Shortish journey over varied roads is ideal - stick it on the motorway and it will be lost.

I had one for 36k miles and I still regret selling it - mine was dead reliable, economical and still capable of embarrassing any sports bike away from the lights (upto 30ish !?).

If you do your own servicing they are easy with screw adjusters valves etc. Oil change is a little weird as they use the downtube as an oil tank; but once you've done it once its easy.

I've heard people say they vibe alot but mine didn't - I think you need to test ride and make your own decision on that.

Corrosion wise I didn't have any trouble just cake it in FS365 / ACF50

On the whole I think they make a very good commuter bike.

Loctite will be your (friend's) friend. keep an eye on fasteners.

I had one for 5 years and used it every day through winter and summer to commute through London traffic and horrendous road surfaces and diesel spills and nutters trying to kill you and divvy push bikers and mad school run mums and snow and everything in between. Absolutely brilliant it was. Did everything well.

I wish I didn't sell it in hindsight - same as Orpheus. Mine was a standard LC4 model bike with supermoto wheels, full Akra system and Berenger front brakes. And carbon bodywork of course. I had it serviced every year - reasonable price. Every time I crashed it the parts were ridiculously cheap, (I was used to Ducatis), and it was soooo reliable - the only thing to watch out for is the cable clutch operation. They EAT cables - always have a spare taped up next to the one in use that way when it brakes you have one ready to go and can fix it at the roadside. Seriously - I think I went through at least one a year for ownership. Best change the oil a lot as well as they are high performance engines really. Eventually the starter clutch went and I had to kick start it for over a year. This is a tough assignment - especially with a hangover. You need to wear Motocross boots or a backfire will seriously damage your foot.

Biggest problem is not with the bike itself. It's with your license. Five years on the "hooligan Superduke" I have now reclaimed my clean lisence and have no points. 5 years on the LC4 and I was rapidly on 9 points and one away from a ban. I could never get down from 9 points. Every time 3 dropped off I got another three. Why??? Because the LC4 tirns you into a wheelying, stoppying, madman and it's too hard to resist and it makes the SD feel tame in comparison. Trust me, I'm not a loony but an LC4 Supermoto will totally turn your friend into a criminal. Be warned.

i had a 625 smc and i loved it. the 07 should have a hydraulic clutch so the cable shouldn't be an issue. this should speak for its self http://www.supermotojunkie.com/showthre ... -000-Miles

I owned a LC4 640 with motard wheels and loved it.
Motor was bullet proof however it did vibrate (and mine was fitted with counter balancer).