I need some help picking a bike for everyday use and touring..... 6'3, 225lbs | GTAMotorcycle.com

I need some help picking a bike for everyday use and touring..... 6'3, 225lbs

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zozie

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I would really appreciate some input from you guys. I recently got a virago 1100 which I like very much, but it totally kills my back after 2 hours. Once I do 2 hrs, I really have to get off every 45 mins and stretch my back. Yesterday I've done 600kms solo and today I can barely move. I picked the virago 1100 because it's got higher handlebars than most modern cruisers and really enjoyed sitting on it at first. I've also tried an 05 honda shadow 750 which my friend bought and I rode it home for him. I really didn't enjoy that as the bars would get stuck in my knees and I kinda felt like I was sitting on the ground. I'm not desperate to get rid of the virago but I'm looking for something I could sit on all day. I've looked at an 89 goldwing yesterday which is nice but too wide to fit in my shed, not to mention insurance cost due to the 1500cc displacement. I would like to stick to the 900-1300cc category and would prefer something I can take on long hauls but would also be fun on the twisties with good acceleration. (Gotta say I'm very surprised how well the virago pulls up to about 100km/h) Some bikes i thought of are the bandit 1200, XJR1300. I like cruisers as well so I'm open to suggestions. I sat on an 09 k1300GT which is nice but $15K is a bit heavy....
 
If sport-touring bikes are any option for you, I'd strongly consider Suzuki's V-Strom -- either the DL650 or the DL1000 depending on your tastes, but the 650 is 50lbs lighter and a bit more nimble.

I'm 6'1 and closer to 250lbs myself, have been riding my DL650 since November and love it. Definitely a lot more comfortable than my first 2 bikes (Ninja 250R and 650R) and I've done a few 500km+ days without much trouble. About the only thing you might want to add on for comfort would be a seat cover or something along the lines of an AirHawk/sheepskin setup.

Brand new I believe they're in the $9k range, but you can pick one up used for around $5-6k. Mine was an '05 from GP Bikes, and Kahuna had a nearly identical one for about the same price.
 
Sport touring bikes like BMW's and Suzuki VStroms seem good for taller riders, but are both really expensive. What's your budget limit? I think most 750 class cruisers would seem too small at your height. I'm just shy of 6' and ride an '84 Magna which has a very similar sitting position and size as your Virago and i get sore too in the butt/lower back on rides over 2 hours. Kinda dissapointed in hearing it's uncomfortable because i was considering getting a Virago 1100 as a second bike because i like the look of them.
 
Investing in a backrest might do wonders. No way I could do 1,000 km days without my DayLong seat
This is built for your bike.

virago.jpg

http://www.utpr.com/virago.html
 
I'm 6'3" too and had the same problem as you while deciding on a new bike this year. I would love a cruiser. But the problem is if you want a big Harley its gonna cost you, a sportster is was too small for a guy our size, and for me I just don't see the appeal of a cruiser jap bike. The only one I could see myself ride was the Vulcan Vaquero, and that gets up there in price too.

I sat on a few of the small cc jap cruisers but they were all just way too small. With cruisers and our height its basically that you have to buy the biggest or you are **** out of luck.

A sportsbike would be cool, because you know you can move faster then the speed of sound, and a few feel okay to sit on, but everytime i sat on one at the motorcycle show a passerby would say "its too small for you". My gf said I looked goofy on them too.

Then to the bonnevilles, v7 classics, and the scramblers. Again, these bikes will make you look like a ridiculous giant.

You really need to go with a sports touring. The BMW gs800 is a really nice bike. Or the triumph tiger. These are bikes made for the lover of motorcycles. They do everything. Go everywhere. They work well in twisties. Are at home on the highway. And will easily take you down any dirt road. They are not the coolest. Or the prettiest. But you will be more comfortable and happier with these bikes than any other. They are very easy to maneuver too. Flick of the wrist type stuff. Anyone who says they arent are either too short or weak.
 
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My only issue with your approach is the seat and back issue exists on dual sports as well. One of the fav topics on all the sites are what to do about seating for distance.

The GS800 is excellent but may be a bit short without the high seat option. I have owned two KLR650s with their 35" seat height is excellent for tall riders but again seating has to be dealt with.

I spent 3 months in Aus on my KLR there and it was wonderful except for seating - 3-400 km days ( mind you some dirt and forest track ) and I'd need a rest day.
The KLRs are cheap and durable and plentiful but don't think that is what OP is after.

My Burgman 650 ( not appropriate for taller riders ) I can go all day and 1000 km days but that's not with a stock seat.

If he likes his bike already and fits it but has a sore back - I'd just try for better seating first.

Maybe a used Goldwing as seating is superb but not cheap either.

My Daylong is terrific

Screenshot2012-06-24atJun242012123728PM.jpg


But not cheap either $1200 in leather. That Virago seat above is a bargain but it looks correctly designed for support.

All those farmers can't be wrong ....a tractor style seat is best - one with a backrest even better. ;)
 
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Johnny5 said:
Sport touring bikes like BMW's and Suzuki VStroms seem good for taller riders, but are both really expensive.
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lol vstroms are not expensive. I paid $5k for my '05 and that was back in 2007. You can find them fairly cheap just take a bit of looking because not many people sell them. BMW's are more, but then they are much more new as well.
 
Probably less than 5% of the people on here would suggest an older economical bike for under $2,000 that would be big enough, moderate seating position that takes the weight off your spine, hauls *** all day and still fits in your shed, like I have. So play around with this graphic calculator. Pick a model, put in your height and inseam and check the knee and forward lean angles.
http://cycle-ergo.com/
 
skip said:
lol vstroms are not expensive. I paid $5k for my '05 and that was back in 2007. You can find them fairly cheap just take a bit of looking because not many people sell them. BMW's are more, but then they are much more new as well.
Click to expand...

By expensive i meant a new one and relative to a cheap used older bike (under 5k).
 
zx14 great everyday bike for an experienced rider
 
Please consider the Yamaha Fz-6 model years 2005-2008 I think.
They are for tall people and very comfy. They give you that sport bike feel too. This model uses the same engine as the R6.

The other bike is the Kawasaki Verysy 650. It is for taller riders. The FZ6 is more powerful.
Both bikes can be had for cheap. The insurance is also cheaper than most bikes.
 
Thanx for all the suggestions. I'm gonna go look at an fjr1300 tomorrow. No versys 650, had the luck of trying one recently. Though it is comfortable, it felt very under powered compared to the virago 1100.
 
I ride a BMW 1150GS, with a big aeroflow screen and a day-long saddle - it's great for me at 6'3" - ironbutts are no problem.

I found the FJR a bit tight for my knees but they are stellar bikes- if you want cheaper, look for a 1150RT or GS (RT is out of the box better for touring). The 1200's are very nice, but much more money. Any BMW (or FJR, Concours, ST1300) will last at least 200K so don't be afraid of high mileage if it's in good shape - you can save a lot of money simply if it's higher mileage. I personally wouldn't back away from any of the large sport touring bikes with 100K on the clock - save the money and buy good shocks farkles.

I really like the 2010+ Concours - the 2008/9 are cheaper but really warm in traffic. The older 1000, while ancient technology and a bit buzzy, are stellar bikes for eating up serious mileage and you can get a really good one for $3-4K
 
zozie - you and SLIM need to talk. He's been eye-balling a Virago for ages and would like more of your input. I'll advise him of your thread.
 
The V-strom is a great bike, tall to. KTM 990 Adventure, or the GS/A would all be great, prices will vary depending on what year obviously. I love the BMW bikes, I have a 2010 GSA, its tall, has a huge tank and incredible comfortable and is a pack mule you can take the wife, kids and living room if you really wanted to.

The smaller BMW's will probably not be what your after, the 800GS is not very tall, nor is the 650GS, though both really nice bikes, they do feel a bit cramped to me, but that may be because I was coming right off my GSA.

After market seats on any bike makes a world of difference as well, might be worth checking out whats out there for your bike. I just upgraded my stock seat to a Sargent and its incredible the difference it makes and worth every penny in my opinion.
 
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