Bike suggestions for a tall rider?

**Matt** · 14th February 2006, 14:15

Been lurking a while, but thought it was time to say hi :spudwave: Came over last year from the UK to Wellington (yes another one I’m afraid), and everything’s great apart from the usual “living in the Hutt/working in the CBD” commute which is really doing my head in.

As we’ve nearly sold the house in the UK, I intend to shortly go out and blow $12k ish on a new bike – primarily for the commute but hopefully so I can go for a weekend blast/come along to some meets. Here starts the what-bike dilemma – I passed my test a few years ago and have only ever really ridden trials/motocross bikes, so just about any roadbike feels fast! (well, apart from a Suzuki GS500 I test rode). Being quite tall (194cms, not lanky though) doesn’t help as I seem to struggle to fit on a lot of sportsbikes (I feel ok, just look like a pratt), which is a shame as I prefer the look to naked or offroad styled bikes. I was looking at the SV650 initially but lack of a fairing means I’m tempted by something a bit bigger like a VTR1000 (saw one yesterday on SH1 Gorge that looked great!) or maybe even an older VFR? Oh and I sat on a R6 and that wasn’t too bad!!

Any suggestions as to “bigger” sportbikes (ideally one that isn’t a fire-breathing monster which I will get squashed on within a week) I should test-ride??

Cheers

Matt

**zadok** · 14th February 2006, 14:18

I know someone who is over six foot that tersted several bikes to suit his size. He settled on a Kawasaki ZX-9.

**Maha** · 14th February 2006, 14:25

There is a ZX9 on Bike Trader..... $7500, its in Whangarei, have a look it may intrest you

**Blackbird** · 14th February 2006, 14:30

Blackbird - one of my riding partners (Hammer from KB) is two metres tall and he just loves it.

Geoff

**Colapop** · 14th February 2006, 14:41

I'm about your size (6'4" and 120kgs) and I stopped in at Motomart a couple of weeks back. They're opposite wholesale crap dircet on the corner of Railway ave. They've a really nice VTR1000 going on special $12k-ish, I thought it was a fairly nice fit. The sales staff were friendly and I didn't feel like he was pushy or lusting after the sale.
Check here
They've also got a nice '05 VFR in stock

**Devil** · 14th February 2006, 14:42

I know its not full on sports, but have you considered a Suzuki Vstrom? (DL650). You can pick up a brand new one for about that much. Plenty of room for tallies.

**bungbung** · 14th February 2006, 14:43

I'm 6'4" and have a VTR100, it's fine. I've also been comfy on a VFR and a Blackbird.

**Colapop** · 14th February 2006, 14:45

You'd look funny on a 100!!

**The Stranger:Me** · 14th February 2006, 14:46

Yeah, I was going to suggest that. I am 6'2" and found it quite comfortable.
It is one of the larger bikes around.

**far queue** · 14th February 2006, 14:47

I don't have any words of wisdom to offer, but welcome aboard.

**limbimtimwim** · 14th February 2006, 14:52

Originally Posted by Matt

which is a shame as I prefer the look to naked or offroad styled bikes.

I had a sit on a Buell XB12S (Not XB12R!) on the weekend, that could work for a tall person, maybe. The bars were high. You won't get a new one for that money, but you could get a used one. Or a XB9S (If such a beast exists) if the 12 is too fast.

EDIT: Here's one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...865&key=130544

**Hitcher** · 14th February 2006, 14:58

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Blackbird - one of my riding partners (Hammer from KB) is two metres tall and he just loves it.

Geoff

Did he modify the screen? I'm about 182cm and found I could only see the bottom half of the instruments and none of the idiot lights. Unless I sat up nice and tall and read them through the screen, rather than trying to look underneath it. An after-market screen, like a double bubble may help this. The ZX12 is exactly the same, in standard form.

**The_Dover** · 14th February 2006, 15:01

Suzuki SV1000S - $12,500 brand spanking and blows the VTR1000 away.

**ZorsT** · 14th February 2006, 15:07

Triumph Tiger...

I'm 6ft 1 and they are a TAD too tall on the standard suspension setting

**Blackbird** · 14th February 2006, 15:10

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Did he modify the screen? I'm about 182cm and found I could only see the bottom half of the instruments and none of the idiot lights. Unless I sat up nice and tall and read them through the screen, rather than trying to look underneath it. An after-market screen, like a double bubble may help this. The ZX12 is exactly the same, in standard form.

No, but he wants a double bubble like mine. Big B from this site did the mod though and he's about the same height.