Buying first bike, "600cc+"

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mattyboy · #1 Unread post by **mattyboy** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:25 am

Hey guys, I've been looking at bikes for quite a while now. I'm coming close to purchasing my first bike since it is the offseason (I live in Vancouver, BC) and am looking at an early-90's sport bike.

Yes, i've researched a hell of a lot, and i've read the sticky "thinking about getting a 600+ cc sport bike?" and I still plan to ride one. I have around $2600 US for the bike alone.

Last season, I learned to ride on my friend's '89 cbr600 and rode it for around a month. I was leaning towards one of these but i feel huge on it, as I am just over 6'4 and weigh around 235 lbs. I"m not looking to get flamed, but looking for advice on something that might suit me, as I do not want something too powerful, but something that would fit me. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks,

Matt

Andrew · #2 Unread post by **Andrew** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 8:59 am

When it comes down to it, you're spending your money to get your bike that you have to ride. I think that the standard advice about size of a bike is a good guideline, but there can be many factors that weigh in on the decision. Only you can decide if you are responsible enough to ease your way into a more powerful bike. There are a lot of examples on both sides of the debate, so I would just advice to really think it over and if you are going to do it, do it the right way.

Just my

#3 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:12 am

Katana 600

DivideOverflow · Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:13 am

The 80's Interceptors are pretty roomy for bigger guys. Look for a 700cc one, they are pretty friendly. My roommate's girlfriend learned to ride on my 84 VF700F

So it can't be that bad for beginners. (She has a ninja 250 for herself now).

I am 6'0 240, and the VF Interceptor was a really good size. The VFR's are also suited for larger people, but I would be very careful if you decided to pick one up. My 94 VFR750 is a very fast bike. I would highly encourage something like that to be a second bike. (94hp and 55ft-lbs to the rear wheels on a motorcycle is way too much for a beginner, in my opinion.) The VF is around 70rwhp and 45 ft-lbs, which is in the gray area.

Since you are a bigger guy, you might want to look at something like a V-Strom, or a Dual-sport if they appeal to you. If you are stuck on 90's sport bikes, you will just have to go sit on a couple and see how they fit. Do your research though, some of them have common problems, and definitely make sure to check the web for horsepower ratings. Anything over 70hp is really pushing it for a first bike.

mattyboy · #5 Unread post by **mattyboy** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:40 am

Thanks for the input, would a Katana 600 fit me? I'm tempted to start looking for a VFR 750, but yeah it is pretty powerful.

Anyone else??

#6 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:06 pm

No one can tell you how your shoes will fit. How can we tell you what bike will fit?

mattyboy · #7 Unread post by **mattyboy** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:14 pm

I wasn't asking for an exact answer, just in general if my size would fit a 600 katana, because the 89 cbr i learned to ride on felt very small.

Matt

mattyboy · #8 Unread post by **mattyboy** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:14 pm

Double post.

intotherain · Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:03 pm

I dont know much, but how bout the Suzuki SV 650? I hear it has a nice standard, comfortable feel, radther than a sport bike feel. I think it has around 65-70 HP so it would better than 750 with 100 hp.

the sport version is on the left, and the standard version is on the right.

#10 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:21 pm

mattyboy wrote:I wasn't asking for an exact answer, just in general if my size would fit a 600 katana, because the 89 cbr i learned to ride on felt very small.

Matt

I know a guy about your height who fits comfortably on a ninja 250. I know another person the same size who wouldn't even think about getting on one.

Bikes are like shoes. Go to the dealer and sit on some.