Bike suggestions for a tall rider? [Archive]

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 (http://www.motomart.co.nz/stock.htm)
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

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

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/Listing.aspx?id=47406865&key=130544

Hitcher

14th February 2006, 14:58

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

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.

Burger

14th February 2006, 16:21

I have heard that due to the riding position the ER-6n / ER-6f is good for tallish riders. The faired version is due in a few weeks and will fit inside your budget. It goes fast, looks hot and is easy to ride.

I'll be buying either one soon, you can check it out at www.kawasaki.co.nz

mstriumph

14th February 2006, 16:41

welcome aboard!

i had a hardish time finding a tall person bike too ----- wish you luck with it!

sugilite

14th February 2006, 16:49

I'm 2 meters tall and ride a Kawasaki ZX9R. I find it nice and roomy for a sports bike, it's a good do it all bike.
They have very linear easy to control power, not intimidating at all.
They will go bloody fast too, just ask all the GSXR1000's and R1's that finished behind me at the last Taupo race meeting :apumpin:

bigbadwolf

14th February 2006, 17:47

I'm about your size (6'4" and 120kgs)

The Daihatsu must be a perfect fit then :p

bigbadwolf

14th February 2006, 17:50

pritch

14th February 2006, 19:21

The bigger capacity Kawasaki sports bikes are generally acknowledged to be "upsized" compared to the oposition.

An earlier GS BMW might do it for you. You need a ladder to mount those bloody things...

Anyhoo, welcome to the country and to the funny farm. :-)

Colapop

14th February 2006, 19:28

The Daihatsu must be a perfect fit then :p
It's like the circus has come to town. I make all the kids cry though, coz they're expecting heaps more clowns to get out!!!:cry: :cry:

Hammer

14th February 2006, 20:21

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.

I am 6'5" and the bird is good. Like Mr Blackbird says I am considering the double bubble. Primary reason are to make a bit more room under the windscreen for the radar cover (a pain to take off as there is not much clearance with the standard screen and my mount) and to give me a bit better protection against the elements in winter. I kinda like the flow now in the warmner weather as it supports the upper body well. No issues with seeing the gauges either.

The other bikes to look at might be Kawasaki ZX whatever (probably not the 12R as the power might be a tad deadly course they go) as they have a nice seat height.

Matt

15th February 2006, 08:58

sels1

15th February 2006, 09:13

Triumph Tiger...

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

Yep, the Tiger suits a taller person, I am barely tall enough for mine. (Good British bike too!) In fact most of the Triumph range are comfy (check out the Daytona and sprint if you like sport bikes) As you are an ex dirt rider looking for something to comute on have you considered the adventure/tourer duel purpose type bikes? - BMW F650, Suzi V Strom, XT 660 Yam etc? - comfortable sit up position, highly manouverable in traffic, ok on open road, and you can explore some backroads on the weekend.

Welcome aboard the site btw

T.W.R

15th February 2006, 09:16

Hi & welcome in to the silly bin :lol:

have you considered the likes of a Suzuki Bandit or GS1200ss both are larger machines & have comfortable ergonomics for larger riders, both are solid lazy engines without the violent delivery of some other breeds.
A ZX10R is way more sporting than a ZX9 will ever be.

Big Dave

15th February 2006, 09:47

I know what you mean. I don't think there IS current a sports bike tall enough for me. They fold you up so much it's hard to get weight off board and climb about.

6'5" 109 here (was 160) - I turned my triumph trophy into a great sports bike for a tall guy. suspension setup mainly. amps have a good one for 12k at the moment.

tiger is good too - good 1991 models about that price and a wonderful motorcycle.

Buell XB12X is the best i've ridden. perfect fit and comfort and don't look too bad - 20k however.

Any of the adventure bikes are tall and well suited to wellington.
There are only 2 roads out of town and when you get bored riding them a bike with some off road capability will open up other riding options.

My mate ian is our size, has a zx12 and he suffers the folded up leg thing.

I found the Triumph scrambler very comfortable too. 15k new.

let us know what else you find.

Colapop

15th February 2006, 09:54

Thanks for the replies & the welcomes - hadn't thought about a ZX9R (does the ZX10R share the same frame/seating position?), will see if I can get a demo on one somewhere - I just got ignored at Motorad when I went in...

Passed Motomart a couple of weeks ago, so think I need to go in and have a closer look at the Firestorms/Blackbirds, are they cool about test-rides for serious purchasers or will I have to really beg?!

Matt
A couple of people have said that about Motorad.... I doubt you'll have to beg much at Motomart they seem to be a good friendly bunch. Probably coz you can't just 'wander in off the street' given where they are. You have to be going there to get there so to speak, maybe they don't deal with as many wander throughs so are quite happy to help?

sugilite

15th February 2006, 21:13

Thanks for the replies & the welcomes - hadn't thought about a ZX9R (does the ZX10R share the same frame/seating position?)

Matt
The frame seating position is very different, in comparrison, The ZX10R is tiny.

Dave C

16th February 2006, 12:32

Edbear

16th February 2006, 12:50

Much depends on what type of riding you want to do. If you want a sportsbike with some serious grunt, the ZX9 is still damn fast! Like 270k fast, (or so I hear...) and a good fit for bigger blokes. You'd find the ZX10 more like a little 600 size-wise. But the Bandit and the GSX1400 are good choices with truckloads of torque and roomy comfort for general cruising and the odd quick blat.

Colapop

16th February 2006, 13:41

...just about any roadbike feels fast! ... I prefer the look to naked or offroad styled bikes. I was looking at the SV650 .... I’m tempted by something a bit bigger like a VTR1000 ... or maybe even an older VFR? Oh and I sat on a R6 and that wasn’t too bad!!

...ideally one that isn’t a fire-breathing monster which I will get squashed on within a week....
The SV650 with a half fairing is quite a sexy beast.... and pretty good for handling too.

pzkpfw

16th February 2006, 21:02

I'm 189cm and ride an SV1000S - plenty of room and new price less than $13k (but budget for some pipes!). Easy bike to ride, but lots of fast fun to be had once you get a few k's / more confidence under your belt.

I was thinking SV1000S but was put off by seeing some 2005's on bikepoint for about $15k (though the Suzuki site did say $12,500.

Now I look on bikepoint again and see 2006 SV1000S' for the lower price.

What gives? Can anyone explain bike prices?

(Plan B was the ER6N or F - but it's not much less than the SV1000S...)

EDIT: Sorry - just saw http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24485

classic zed

16th February 2006, 21:11

I have the opposite problem, 5ft 6 and 76kg I ride a Z1300, I can touch the floor on tip toes but its all good when I'm moving.

Maybe I'm getting old but all my life I have worked with my hands and leaning on my wrists on a sports bike gives me pins and kneedles, I prefer to sit up.

What you need to do is borrow a bike and take it for a long ride and see what style best suits you, sports or tourer only you can decide.

:ride:

Hitcher

17th February 2006, 07:44

What gives? Can anyone explain bike prices?
Suzukis. Discounting. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen.

Matt

17th February 2006, 08:22

Had a quick go on an SV650 - not too bad - seemed to fit on ok, but looked a bit stoopid - sounds like I'm pretty much Big Dave's size; 6'5" and 110kgs. It was fast enough (for the moment, but I have been riding trials bikes almost exclusively for over 5 yrs so anything will seem quick). Not sure about the amount of wind pressure at 100k's - it felt like I could pull a wheelie pretty easily :eek5:, but that's probably any naked bike. I'm moving to Silverstream shortly, so with a longish commute to the CBD in bad weather a fairing might be good I guess (don't need a decent pillion seat, as my missus says her arse is too big to go on a bike! - needless to say I kept my mouth shut afterwards)

Want to try and get a go on a Blackbird, I'm just not sure about such a big/heavy bike and reversing/low speed riding etc (plus there's a big ramp coming out of Motomart!!). I did have a quick ride on a friends Bandit 1200 back in the UK and was surprised how much easier it was to ride than a GS500 I had at the time; so maybe it's just preconceptions - just gotta try not to drop it!

Matt

Madmax

17th February 2006, 08:46

ZX10Rs are pretty cramped! a ZX9 would be the go

DEATH_INC.

17th February 2006, 19:34

Just buy a ZX12, there farkin huge, I could hardly reach the ground of mine(5'6 ish)....in stock form they're not that intimidating either.

Big Dave

17th February 2006, 21:55

Just buy a ZX12, there farkin huge, I could hardly reach the ground of mine(5'6 ish)....in stock form they're not that intimidating either.

Upper body maybe - Seat to peg is like most other sprotsbikes. too short.

Matt

1st August 2006, 11:10

Just a quick update - pretty much decided on the 650 V-Strom, after scaring myself silly on a couple of sports bikes (CBR600RR in particular!) - think I need to get some NZ road experience for a while.

Now I just need to find a dealer that is bothered enough to sell me one :yes:

Matt

Kwaka14

17th August 2006, 21:24

Hi, Went through the same issues recently, wanted a bike that handled and fitted my size 6'3" and 120kg, ended up on a ZX12R which is awesome, no issues on the B4 model with instrument visibility, not sure that the older ones are any different... previously had my ass on a Bandit 1200 which was a much more sensible choice for someone of the larger ilk... also a very easy bike to ride if some of the larger sprtbikes don't suit, and suprisingly nimble and rapid.

The bikes the easy bit, try locating a set of leathers in a 64 or bigger....

bungbung

18th August 2006, 08:18

The bikes the easy bit, try locating a set of leathers in a 64 or bigger....

Try Teknic leathers. I have a 2 piece, size 60. I'm 6'4" and 95kg, they are slightly too short, but wearable. The waist size must be in the region of 42".

Matt

18th August 2006, 08:33

I eventually ended up ordering an ER6n - collect tomorrow!, after being unable to get a test-ride on the VStrom (I still can't believe the attitude of some dealers) and I wasn't 100% about the looks tbh (can you guess I like ugly bikes though?!)

The ER6 had plenty of room for me - seat was a tiny bit low but knee room was great and it was just so easy to ride. You can get hold of a "tall-seat" option from Kawasaki Europe for $500, so I may go down that route if needed...

Matt

pzkpfw

18th August 2006, 08:37

[DARN: took too long to type this up. At least you got a Kawasaki...]

I'm 6'3" and the Kawasaki Z750S fits me perfectly.

It's also good for commuting or just "riding". So would suit the usage you mention. I've heard the R6 (for example) is a bit of a bugger to commute on.

(The Z's seat is a bit hard for long distance, but it's not as bad as some reviewers say).

Go see the thread by JIM2 in the reviews section. For just a bit of $$ he's made his Z into something else again.

The local (Wellington) Kawasaki dealers, compared to the local Suzuki dealers, were part of the reason I went this way instead of SV1000 or other.

Welcome.

Cheers,

scracha

20th August 2006, 18:21

I know what you mean. I don't think there IS current a sports bike tall enough for me. They fold you up so much it's hard to get weight off board and climb about.

Hear hear. There's a BIG difference between 6ft and 6ft 4 on a bike. Flick a sports bike from side to side when you're that tall and you fell it on the knees big style.

Triumph tigger, BMW's new 800 twin, KTM 950 thingie or Suzuki V-strom (seeminly the 650 is a better bike than the big un). TDM900 is my pick of the bunch. The other bikes mentioned like the ZX9r are bearable for a commute but you'll not want to tour the south island on them.

Kiwi bikers are mostly $hit talking soft c0cks though, so you're not a real man if it's not at least 1000cc or has 8 pistons. Which makes real sense when the speed limit is 60mph, the roads are all gravelly and gogo juice is nearly $2 a litre

Bikes don't seem to depreciate much here so you might be as well buying new if you can afford it.

scracha

20th August 2006, 18:26

What gives? Can anyone explain bike prices?

Did I mention Kiwi's don't moan like us foreigners, they just bend over for big companies and then call anyone who complains a wingeing pomm etc etc?

One dealer told me, I quote "It's a limited market here so we don't have to discount the prices". So much for no price fixing. Oh...and they still try the "can't get parts for them grey imports" $hite.

Basically no. Bike prices are as much as the bike shops can get away with. You'll often find a 2 year old bike with 10,000Km for about 500 bucks cheaper than the brand new price. Hell, you'll often see bikes listed above the list price on the official importers website.

dawnrazor

20th August 2006, 19:10