MSF just finished. ex250 looking like a poor choice

[onlystring]

Hello again everyone. It has been a while since I have last been here on the forums, but I'm finally back on track to getting a bike. (My dad had recently been forced to switch jobs and we needed to use my bike savings to keep the bills paid). I just passed my MSF course earlier today (100% on the written and 2 points off in the skills) and am looking forward to purchasing a bike soon.

Before I go any further let me just talk about the BRC for a moment. I am truly amazed at what a wonderful job just two days of instruction can do. I went into the course with no previous motorcycle experience at all, and came out of it feeling quite at ease performing every task asked of us (well, except in the 'fast stops'. I lost a couple points for not keeping my head up. I'm sure that will improve with practice). It was by far worth every penny, and I recommend it to everyone who is even considering riding.

That being said, I did have one issue while training, I was very cramped. After reading many many articles both here and on other sites concerning first time bikes I was firmly set upon getting a Ninja 250r. At the training site they actually had an ex250 as one of the training bikes and I was able to snag it before someone else did. I thought it would be a perfect chance for me to get a 'feel' for my future bike, and I was right, I did get a feel and I did not like it.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this in my last post, but just to clear things up I will right now. I am a 17 years old, 6' 2" tall, weigh 170lb, and I'm starting to discover that I do not fit on the ex250. After 2 days of riding around I just feel kind of like I'm riding a bike sized for someone a good foot shorter than me. But here's my problem, I never even considered getting a different bike. Both the MSF instructor and someone I know who actually owns and rides a 2006 ninja 250r every day say that I should look into slightly larger bikes to match my height.

So now I have come here to ask advice, what should I look for? Now before I set you loose, let me set a couple of ground rules. I do not want a dual purpose bike. I know they are tall, but I am really interested in the performance side of streetbikes and for that I really need a sportbike (as soon as I own a bike and become familiar with it I plan on taking the 'tracktime' course offered by TEAM Arizona). And also, the ex500 is out. From what people have told me about it the bike is almost identical to the 250 except for the extra power and weight. I'm looking for extra size. So, give me some opinions on a good 500 to 600 starter sportbike. Remember, size is the key here, if there are any other tall riders who have gone through this same situation please let me know how things went for you.

Thanks in advance.

[Sev]

The EX500, EX250 and GS 500 all have about the same accomodations.

That being said, they're probably roomier then any of the sportsbikes out there. Why? Because a sportsbike is not made to make you feel comfortable, it is not made to give you room to enjoy yourself. It is made to go fast. The machine does not adapt to you, you adapt to it.

That being said, try the SV650, ninja500 or gs500. You never know, just because one feels cramped doesn't mean that the other won't. Remember though, you aren't going to feel stretched out on any sportish styled streetbike.

[WVUChrome]

As to the 500R and EX250 being the same size, I don't think that's quite right. I felt like I had a little more room on the 500 than the 250. Granted I'm only 5'8 on a good day, I did feel a little more stretched out on the 500. Maybe you should go and give it a sit?

Later,
WVUChrome...

[Shorts]

Well, if you'd like to stay with a 500ish bike, how about a gs500? I don't know specs off the top of my head, but might be worth looking into.

Congrats on MSF and glad to hear you're going about making bike shopping decisions AFTER MSF and learning. Especially since the bike you thought would work, you found out first hand exactly how it would not be an ideal choice. Good headwork.

[VermilionX]

sorry to disappoint you but there are no sportbikes under 600cc here in the US right now. well, other than the hyosung GT250R.

IIRC, the GT250R has adjustable rearsets, maybe you can set it lower for your longer legs.

so if you want, check it out. i forgot though which company their selling it through.

[Wrider]

First of all !!! One I've been hearing about for tall people is the Suzuki SV650. I've heard it's a great starter bike, yet still gets the experienced riders' blood pumping. Also, it's fairly large, one of the guys at school has one and it's a biggun. If you're looking for a cruiser, I'm 6'2" 280 lbs. and have a Suzuki Volusia that is just fine for me. (Tried riding a friend's rebel, and sung soprano for the rest of the day, so when I ride mine, it's like ) Anyway, good luck, congrats on passing the course, and keep the shiny side up!
Wrider

[insaneman_12]

Try a sport touring bike like the Suzuki GSXF 600 Katana, Honda CBR 600 F2, F3, F4, F4I. they have the full look of a sport bike, but slightly raised handlebars for comfort and a little toned down for crusing. I rode my Katana 300 miles in one day and was not in pain. Plus you can later tune them when you get better. When my Katana was still a 600 I tuned it and got to 190mph. What a rush lol. One of these styles will last you a wile. Plus cause there a sport touring they have a longer lasting motor then sportbikes. The reason is they dont push as hard.

[Koss]

Last week someone parked their ninja 250r next to my 500r, and even to everyone around me it was quite noticable how much smaller the 250 was. If they wern't side by side you wouldn't notice it, but once they were, the 250 wasn't as high as my bike. But I agree that the 500r seat hight (when talkng about the size between the 250 and 500, I wasn't speaking about seat hight but overall size) is lower than your average 600 race replica bike.

It already seems that you dont want to consider the Ex500 anyways, so what I would suggest to you is getting a SV650S or Ninja 650. Also good choices are the GT650R from Hyosung. Can't go wrong with any of those bikes. Styling, performance, comfort.

[Kal]

I have a 34" inside leg.

I've ridden a CG125, ER-5, CB500 and CX500. The only one I've had an issue with was the ER-5 because it required me folding my legs up underneath me inside some stupid sportsbike fashion and meant I was crushing my family jewels on the tank where I was leaning forwards. That took a few days to get used to.

The best bike was my Honda CG125 - because it had a flat bench-type seat which allowed me to choose my own seating position rahter than have the bike dictate it to me. When I was buying my new bike the fact it has a bench-type seat was a major consideration...

[flynrider]

If one's legs are so long that they have cramped legs on an EX250, it's only going to get worse with an actual sportbike. While the rearset pegs will keep the knees lower, they'll be bent even tighter under the body. Can't imagine that being more comfortable.

I'd say go sit on everything and do not let other people tell you what will fit or what won't. People are shaped differently enough that you won't know until you actually mount the bike. Sit on the bike, preferably on its centerstand, with both feet on the pegs. Move the bars around and imagine what that position would feel like for a couple of hrs. Then multiply it. Most don't realize that any minor discomfort in the showroom will be greatly amplified by vibration and wind on the road.