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

[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:Me]

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

^^^^ 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.