Which sportsbike for the larger gentleman?

[Matt]

After waving goodbye to the ER6n, I'm looking round for my next bike which I intend to get once I'm back from my hols in the New Year. I really want to try a decent size faired sportsbike next (the litre ones seem most likely) - the only problem I'm tall (6'5") and 105kgs so it needs to be big! It would be used mainly for commuting the 30k's into work and the very occasional weekend blast.

I looked very seriously at the Blade (love the Repsol colours), but after a couple of extended test rides I think they're just too tight on the knees . Same goes with the 600's I've ridden (CBR/675/GSXR) plus they didn't feel much quicker than the ER6. I'm looking at up to $17k or so, and the shortlist currently is:

- GSXR1000k7
- R1 (the guy that bought my old leathers was similar size to me and said it was good for tallies)
- Blackbird (not sure about looks tho)
- RSV (too expensive and not sure about European build quality)
- Busa (look a bit too low down/stretched out?)
- CB1300s (again not sure on looks; only here because I saw a really big guy on one on Lambton Quay and it didn't look silly!)

I haven't test-ridden any of these yet (have enquired about a K7 ride tho), but intend to as when I bought my last bike I didn't ride many. I know there's been a few threads re taller riders, but they tend to be newbie biased and I'm very interested to hear what sportsbikes other big guys ride!

[HenryDorsetCase]

h a y a b u s a !!

[007XX]

I'm also thinking Hayabusa!!!

Talk about it with Bigdog. He'd be about your height and weight, and he has a busa...

They're not called the "silent death" for anything...awesome bikes I'm told!

[Taine]

I'm 6 ft and find at times I'm alittle small for the ape but it fits perfectly while I ride.....the engineering is great and the maintenance is half of a duke so your choice is interesting.......it would also depend if you are a v-twin guy or a straight.....
I'm sure you will pick what is right for ya......

[skelstar]

Does it have to be new?

[Joni]

The 3 you are not sure about are the 3 I would tag for bigger riders: Blackbird, Busa and CB....

Personally, I would say the Blackbird, but its all about taste.

PM Jase, he has owned a Busa and a Bird, and is not a small guy... he can advise first hand

[Blackbird]

I've had a Blackbird for 6 years and it's practically bulletproof. Can't think of anything better to suit my current needs. You say you're not sure about looks and it's true that emotional appeal is an important factor (I think that the 'busa is pig ugly and would never own one, but it's still one hell of a great bike). The 'bird footpeg height is a little "sporty" for someone of your height. However, it's easy to fit a peg lowering kit which costs US $65 and really does the business - have just done this mod. At between $15000 - $16000 new, the 'bird represents great value for money for 290 km/hr performance.

It's all about which bike gets your heart racing though. Good luck!

[BarBender]

ZX14.

Im 6ft and about 130kgs. My brother is 6'3 and about 150kgs. Kwaka12R is about 6'4 and 120 odd.

We all own 14s

The 14 has higher set bars so you are a little more upright. It looks long but its wheelbase is actually only about an inch and a half longer than the 10. Its great two up and it aint going to bite you low down with the secondaries left in them. So - it makes a great useable commuter as well as having ample go-go. I ride mine everyday to and from work and out on the occassional track day.

Also take a look at the ZX12R and the Zook GSX1400. Again both Big Boy types of bikes. Kwaka12R and I both came off 12s and went straight onto 14s. They look sporty and at first you think it may be too small...but it sits high so provides ample room for riders with long limbs. The GSX1400 like the CB1300 is a naked and a fantastic all-round bike that would suit anyone and anything. Great for touring and general all-round use. And dont think they cant boogie. Anybody whose seen Beyond ride will tell ya that the bike can hike. I havent ridden a CB1300 or Blackbird so cant say much about them...but Id say that they wouldnt be too much different to the GSX or the 12R/14R size wise. I will be riding a Blackbird when Im in Oz next year so looking forward to that.

The Busa is a great bike but IMHO it aint a genuine 'Big Boy' bike. I found the pegs a little to high - hard if you have long legs or big thighs. Being tall doesnt necessarily mean that you have long legs so if you have a long torso - the riding position will be a little hunched over due to the lower set bars and you might find that you dont get enough wind protection. Plenty of go if thats your thing...esp mid range....probably a little more than the 14. I havent been on the 08 but looking forward to a ride in the new year to see what changes have been made.

Given your size I doubt you'd look stupid on any of these rides. I dont think you'd look stupid on the Busa either...however you may be a little sorer.

[Scouse]

Agree with everything Mr Barbender has just posted....however,you mentioned that "It would be used mainly for commuting the 30k's into work and the very occasional weekend blast" which leans me to believe that maybe a nekkid would suit your requirements a little better re manoeuvrability in traffic etc.
Have you thought about a Tuono,Z1000 or similar?
A new Z1000 could be achieved within your price range

Or even a Speed Triple?

[James Deuce]

I wouldn't worry about Aprilia build quality.

The RSVR (note the extra R - it's worth the extra dosh) is a a gorgeous bike, and totally capable of commuting. I had one with titanium Akrapovic's for a few days as a commuter and my goodness!

Much more comfortable than a busa or a Blackbird for me, but I'm 5'9.5" and 95kgs. There was still a heap of room on that seat too.

If it doesn't have to be new, check out Bull's Aprilia Futura. He's a big guy and doesn't look silly on it, so you get the Aprilia V-Twin, touring capability and a really nice riding position.

Take a B-King for a ride dude. I'd buy one in a flash. If the moths would stop eating all that cash in my wallet.

[6ft5]

Although I am relatively new to bike riding, I am also 6ft5 and weight 100kg. Found it hard to find a bike. Had a cruiser for a while but in the end felt like a prey mantis on wheels. So in the end I compromised on a 2005 Triumph Tiger. 100bhp, 3 cyl adventurer with lots of up and go. Good handling from my perspective but a perhaps completely out of left field. Have a go and see what you think?

[gsp0702]

Speed Triple is a nice bike but over the last few years Triumph's build quality has taken a turn for the worse, they have moved away from high end compete with BMW in terms of quality to reduced costs (Factory In Thailand) and more competitive pricing, and well commented on by different triumph sites. After having owned my Tiger for 18monthes i wouldnt be able to recommend them for quality and reliability, but thats just my experience i am sure there are others who would argue differently.

Jap litre class sports bikes in alot of ways if you fit them then you cant go wrong, but thats the rub do you fit them, as they seem to be designed for those who are 5'8" and 10 stone wringing wet its how much will you compromise to own one. A mate in the UK has a blade (954 version) loves it and says its the most real world of all the Jap litre bikes, and more comfy than the GSX-R 750 he had.

Good luck on your search, others to consider VFR800, BMW R1100S, K1200RS, or ZX-9R and spend some money on suspension mods, SV1000S, GSX-R 750.

So many bikes so little time.

[6ft5]

Interesting have owned my 2005 tiger now for 3 months and have yet to experience quality issues and you mentioned. Sorry perhaps naive from my point of view a great bike for the big person.

[gsp0702]

Well could be that i was unlucky with this on, and as a Bike i still like it. but when i bought it my impression of Triumph was that build quality would be as good as BMW, and components would be of superior quality to the Jap manufacturers and i havent found that to be the case. As i say could be i was just unlucky with this one.

[6ft5]

fair enough and I don't have the experience of time as yet so will wait and see. Still for the big person a great riding position good power (955i) and great handling. BTW Also rode the B-king, for a comuter and casual weekend rider that is an insane bike built to kill the boy racers and the rider at the same time, only kidding, but insane it is.