Recommended first bike for a big guy?

[Log]

First off, hello Kiwibiker. I'm new here.

I did my basic handling a few days ago, and am now seriously looking at my first bike options (not just dreaming any more). The problem is, there are so many options right now with the LAMS bikes in the mix as well.

I'm 25, 6 foot, weigh 120kg and like the fully faired sport bike style. For example, the Yamaha FZ6R has my attention as a bike that suits my taste and fits me well. I want to use the bike for commuting to work over the Harbour Bridge in Auckland, and for weekend drives with my Dad.

After talking to a few people I know that ride, I'm getting two distinctly different answers to the first bike question.
- On the one hand, I hear that getting a bike that has easily manageable low power like a 125/250 is going to be the best option. That the lighter bikes are more forgiving when you make mistakes.
- On the other hand I hear that I should take advantage of LAMS to get a larger bike that is the right size for me, and is more stable on the road.

What do you guys think?

[Mike.Gayner]

Who told you that 125/250's have "easily manageable low power"? There's nothing particularly "easily manageable" about pinning the throttle everywhere you go just to get moving. If I was as big as you I'd get a bigger bike, absolutely no doubt. I weigh half of you and find 250s boring. They have zero torque so moving your huge ass around is going to be a massive chore. Plus most of them seem to be built for short-asses like me, you'd feel gigantic on a Ninja 250.

None of the LAMS bikes have that much power, that's the point of the LAMS list. You're not going to get yourself into trouble on something from the LAMS list.

Get a bigger bike.

[Hitcher]

Few 250s and smaller have "full size" frames. I'd recommend you start looking at larger LAMS bikes. They're way easier to ride than 250s, with better brakes and more power to allow riders to enter and keep up with traffic flows.

Go to bike shops and sit on as many options as possible. Get the friendly retail staff to hold the bike so you can get your feet up onto the pegs to check out the ergonomics of the "folded rider" fit.

[EJK]

Go to bike shops and sit on as many options as possible. Get the friendly retail staff to hold the bike so you can get your feet up onto the pegs to check out the ergonomics of the "folded rider" fit.

+1

Walk into every dealership and say you have money. They'll serve you like God.

[TheDemonLord]

The one peice of Advice I recieved from other people when getting a first bike:

Get a Naked Bike as it is likely you will drop it at some point, and Fairings are expensive to replace.

Or you could get crash bungs/oggy knobs/frame sliders

[rustyrobot]

The one peice of Advice I recieved from other people when getting a first bike:

Get a Naked Bike as it is likely you will drop it at some point, and Fairings are expensive to replace.

Or you could get crash bungs/oggy knobs/frame sliders

Not to contradict your own exciting experience, but I wonder how many L platers (that aren't teenagers) do actually drop their bike. I got a nekkid bike for that reason (because it's all over this website) and never had a slip, spill or tumble.

Of course once I splurged out for a bigger bike the wind blew it over, and then some noddy tipped it over in the parking building trying to pose on it. Crash bungs saved me big bucks both times.

[TheDemonLord]

Who said anything about me Being a Teenager?!?

That was advice from multiple sources - all of whom were riders of 10+ years experiance

And I am somewhat begrudgingly ready to admit that I am not the exception, I followed the rule.....

[rustyrobot]

Didn't mean to imply you were a teenager, rather that teenagers are more likely to bin while on the L.

I agree that most people give the same advice, I just wonder how often it really happens that adults on L plates bin their first bike.

For all I know it was everyone except me, but I doubt it.

[Akzle]

recommend ya do a search big guy.

[Kendoll]

If you're bigger you might find the higher foot pegs and lower bars on a sports bike pretty uncomfortable... It might be worth looking at more upright naked bikes or even motards, which are a bit more spread out in position.

Apart from that, yeah what everyone else said, get a bigger LAMS approved bike :woohoo:

[TheDemonLord]

Didn't mean to imply you were a teenager, rather that teenagers are more likely to bin while on the L.

I agree that most people give the same advice, I just wonder how often it really happens that adults on L plates bin their first bike.

For all I know it was everyone except me, but I doubt it.

Oh I seeeee

My bad - would be interested I agree to see how many peope drop a bike whilst on their Learners

[DMNTD]

If you're bigger you might find the higher foot pegs and lower bars on a sports bike pretty uncomfortable... It might be worth looking at more upright naked bikes or even motards, which are a bit more spread out in position.

Apart from that, yeah what everyone else said, get a bigger LAMS approved bike :woohoo:

^^^^ what she said.
I wouldn't worry too much mate as you're not that big and there are plenty of options for you out there.

[James Deuce]

A Honda Grom.

[sil3nt]

CBR500 if you can afford it.

[mobileguy]

Hi I'm about 3 months in on my learner. What I started was a CBR250R great bike easy to ride, did a few courses however runs out puff on the motorway. I have just brought a Honda CB500X WOW what a difference, can see over and through cars, great high rideing position. Makes traveling on the motorway from East Auckland to the Nth Shore a pleasent trip. As guys have said look around but one point you stuck on a LAMS for 18 odd months so think ahead.

Also look at some rideing courses.

[Akzle]

Hi I'm about 3 months in on my learner. What I started was a CBR250R great bike easy to ride, did a few courses however runs out puff on the motorway. I have just brought a Honda CB500X WOW what a difference, can see over and through cars, great high rideing position. Makes traveling on the motorway from East Auckland to the Nth Shore a pleasent trip. As guys have said look around but one point you stuck on a LAMS for 18 odd months so think ahead.

Also look at some rideing courses.

eeeeeeeh.
.

[Log]

Thanks for all the information! Does anybody have day jobs here? I thought I was the only person in the world skiving off to look at bikes.

The overarching message that I'm getting is comfort > engine > other. Sounds like common sense, but it doesn't hurt to ask. I'm not committing to any particular bike yet, but now I know what I should be test riding.

I'll let you know again when I narrow down some options and have more of a bike vs bike dilemma. That's sure to get a good flame war started. ;)

[James Deuce]

Hi I'm about 3 months in on my learner. What I started was a CBR250R great bike easy to ride, did a few courses however runs out puff on the motorway. I have just brought a Honda CB500X WOW what a difference, can see over and through cars, great high rideing position.

So you upgraded from a kid's bike to an old man's bike in two easy steps? I weep for the youth of today.

[xXGIBBOXx]

So you upgraded from a kid's bike to an old man's bike in two easy steps? I weep for the youth of today.

Lol , I have a cb500x ( bad back can't do the sport bike bend ) they are shit loads of fun in the back roads

[Phreak]

As much as some people don't like Hyosungs, I've been around a few and they are built quite well in my opinion, for your size I reckon any of the 650's would suit you down to a tee. All are LAMS approved, big bike frames, easy to ride and handle, fully faired, naked, or cruiser. I reckon the naked bike (GT650 Comet) with it's upright seating position would be perfect for a newbie of larger proportions. But don't take my word for it, go out to the dealer and try one on for size! :)

[unleashingpotential]

Agree with sil3nt

[Tazz]

If you're bigger you might find the higher foot pegs and lower bars on a sports bike pretty uncomfortable... It might be worth looking at more upright naked bikes or even motards, which are a bit more spread out in position.

Apart from that, yeah what everyone else said, get a bigger LAMS approved bike :woohoo:

I'm not gigantic but reasonably tall (1.87m) and I find a sports bike more comfy on a longer ride. Although you are tilted forwards it keeps your back straighter and you can share some of your body weight with your knees. Your lower legs get sore but less than a minute off the bike getting some blood flow back into them (or moving them on the pegs regularly) and you're all good again.

I also have a duel purpose and I would pick my sports bike over it for comfort.

I am however one 12 year old kid and a small dog lighter than the OP...

[Slorider]

DR 650=sorted-9k new and you can pass it on to yr grandkids and so on

[Banditbandit]

BIG BIKE FOR A BIG GUY

The one on the right ...

293136

[MisterD]

DR 650=sorted-9k new and you can pass it on to yr grandkids and so on


Bit of a hijack but, hypothetically, if I was a scooterist who had finally decided "you know what, fuck it, I'm going to get a big-wheeled bike" and fancied a bit of dual-sport action, since there's a lot of unsealed roads in this fine country...

I can afford a G650GS if I want to, but should I?

[Ocean1]

Bit of a hijack but, hypothetically, if I was a scooterist who had finally decided "you know what, fuck it, I'm going to get a big-wheeled bike" and fancied a bit of dual-sport action, since there's a lot of unsealed roads in this fine country...

I can afford a G650GS if I want to, but should I?

No. Bland rotax mill, overweight, thirsty and not very crashproof.

Yes crashproof, it comes with teh territory. Even if you’re not planning on bulldoging it down creeks and picking it up dozens of times a day. At least it comes with the novice territory. Which means anything weighing much more than you do rapidly takes charge of the controls.

Anything with “Adventure” written on it is unsuited for learning to ride off road. The road bike manufacturer’s all got together one day and decided it was a wonderful idea to take some of their overweight bargain road machines, add features until they weighed twice what any conceivable dirt bike should and flog it off at a premium on the wave of “Adventure bike” sales.

Not to be outdone the dirt brigade took their larger dirt bikes and shackled them with, if anything even more heavy useless shit.

You can buy a GSA1200R when you’ve learned how not to fall off one more than once a fortnight or so, which you do on a proper dirt bike. Proper dirt bikes can be had in road legal flavours if that’s important for you, and they’re a far better compromise for anything outside of touring than any bloated adventure machine.

[mobileguy]

So you upgraded from a kid's bike to an old man's bike in two easy steps? I weep for the youth of today.

Lol I'm over 50 and the advice I got as a new rider don't go for bigger bikes learn on small and advance up as you go through your license :lol:

[MisterD]

I wasn't really thinking of any more "off road" than not turning around when the tar seal ends, but food for thought

[pete376403]

KLR650 - lams approved, adequate power but not intimidating, tall-ish (certainly plenty of room) comfortable as a road tourer and good
on back/gravel roads (not so happy as a trailbike, but it can be done). They've been around just about forever so the bugs have been worked out. Good fuel economy and a decent size tank. Less than $10K new.

Tis video shows they are a great commuter bike http://www.revzilla.com/commute

The late model ones do have fairly-expensive-to-replace fairings.

[Ocean1]

I wasn't really thinking of any more "off road" than not turning around when the tar seal ends, but food for thought

Why not?

I don't need much excuse to point out the folly of 200Kg dirt bikes. What really pisses me off is the couple of mates that make it look as easy as... riding a bike.

Arseholes.

[newbie2012]

Hey Log.

Firstly, bloody good on you for getting your licence :-)

I've been going for about 12 months, having ridden everything but a motorbike up to then. Like yourself I'm 6ft, but a rather wimpy 87 kgs. Initially I went around the shops and talked to riders, deciding a faired sports tourer was a great option for everyday use (more upright than sports but still lots of fun in corners), so got a GS500F. After about 4mths/ 5,000k I moved onto a GSX650FU, which I'm coming up to my 18,000 service on after 8 mths. The GS500F was a great first bike, with the GSX possibly being too much bike for my first one. I've done a fair bit on it over 8 months, including a few courses via pro-rider, Northland tour, weekend riding, commute about 90kms return into AKL CBD everyday, and now doing the AMCC ART days at Hampton Downs.

The GSX tops out at about 160k (on the track) but corners and brakes as fast as any other bike in my group, which means I'm learning to ride smoother with more thinking about technique through corners as I can't squirt the throttle on the straights, which has made a big difference to my road skills. It is more than fast enough for NZ roads but takes away much of the worry of applying too much power when traction is limited (PS I tend to take note of the speed limit, some would say boring).

I got the GSX after looking at the Honda 500 LAMS (very nice, great value) and the Ninja 650 LAMS, I liked the heavier weight and 4 cylinder feel. The Yamaha had not come out, but I've looked at it since and liked it.

Advice - as the guys and gals above: Look at as many bikes as you can. Then try all that you like. Buy one with a plan to ride it for 6 months before upgrading or else plan to keep it for 2 years. Guess it also depends on budget - I have an old legacy for dogs and carrying mountain bikes etc, but went new on the bike as it is my main transport. I went via a dealer as I knew nothing about bikes or what faults to look for, recognising I paid a premium but got a warranty and some peace of mind. Also, get yourself onto the Ride Forever and AT subsidised courses - you will get some great insight from riders who know how to ride to enjoy and survive ($20-$50 per course).

Best of luck whatever you choose:2thumbsup. One last thought - my first full power bike will be the unrestricted GSX650F, I like the bike that much. Apols for length of post ....

[FJRider]

Definitly get the biggest LAMS bike you can but I would not recommend a sports bike but rather one with an upright riding position the reason being your periferal vision is reduced with the lowered bars of a sports bike plus you can get sore wrists.

Some helmet designs are more responsible for loss of peripheral vision ... than the style of bike you ride.

Tall rider suffer fewer problems with sore wrists on such bikes ... due to longer arms most tall people have. Their height also helps as they have a larger frontal area exposed (and more upright) and thus less weight on the wrists.

Longer legs are a downside on smaller cc sports bikes though ... :laugh:

[Dangsta]

Not to contradict your own exciting experience, but I wonder how many L platers (that aren't teenagers) do actually drop their bike. I got a nekkid bike for that reason (because it's all over this website) and never had a slip, spill or tumble.

Of course once I splurged out for a bigger bike the wind blew it over, and then some noddy tipped it over in the parking building trying to pose on it. Crash bungs saved me big bucks both times.

+1 on the above. Never dropped my bike or got into any issues with it at all. Same thing with the car. However, if you ride (or drive) like a twat...chances are you're gonna ding it or you're gonna get dinged. My advice is don't be a twat and don't let any of your friends who are twats on it. As for your first bike. Who gives a fuck? Its a starter bike that you'll most probably get rid of in a year. It's you're first bike and you're a big, heavy bastard. Doing the math I'd suggest staying away from anything 250cc or less and when you sit on it...if you're all cramped and shit, then don't buy it. Also, if you take a bike for a test ride and it's hard to handle and you don't like the feel of it and shit...then don't buy it. You're welcome :niceone:

[veldthui]

Lol I'm over 50 and the advice I got as a new rider don't go for bigger bikes learn on small and advance up as you go through your license :lol:

I am too and I started on a 800. Had a 150 scooter and it was more hassle and dangerous than it was worth. Cars/Trucks passing ya. You need something that keeps up with the traffic easily otherwise you get over-run and feel intimidated and you second guess things.

[Kendoll]

I wouldn't worry too much mate as you're not that big and there are plenty of options for you out there.

It's true! If DMNTD can squeeze his ass on to a little RSV4, you have nothing to worry about :D

[FJRider]

I am tall but still found the lowered bars restrictive as far as periferal vision goes and if I wanted to sit more upright for better periferal vision I would get sore wrists. If you spend most of your time on the open road rather than around town I can see the merit in sports bikes though but most of my time is spent around town. I agree that some helmets will give better periferal vision than others.

Most modern sports bikes can have aftermarket bars with risers (varying heights) which can help a great deal in this regard. Most bike Mag's will have an advert for them ... and not that expensive either.

The greatest problem with learner or cautious riders is tunnel vision (and often mistaken for loss of peripheral vision)... which is focusing on a point in the distance and disregarding what is closer.

The learner/cautious rider should only worry what is within one hundred metres in front ... and behind them. Keep moving the head about to see what all within that area (side roads/driveways etc) are doing ... and no loss of peripheral vision is noticed.

Dont look and you wont see it coming ... and it WILL be your fault.

[FJRider]

Often it is more than just a change of bars that are needed but longer clutch and brake cables too. Getting a bike that fits first time is more important for a first bike.

Risers of an inch or two (usual height increase) wont require any cable/hose replacement. Increase in bar length may do ...

A bike purchase MUST be followed by changing ALL the controls to SUIT the new rider. A simple procedure with (usually) basic tools that will take an hour or so to do ... but properly done ... well worth the effort.

Getting a bike that "fits" first time is more due to luck than anything ... and small changes DO make a big difference.

For example ...

1. Sit on your bike with your hands by your side.
2. Close your eyes for a few minutes.
3. With eyes still closed ... reach for where you would like the bars/controls to be .. to be comfortable for you.
4. Move the bars/controls to there ... (or as close as you can)

Brake and gear levers can be moved on their respective splines to make it so much easier on the rider. (but many DON'T)

Clutch and front brake levers can be rotated on the bars to give straight arm control. (essential for maximum comfort)

Bar position and height can sometimes be adjusted too ...