[ACarmine]

Well I passed my MSF a couple weeks ago, got my license and i’ve been riding dad’s 82 VF750 around town and a few short jaunts out on the highway.

Been Butt testing and here are my results so far. Let me say first that i’m 6’1″ and 175.

Ninja EX250: ’08 and ’09 models my legs feel very cramped and the foot controls are difficult to find because of this. My knees hit the top of tank cut-outs and just can’t find a comfortable position on the bike no matter how hard i’ve tried. The ’07 and older models don’t have this problem and i feel very comfortable on it.

Rebel 250: Knees are almost over the top of the tank and bars almost hit them on a full lock, still too cramped for me.

Ninja 650R: The ergo’s on this bike fit me much better although i’d imagine they can’t be that much different from the 250. I can comfortably find and operate the foot controls and the riding position feels good. This bike looks like a good contender.

EN-6R: THIS BIKE IS SO COMFY! I was amazed, the seat height is perfect, riding position is perfect, foot controls felt perfect, this bike just fits me very well. Not sure i like the look of the styling of it…kind of a weird half fairing that seems like it wouldn’t do you a whole lot of good out at highway speeds.

Versys: This bike is TALL. Even at 6’1″ i was on the tips of my toes when i stood the bike up, otherwise the riding position and ergo’s were comfortable.

Shadow 750 aero: I like this bike from a side view…but from sitting on it I really hate how wide the tank is. Its a bit heavy, but definitely manageable, before i took the MSF i thought dad’s 750 was heavy but now i realize weight doesn’t really matter once you get moving. Comfortable, but not sure I could ever like the fat tank style, I much prefer a tank that is a seamless transition from the seat nose to the back of the tank.

Honda Fury: Just for fun I decided to sit on this. No way in hell would it ever make sense as a practical purchase. I was VERY surprised at how comfortable it is to sit on though. I was expecting to be very stretched out to reach the bars and foot controls, but was pleasantly surprised at how easy and comfy they were to reach.

CBR600R: Foot pegs are way too high for me to be comfortable. I felt like i was about kicking myself in the ass the whole time. Much too aggressive style for me.

Honda 919: Again another bike I know wouldn’t be a smart first bike, but I like the style and it was pretty comfortable to sit.

Would really like to sit on a SV650 but i haven’t found one around here.

[ixion00x]

I own an ’09 650 and I love it. I’m 5’11 and 150 lbs, it fits me like a glove. So I’ll put in a good word about that, but maybe not as a first bike.

Good call on the CBR, that’s not a beginner bike. That’s a crazy-fast race-bred rice rocket. It has less displacement than some of the other bikes, but don’t let that fool you. It has an in-line four cylinder engine that makes more power than you’d ever need on public roads .

Seems like you’d do well on the ER-6N. Same engine as the Ninja 650 though, lots of low to mid-range power which has caught me unawares a couple of times. The ER is like a quarter-faired version of the Ninja, so you’re going to miss some of that wind protection on the highway.

Have you thought about trying out the Ninja 500R? Its the often-overlooked step between the 250 and the 650. The design hasn’t really been changed that much in the 18 years its been on the market, so its drop dead reliable. The looks aren’t all that sharp anymore, but its an excellent first bike.

good luck on your search!

[ACarmine]

I haven’t had a chance to sit on a ninja 500 yet, none of the dealers around here have them in stock, they only carry the 250 and 650 as they are the more popular models i suppose.

If anyone has any other ideas for a good sit (cruiser or sport, i’m not opposed to either) let me know.

[AtlAggie]

I’ve really been pleased with my Vulcan 500. Cruiser ergonomics, a little bigger than the Rebel, but with the parallel twin engine from the Ninja. Best of both worlds, as far as I’m concerned.

[JtownJJA]

I’ve sat on the ER-6n as well and liked how it felt. Perfect height and the sitting position just feels comfortable. I was concerned, too, about the wind, and the fact that it is so new there aren’t many used ones out there. In addition to the Ninja 500, there’s always the Suzuki GS500F. (There I go selling people on my choice again.

[ACarmine]

you know I’ve been staying away from harley’s on purpose just because it seems the price is so inflated just for brand recognition, but i really like the iron 883 now that i’ve looked at it. I’ve read that the MC’s can be a bit cramped for someover over 6′ like myself, but if i could stick a set of FC’s on it i think it definitely makes my wishlist for 2nd or 3rd bike.

I also see that HD just today put up previews for their ’10 bikes. No new sportsters, but if your a touring kind of guy there’s lots of new eye-candy over there for ya.

[roborabbit]

Don’t worry about the HD 833 sporty pricing. They are pretty common used(in my area) and 2005-09’s usually run around the 3-6k range with low mileage. Funny thing is that I find them mostly used in BMW lots. I asked the managers about this and it seems that most of them are being traded in for the BMW dual sport / adventure tourer series’. Maybe this means that we’ll see Elwood riding a F 650 GS someday .

[dcJohn]

Ok, yes, the Kawi Versys has a high seat height. But it also has an incredibly comfortable riding position (you don’t spend much time with your feet on the ground) and is relatively light and well balanced, making footing a little less urgent. Better suspension than the ER6N and better wind protection as well, particularly with the available after-market Givi windscreen.

When you were giving the bikes the butt test, where you wearing the sort of motorcycle boots you’ll be riding in? It makes a big difference with ergonomics. I’m 5’8″ with a 30″ inseam, and while I can’t quite fully flat foot my Versys with both feet, I have no trouble with either being on the balls of my feet or flat-footing a single foot.

I just really wish they’d release the ABS versions of the Versys and ER6N that are available in Europe.

[Author]

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