Bike for a big guy

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Lion_Lady
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#11 Unread post by Lion_Lady »

Marshall wrote:I was hoping to find a cruiser, I'm not really in to sport bikes. I have found 2 that I fit on comfortably, Suzuki Marauder 1600 (according to the salesman, it's the same thing as Kawasaki's Mean Streak,) or a Harley Wide Glide. I didn't like the drag bars on the Marauder ( I could have standard bars put on it, but the bike is already 3 grand more than I want to spend). I loved the Harley, until the salesman told me the price. Other bikes I looked at but didn't fit on were Kawasaki Vulcan Classic (even the 2000cc was a little cramped), Honda VTX, Yamaha Road Star, and Suzuki Boulevard. The Honda rep told me that I could order a VTX with extended controls, but again the bike is already beyond my price range. A buddy told me that I could probably find an older Harley for the money, I told him I'd rather spend my free time riding rather than wrenching (I love Harleys, but a 20+ year old bike is going to have some issues.) I guess I'll keep looking. Thanks for the help guys!
Okay... a question that no one has asked is what is your experience? Before we go any further, knowing how much riding you've done needs to figure into the picture.

If you're a brand new rider, then buying a bike that you loooove isn't quite as important as buying one that you can ride and that you can master the skills of riding on. Then you'll have both the experience and the additional knowledge to really choose a cherry of a 'keeper' motorcycle.

P
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ZooTech
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#12 Unread post by ZooTech »

Lion_Lady wrote: If you're a brand new rider, then buying a bike that you loooove isn't quite as important as buying one that you can ride and that you can master the skills of riding on. Then you'll have both the experience and the additional knowledge to really choose a cherry of a 'keeper' motorcycle.
He has $6,000 to spend on a bike made to fit a 6'7" person. I doubt he's worried about finding a "cherry of a keeper". A guy that size could learn on a Boss Hoss if he wanted to. What do you suggest he buy, a Rebel 250?

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cb360
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#13 Unread post by cb360 »

I wouldn't pick something with a twitchy throttle for a new guy even if he's 8 feet tall. But he is gonna want a bike with a taller saddle than most or he'll just be too uncomfortable to like riding it. And taller saddles usually means a bigger bike in general. Seems to me that some of the dual sports usually have the talles saddles. I'd go sit on some of those. Or maybe a custom chopper that's all stretched out - that might not be too uncomfortable. Just kidding on the chopper - I don't thnk things would be comfortable for anyone.
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DivideOverflow
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#14 Unread post by DivideOverflow »

just sit on the passenger seat?

I'd say see if any of the ones you are looking at can be easily modified to stretch a little more. Maybe you can get a big solo seat where you sit a little further back, instead of having a passenger seat?

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Nibblet99
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#15 Unread post by Nibblet99 »

Lion_Lady wrote:
Okay... a question that no one has asked is what is your experience? Before we go any further, knowing how much riding you've done needs to figure into the picture.

If you're a brand new rider, then buying a bike that you loooove isn't quite as important as buying one that you can ride and that you can master the skills of riding on. Then you'll have both the experience and the additional knowledge to really choose a cherry of a 'keeper' motorcycle.

P
Marshall wrote:I had a '81 Suzuki GS750 that I rode for 2 years, the thing was tiny for me. Can anyone offer me any suggestions on something I may fit on?
Cor, I've not seen you take your eye off the ball before lionlady, are you feeling ok? :laughing: :roll:
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BudmanTom
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#16 Unread post by BudmanTom »

I see you excluded the VTX but did you sit on the 1800? I'm 6' 3" and I thought that the 1800 would be a good fit but the 1300 would be too small.


Tom
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Lion_Lady
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#17 Unread post by Lion_Lady »

Nibblet99 wrote:
Marshall wrote:I had a '81 Suzuki GS750 that I rode for 2 years, the thing was tiny for me. Can anyone offer me any suggestions on something I may fit on?
Cor, I've not seen you take your eye off the ball before lionlady, are you feeling ok? :laughing: :roll:
Hey, we all have our bad days...

P
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Marshall
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#18 Unread post by Marshall »

BudmanTom wrote:I see you excluded the VTX but did you sit on the 1800? I'm 6' 3" and I thought that the 1800 would be a good fit but the 1300 would be too small.


Tom
The 1800 is the one I sat on, I didn't even try the 1300. What I think I'm going to end up doing is buying an older Intruder or Vulcan and modify it to fit. I've seen quite a few of them for sale locally in the price range I'm looking for.

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