6'6", 340 pounds...new rider with NO CLUE, but to start

[Gentle Giant]

I just went around to some dealers to test out how I feel on the bikes. I'm 6'6" and 280 lbs. It sort of suprised me, but the one I felt was the most comfortable was the Harley Sporster. I think it was beacuse of the higher seat height it had. Go give one of those a shot. I didn't find anything yet truly felt comfortable. The next best fit was a Honda shadow, the midsize one.

[MZ33]

Yeah, your right, I didn't want to upgrade. I just wanted osmething I can learn to ride on....especially defensive driving. So like someone said, something I'll buy, use and learn on, then after a year or so....resell and get what I'd think I'd really want

I'm confused. Sounds to me that you describe a plan to upgrade even as you say you don't want to have to upgrade.

But, since your knee is messing with you, I guess you have time to mull it over! Good luck!

[Wrider]

I'll always recommend the Suzuki C50/M50/Volusia as good first bikes for big guys. I'm two inches shorter and 300 lbs myself, and it was a good started bike for me. Easily highway capable, good power and acceleration, I had a good ole time on it!
Wrider

[oxbow1]

It's like buying a suit dude.shop around, find something that fits you.
I wouldn't go smaller than a 750 with your density.
and remember, "your first bike is like you first girlfriend, it's for practice and you will eventually get a different one"

[Deedter]

LMAO @ OXBOW1

[RTR]

Yeah, your right, I didn't want to upgrade. I just wanted osmething I can learn to ride on....especially defensive driving. So like someone said, something I'll buy, use and learn on, then after a year or so....resell and get what I'd think I'd really want. Then I'll customize that ........ maybe.
ON THE OTHER HANDDDDDDD, things are being put on hold. Ended up tearing some tissue in my acl (knee) and might need surgery and I don't think balancing a bike will be easy at this time.
BUT THANKS FOR THE GREAT ADVICE EVERYBODY!!!

From one bad knee to another. Speedy recovery! I recently had some bone fragments removed from left knee. Crutches don't look too good when suiting up for a ride

As for a good bike choice. I would say at minimum you want a 1100. When I got back into riding after a 13 year hiatus. I bought a V-Star 1100. Enjoyed it for what it was. Not good nor bad. I then upgraded to my Goldwing 1800. Taking about Goldwings. I recently had a student who is starting off with a Goldwing 1800 as his first bike. The student is about your size, as you describe.

Bottom line really is, what you think you will be comfortable on to learn. As I think has been mentioned already. Start visiting some shops and sit on a number of different bikes.

First though, take care of that knee.

Good luck!

[Big B]

goldwings are phenomonal bikes, but i personally wouldn't recommend one as a first bike for several reasons but the biggest would be that it's a really expensive bike to have as your first, 'specially since you're far more likely to ding or drop it as a new rider, and all that plastic's gotta add up quick

[Gentle Giant]

I'm 6'6" and 280lbs. I picked up a 2001 Honda Shadow ACE 750 a couple of weeks ago and am really comfortable with it. I used to ride an ld 79 Honda 450 about 15 years ago for a year so I had some experience. The Shadow seems to be a nice balance for me right now. Go check one out and remember you can put some control extensions on to make them a little roomier.

[fm1234]

I bought my bike from a guy who was 6'7" and probably in the high 200s, low 300s in weight, plus had a wife who was a dear woman if ... uh ... ample. The bike is a Suzuki Intruder LC. It's now sold in a slightly modified form called the Boulevard C90, for around eleven grand. I've seen LCs from the early part of this decade with 30k miles or less on them for under $5,000. It's a great, sturdy, meaty bike and the guy who originally owned it had no problem at all with it accommodating him.



Frank

[dam997]

maybe you should get a intersepter. its kinda fast, but it is a starter you no.