A Big Guy wants some info on small(ish) bikes

[DarkNinja]

Hey guys,
its looming closer and closer to the date when i can get my full licence, and what a day it will be, exciting stuff.
Recently i have realised i cant afford a brand new kawasaki zx-636 sort of thing and im looking at more realistically priced bikes. i DO want a bigger bike but not sure if what im looking at will suit me. im currently looking at something like this (http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=942698&TabID=3553&Alias=bikepointnz), looks reasonable, good price, not sure if 400cc's will pull me though, should i be looking at a 600? or something different completely, i weigh 110kgs and im 5'9" if that helps anyone. Anyone have any experience being a big person on a smallish bike? and does anyone know anything about the 400s out there? any faults between the years 89-94 ish? and also which one is the best.
Cheers guys,
Gaz

[Jabez]

600 are a good size for commuting & touring. 400 are great for commuting 7 ok for touring (i'm 6'2).
My wife is about to get her full licence soon, & I have noticed that there is almost no new offerings of 500's, no 400's & afew 250's.
Why do we only get import 400's??:<

[justsomeguy]

See if you can find a TRX850, it's a 850 but it only has 80hp, however it's got 83Nm... and that should get you up hills and around town...... find one and get a test ride, decide then.
Road test link: http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccolin/trx.html
Dealership sticker price 7-9K.

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/twins/trx1.jpg
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/twins/trx3.jpg
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/twins/trx2.jpg

[StoneChucker]

Good advice JSG, thats a nice looking bike.
About the '89 FZR400, that is a good price. I paid the same for an 87 Honda cbr250

[riffer]

I weigh 110kgs and im 5'9" if that helps anyone. Anyone have any experience being a big person on a smallish bike?

I'm not quite as big as you Gaz, but I'm getting up there at 90kgs and 5'10" (damn rugby has made me lose weight this winter), so I'll have a go at choosing one for you.

This one looks bloody good - $5500 for a 1994 GSX750F with 25,000kms on it (http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=28588063&key=16682433).

Motomart have this ZZR1100 for sale at about $4000 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=28898289&key=16682879) - ask Sparky Bills for more info.

There's a heap of them on trademe if you want to look. Don't be scared to buy a bigger bike - if you don't go for all out sports bike you can get some awesome deals which TBH might suit you better anyway...

[Crazy Steve]

I can do you a really great deal on a Blackbird!!!!

Crazy Steve.

[DarkNinja]

Yeah a blackbird sounds nice but riffer like you said i am a bit worried about jumping straight onto a big bike. Im not a full on sports bike rider either i should have added that to my post. but i will look for something larger than 400, i havent ridden anything else than my 250, oh and the gn125 for my basic handling test. so they are both low power bikes, i cant wheelie on my bike coz it sux and im too fat for it lol. I might just go have blats on all the bikes i can when i get my licence.
How good a deal cs?

[Crazy Steve]

I could do a part trade on your 250 if you wanted to??

I want $8k..

Its had everything done to it last month.. :yes:

[WINJA]

I could do a part trade on your 250 if you wanted to??

I want $8k..

Its had everything done to it last month.. :yes:
YEAH EVERYTHING, ROLLED BOWLED AND ARSEHOLED. YOUR BLACKTURD HAS HAD MORE HITS THAN ELVIS

[Teflon]

Look for a GSXR11 93 model.

[Crazy Steve]

Im trying to get rid of my wreak Winja....

So I can buy me a Cbr1000rr4....And "Eat Gixxers for breakfast"

"R1s for lunch"

"And Zx10r...And be home in time for cornflakes!!!!"

Crazy Steve

[Big Dog]

Take it from the Big Dog, size matters when you break the hundred k mark :motu: Kg that is.
The problem I see with 400cc and big guys is not the engine. If you can't manage it on a 250 ninja you probably should not be trying it on anything bigger. The Random one can get a 150 up! :rofl:

The problem in my mind( :weird: ) is the chronic under engineering that goes on with anything under 600cc.
Most smaller bikes lack the stopping power, contact patch and road prescence to survive urban streets. Add to that the fact they tend to have lighter duty bearings shocks and parts in general to help the engine keep up.

I have seen 400cc I would own but the real issues are:
Is it going to be embarrassingly small?
Can it haul you up?
Does it feel safe in a corner?
Are you going to be taking passengers?

After puchase thoughts:
Uprate your shocks. Bikes are designed with 75 kg riders in mind (law of averages) heavier fork oil is a cheap fix.
Adjust your brake levers to the right position for your height.
Inspect pegs, swingarm and fork heads regulary.
Run at two up tyre pressure. Handling sweetens up for free.


Wait till you can afford what you want, you will regret buying something you don't want.
I know where you can buy an 89 gsx1100f with less than 50 on the clock. Serviced every 6K from 14 for $3k.
Old yes but she turns heads still, Comfy as phuk and never misses a beat. (oh and the giggle factor...). Much as I love my Hayabusa I miss her. Feel like I'm cheating on her with a younger curvier model lol.


All else aside:
BUY THE RIGHT BIKE AND YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT! :yes:
BUY SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO ASK SOMEONE ELSES APPROVAL AND YOU WILL NEVER FORGIVE OR FORGET! :no:

[MD]

Would you people stop encouraging a learner to jump from a 250 to a 750, 850 and 1100 ! That's not a natural progression and wont help his riding confidence build over time. First corner he reaches way too fast he's going to shit himself (the least we can hope for) and quit bikes for good.
DarkNinja, there's nothing wrong with 400cc or 500cc bikes. Sure at the time they were made the 600+ bikes got the top peformance stuff. You've been riding a 250 so you know how a small bikes feel with your weight on board. Please try something like a GS500 twin or similar before buying a bigger - and therefore older and more worm out bike. A newer 500 is a better deal than a crapped-out 1100

[FROSTY]

MD --sorry dude but it aint CC thats the issue --I wouldn't suggest this man hops onto a gsxr1000 or even a 600.
I WOULD suggest as a next step a gs500 -It'll have enough room for ya and isn't a heck of a jump HP wise.
The other thing is to check out the retro/nekkid bikes.
for some reason the ergonomics seem to be better suited to a larger sized person.

[Biff]

Why not test ride some 600, 750cc bikes?
Most of them have plenty of poke to haul the larger framed person around. And at the risk of sounding like a stuck record, I'm a huuuuge fan of Honda Hornets. The infamous CB600.

Bottom line is always try before ya buy, and try as many as you can in order to find one that suits.

[Bonez]

Would you people stop encouraging a learner to jump from a 250 to a 750, 850 and 1100 ! That's not a natural progression and wont help his riding confidence build over time. First corner he reaches way too fast he's going to shit himself (the least we can hope for) and quit bikes for good.
DarkNinja, there's nothing wrong with 400cc or 500cc bikes. I tend to agreee. But something like a Zepher 750 or W650 should be ok as well. As long as you ease into it. Less likely to ugrade in a hurry either.

[DarkNinja]

im a real safety freak when it comes to anything on teh road, i had a go at my mate tonight coz he was speeding a lil too much, needless to say he doesnt see my side of it. so i dont think i was going to jump on a 600 i would go risk my life on teh first corner. would ya recommend i buy a shit old 400/400 ust to ease into bigger bikes? i find that i have a bit of a braking problem with the 250 and i dont know if its me or not, its not dangerous but when i progressivly/emergency brake the front end dips right down and starts to shudder, i think im just far too heavy on it. as for the bigger bikes i really dont feel like jumping right up to 1100cc just yet, just too big. someone mentioned about two-up, i am gonna be doing it in and out of town every day after i get my licence, gotta practice that too... lol
Cheers for the info guys keep it coming

[riffer]

Okay then, seeing as my previous suggests were too much (actually I thought the GSX750F was pretty good - the ZZR may have been TOO much) how about this one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=28860502&key=16844966

Lovely condition, 400cc, nothing to really damage if you fall off - a great commuter and its in Welly.

[John]

Okay then, seeing as my previous suggests were too much (actually I thought the GSX750F was pretty good - the ZZR may have been TOO much) how about this one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?id=28860502&key=16844966

Lovely condition, 400cc, nothing to really damage if you fall off - a great commuter and its in Welly.
FYI Feint is selling his http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=13055

[Bonez]

im a real safety freak when it comes to anything on teh road, i had a go at my mate tonight coz he was speeding a lil too much, needless to say he doesnt see my side of it. so i dont think i was going to jump on a 600 i would go risk my life on teh first corner. would ya recommend i buy a shit old 400/400 ust to ease into bigger bikes? i find that i have a bit of a braking problem with the 250 and i dont know if its me or not, its not dangerous but when i progressivly/emergency brake the front end dips right down and starts to shudder, i think im just far too heavy on it. as for the bigger bikes i really dont feel like jumping right up to 1100cc just yet, just too big. someone mentioned about two-up, i am gonna be doing it in and out of town every day after i get my licence, gotta practice that too... lol
Cheers for the info guys keep it coming
Nothing wrong with being safety orientated. Sounds like you are over doing it on the front brake. Try and use a combo of front/rear (remember the rear break is around a 3rd of the bikes stopping ability-ease it on not stomp) and what lil engine braking the 250 can give. Feint's 400 looks the go as a step up bike. Also try not to be forced to keep up with your mate. If he's a real mate he'll slow down to your speed/ability when riding with you. Best of luck on your next purchase.

[sAsLEX]

remember the rear break is around a 3rd of the bikes stopping .

really depends, on a balls out sprot bike with all your weight on the front it is less, watch rossi coming in to some corners the back is generally only just hovering on or slightly above the deck, but he does use it in the corner to balance throttle torque etc

But on a crusier with more weight rear biased the rear can be alot more than a 3rd.

personally dont use the back all that much, wel maybe twice or three times a week

[Bonez]

really depends, on a balls out sprot bike with all your weight on the front it is less, watch rossi coming in to some corners the back is generally only just hovering on or slightly above the deck, but he does use it in the corner to balance throttle torque etc
Just quoting the advice of a well respected Ducuti tuner in these parts and passing it on.

[Big Dog]

Would you people stop encouraging a learner to jump from a 250 to a 750, 850 and 1100 ! That's not a natural progression and wont help his riding confidence build over time. First corner he reaches way too fast he's going to shit himself (the least we can hope for) and quit bikes for good.
DarkNinja, there's nothing wrong with 400cc or 500cc bikes. Sure at the time they were made the 600+ bikes got the top peformance stuff. You've been riding a 250 so you know how a small bikes feel with your weight on board. Please try something like a GS500 twin or similar before buying a bigger - and therefore older and more worm out bike. A newer 500 is a better deal than a crapped-out 1100
Having gone straight from a 250 to an 1100 I have to say it aint the cc its the IQ.
I would never reccomend going up to a R any thing over 600cc. But f's are a different kettle of lobster! comfort agility and stability are the only concerns.

I think it speaks volumes that I had three acidents on a 250 - and never once got out of my depth on the 1100cc. A healthy dose of fear can help but the bigger factor was the bike had skills, because it wasn't my bitch I did not feel compelled to to thrash it.

[Suney]

. YOUR BLACKTURD HAS HAD MORE HITS THAN ELVIS
LOL you're coming up with the funniest lines

[zooter]

Having gone straight from a 250 to an 1100 I have to say it aint the cc its the IQ.
I would never reccomend going up to a R any thing over 600cc. But f's are a different kettle of lobster! comfort agility and stability are the only concerns.

I think it speaks volumes that I had three acidents on a 250 - and never once got out of my depth on the 1100cc. A healthy dose of fear can help but the bigger factor was the bike had skills, because it wasn't my bitch I did not feel compelled to to thrash it.
I second Big Dog
I went`from a 250 to my GSX1100g no worries and I'm only a wee fella. If you're still scared of it it will have no easier time killing you than the ninja. At the end of the day it's got two wheels and an engine. So long as you have the right wrist under control it can't bite you.
And that ex Big Dog mobile sounds like an awesome deal. The motor is legendary tough.

[JohnBoy]

my best advice other than the previous would be to think how long that you intend to keep the bike, if you don't mind updating in say 12 to 18 months then buy something thats not so powerful. but if you want to keep it id reconmend that you buy something with a bit of go. nothing worse than having to do excessive maintenance cause your giving it full noise.

My reconmendations:
Long time ownership: GSX 600, ZXR 600, CBR 600, R6, VTR1000 (firestorm), CBR900 (Hornet)
Short time: GS500, 600SS (what i owned for 14months before buying my current) or a SV650

happy hunting :niceone: