Lams cruiser for big boy?

**Monkfish** · 13th February 2014, 13:01

Originally Posted by PorkChop

Iranana, how much would you recommend spending on a second hand s40?

Dude im 5'11 and 110kg I spent 5k on a 2008 S40 (LS650) with 4000ks on it.

easy bike to ride, It will pull my fat ass up the Bombay's from the Waikato side, (north bound) @ 110km in top gear no worries.

Waaaaayyyy cheaper than the yammy, parts for africa, (bikes been the same since the 80's) personally I cannot see justification for spending on a larger bike that is only going to get replaced when you get your full anyway.

Just my 2 cents.

**PorkChop** · 14th February 2014, 09:26

Originally Posted by Monkfish

Dude im 5'11 and 110kg I spent 5k on a 2008 S40 (LS650) with 4000ks on it.

easy bike to ride, It will pull my fat ass up the Bombay's from the Waikato side, (north bound) @ 110km in top gear no worries.

Waaaaayyyy cheaper than the yammy, parts for africa, (bikes been the same since the 80's) personally I cannot see justification for spending on a larger bike that is only going to get replaced when you get your full anyway.

Just my 2 cents.

Cheers mate, thanks for your input. That all makes good sense to me re: using for learners and upgrading later. What's the max you'd pay for a second hand S40? Saw one at Colemans http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-687552973.htm for $6k 2005 and a lot more k's than what you bought for $5k.

**ggreen** · 14th February 2014, 09:51

I have a 2005 S40 that i purchased privately off TM almost a year ago. High km's (38,000), but only paid $3k. Have put lots of trouble free km's on since. While I would love a bigger bike, this has been awesome to learn on - good points - forgiving, can keep up with anything on public roads, cheap to run/maintain. Negatives - its only ever going to be a LAMS approved single!

**PorkChop** · 14th February 2014, 10:15

Originally Posted by ggreen

I have a 2005 S40 that i purchased privately off TM almost a year ago. High km's (38,000), but only paid $3k. Have put lots of trouble free km's on since. While I would love a bigger bike, this has been awesome to learn on - good points - forgiving, can keep up with anything on public roads, cheap to run/maintain. Negatives - its only ever going to be a LAMS approved single!

So for a LAMS bike, no real complaints? How big are ya?

**ggreen** · 14th February 2014, 13:26

Yep, great for a LAMS bike - would certainly recommend one.

I am a biggish guy (110k). The frame is not big, and at the start I was worried it would be too small, but to be honest has never caused me any issues with comfort on long trips (and have done a couple of 600km missions!). I can go up any hill I have been up (Bombay's, Kaimai's, Desert Road etc) in top gear at 110+ with no issues.

**GavinB** · 14th February 2014, 19:17

Originally Posted by PorkChop

Hey mate, thanks for your reply. I've been looking around for a while and thought that the S40 was a bit too small, almost the same size as a GN250.

Anyone had anything to do with the Hyosung GV650's?

My wife has the Hyosung 250 (new EFI) and the engine manages fine with both of us on it (around 140kg) although you don't want to be hitting potholes if you can help it. The bigger ones shouldn't be an issue engine wise, probably more an issue of comfort and what fits you best.

Good excuse to try a few really!

Gavin

**PorkChop** · 15th February 2014, 14:36

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the help. Went in to Coleman's today and had a ride around on the S40 and the Honda VT400. Liked the VT400 a lot more than the S40. Went down the motorway pretty well and was a lot more comfortable than the S40. Felt quite cramped on the S40.

Anyone heard much on the HondaVT400? Really enjoyed it.

Thanks for the all the help recently. It has all been very helpful.

**GrayWolf** · 18th February 2014, 14:23

Originally Posted by PorkChop

Cheers mate, what would you suggest out of the GV650 and the s40?

Serious alternative and LAM's approved, is the STAR (Yamaha) XV650.. just about the same size frame wise as the 1100/1300cc versions.
We have a quite large lady at work, Samoan/Islander mix and is about 5'11" and a good 105-110kg... she is Ok on it.
Have seen the odd USA import floating around, and the odd one in dealers that are NZ new. The donk has been around in various guises since the early 80's.

**PorkChop** · 19th February 2014, 07:39

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

Serious alternative and LAM's approved, is the STAR (Yamaha) XV650.. just about the same size frame wise as the 1100/1300cc versions.
We have a quite large lady at work, Samoan/Islander mix and is about 5'11" and a good 105-110kg... she is Ok on it.
Have seen the odd USA import floating around, and the odd one in dealers that are NZ new. The donk has been around in various guises since the early 80's.

Hey mate, ended up going with the Honda VT400. Rode the S40 and felt too small. The only Yamaha XVS650's I could find were around 10k+, so was a bit out of my price range for a LAMS bike

**GrayWolf** · 19th February 2014, 09:56

Originally Posted by PorkChop

Hey mate, ended up going with the Honda VT400. Rode the S40 and felt too small. The only Yamaha XVS650's I could find were around 10k+, so was a bit out of my price range for a LAMS bike

the VT should be good,, didnt have much to do with them myself, but, they (VT500) were a popular bike with the London Dispatch riders, and if they like them for that job?

**KiwiGeek** · 20th February 2014, 21:32

What would be suitable for a 150kg fatass like me? My legs are somewhat shorter than normal, 68cm (27") inseam for a height of 190cm (70") height, so a bike with a lower slung seat is the best option for me.

I am still to get my handling certificate and will be using a SR250 bike I am buying from a workmate. I will not be going near the motorway until I have confidence in my riding and have passed my restricted.

**Blackflagged** · 20th February 2014, 23:22

Big Boy cruising for Lams
The very New Zealand Story
weres that Mint sauce

**Mongolian** · 21st February 2014, 05:43

Just because you are a larger person does not mean most bikes will not get you upto 100k's, I am 6ft3 and was around 120+kgs and i managed to head from manukau to albany averaging 100-110 on a cbr125.
I think any bike that you find comfortable that is 250cc and at least twin cylinder, or a 400cc and above of any configuration and you should be fine.

I have always thought try and get the cheapest learner bike that will suit your needs as once you get your full the whole world opens up to you.

**leathel** · 21st February 2014, 06:20

Originally Posted by St_Gabriel

Currently in the new market Hyosung sell a ST7 LAMS and also a non restricted ST7 http://hyosung.co.nz/cruisers.html

+1

I have a friend on an ST7 and he is a good bit heavier than you... It is LAMS but when you get your full they re-chip it and get gets full power....... Fits him well and he keeps up to us no problems up hills now... unlike when he was on the 250 :P

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-695486535.htm

**KiwiGeek** · 21st February 2014, 19:09

Originally Posted by Mongolian

Just because you are a larger person does not mean most bikes will not get you upto 100k's, I am 6ft3 and was around 120+kgs and i managed to head from manukau to albany averaging 100-110 on a cbr125.
I think any bike that you find comfortable that is 250cc and at least twin cylinder, or a 400cc and above of any configuration and you should be fine.

I know the 250 I am buying will be able to cope when I starting since i will be travelling along the Ellerslie/Panmure Highway then along Gt Sth Rd, but the bike I buy once I move to ny restricted must be able to cope with travelling up the Bombay hill heading northward. But the big factor is the length of my legs, I was pushing my luck getting my leg over the SR250 I am buying.

I have always thought try and get the cheapest learner bike that will suit your needs as once you get your full the whole world opens up to you.

I can't really complain about paying only $1200 for a well maintained bike to learn on