Bikes For Tall Blokes

Ok. Here's the problem. Just passed my Cat A recently and wanna buy me a
bike. Been reading all the usual bike rags and have seen many bikes that
I like but can probably never own. Reason: 1.96 meters tall. 6' 5" to
old folk. Can anyone recommend a top five list of sportbikes, muscle bikes,
and sports tourers (I'm undecided on what to go for) so that I can look
into them? Ducati's are out of the window, but I dont have wads of cash
so that's OK I can live with that! I quite like the VFR, and Bandit...
decisions decisions!

Realistically I'm looking at a 600cc bike since I'm a "noob".

Going to go take a look at the NEC bike show, perhaps sit on a couple of
things.. just want to get a short list nailed down.

Help muchos appreciated!

Ta,

John

 

Paging Wik!

 

Minimoto?

 

I'd suggest you go to the NEC and sit on *lots* of things to see what
fits.

And don't forget that when you are riding you'll be wearing heavier
clothing than you wear to the show (probably) so that will make them
feel a little more cramped.

Don't confuse seat height with comfort; for example, my Z is very high
and a long stretch for my little legs, but is a little cramped when
riding.
--
Gyp BOTAFOT#99, BotToS#4, UKRMT5BB, DIAABTCOD#28, HYPO#4
'81 R65RS - SORN but not forgotten
'89 R80RT - intercontinental ballistic tourer
'97 XLH1200 - weapon of muff disruption
'04 Z750 - oh look, something from this millennium
Take out the chemical loo to reply

 

Are you mad? It's smaller than the ER-5!

 

You're having a bit of a laugh with these aren't you?

 

What he said.

 

Shortarse.

When you've got a year or so of NCB behind you:

BMW R1150GS (or GS Adventure)
Triumph Tiger
Suzuki V-Strom

They're all around a litre. You'll probably find insurance on a Tiger
to be cheaper.

 

What? What? What?

When did this purchase take place, then?

 

'E's a crafty wee bugger, innee? Prolly had it for months.

 

Well these two I will certainly try out.

I saw a review to the ER-6 and it said ideal for "shorter riders". I
dont know if that was based on legroom or seat height. Hmm.

Would promptly end up in a field if I bought one of them. 2006 R6
looks nice, and I love the new triumph triple 675 A BEAUTIFUL machine,
but sadly probably bikes I can never own :'( (it does bring a tear to my
eye).

My mate suggested a ZX-9R based on it being "roomy" but hmmm a 900cc is
a bit much for someone that's just passed their DAS on an ER-5.

My mate has one but I think they're a bit ugly. Better be careful in
case he's reading this.

 

Or an 1100, main difference is one less cog in the box, but still has all
the ABS etc.

Or A moto guzzi Quota if you decide big adventure traillees are fun, I
happen to have an uprated one for sale: ideal for tall people.

 

tallbloke emerged from their own little world to say

Late R1100GS are fetching more money than early R1150GS. Some people prefer
that model and are willing to pay a premium for it. The quality of
materials was better so they can look much tidier than an 1150 registered
in the same year.

 

I did 250 miles on it yesterday and my hips still aren't right. The pegs
could do with being about 2-3 inches further back, but that can't happen
as the exhaust's in the way. Unless they come up too, in which case the
foot-bum distance probably wouldn't increase so the problem wouldn't be
entirely solved.

Oh, I've had the R65 since about 1987. Haven't you seen it?
--
Gyp BOTAFOT#99, BotToS#4, UKRMT5BB, DIAABTCOD#28, HYPO#4
'81 R65RS - SORN but not forgotten
'89 R80RT - intercontinental ballistic tourer
'97 XLH1200 - weapon of muff disruption
'04 Z750 - oh look, something from this millennium
Take out the chemical loo to reply

 

Thanks, that's worth knowing.

 

I feel your pain, brother.


How much do you weigh? What's your leg length? Tallness is only the
half of it, really.

Not gonna do a huge long list, but the VFR is fine for us lanky types as
is the Bandit 6. There *are* quite a few more that I can vouch for but,
as your next sentence is:

I feel this is a sound move for a newly qualified rider -- some of the
others I have had/ridden are going to be waaay out of your scope,
largely because of the insurance.

On that score, the Bandit wins again due to its nakedness, mass of parts
and general all-round usability. VFRs are quite user-friendly, however,
they are rather fragile when they end up shiny-side down. Trust me on
this one...
;-)

Good call. Plus, as others have mentioned, consider that sitting on
such machinery in jeans and t-shirt is not the same as doing so in
leathers. I *really* wanted a Kwak 7R and sat on several at shows and
the like but, as soon as I got the opportunity to ride one fo real, I
found it was an instrument of utter torture wearing leathers.

 

Honda Transalp.

Can't believe no-one has mentioned them so far. Not the most powerful
600 / 650cc bike, but PeterT seemed to make his go pretty rapidly, and
big enough for a taller bloke.

They've been making 'em for about 20 years, so there's one to suit every
budget out there.

 

SteveH emerged from their own little world to say

I'd agree that it is an ideal first bike for tall riders. The OP did ask
for suggestions of "sportbikes, muscle bikes and sports tourers".....

 

True, but BGN's mention of big gay trail bikes prompted my thoughts.

 

They look rather expensive to drop. Five speed gearbox. My ER-5 has
more power. 33" seat height.

However, it's now on my "to test ride" list. I wonder what insurance
group it generally sits in.