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knees knockin' handlebars

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:18 pm
by stewy004
Hey everyone, i have a question for anyone willing to help me out. I am a new rider and looking for a bike that will suit me well, particularly my height. I am 6'6" and i need a bike that won't have my knees hitting the handlebars. I've been kinda looking at the Suzuki S83, any other suggestions or comments. Anything will be appreciated! Thanks!!
-Ryan Stewart

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:27 pm
by Kal
At six four I get where you are coming from, anything with a Benchtype seat has been fine for me as I can choose my own 'ride' position. UJM's and the like usually have suitable seats.

The usual cavets apply though. Best advice is to get yourself down to a dealer or the like and sit on as many bikes as you can.

**

Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:58 pm
by hot_shoe_cv
My suggestion would be to decide on the bike you really like regardless of the handlebar. Then if the oem bar doesn't offer enough clearance, you can either add up to 6" risers or change bars to a different bend. Of course, if you did go the risers route you probably would need to swap the cables for risers more than 2"".It would cost a few bucks either way but you'd have the bike you wanted instead of some compromise to have to live with for years...and maybe you could finagle the dealer to pay at least part of the tariff.

S83 Probably not a good fit for your height

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:47 pm
by Deno
I recently bought a 2005 S83. I'm 5'9", and it fits me pretty well. Will the dealer let you take one for a test ride?

Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:52 pm
by blues2cruise
The president of our riding club is 6'6". He rides a Road Star.

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:13 am
by smakawhat
The Suzuki V-Strom is a tall bike, but I don't think that is what you are aiming for you seem to be after the cruisers but it is just a suggestion.

By the way you are in the Peg eh? I was born and raised there myself.

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:30 am
by stewy004
cruiser or sport bike, it doesnt really matter. and yes, i'm in the 'PEG 8) great place to be!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:33 am
by smakawhat
stewy004 wrote:cruiser or sport bike, it doesnt really matter. and yes, i'm in the 'PEG 8) great place to be!
I always figured the riding season there would be REALLY short man :D but definatly more open spaces to ride than down here!

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 6:55 am
by BLKNSLVR
I'm pretty tall and I have found that the good old Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 has great ergos. One of the few bikes that I can ride all day and not feel it in my hips or knees. Good forward controls too which stretch us tall folks out.

Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:17 am
by stewy004
yeah, the riding season up here isn't the longest by any means, late april until november if you're lucky, but usually by the end of october the ground is white with snow. Still good place to be i think.