starter bike for a tall person? - Biker Forums

motorpatti · 08-02-2007, 11:50 PM

Hey,

I'm currently riding a scooter (old honda elite 150) and am considering upgrading to a motorcycle that can handle the freeway better. In particular, I want to be able to ride up to visit my folks about 150 miles away (half freeway half curvy highway).

I'm 6'4" and my knees get in the way on my scooter when I try to make slow sharp turns. I've been reading around about good affordable starter bikes and was looking at the kawasaki ninja 250, the kawasaki vulcan 500, and the honda nighthawk 250 or 500 but I found reviews of all of these saying they are small or cramped for a tall person.

I'm hoping to get a used bike between 1 and 2 thousand dollars. Can anybody recommend something that might be good for a tall person for the ride I described above as well as city commuting? Also, are there modifications I could make to the bikes I mentioned above that would make them comfortable for a tall person?

thanks!

Bullzaye · 08-03-2007, 02:56 AM

Have you considered a Kawasaki KLR650, or possibly KLR250? I know the 650 is fairly tall, as I own one. Good gas mileage...not sure about $1K-$2K, but if ya look around that should be doable, as they only go for a bit over $5K brand new.
Tim

motorpatti · 08-03-2007, 07:28 AM

thanks for the tip. I will look into it but I have read that dual sports aren't very good on the freeway and I didn't really consider them since I'm not interested in off-road riding. The seat height is high though. I'll read more about them. thanks.

Bullzaye · 08-03-2007, 08:17 AM

To each his own. You should definitely decide for yourself whether it suits your style and/or purpose. I don't know how fast you need the bike to be able to travel on the highway. I've put 30,000 miles on mine, most of those on the highway. It's true that it gets better mileage at 55 or 60 MPH, around 58-62 MPG. But I've also run it at 70-75 many days during my commute, and during one weekend trip with 3 guys on 2 BMWs & a SV650 I was traveling all weekend at 90-100 MPH. I felt completely comfortable on the bike at those speeds, but it was definitely a bit hard on the poor beast. It's actually a very flickable, maneuverable bike. It handles potholes and such road hazards easily too. In fact my best friend rides a BMW K1200RS, a Teutonic sport-tourer that can run all day at 130 MPH+...and when his bike was down I loaned him my KLR650 for a week, and he loved it so much he can't wait to buy one. They're a genuine kick-in-the-pants! Also, if you know you'll never leave the paved surfaces, just throw some street tires on it, and it'll handle even better. For some reason, they also draw a lot of attention. I currently own a '98 BMW R1200C, a '02 Triumph Sprint ST, a '01 Kawi ZR-7, and the KLR650, an '00. I've gotten more comments, thumbs up, and general positive comments while riding the little KLR.
Well, I guess I sound like a salesman, huh? Honestly, I don't own any Kawasaki stock. Give it a look, then look at whatever else you fancy...and get what you like. Get some good gear, wear it faithfully. Take the MSF riders course too, if ya haven't already. Money very well spent. Then have fun!
Best of luck. Sorry for the rambling post.
Tim

technotask · 02-22-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullzaye

Have you considered a Kawasaki KLR650, or possibly KLR250? I know the 650 is fairly tall, as I own one. Good gas mileage...not sure about $1K-$2K, but if ya look around that should be doable, as they only go for a bit over $5K brand new.
Tim

kawasaki KLR650 is a good option... tall bike... good fuel efficiency also...

viru87 · 04-24-2009, 02:31 AM

You can consider Suzuki DL650, yamaha r6, yzf600r. Also Buell Uly is good.

glenfoxman · 11-08-2009, 10:33 AM

?? 280 would be lowest.. i could get £100 for the forks.serious people only please, yer i know it doesnt look much bit is is, plus Im selling it for someone else that is the price he has given _______________________________________Website I designed for online payday cash advance company.

bulskyqui · 11-12-2009, 04:08 PM

hes no chim-pansy for showing her face, infact very brave.

ab420 · 02-03-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulskyqui

hes no chim-pansy for showing her face, infact very brave.

huh?

08-02-2007, 11:50 PM	#1
motorpatti New To BikerForums Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2	starter bike for a tall person? Hey, I'm currently riding a scooter (old honda elite 150) and am considering upgrading to a motorcycle that can handle the freeway better. In particular, I want to be able to ride up to visit my folks about 150 miles away (half freeway half curvy highway). I'm 6'4" and my knees get in the way on my scooter when I try to make slow sharp turns. I've been reading around about good affordable starter bikes and was looking at the kawasaki ninja 250, the kawasaki vulcan 500, and the honda nighthawk 250 or 500 but I found reviews of all of these saying they are small or cramped for a tall person. I'm hoping to get a used bike between 1 and 2 thousand dollars. Can anybody recommend something that might be good for a tall person for the ride I described above as well as city commuting? Also, are there modifications I could make to the bikes I mentioned above that would make them comfortable for a tall person? thanks!

11-08-2009, 10:33 AM	#7
glenfoxman Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 16	starter bike for a tall person ?? 280 would be lowest.. i could get £100 for the forks.serious people only please, yer i know it doesnt look much bit is is, plus Im selling it for someone else that is the price he has given _______________________________________Website I designed for online payday cash advance company.

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08-03-2007, 02:56 AM	#2
Bullzaye New To BikerForums Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4	Have you considered a Kawasaki KLR650, or possibly KLR250? I know the 650 is fairly tall, as I own one. Good gas mileage...not sure about $1K-$2K, but if ya look around that should be doable, as they only go for a bit over $5K brand new. Tim

08-03-2007, 07:28 AM	#3
motorpatti New To BikerForums Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2	thanks for the tip. I will look into it but I have read that dual sports aren't very good on the freeway and I didn't really consider them since I'm not interested in off-road riding. The seat height is high though. I'll read more about them. thanks.

08-03-2007, 08:17 AM	#4
Bullzaye New To BikerForums Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4	To each his own. You should definitely decide for yourself whether it suits your style and/or purpose. I don't know how fast you need the bike to be able to travel on the highway. I've put 30,000 miles on mine, most of those on the highway. It's true that it gets better mileage at 55 or 60 MPH, around 58-62 MPG. But I've also run it at 70-75 many days during my commute, and during one weekend trip with 3 guys on 2 BMWs & a SV650 I was traveling all weekend at 90-100 MPH. I felt completely comfortable on the bike at those speeds, but it was definitely a bit hard on the poor beast. It's actually a very flickable, maneuverable bike. It handles potholes and such road hazards easily too. In fact my best friend rides a BMW K1200RS, a Teutonic sport-tourer that can run all day at 130 MPH+...and when his bike was down I loaned him my KLR650 for a week, and he loved it so much he can't wait to buy one. They're a genuine kick-in-the-pants! Also, if you know you'll never leave the paved surfaces, just throw some street tires on it, and it'll handle even better. For some reason, they also draw a lot of attention. I currently own a '98 BMW R1200C, a '02 Triumph Sprint ST, a '01 Kawi ZR-7, and the KLR650, an '00. I've gotten more comments, thumbs up, and general positive comments while riding the little KLR. Well, I guess I sound like a salesman, huh? Honestly, I don't own any Kawasaki stock. Give it a look, then look at whatever else you fancy...and get what you like. Get some good gear, wear it faithfully. Take the MSF riders course too, if ya haven't already. Money very well spent. Then have fun! Best of luck. Sorry for the rambling post. Tim

04-24-2009, 02:31 AM	#6
viru87 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 9	You can consider Suzuki DL650, yamaha r6, yzf600r. Also Buell Uly is good.

11-12-2009, 04:08 PM	#8
bulskyqui Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	hes no chim-pansy for showing her face, infact very brave.