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Hi, I am looking for my first bike and have a question on the size. I am 6 feet 5 inches tall, and have a 36 inch inseam. I have very long legs. Since this is my first bike, everything I read says do not buy anything too big. Two guys have told me I should buy a bike with the "controls forward".

I am looking for some suggestions on a first bike that will give me a reasonable fit. Open to all suggestions as I know next to nothing about this.

What style of bike?

- Sport
- Cruiser
- Standard
- Dual-sport
- Touring

If it doesn't matter, I'd say V-Strom from Suzuki or a BMW Tourer. Those are relatively tall bikes. If it's a cruiser you're looking for, they're all pretty low to begin with (seat height).

FYI: You can place forward controls on virtually any bike. At 6'5", you're going to need forward controls on every cruiser I can think of.

Suzuki has the DR 650 and V-STrom 650 and maybe a Suzuki Burgman... it felt pretty roomy. Then Kawasaki has the KLR 650 (the 2008 models are nicer compared to the older ones) and the Versys.

These (except for the Burgman) are dual sports which are taller bikes.

Cruisers don't normally come with forward controls stock, you usually have to add those on which also increase the price.

Sport bikes are also pretty tall but the riding position may be kind of uncomfortable, of course it's subjective and you have to go sit on a bike to see if it'll fit you.

I am thinking I want a cruiser. How important is it to keep the first bike around the 660 CC size. Is a Harley softail going to be too big for a first bike?

DonFree wrote:I am thinking I want a cruiser. How important is it to keep the first bike around the 660 CC size. Is a Harley softail going to be too big for a first bike?

Figure 656 - 695 lbs dry for a Softail (that's the weight minus fluids, any accessories, etc.) That's a lot of weight for a beginner. The problem is if you're new to motorcycles, there's some things you can learn only by doing, e.g. how far can I tip a bike when handling it stopped? That lesson will be easier and quicker to learn with a lighter bike.

The answers you get on the internet are just generalizations, but people will not want to steer you wrong - we tend to give the "safe" answer. In this case, the safe answer is a Softail is too heavy to learn on. Start with something smaller & lighter this year, practice and get good on it, then go get the Softail next year.

I understand that as a beginner I'm more likely statistically to drop it than someone who's been riding for longer. As such I decided to get a used bike that wouldn't make me want to cry if I dropped it. I'd think I'd be so nervous about dropping my pretty, new Harley that I'd probably be more likely to do so.

As far as fit goes, you're going to be in the same catch that I was in. Not wanting too much bike, but needing a larger bike to fit my frame, which of course tend to come equipped with higher displacement motors. Of course you have 4" on me in height and inseam, so it's going to be even harder for you. If Harley is what gets your juices flowing check out one of the 883 Sportster Customs. You can get forward controls installed on it by a dealer if it fits you otherwise.

Tex

Triumph tiger is a tall bike.

6'5"? Yawn! Standing 6'11" in boots I was able to learn relatively comfortably on a V-Star 650 Classic with handlebar risers and forward controls. Not all-day comfort by any means, but was do-able.

I didn't ride it that long before getting my bemmer, so I really can't tell you long-term thoughts.

I'm going to struggle soon with finding a nice track bike I can fit on... d'oh!

OK! That really helps. If you can do it at that size, then I feel much better. My first step is to pass the class next month and get qualified. Thanks for the reply.