6'6" tall rider looking for 1st bike

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vyeguy

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Hi guys
I just got a sweet job with a major Hydro company and will be buying my 1st bike in the spring. the problem I'm going to face is that I'm 6'6" tall and the few bikes I have sat on CBR600RR, R6 are not that comfortable. Is there anyone else who has issues with their height and finding a bike they fit nicely. Now keep in mind this is my 1st bike so I don't really want to go bigger than a 600cc but will if I have to just insurance will bend me over backwards.
 
I won't comment on the choice of bike as your first.

However, there are some ways to adjust foot pegs (some will adjust stock or may have to go aftermarket) and bar risers can help with hand position. Some other "styles" of bikes may also be a bit more accommodating to the larger rider. V-Storm comes to mind. Ninja 650 might be another. Both are a little more upright ergos and a little more forgiving to new riders. (And also enjoyed by experienced riders as well)

JMO.


I'm 5'9" so, my opinion shouldn't count for much.(EDIT)
 
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There are bikes with less aggressive ergonomics, but they tend to be less sporty than the supersports youre looking at. Try some bikes with the handlebars mounted above the clipons for a more upright seating position. You can always add a peg lowering kit to get some extra leg room, but it will be minimal for someone your size.


You could always look at a cruiser.. Floorboards & highway pegs turn a motorcycle into a lazyboy :)
 
http://cycle-ergo.com/

Again, just going to keep recommending this until it sticks.

Best bikes for a beginner, in order:

1. SV650
2. FZ6
3. Ninja 650
4. FZ6R
5. Ninja 500/GS500
6. Ninja 250R

Rank the 250R higher if insurance or power (too much of it) is an issue for you. And for the love of God and all that is mighty, BUY USED.
 
HorizonXP said:
http://cycle-ergo.com/

Again, just going to keep recommending this until it sticks.

Best bikes for a beginner, in order:

1. SV650
2. FZ6
3. Ninja 650
4. FZ6R
5. Ninja 500/GS500
6. Ninja 250R

Rank the 250R higher if insurance or power (too much of it) is an issue for you. And for the love of God and all that is mighty, BUY USED.
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That site is brilliant!!!


Ill be there for hours..
 
ninja 650r's are distinctly uncomfortable for anyone over 6'2". *any* sport bike is going to be uncomfortable - the ergonomics are just not there. i would honestly look into a sport/touring with it's more upright seating. or a cross like a gs650 or one of the ktm's. or the sv650 might do you. but yeah, buy used, flip in a couple of years.
 
Try looking at the 250's, they are much more upright than the 600's. I'm almost an eighth of a ton and they move fine for me. Failing that look into dual sports as they have a higher seat.
 
Im 6'6" and my first bike was a ZZR-250. I probably looked like the sail on a pirate ship coming down the road, but i fit ok. I currently ride an 05 R1 and its pretty good for comfort. Then again, i just seem to fit well on all bikes so your experience may vary.
 
I'd go with a dual sport - even a KLR650 as a starter - fun and tough if you drop it.

Nicest would be a Vstrom650 but more $$.

Both of these can be configured ( and can found ) in touring rigs and

This KLR is completely rigged for luggage

261562b_20.jpeg


6706a94_20.jpeg


ell maintained Kawasaki KLR650 for sale. Lots of features:

Happy Trails luggage racks
K-9 fork brace, stainless steel braided front brake line
Progressive fork springs
Tall windshield
Radiator crash bar/highway peg combination
12V outlet for GPS
Mefo Sport 99 tires with lots of life on them

Stored indoors.

All work done by Excalibur

Will provide safety certificate

Email if interested.
Click to expand...

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...r-Kawasaki-KLR650-for-sale-W0QQAdIdZ298466478

great deal and will fit you - and there are kits to make it taller.
Long hike to get this one but they are around like this.

Fun and agile and will go okay almost anywhere. - This one is $3250 - lots between 3-4k - I bought mine for 4200 - sold a year later for 4k.
There is every accessory you can imagine available for these.

All models to 2008 I think are essentially identical.

( associate of mine is 6 7" so we've been around the block on this and he's going with a KLR as his first bike.)
You CAN dual sport them but many just fit them out as all around go anywhere single tourers. Cheap and tough.
 
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vyeguy said:
Hi guys
I just got a sweet job with a major Hydro company and will be buying my 1st bike in the spring. the problem I'm going to face is that I'm 6'6" tall and the few bikes I have sat on CBR600RR, R6 are not that comfortable. Is there anyone else who has issues with their height and finding a bike they fit nicely. Now keep in mind this is my 1st bike so I don't really want to go bigger than a 600cc but will if I have to just insurance will bend me over backwards.
Click to expand...

What specifically did you find uncomfortable?
 
LMAO I like your weight measurement! :)

Baggsy said:
Try looking at the 250's, they are much more upright than the 600's. I'm almost an eighth of a ton and they move fine for me. Failing that look into dual sports as they have a higher seat.
Click to expand...
 
I am 6,3 and ride a ninja 400r, just needed the brake adjusted down and its pretty good so far ... 1st bike
 
DL650, KLR650 are beginner friendly and relatively cheap. Really any duel sport/supermoto would fit you better. You give up the SS pose factor but become a hooligan.
 
I'm 6'6 and the Honda Varadero felt good, but i want a cruiser, and in your case it's 1000cc

if you get a cruiser you can get the forward control kits for most bikes and that puts the shifter & rear brake 3-5" forward providing additional leg room...
also a more comfortable riding position.
 
foggy17 said:
Im 6'6" and my first bike was a ZZR-250. I probably looked like the sail on a pirate ship coming down the road, but i fit ok. I currently ride an 05 R1 and its pretty good for comfort. Then again, i just seem to fit well on all bikes so your experience may vary.
Click to expand...
Wow, at 6'6" on a 250 you probably looked like the circus bear. All jokes aside 6'6" is a tall dude. The OP needs to choose wisely as one 6'6" is different from person to person (e.g. torso lenght, leg lenth, arm length, etc.)
 
Sundie said:
ninja 650r's are distinctly uncomfortable for anyone over 6'2". *any* sport bike is going to be uncomfortable - the ergonomics are just not there.
Click to expand...

I'm over 6'4" and my first bike was the Kawasaki EX-650r. I found it very comfortable, in fact I even lowered the handlebars with an aftermarket bar and found that more comfortable. I currently ride a Kawasaki ZX-6r and find that very comfortable.

Sundie is correct the bike will be uncomfortable. Any bike is if it is compared to the Lazy-Z-Boy in your home. But "comfort" is subjective. I'm tall and I have no problems riding for 6 and 8 hours a day on my ZX-6r. I put almost 2000km this past long weekend with no discomfort at all. I've put over 24K on the 6r in 18 months.

Having said all that, I would recommend the 650r or the SV650 as a starter. Lower the bars after you ride it for a while to see where your comfort is. Move over (notice I said "over" not "up") to a sport bike (if that's what you want) after a couple of seasons of riding so that you know where your comfort level is with the posture required for those ergos.

Sport turning bikes are better for taller riders. Cruisers might be the best. But sport bikes are not that uncomfortable.
 
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I'm 6'4". I find cruisers terribly uncomfortable; they make my back ache after about 20 minutes. I can't stand riding with my feet forward. I find sport bikes to be very comfortable, if the bike fits me. But, I'm in the minority it seems.

This is your first bike. You need to figure out what type of bike you're gonna want to ride. Probably start with something neutral like a standard or a dual purpose like the KLR. Modify the bars and the pegs as you need to and if reasonably possible.

There are such a variety of types of bikes that until you narrow down what you're looking for it's impossible to advise you as to good options.
 
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