Bikes for tall guys

[Prince]

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Here's a seat height chart:

http://motorcycleviews.com/general/seatheights.htm

Surprised by Honda. I'm tall too (6'1). Sat on a CBR600RR and felt like I was towering over this bike. Perhaps the seat is higher, but the bike felt smaller in every aspect.

The newer GSXR's come with adjustable rear sets. Many sportbike reviews comment on Suzuki being "the most comfortable" sportbike. They [the pros] refer to it as the "sit-in" factor.

To each his own. Tall doesn't mean you are proportioned the same as another guy your height. You may have taller legs. My advice to you is to pick what category of motorcycle you want. Do you want to cruise or go fast or go anywhere (dual-sport)? Once you've figured that out, start sitting on a lot of motorcycles.

 

[bvickerd]

I am 6'3 and ride a '90 sportster with forward controls - I found a extension (on line) that is easy to install and pushes the forward controls ahead 3 inches. Also put some custom straight bars with 6 inch risers on and now it feels pretty comfortable - just got back from a 3000 km trip on the bike and did not feel to cramped. The one thing about a Harley that works in their favor is that there are limitless aftermarket parts and custom parts out there to make them comfortable.

 

[toshison]

A friend of mine is about 6'5 and porky and he bought a 2010 Ducati Hypermotard for $9500 new.

Fits him great.

 

[slorider]

I'm 6.0 and husky build....I bought a 600 f4i which was wayy to small, then bought a 919 and found that to be comfortable, now on a GSXR1000 and it fits like a glove. Seems like the bigger bikes are better regardless of seat height. I think it has more to do with your arm/leg to body proportions than anything else.

 

[nakkers]

There are HD Dyna's with forward controls and bar risers or mini apes along with a tall boy seat to fit ya. Just got to look around. Yes, it will be used to keep within your budget but, most are low mileage, reliable and ride perfect.

 

[V-Tom]

I'm 6'2" (in the morning.) I have put over 164,500 km on my 2006 Suzuki Dl650 V-Strom since I bought it almost five years ago. This bike is perfect for tall people!

It isn't a narrowly focused bike like many out there. It's great on twisties, great on multi-day multi-thousand KM rides, great on gravel roads, great for commuting, great for just about any kind of riding.


Every time I ride it I smile!

..Tom

 

[optionfa]

I'm 6,1" when I was looking for a 600SS the R6 fit me the best due to the seat hight, but any 600ss will feel pretty cramped for tall guys, my dad rides a f800gs and that thing is perfect for tall riders.

 

[mma01]

Seat height is one thing, but the riding ergos of most modern SS bikes are made with a smaller rider in mind. Of course, you can get adjustable rearsets to compensate somewhat. A friend of mine rode my R1 yesterday and was complaining about his legs squished up after just 30 minutes (I do have higher rearsets for more ground clearance) and he is only 5'9ish.

 

[superspud9]

aprilia dorsoduro has a bit of a higher seat and looks amazing

 

[atss2006]

6'3 and I'm on my tippy toes with my R1150RTP if you want more sport than sport touring you could look at the R1200, if you want ss look at the RC8R

 

[wonderings]

If you go used your options are a bit more open. Anything like the 1200GS or 1000DL is perfect for tall riders, and very comfortable and capable for touring or commuting, really do it all type of bikes.

 

[daytona675]

6'3" isn't that tall. There are riders on the EX500 forum taller than you. Have you seen how narrow the EX500 is? On the plus side, you could always ride a nice, high dual such as a KTM or a KLR. Duals rock.

I'm 6'5 and ride an EX500. Plus I have extra long legs for my height. If I can do it, so can you.

 

[TdotMurderer]

I know there are lots of aftermarket parts for an SS or a cruiser - but what I am trying to say is that I don't want to look like a big guy on a small bike.
It seems as if my only options are Sport Tour bikes, as a large cruiser would be significantly beyond my means, and an SS would just look small underneath me.
I love riding any bike, so I am not concerned with what type of bike I ride, so long as i don't look like Krusty The Clown on his little Tricycle.

 

[wonderings]

I'm 6'5 and ride an EX500. Plus I have extra long legs for my height. If I can do it, so can you.

He could ride a little 250, or even a mini bike, but that doesn't not mean its comfortable or right for what he wants. Just because you can, does not mean its right for everyone.

I am not as tall, I am 6,1 and now appreciated my GS and how I feel and fit on the bike. I loved my CB919, but could never go back to a bike of that size.

 

[kiwi]

Try a vstrom. They are good for tall riders, and I know someone who is on your height range who rides one, and he can outperform many SS riders in corners.

 

[promac]

I'm 6'2" with a 33" inseam and ride a KTM 950 Super Enduro. It's a beast, but it fits me the best............and it's the only bike I've had where people haven't commented that the bike looked too small for me - those were the Suzuki DRZ 400S and Husqvarna SM610. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable on the bike

 

[klm1]

Dual sports....upright seating position, way more sensible than an SS, more versatile, good for long inseam people. I have a naked bike and I'm 5'10" and occasionally I get a bit cramped on mine. Been looking at dual sports for a while.

dual sports or supermoto's. IMO Supermoto's are probably a good choice for the op. I have been riding an SV650 myself and I love it. But I would love to have a supermoto to ride around. did some research for you. good luck.

http://www.triumph-motorcycles.ca/motorcycles/range/adventure/tiger-1050/2011/tiger-1050

http://moto.suzuki.ca/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/DR-Z400/2011/DRZ400SM.aspx?category=dualsport

http://www.ktm.com/ce-en/supermoto/990-sm-r.html

http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?model=3640&class=13&group=M|&LANG=en

http://www.kawasaki.ca/model/DUAL-PURPOSE/1267/KLR-650

 

[Amazon]

I'm 6' and my 599 is comfy. My brother's 6'2" on a 919 and he seems to like it. Granted, we do look big on the bike, but it feels fine

 

[Griffin]

A lot of people seem to think anyone that is not tiny will look big on a sport bike. I think the frame of reference is off. If you're used to the size relationship between a hog and a medium sized dude than anyone on a sport bike will look too big to you. I've experienced this over my whole riding time. My brother (6'6") rode a Triumph but then got H-D's from then on. When he and I rode together everyone would comment on how big I looked for my bike. Even when I was riding my CBX which is a pretty damn large bike.

I wouldn't worry about how you look on the bike.

 

[Krime]

I'm 6'4 and have had the following bikes:

02 F4i - Was comfortable but it's upright position made me look huge on it.
'01 R6 - I looked like I was violating the bike, it was so small. Remember looking down at the speedo and had to duck slightly to see it without the windshield in the way. Rode it for one season, back was killing so sold it.
'03 GSXR750 - Track only but it fit great
'04 GSXR1000 (riding since new) - Love it. Decent reach to the low handlebars for taller riders. Out of all the bikes, I look the smallest on this one.

I rode my buddy's Ducati 999 last week and it fit even more comfortably than my GSXR1000. Hoping the next gen Ducati Superbike will fit as well - if so, it'll be my next addition.

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