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I bought my first bike on April 20th, my birthday, of this year. It's been less than a month and I've already put over 500 miles on it. Now, I used to ride my mountain bike all over town when I was a kid, for years, just ride, ride, ride, every day. The first time I got on a bike, it was almost like reliving that, with the addition of a clutch.

I was leaning, counterstearing, shifting, (and even speeding a little) and it all felt very natural. As I'd began to put miles on it, I ran into situations that reminded me to respect the fact that this is not just another mountain bike.

Now, I don't plan on buying another bike soon (not this season, at least), but I'd like to give a sport bike a shot as well (as mine is a cruiser). I'm 6'6", 270 lbs, and I'd like some suggestions for bikes to look at that would fit my stature. I'm not fat, so that's not an issue (Hell, I'm not even chubby. It's just different when you're 6'6", I guess )

I've heard Kaw 250's are good learner sport bikes, but would someone my size fit on that? Do I really need to start on something that low (granted, I'm not going out to buy a 600 SS or anything ). By the time I end up buying a second bike, I'll have several thousand miles put in on my Shadow already, so, learning 'the basics' won't be such a big issue.

I'd like to buy a bike that's highway-friendly (so, something that'll do at least 70 MPH), but we get some outrageous winds up here sometimes. Is there a great deal of weight range in sport bikes?

Wow, quite a question. First observation: All sportbikes are designed to be as compact as possible, in the interest of saving weight. Most sportbikes are quite uncomfortable for most people, but there are some exceptions. There are some that are sporty, but designed more for "sport touring", and therefore have a slightly more comfortable position.

Personally, I am more comfortable with a slightly forward position, but I have a funky body shape. I'm only 5'11", but my arms are probably as long as yours, or very close. The reach to a sporty bikes bars then, is not difficult for me. And since I'm only 5'11", the high, rear-set foot pegs are not all that uncomfortable.

I have an 84 Yamaha FJ 600. It is a sportbike, but does not have the extreme sport riding position that modern sportbikes have. It's a bit more relaxed. I have done a couple of all-day rides, and although I was a bit tired at the end, I don't feel as though I can't bear long days.

I suspect that given your size, you won't like riding most sportbikes for very long periods of time. If you want something sporty, but still want to be comfortable, You might want to consider something more along the lines of a standard. There's unfortunately not much to choose from in that area though, that I could justify recommending to you as a logical step up from a VLX 600. One possibility might be a Nighthawk 750. It's deffinitely more sporty than your Shadow, but also not quite as extreme as something like a Kawi ZRX 1200.

Does my rambling help at all, or have I just made you as thoroughly confused as I am?

Though not the equal of a sports bike, you might find a dualsport to be a better fit. They have higher seat heights. Then you would have the option of offroading it too.

Thanks for the input, Toyuzu.

I wouldn't plan on doing any real long touring sessions on the bike or anything. The posibility of off-roading sounds good, though. We've got LOTS of dirt roads out here, wonder if that'd help? The most beautiful countryside areas are usually only dirt-road accessible. Maybe it's got something to do with keeping technology away?

Telesque wrote:Thanks for the input, Toyuzu.

I wouldn't plan on doing any real long touring sessions on the bike or anything. The posibility of off-roading sounds good, though. We've got LOTS of dirt roads out here, wonder if that'd help? The most beautiful countryside areas are usually only dirt-road accessible. Maybe it's got something to do with keeping technology away?

That's the same way things are around here. That's also the reason I'm willing to ride my streetbike off-road, as long as it doesn't get too rough. If you're willing to consider a dual-sport, then you open up a whole new realm of possibility. There is everything in that category from the venerable Honda trail bikes to the mighty BMW R 1200 GS, and everything in-between. Good luck with your search, and let me know if you need any help researching the possibilities. That's one of my hobbies.