New rider, big guy, wondering what others my size started on

[chillbeast]

So I've got my MSF course this weekend, really looking forward to it.

I've spent quite a bit of time looking through the forums here and elsewhere to gather people's advice on what to start on,etc.

So I went to a couple dealerships this weekend and sat on some bikes. Looking at cruisers and standards, not interested in sports bikes.

First off let me say, I am 6'4"(almost 6'5", depends on how much i slouch that day) and about 260-270 lbs. ~33" inseam, which puts more of my height in the torso. I have a V shaped body I guess, big chest and 36" waist.

I was kinda hoping to find a 250 or something I fit on well, after sitting on the Hyosung 250 cruiser, Virago 250 and the Rebel...none of those were comfortable at all. So I think I need to move up to a 500,600 or 750 maybe.

The bikes I sat on and found really comfy(but out of my price range and bigger displacement than I want to deal with at first) are: Honda Shadow 1100 & 1300, Kawasaki Vulcan 900, Suzuki Boulevard M109r.

Those are all real big and expensive bikes, I REALLY like the shadow w the bull horn bars, but I am thinking that would be a 2nd or 3rd bike for me, not something I want to pay for right now and I'd cry forever if I dropped it.

So I guess my question is, anyone else my size when they got into riding? what did you start out on? Any suggestions on older used bikes to look out for that would be a good fit for me(big enough to be somewhat comfy, but somewhat smaller displacement)?

I will say, I have always LOVED the SR500 style, and this one:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mcy/689886282.html

Has a SLIGHT chance of being for sale still(waiting on reply from the guy), how would I fare on that? I've sen these in movies/tv and always though they looked ridiculously awesome, but haven't ever seen one in person so I don't really know how I would stack up against it. I assume it's got enough power to get me on the highway, which I've been told by just about everyone who has seen my size that a 2500 is not gonna cut it for.

I plan to use this bike as my daily commuter as much as possible, with an occasional road trip thrown in once I get more comfortable riding.

Thanks in advance for any advice, and for all the useful information to be found here! Looking forward to riding with some of you one day in the near future.

[jstark47]

I will say, I have always LOVED the SR500 style, and this one:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mcy/689886282.html

Has a SLIGHT chance of being for sale still(waiting on reply from the guy), how would I fare on that?

A cafe'd bike like that has either flat bars or clip-on's, and rearset pegs. Those will put you in a sport riding position. That's not the fastest, easiest way to learn to ride - oh, you can do it, but the bike will be more getting in the way than facilitating the learning process. I recommend something with a more standard, sit-up-straight riding position. Wide standard handlebars may not look so cool, but they give you good steering leverage. On your first bike, you want as many things to work with you as possible, not be obstacles.

At your size, you could handle a dual-sport- e.g. Suzuki DR650SE.

[chillbeast]

Thanks for the response, so one that has been cafe'd out is prolly not the best idea I guess, but an unmodded one would be a more standard position correct?

Not really interested in dual-sports, though the ones I sat on were comfy, just not my thing as far as looks(not really a fan of plastic on bikes). I know its my first bike and looks aren't everything but there has to be something I can swing that is standard/cruiser style.

Oh yea, just remembered, I sat on the Hyosung GV650 too and that seemed to fit good, didn't like the handlebars as much as the shadow but everything else fit real nice, anyone have any experience with those?

[Gentle Giant]

I am 6'6" and 280 lbs. My ride is a 2001 Honda Shadow ACE and I fit pretty comfortable on it. My first bike was a 79 honda 450. I fit pretty well on that too. You should be able to find a pretty nice 750 on the used market to get you started. Then, you can upgrade to the bigger bike if you want to go new.

[Big B]

i'm about your size and started on an early eighties honda cx500 custom. took it on many a long trip too. many of the 500-650cc cruisers come on largish frames, and you can always add highway bars. find a shadow, vstar, c50 ect. and sit on them, it's the only way to know for sure if you'll be comfortable.

[Wrider]

Take away an inch or two and add another 10 lbs and that's me!
I started on my 01 Volusia, which is an 800cc V-Twin cruiser. Suited me just fine!
Wrider

[jstark47]

Not really interested in dual-sports, though the ones I sat on were comfy, just not my thing as far as looks(not really a fan of plastic on bikes).

Yeah, I know what you mean about the looks. Just thought I'd give it a stab, 'cause unlike most, you've got the size to handle a dual sport. And the motors are just the ticket for beginners - lots of grunt down at low RPMs, but not the kind of power that gets you in trouble.

[chillbeast]

How bout a 454 LTD? I sat on a Vulcan 500 and it fit pretty good, didn't really like the handlebar placement but that can always be changed... from what I've seen they are decent reliable bikes, anyone have any experience with one?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/mcy/713967327.html

that's the one I am looking at

thanks again for all your help guys.

[jstark47]

Send a PM to forum member "Shorts". Her husband had a 454 for a while.

[gsJack]

The 454 LTD is the original Vulcan 500. Came out with the same bore and stroke as the mid 80's Ninja 908 and had a lot of common parts and 2 cyls instead of 4. Same engine came out a year later in the EX500 which became the Ninja 500 in 94. The 454 Ltd became the Vulcan 500 after a major redesign.