With the high profile motorcycles we see out on weekend runs largely tucked up during the Covid-19 pandemic, the spotlight falls on the everyday workhorses that are keeping Britain moving.
Whether they are getting NHS staff and other key workers to work, helping with deliveries or powering volunteers like the blood bikers, it’s the turn of some of those less glamorous powered two wheelers to shine. Using UK registration data, we took a look at five such machines putting in the miles during the lockdown.
BMW R1200GS
While non-essential journeys are banned and bikes are being parked up by leisure riders, other key workers are digging their bikes out for the daily commute.
With public transport reduced and less than ideal for practising social distancing, some motorcyclists are taking advantage of the reduced traffic on the roads and using their motorbikes for their essential journeys.
No bike is more suited to this task than the ever popular GS, and it’s close stablemate the GS Adventure. The big boxer has been Britain’s best selling large capacity motorcycle for many years now, and many continue to get an airing during the coronavirus lockdown – not just with commuters, but also with the many bikers volunteering their services to support the NHS.
Honda ST1300 Pan European
The Honda Pan European hasn’t been on sale in the UK for a number of years now, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most loved workhorses by the British riding public.
The ST1300 is the fastest selling touring bike, and the ninth fastest selling used bike overall in the UK according to Auto Trader, the specialist classified website, and it remains one of the most common bikes with customers of specialist insurance broker Carole Nash.
Honda’s reliability is legend, and nowhere is that bulletproof build quality more apparent than on the ‘Pan’. Over the years it has been one of the country’s most popular police bikes, meaning that there are quite a few well looked after, high mileage examples out there, and today they provide the cornerstone of volunteer services like the blood bikers.
That’s no wonder, as they are super practical with mile munching comfort, low maintenance shaft drive and plentiful carrying capacity when fitted with panniers and a top box.
Pan European, we salute you!
Yamaha FZ6 Fazer
The ever popular Fazer is another of those models which ticks so many boxes for so many riders.
It’s been over a decade since the 600cc all-rounder was last sold new in Britain, but according to Auto Trader, it’s the fastest selling second hand motorbike in the UK over 125cc just now.
The 2003 YZF-R6 derived engine gives it plenty of go, but the upright riding position and half fairing makes the Fazer much more practical proposition than the supersport machine that donated its motor. It’s testament to the build quality that there are still so many of them on the road today, and good examples can be found for between £2,000 and £3,000.
Plenty can be seen on the daily commute, usually featuring a top box on the back, making it one of those enduringly popular workhorses that can do it all on a budget.
Honda PCX125
It’s been the single biggest selling powered two wheeler in the UK for donkeys years and, according to Auto Trader, is the fastest selling second hand bike on the market too.
The ubiquitous Honda is a scooter for all seasons and as beloved by commuters as it is by the pizza delivery brigade. Performance from the two-valve 125cc engine isn’t much to write home about, but it’s still enough to out accelerate cars from the lights, and to overtake trucks on dual carriageways.
It’s comfortable and practical, with huge underseat storage, and you don’t even need a full motorcycle licence to ride one. It’s cheap to run too, delivering more than 100mpg in pretty much all conditions.
Honda’s main competition comes from the Yamaha NMAX, which is similar but a bit sportier, but so far no-one’s found an answer to the PCX’s winning formula in the showrooms.
Yamaha YS125
When it comes to inexpensive, year-round commuting, it’s hard to beat a geared 125 motorcycle.
Chinese companies are making plenty of inroads in this sector, especially Lexmoto, but the market leaders are still Honda, with the CBF125, and Yamaha with the YS125 (pictured).
With a Transport for London travelcard costing just under £200 a month from Zone 4 to Zone 1, it’s easy to see how these brand new bikes are so attractive. The Yamaha costs just over £3000 to purchase outright, and PCP deals are advertised at £39 a month.
These machines do over 100mpg and don’t even need a full licence to ride. As long as you’re happy riding around on L plates, the 125s can be ridden after a full day’s Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). Most CBT training schools are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, however some are able to offer one-to-one tuition to key workers, using social distancing practices, by appointment.
With social distancing practices looking set to continue beyond the lockdown period, these small motorcycles provide a perfect form of isolated transport for those wanting to escape buses and trains.
Carole Nash are playing their part by ensuring that policy holders are covered when using their bikes for such voluntary work, while those defined by key workers by the UK government don’t need to tell them if they need to use their motorbike to get to work.
