Bike suggestions for a tall rider?

[Edbear]

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]

...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]

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/sh...ad.php?t=24485

[classic zed]

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.

[Hitcher]

What gives? Can anyone explain bike prices?

Suzukis. Discounting. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen.

[Matt]

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 , 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]

ZX10Rs are pretty cramped! a ZX9 would be the go

[DEATH_INC.]

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]

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]

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

Matt

[Kwaka14]

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]

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]

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]

[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]

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.

[bait] 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.[/bait] 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.