day basis, as well as the time it spends at higher speeds than it should be.

I contemplate getting a different machine (even if dollars do not allow it), but trying to pick 'The Best' bike for around town is an interesting idea.

Scooters offer a lot, especially in the ability to throw a bunch of stuff under the seat and just go. Their 'twist and go' setup is also mega-easy to move in and around traffic. However the smaller scooters are gutless, and the larger scooters are fat.

Sports bikes are relatively worthless. Hard on the wrists and too much power for their own good. These type of bikes cannot really be ridden 10/10th's anywhere in New Zealand, unless you visit a racetrack. Tyres are expensive, chains are expensive and get a hammering around town and all the routine maintenance related with them.

'Naked' bikes are a major option. They are upright, typically tuned for more midrange, and less peaky power. However, they also have expensive tyres, chains and the likes. The natures of the bikes are good, especially with the wide high handlebars allowing for ease of use around traffic. The likes of the KTM SuperDuke opens up the V-Twin nature, but they are awfully powerful, fun in specific areas, but not for day to day use.

One of the major options is a trail bike, not with the knobblies, but with road tyres. Unfortunately most of these beasts run rather odd sizes of rims, with 19-20" front ends being moderately common. However, with the increased popularity of the SuperMotard bikes, the availability of relatively simple, single cylinder, sports focused trail bikes, with 17" wheels, long travel suspension, wide bars and easily accessible torque. Most of the currently available products are relatively hard focused, but if the Japanese manufacturers, or the Korean/Chinese new entrants kick in, their popularity will rise. Suzuki offer the most competent current generation product, with their DR-Z400SM, a water cooled, 400cc bike with a curb weight of ~150kg wet and provides moderate power, with a top end around 140-160kmh.


There is also a rumor that Hyosung (Motors and Machinery), a Korean motorcycle manufacturer who also produce a number of 'cheap' motorcycles, will release a new 450cc SuperMotard bike this year. Hyosung are in the process of releasing a 450cc water cooled quad into the market (supposedly May). Hyosung's skills are certainly increasing, and if this is well produced, could be a very interesting addition to the market.