2 Cents for Tall Riders
Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 8:55 am
I wanted to start a conversation for tall riders. When shopping for my first bike I soon realized it is not easy following the "below 600cc starter bike" moniker.
I'm 6'-3, 280. And I am sure like a lot of you big and tall people out there you didn't want to be the bear riding the tricycle.
To help me decide on a bike I went to forums like these and read up on what people were thinking. The problem is it "seems" that most people who ride and most manufacturers cater to people who are 5'-7to 5'-10. Now before some of you (particularly the ones in the height group) decide to send me hate mail because of remarks I would like for everyone reading this to stay focus and give their two cents to tall noobies. Because one thing I did notice their is not that much info on the dedicated to tall riders, and believe me I spent 3 months searching.
So let me begin by offering my 2-cents:
1. The MSF course is essential. For tall riders, be prepared to learn on a bike that is so small your butt will be on the passenger seat. My bike was so small my butt was almost sitting on the tail light. The written test is a joke! My first question was what year were you born in. However, don't underestimate it because the last thing you want to do is be cocky, flunk, and then have to wait another 2 or more hours to take it again.
2. I think the first bike should be determined by horsepower (HP) not CC's. I do agree with the 60 HP or less motto. I was one of those that was about to call the Better Business Burea for all these salesmen who would tell me I needed a 1100 cc bike. It turns out that some of them may have been right because the Honda 1100 has less than 60 HP. However it made no sense to pay that much money for a bike as a starter and deal with all that weight. I would like to call out the saleman that said to me that I shouldn't get a particular bike because with my weight I could only get it up to 95 mph. Why would being able to go that fast be considered a bad thing when the speed limits around Oklahoma go no higher than 75 mph. The same guy also said that I should get the Honda 599 because even though it has 97 HP, I'm too big to use all of them.
3. People say buy used. I agree but I say buy a newer used model because they tend to be "noobie-friendly" and you have more info to read about them. Plus if you need financing, loan companies will most likely tell you what all you can afford and how old it can be. By the way State Farm gave me the best deal on a loan.
4. Don't buy your gear online. I wouldn't even get a motorcycle online. You need to try everything including the bike. If you are a straight noob then have the delaership deliver your bike. There was no way I could have rode that bike home much less then turn around and get my Jeep that was parked at the dealership. If they charge delivery pay for it! It's worth it.
5. This forum tends to recommend the Suzuki GS500F. I wasn't comfortable on that but it did make my final list of bikes. In fact I believe that Suzuki tends to make bigger bikes so I suggest trying their line of bikes first. The bikes that made my final list were the following:
Honda 599 (too much HP)
Kawasaki KLR650 (too light and way too ugly)
BMW 650 (too expensive)
Honda VLX600 (too snug of a fit)
Honda Aero 750 (not enough leg room)
Suzuki Katana 600 (good fit, good weight, too fast)
Suzuki SV650 (good fit, good weight, too fast)
Suzuki GS500F (a little uncomfortable)
Suzuki M50 (too snug)
Suzuki C50 (very heavy but had everything I need)
I went with a used C50, paid $5800, My insurance is about $25/mos. The weight may be heavy (550 lbs) but I get cheap insurance, it's not something I will out grow in months, and it is noobie-user friendly. I mentioned the KLR650 is ugly, this is my opinion. I could really care less about looking cool. I'm happily married, why would I give a rat's butt about how cool I look. It scares me to think of the number of people who buy bikes to look cool; it makes me wonder if they pay more attention to who is staring at them or the road.
Bottom line, getting a bike in my opinion is not something you do overnight while dreaming. I strongly suggest doing your research. It took me 3 months to get my bike. I did research, sat on every bike possible, and took the MSF course. Get the bike that works for you not what people think will work- I think you will regret trying to impress people with your choice. the advice that people offer is mostly opinion.
I would like to end this by saying thank you to all that have taken their time to write into forums and user reviews, epsicially the tall riders. It has definitely made me comfortable enough to believe I can join the motorcycle race. This is why I am writing this because I want to help other people fell the same.
Keep the rubber-side down,
[/list]
I'm 6'-3, 280. And I am sure like a lot of you big and tall people out there you didn't want to be the bear riding the tricycle.
To help me decide on a bike I went to forums like these and read up on what people were thinking. The problem is it "seems" that most people who ride and most manufacturers cater to people who are 5'-7to 5'-10. Now before some of you (particularly the ones in the height group) decide to send me hate mail because of remarks I would like for everyone reading this to stay focus and give their two cents to tall noobies. Because one thing I did notice their is not that much info on the dedicated to tall riders, and believe me I spent 3 months searching.
So let me begin by offering my 2-cents:
1. The MSF course is essential. For tall riders, be prepared to learn on a bike that is so small your butt will be on the passenger seat. My bike was so small my butt was almost sitting on the tail light. The written test is a joke! My first question was what year were you born in. However, don't underestimate it because the last thing you want to do is be cocky, flunk, and then have to wait another 2 or more hours to take it again.
2. I think the first bike should be determined by horsepower (HP) not CC's. I do agree with the 60 HP or less motto. I was one of those that was about to call the Better Business Burea for all these salesmen who would tell me I needed a 1100 cc bike. It turns out that some of them may have been right because the Honda 1100 has less than 60 HP. However it made no sense to pay that much money for a bike as a starter and deal with all that weight. I would like to call out the saleman that said to me that I shouldn't get a particular bike because with my weight I could only get it up to 95 mph. Why would being able to go that fast be considered a bad thing when the speed limits around Oklahoma go no higher than 75 mph. The same guy also said that I should get the Honda 599 because even though it has 97 HP, I'm too big to use all of them.
3. People say buy used. I agree but I say buy a newer used model because they tend to be "noobie-friendly" and you have more info to read about them. Plus if you need financing, loan companies will most likely tell you what all you can afford and how old it can be. By the way State Farm gave me the best deal on a loan.
4. Don't buy your gear online. I wouldn't even get a motorcycle online. You need to try everything including the bike. If you are a straight noob then have the delaership deliver your bike. There was no way I could have rode that bike home much less then turn around and get my Jeep that was parked at the dealership. If they charge delivery pay for it! It's worth it.
5. This forum tends to recommend the Suzuki GS500F. I wasn't comfortable on that but it did make my final list of bikes. In fact I believe that Suzuki tends to make bigger bikes so I suggest trying their line of bikes first. The bikes that made my final list were the following:
Honda 599 (too much HP)
Kawasaki KLR650 (too light and way too ugly)
BMW 650 (too expensive)
Honda VLX600 (too snug of a fit)
Honda Aero 750 (not enough leg room)
Suzuki Katana 600 (good fit, good weight, too fast)
Suzuki SV650 (good fit, good weight, too fast)
Suzuki GS500F (a little uncomfortable)
Suzuki M50 (too snug)
Suzuki C50 (very heavy but had everything I need)
I went with a used C50, paid $5800, My insurance is about $25/mos. The weight may be heavy (550 lbs) but I get cheap insurance, it's not something I will out grow in months, and it is noobie-user friendly. I mentioned the KLR650 is ugly, this is my opinion. I could really care less about looking cool. I'm happily married, why would I give a rat's butt about how cool I look. It scares me to think of the number of people who buy bikes to look cool; it makes me wonder if they pay more attention to who is staring at them or the road.
Bottom line, getting a bike in my opinion is not something you do overnight while dreaming. I strongly suggest doing your research. It took me 3 months to get my bike. I did research, sat on every bike possible, and took the MSF course. Get the bike that works for you not what people think will work- I think you will regret trying to impress people with your choice. the advice that people offer is mostly opinion.
I would like to end this by saying thank you to all that have taken their time to write into forums and user reviews, epsicially the tall riders. It has definitely made me comfortable enough to believe I can join the motorcycle race. This is why I am writing this because I want to help other people fell the same.
Keep the rubber-side down,
[/list]