Honda Hornet?

[J4MES]

Seems like a good replacement for the Vespa, better (more reliable, if not more agile) for my future commute from Putney to central London...

Any thoughts or alternatives in HeXus-shire?

[Rave]

Couriers love Hornets- apparently it's because loads of them are Brazilian and the Hornet is made in Brazil.

For an urban commute I'd just get a 500 twin though (Honda CB/CBF500 if you want a modicum of quality), all the power you'll need in town and cheaper running costs. My Kawasaki ER500 was perfectly reliable for the year I had it, I daresay it'd still be going now if I hadn't dropped it four times. They're dirt cheap. I got 65mpg.

[J4MES]

I learned to ride on a CB500 which as I recall was ace - the ER5 was a little small for me... Maybe a CB250 would do?

[Rave]

Do you mean CBF250? They're pretty small too. How big are you then? I'm about 5'11" and found the ER5 perfectly comfortable in town.

There's no doubting that the CB500 is a better bike than the ER5 but it's not, IMO, so much better that it justifies its price premium.

[J4MES]

I'm 6'2" and long in the leg - I got a little leg cramp when I went out on the ER5 and had to swap for a CB. If the 250 has a smaller frame I guess the 500 is best. How about the GS? Hold on, it wasn't an ER it was a GS which was too small... oops. Perhaps the ER5 might be alright..