- This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 10 months ago by eternal05.
Tall First Timer
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June 16, 2010 at 12:52 am #4046gtb113Participant
Hello Everyone,
I am abandoning my automobile for a life of 2-wheels. I have thought about it for a long time and am finally pursuing the dream. I’ve been looking at a few bikes; Suzuki GZ250, Yamaha Virago 250, & Buell Blast and I have read positives and negatives about pretty much all of them. I thought the Buell was the bike for me until I read that it’s unridable for more that a half hour because the vibrations will cause bottom numbness.
My biggest problem is that I am quite tall. I’m about 6′ 5″, and weigh roughly 200 pounds. So i’m not a ‘big’ guy, just a tall guy. I haven’t had a chance to sit on any of these bikes listed, but I’m quite nervous that I will feel cramped on them. Anyone have any suggestions for a good starter bike for a man of my size with a budget around $2K – 2,500??
Any help would be massively appreciated.
Thanks!
Glen
June 16, 2010 at 1:25 am #27048Jeff in KentuckyParticipantThe dual sports are tall, and are probably the best bikes for tall beginners.
A 250cc is best for 60 mph or less, and the 400 to 650cc models will do 75 mph for long trips, although not as comfortable as a heavier, wider touring bike. Here is one bigger dual purpose bike:
http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/suzuki/1996-2008-suzuki-dr650-ar40437.html
June 16, 2010 at 2:02 pm #27051JackTradeParticipantYou’re probably right that it’s not for you, but not b/c of the vibration.
Due to their single-cylinder configuration, Blasts do vibrate, but only at idle…once you’re underway, they’re smooth. I’ve ridden mine on a 2 hour road trip, and wasn’t unduly fatigued (ass-wise or other).
But with your height, the Blast will likely be too cramped. I’m 6′, and it’s not ideal for me.
Agree with Jeff that a dual-sport will likely be the best choice. Biggest issue will probably be finding them used, as they’re fairly rare compared to the more common novice-friendly bikes. But they’re out there.
June 16, 2010 at 3:44 pm #27053ranetteParticipantIn my BRC we were on GZ250’s. There was one guy probably about your height, maybe 30 – 40 lbs heavier than you, definitely a big guy. He was not comfortable at all on the bike, he looked like I(5’6″) might look on a mini bike. I don’t think his discomfort stemmed from his added bulk, simply that his 6’5″ or so frame did not fit well on that bike. I’d listen to some of the suggestions in this thread, as I”m not familiar enough with most of these bikes to offer any additional choices, but I can tell you that the one time I did see someone around your size on a GZ250 it was definitely not a well matched pair.
June 18, 2010 at 12:34 pm #27073CBBaronParticipantBased on myself (6’2″) trying out the bikes you suggested I don’t think any of them will be comfortable for you.
A Ninja250r would work but your legs would be pretty folded up. Older (pre-08) models fit a little better than the newer sharper looking ones.
Supermotos and dual sports are likely to fit better for a light starter bike. They have more open riding positions with bigger seat to peg distances. You should be able to find some decent used ones in your price range though it will be a little harder than finding the Ninja 250 or GZ250 at that price.
In dual sport bikes even bikes like the DR650 or KLR650 may be a good bike to look at. Though the are 650cc bikes they are single cylinder bikes and nearly as light as the 250s and don’t have much more power. Other options are DRZ400(S or SM), KLX250(s or sf), XT(225 or 250) and several others.
Craig
June 18, 2010 at 8:54 pm #27080Jeff in KentuckyParticipantYou can add more seat padding to raise the stock seat higher, and handlebars with less pullback, to make a smaller bike fit a taller rider better. Sometimes aftermarket footpegs are available that relocate the stock footpegs along with relocating the shift lever and back brake pedal, especially for sportbikes.
I am not a fan of highway pegs to stretch your legs, because you lose some time for getting to the back brake at the start of an emergency stop. I sometimes move around on the seat and briefly stand on the footpegs once in a while to keep my legs from getting as stiff. For an occasional long trip, I like to take extended release ibuprofen or acetaminophen tablets (Advil and Tylenol are the more expensive brand names), designed for people with arthritis. I think it is wiser to stop more often, before your gas is almost gone, and instead of getting more tired from fewer stops. A tired person on a long straight boring road is more likely to daydream and make mistakes.
June 19, 2010 at 6:58 am #27087eternal05ParticipantIf you can learn (or already do) dig the looks, dual sports and supermotos are the most fun you can have in the city. IMHO, supermotos are the perfect non-touring bike for a tall guy (I’m 6’4″, so I have a bit of an idea where you’re coming from). I’m a huge fan of my DR-Z400sm (to be clear, the photo is NOT me):
Another FANTASTIC option is the 250cc Yamaha WR250x (even has fuel injection):
If you want to go on long rides (multiple hours), ditch the supermoto option. Supermoto seats are narrow and together with the single cylinder, you’re butt will be sore at the end of a hundred miles. I routinely ride mine for over an hour, but other people don’t seem to find it as easy to do.
There are still plenty of dual sports that are great for long-range touring. The downside is that they go way up in price and they’re MUCH heavier and have a lot more power and more difficult handling. That said, check out bikes like the Kawi Versys:
and the Suzuki V-Strom:
Honestly, if you can man up, I think you’ll have the most fun on the Yamaha or the Suzuki supermotos. You WILL NOT fit on the Japanese 250cc cruisers. Trust me on this. I took my MSF class on them back in the day and I didn’t fit at all. I mean, go sit on them just for kicks, but unless all your height is above your waist, there’s not much chance that you’ll make those bikes work.
Well, good luck, and let us know how things go!
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