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Hello all, i have been reading up on bikes and gear and techniques for a while now and figured it was time to post a couple of questions. I took the MSF a couple of years ago but unfortunately separated my shoulder so my bike dreams went on hold for a while. I am going to take the course again and definitely want to start on a smaller bike. The 250 ninja seems like the perfect idea but i am 6’7″ tall. I sat on a 2008 model and i felt comfortable enough but i have no experience on how to judge what i fit on and what i dont. Anybody out there have the same height issues i do? and if so any suggestions on what bike to start on? I have been researching the suzuki gixxer 600 for the simple reason that i fit on it well and i was reading about the electronic control settings on the motor where you can limit the power by selecting “mode C”. i trust myself enough to always put a larger bike like that in the lower power setting because i value my flesh but i figured i would ask the experts what they thought about that idea as well?

Any help and info would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

[Ben]

Goddamn! Normally when people on this site say “Am I too tall to fit on this bike” they are only 6’0 – 6’2″! Your height it definitely a challenge. I’m surprised that the GSXR feelt more comfortable for you, in my experience most 600’s are pretty damn cramped. In fact my 2001 Kawasaki ZX6R is LESS roomy than the 2008 Ninja 250.

I honestly haven’t heard of the ‘mode C’ that you are talking about, do you know how much it limits the bikes power?

Maybe try look at some of the dual sport bikes like the DRZ 400, they are pretty tall and might be more comfy for you. Also check out the SV650, that is a really tall bike in my opinion.

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[Matt]

Mode C on the Gixxer still puts out a fair amount of power. Not as twitchy as B or A, since it is meant for riding in the rain.
Going with a Gixxer still has issues other than the raw power though. The brakes and turn in are very fast and not forgiving compared to something a little less track oriented.

I also find it odd that you found the gixxer more comfortable. I’ve sat on a ZZR-600 (Kawasaki’s “sport tourer” based on the older ZX-R 600) and my ZZR-250 (very similar to the Ninja 250R) and the 250 is far more comfortable for me (I’m a mere 6 foot). The ZZR600 has me crunched up, with the long seat on the 250 I can slide my butt back and stretch my legs a bit.

If you think the ninja 250r is comfortable, but you aren’t sure. Sit on it for 250 minutes in the store, seriously. Any good store will understand and happily chat with you over that time.

I also agree with the comment of a dual sport like the DRZ 400 or even one of the 650s. They are very tall bikes. The seat height on a DRZ is at least 4″ higher than on a super sport. The dual sports also handle very well. The only down side is if you don’t like the visual style.

The Versys 650 is also a pretty tall bike if you want the ergos of a dual sport with the look (sort of) of a sport – although they are still very new to the US, so finding a used one might be hard.

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Thanks for the info and advice guys… i will stay away from the larger bikes and squeeze my goofy frame onto a ninja and learn from there… id rather be a little uncomfortable and safe then comfy and road kill… thanks again

[SuperMotoRider]

Dude, get a motard. They’re so funnnnnnn!

[Author]

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