S40 for a tall guy?

Message

LtJer31 · #1 Unread post by **LtJer31** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:31 am

My son is 6' 220lbs 32 inseam

Is a S40 a good starter bike?

The one I am looking at getting him is 2005 with 11k miles They are asking 2880.

He will be taking about 200 miles (each way) once a month to college. No interstates, just state highways and county roads

Thanks in advnace for your help

SCgurl · #2 Unread post by **SCgurl** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:30 am

I started on an S40. Just for comparison-I'm 5'6" and have a 30" inseam. I'm not telling my weight

I think it's a fantastic starter bike. It's light, easy to toss around, and gets great gas mileage. However, long-haul rides are a bit uncomfortable. It runs the smoothest right at 45 mph and again at 60 mph. The thumper vibration will get uncomfortable after 45 minutes-1 hr. If he can take breaks frequently on the long rides, he'll be fine.

He needs to sit on one and see if he's in a good position. Sounds like there's enough leg room, but he may feel hunched over the tank (can be fixed with risers).

flynrider · #3 Unread post by **flynrider** » Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:55 am

He should probably sit on first. I often recommend the S40 as a starter bike, but it is very low and somewhat small framed. If he has long legs, the S40 might not be doable.

motocraze · #4 Unread post by **motocraze** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 5:59 pm

As clearly mentioned S40 would be the best to start off with, moreover the low height if not an issue.

Thumper · #5 Unread post by **Thumper** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:33 am

The S40 is a great starter bike, perhaps prone to some backfiring because it runs lean (that can be fixed). But. At his height he's liable to feel very cramped on it, especially after he gets over the OMG I'm riding a motorcycle! feeling.

Fairly equivalent to the S40 is the Honda Shadow VLX, and he probably wouldn't feel cramped on it. The frame is a little bigger and foot placement a little more forward (not a lot, just enough), and the engine is a tad under 600cc...very doable for a beginner.

Either way, he needs to test sit whatever bike, and see how it feels, where he knees are in relation to the handlebars with his feet on the pegs, etc. My son is about the same height and tried riding a Rebel--same relative size as the S40, but with a smaller engine--and it was like he was a big kid on a toy. He could ride his dad's VLX comfortably, though.

Also look for something like a Vulcan 500 (perhaps an even better choice than either of the other two) or if he has any interest in sport bikes, a ninja 500 (baby sport bike, more upright and not a speed demon...)