personal size/weight vs. first bike

[Relsek]

Being as tall as you are, you're gonna find it tough to get comfortable on nearly EVERY sportsbike... they're built for the 'average' rider: 5'9" or so, with a 31-32 inch inseam.

They'll be murder on your legs after as little as 30 minutes of riding. So cramped.

Have a sit on some of the dual sports. V-strom is one that comes to mind. (Also a Suzuki), taller seat for long legs.

P

I don't agree with this totally. I'm 6'3" also and find the hayabusa to be very comfortable for someone my size. Granted it is not a good bike to learn on. I find that one of the keys to keeping me comfortable on a bike is to have my knees lower than my hips, all the sportbikes I've ridden accomplish this. The smaller cruisers will surely put your knees above your hips, so if that matters to you, you should consider it. (I find the same true in cars, if my knees are too high, I'm not as comfortable.

Kevin

[ZooTech]

I agree with Sevulturus. Despite your desire to ride a sportbike, in order to become proficient enough to ride one large enough for your stature you should first buy an 800-1500cc cruiser. Cruisers have more forgiving powerbands, are more comfortable while you learn, and have the added benefit of being able to accomodate larger riders via the use of aftermarket forward controls. At 6'3" and 270lbs, even a Vulcan 1500 classic would be managable, as would an Intruder or a Triumph Bonneville. Don't let your friends laugh you onto a sportbike you're not ready for. At your size only a liter bike would do, so you'll have to spend several weeks putting around the neighborhood getting used to the power. If a cruiser is outta the question, check out both of the V-Stroms. They're both sporty standards with forgiving powerbands thanks to their use of V-twin powerplants.

[Kal]

I'd vomit forth with grief and flame usually right now, but you're question isnt actually the one that sets me off.

Most if not all 'standard' frame bikes will fit you due to the bench like seat which allows you to find a comfortable ridinh position.

While I am *slightly*lighter, I am taller than you and comfortably ride a 125cc Standard.

I'm not suggesting that 125cc's will be right for you but there are plenty of smaller bikes that have a comfortable fit for taller guys.

[Sev]

One of the things that I find laughable in general is people who claim to not fit on a large cruiser or the EX500, because they are to small, but that they fit perfectly on a CBR or Gixxer, which actually has a more confined and cramped seating position. These are not bikes that are built to accomodate the rider, rather the rider must accomodate the bike.

Now I'm not speaking about anyone in particular here, it's just a general statement that seemed to fit in this thread. Because I think most of the members see right through that. Though there is a small number of people designed to sit a supersport, most people in general are not. We know that most of the people who say they are, are just wanting to look cool. Sigh.

I think if people were a little more honest with themselves about what kind of bike they would feel comfortable on there would be a lot fewer used ones for sale. I made the mistake of starting on a cruiser, which I didn't really find comfortable, I'm much happier with my standard.

[Jess]

Hi, Everyone! I am new to the site and I was hoping for a little advice. I am a brand new rider. I am taking the MSF course this spring and am just trying to get a feel for what bikes are good for a beginner, such as myself, in the meantime. I am female, 5'11", 34 in inseam and about 175lbs. I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out what a good bike would be for my height and so forth. I've "tried on" the 650R and loved the way it felt. However, I do not want to spend $7000 + on a bike that I will, in all likelihood, set down several times while I am learning. I also don't want a bike with that much power, while just learning to ride. I would greatly appreciate any advice ya'll could give me concerning a good sportbike for a beginner that would be good for my frame. Thanks!

[Sev]

650R is a kawasaki right? As in the ninja 650? If you liked that one have you given any consideration to an ex250 or 500. Err Ninja 250 or 500?

They're both solid bikes, great for beginners, and a lot of fun to ride. You can chose the bike that fits you best. Plus there should be tons of used ones out there for cheap cheap to learn on.

As a side note the Kawasaki 650R is being marketed specifically as a 2nd or advanced bike.

[Jess]

Thank you for your advice! I had originally considered looking into the Kawasaki 650R a little more, but after reading quite a bit about good beginner bikes on similar threads, I believe that it would be too much of a bike for me to begin with. I have done some research (internet and so forth) on the Ninja 250 and 500. My only concern with either one, however, is that I am planning on driving my bike to work and school, which is almost exclusively expressway and interstate driving. I've read a few posts that have suggested that riding a bike with too small displacement/hp in such a situation, can be just as dangerous as getting a bike that has too much power to begin with. What do you think?

[Sev]

My first bike was an LS650. A 400 lb 33 hp single cylinder cruiser, and I weigh next to nothing. It was essentially a 250cc frame with a 650 one thumper cramed into it. It cannot be called large displacement, or heavy by any stretch of the imagination, nor can I. 5'8" 120lbs. I put probably 3000km on that bike over the highway. Out of a total of 4000km. A fair bit of that was with my ex on the back. Who weighed a little more then I did and it handled that fine to.

My second (current) bike is a Honda 599. 400 lbs again, but this time with 85hp on an inline 4 engine. It to has done substantial (upwards of 5000km) on the highway.

Having a smaller bike means one thing on the highway, you need to pay more attention. Passes need to be planned a little better, you cannot just hammer the gas and go. And passing trucks will knock you around a little, so you need to move to the outside of the lane when you see them.

The biggest difference between my first and second bike is that it is easier to pass. You do not need a huge or powerful bike to ride on the highway, I know this from personal experience. Though having a larger bike can make highway easier, it makes learning tougher, especially for someone our size.

[Lion_Lady]

Hi, Everyone! I am new to the site and I was hoping for a little advice. I am a brand new rider. I am taking the MSF course this spring and am just trying to get a feel for what bikes are good for a beginner, such as myself, in the meantime. I am female, 5'11", 34 in inseam and about 175lbs. I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out what a good bike would be for my height and so forth. I've "tried on" the 650R and loved the way it felt. However, I do not want to spend $7000 + on a bike that I will, in all likelihood, set down several times while I am learning. I also don't want a bike with that much power, while just learning to ride. I would greatly appreciate any advice ya'll could give me concerning a good sportbike for a beginner that would be good for my frame. Thanks!

We've got similar 'dimensions:' Same inseam and roughly the same weight, but I'm 2 inches shorter than you. Any how, the Ninja 250 is certainly too small - it felt like a toy when I tried that one out. I'll suggest you have a look at an older "UJM" (Universal Japanese Motorcycle) to spend some time on and get a real handle on riding on. Something in the 400 to 600cc range. Standard or Dual sport. Maybe a Suzuki Vstrom or even a BMW f650 Dakar (though that would be pricier).

P

[swatter555]

Hi, Everyone! I am new to the site and I was hoping for a little advice. I am a brand new rider. I am taking the MSF course this spring and am just trying to get a feel for what bikes are good for a beginner, such as myself, in the meantime. I am female, 5'11", 34 in inseam and about 175lbs. I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out what a good bike would be for my height and so forth. I've "tried on" the 650R and loved the way it felt. However, I do not want to spend $7000 + on a bike that I will, in all likelihood, set down several times while I am learning. I also don't want a bike with that much power, while just learning to ride. I would greatly appreciate any advice ya'll could give me concerning a good sportbike for a beginner that would be good for my frame. Thanks!

I have also read your post further down. If you have the cash to plunk down, buy a used GS500f. They look reasonably sporty and are considered ideal for beginners. Granted you still have some fairing to smash. Frame sliders can help ease your anxiety of having the fairing smashed. An SV650s is good from this perspective because it has a half-fairing and still looks real sporty(plus installing frame sliders is a breeze). The SV requires more disipline when your first learning, but its not too bad. The good thing about the SV is that its a damn good bike, you can own it for a long time and be happy with it.

Thing about sport bikes, compared to other types of bikes, is that they are top heavy. This will require greater care when learning.