Evidently size *does* matter... (advice needed on larger framed bike)

[puddy]

Hi,
Get a GSX250 or similar. Get a full licence ASAP. Try not to get done for 63kph too often, or getting a full ilcence might take you a long time. Then get a GSXR1000 or whatever cooks your mince! I'm 6 foot 5 and 130 kgs. The truth is, the only bikes that (sort of) fit are the M109, (although why you'd give up a K6 for one is beyond me), or an 1800 Goldwing or one of those BMW R1150GS or similar. If you don't like any of those bikes, take a large glass of "Harden The Fuck Up" and get whatever you want. They don't quite fit but the only thing that can wipe the smile off your face is a four week roadside (Licence) suspension! A radar detector! I currently have a K7, before that I had a K6 and before that a K1. Have ridden all three bikes in excess of 1600 Kms on the trot (two large glasses of "Harden The Fuck Up")www.rustynuts.co.nz! Whatever Cooks Ya Mince!

[Stryfe_NZL]

Having seen a mate of mine (6'5") on my previous gixxer 250, you have my sympathies... I hate to say it but most 250s will almost look like a mini-bike under you and probably wont perform that well at all.
He rode a GSR-1100G, a huge tank of a bike, but nice all the same

[puddy]

Sorry to cut in (again)......but TOASTER,what makes you go GSX250, VTR1000F, GSXR750K4, GSXR1000K6, then M109R? You're only 35!Had to ask....In the last 15 years I've had an FZR1000T, a 3 year break, GSXR1100L, GSXR1000K1, GSXR1000K6 and GSXR1000K7.I thought (for a second or two) about 'BUSA but M109R etc never really came into it!

[Toaster]

Sorry to cut in (again)......but TOASTER,what makes you go GSX250, VTR1000F, GSXR750K4, GSXR1000K6, then M109R? You're only 35!Had to ask....In the last 15 years I've had an FZR1000T, a 3 year break, GSXR1100L, GSXR1000K1, GSXR1000K6 and GSXR1000K7.I thought (for a second or two) about 'BUSA but M109R etc never really came into it!

Well, the honda thing was a moment of weakness..... I just love the relaxed riding style of the 109. Big on grin factor. I'd love a GSXR too, but it would be silly to have two.

[Karma]

I currently have a K7, before that I had a K6 and before that a K1. Have ridden all three bikes in excess of 1600 Kms on the trot (two large glasses of "Harden The Fuck Up")www.rustynuts.co.nz! Whatever Cooks Ya Mince!

Not ridden a K7, but I've tried a K6 and personally found it a little too small... the K1 for me is just the right balence between being comfortable (for a sportsbike) and still having the power and flickability to be fun.

[sels1]

The Hyosung GT250R looks pretty good too, and look like they're a good size, but I've heard concerns about their build quality and handling ability. Any opinions on these?

The Hyosung GT250 (the naked one - not the faired one) is a good learner bike for the bigger bloke. They aint the flashest thing but good to get your basic skills up and keep in mind you only need to keep it until you get your full licence - then swap it for for a big sportsbike or whatever.
Or consider a 250 street legal trailbike - longer suspension and sit up style is more roomy, and you can go and play off road on the weekend. Playing on the dirt can really improve yr skills and confidence, and very little pain or damage if you fall off!

[McJim]

I understand that the performance wouldn't be quite the same, but as long as it can handle motorway speeds with power to overtake easily enough, plus can handle the hills well, then it'll be fine until I get my full and can upgrade. I'm not a speed freak - I have no real desire to do 170kph down an open road. Well, I do, but I won't...

I only got my learners two weeks ago so I have a fairly long wait ahead of me yet...

In that case I would go and try to sit on a Hyosung GT250R as it does have a big frame - looks racy not as much power but more useable torque and has good roadholding. GSX250 feels about the same height as a RG150 but a bit wider - I'm only a 6 foot midget weighing in at a mere 95kg but I sometimes borrow my wife's RG to get to work - I don't have any problems with comfort on it and could ride it all day.

BUT go an try GSX250 ZZR250 GPX250 and any other faired 2 fiddies you can plant your arse on then listen to your arse - it will tell you which one is most comfortable for you.

[McJim]

but it would be silly to have two.

Why? I plan to collect bikes as I get older.

[MidnightMike]

Screw a hyobag, get a GSX250.

Im 6 foot 4 and its sweet, easily sits at open road speeds and overtakes quickly enough too.

Handles beautifully, though youd have to get tyres that arent the stock ones if you wanna kick it up a little.

Look the nits tits too.

Plus there not korean or whatever the hell the hyobags are, shit, theyve got 30hp, Hyosung need to worry more about power than making something that looks ridiculously faster than it actually is.

But of course, Im not biased.


Not to mention this ones just gone up on trademe, and its a steal!!!!!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...519&key=766795

[McJim]

Plus there not korean or whatever the hell the hyobags are,

I'd look into that if I were you - I think the GSX250 is made in China which has a worse reputation for build quality than Korea.....

[Big Dave]

Hi,
I'm 6 foot 5 and 130 kgs. The truth is, the only bikes that (sort of) fit are the M109,

Buell Ulysses, FJR1300, Rocket III, Heritage Softail, Fat Boy, Triumph Scrambler, Caponord, BMW GS series, V-strom, Tiger, CB900 Hornet - and a few more.

Same height as you - not as heavy - was very comfortable on all of them. M109 was good too.

[FilthyLuka]

I love the look of the Suzuki GSX250 and the Kawasaki ZZR250 is real nice too, but I haven't seen any in person. What would they be like for someone of my size/weight? The Hyosung GT250R looks pretty good too, and look like they're a good size, but I've heard concerns about their build quality and handling ability. Any opinions on these?

Ive ridden the GSX250, nice bikes. Probably not as fast as yer RG but they are relatively bigger. Im 5'11 and it's more than big enough for me. Kick start is always a good thing, you can just stomp on it if ya battery karks it. Also, bear in mind that you just need the bike for a year, then you can go and get something big and shiny... Like a goldwing...

zzr250 is slightly smaller than the GSX, but comes in pretty colours...

Daenis

edit: Oh yeah, zzr250 is pretty bullet proof but you shouldnt have problems with the gsx (or a hyobag for that matter) if you keep it maintained

[Toaster]

My first was the Suzuki GSX250 - great starter bike and a good commuter. Not enough for a big guy on the open road though.

[FilthyLuka]

You could always talk to LTSA and get a exemption, a mate of mine is 6'2 and 95kg, he got an exemption with little trouble and is now scooting about on a Suzuki 800 intruder...

we totally need to get power to weight ratio laws for learner/restricted bikers over here...

[karmakillernz]

Also, bear in mind that you just need the bike for a year, then you can go and get something big and shiny... Like a goldwing...

Absolutely. I only need something to tide me over until I get my full, but I'd like to be comfortable in the mean time. Maybe not Goldwing comfortable though...

I guess the next step is just trying out the Hyosung, the GSX and anything else I happen to see on the way. If none of them feel right I'll try my luck with the license 250cc exemption. I'd prefer to stick with a 250 though because as much as I'd like to think otherwise, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to resist doing something stupid with a bigger bike.

You'll probably see my RG up for sale soon then. I'm sure I'll find a new home for it easy enough though - it's a very nice bike in great nic. I'll put it up here first then shove it on Trade Me if I don't get any bites.

Thanks for all the advice guys. It's hard deciding on a bike - especially when you have to do it twice in so many weeks!