Commuter bike for 6ft 2 beginner
Discussion
So I was all set on the KTM Duke 390 but all I keep seeing is that they are too small for someone my height. I did briefly sit on one and it felt a tad small but as I don't have my licence yet, I couldn't have driven it.
I love the look of the Duke (and the price) so what else in that style is there that may be more suitable for a taller rider? It's only really for commuting so doesn't need to be a 1000cc.
I love the look of the Duke (and the price) so what else in that style is there that may be more suitable for a taller rider? It's only really for commuting so doesn't need to be a 1000cc.
Went to a KTM centre this morning and a really nice guy came over and started chatting about them as he bought one last year.
He was about my height and said apart from looking a bit too big for the bike, he was always comfortable.
Sat on one and it obviously felt a little small but I didn't feel like I was a circus bear riding a little pit bike.
They can do a brand new one for £3499 so whilst it's still not the £3k some of you guys paid, it's still not a bad price all things considered.
I would love to ride it but as I haven't got my licence, I can't.
He was about my height and said apart from looking a bit too big for the bike, he was always comfortable.
Sat on one and it obviously felt a little small but I didn't feel like I was a circus bear riding a little pit bike.
They can do a brand new one for £3499 so whilst it's still not the £3k some of you guys paid, it's still not a bad price all things considered.
I would love to ride it but as I haven't got my licence, I can't.
Height is one thing but inside leg is important.
I'm 6'3 and I find my mt07 very comfortable at but I've sat on a KTM 790 and Ducati Supersport which I also fitted on quite well.
If your riding school has different bikes see if you can have a try of different ones there for your lessons. I couldn't get with a honda that my school had.
I'm 6'3 and I find my mt07 very comfortable at but I've sat on a KTM 790 and Ducati Supersport which I also fitted on quite well.
If your riding school has different bikes see if you can have a try of different ones there for your lessons. I couldn't get with a honda that my school had.
I'm 6'1 and like you, relatively new to bikes - been using a CB500x to commute to work. It's brilliant for having high up visibility, comfort for my height, and am regularly seeing 75+ mpg on longer trips.
For a beginner, it really appealed as 40-odd HP is plenty to appreciate the techniques key to survival whilst not having so much power at the wrist that you're tempted to speed all the time - if you're looking for more power then this bike might not be what you want.
It's been flawless for me with 12,000 miles put on the clock so far - not a single fault or issue, and with an aftermarket exhaust & heated grips, it's fun and comfortable. 2 hour rides aren't a problem and my back isn't bent over double all the time, which really helps.
Good used ones can be had for between 3 & 3.5k, saving you quite a lot of your budget...
For a beginner, it really appealed as 40-odd HP is plenty to appreciate the techniques key to survival whilst not having so much power at the wrist that you're tempted to speed all the time - if you're looking for more power then this bike might not be what you want.
It's been flawless for me with 12,000 miles put on the clock so far - not a single fault or issue, and with an aftermarket exhaust & heated grips, it's fun and comfortable. 2 hour rides aren't a problem and my back isn't bent over double all the time, which really helps.
Good used ones can be had for between 3 & 3.5k, saving you quite a lot of your budget...
despite it's cc, I sat on an Africa Twin, whatever the bigger one is called, and it's an ace height for me at 6'3". I don't need or have one haha, I have a Stelvio, but we were out with a guy that did a couple of weeks ago and he can get up to 70mpg which for the size of engine was ok. You can get it in auto too (yuk) if into that.
I'm 6ft 3 and have commuted and toured on (10-12hr days) a CB400, VFR800 and Tuono 1000.
At our height, it's rare the to find a bike that won't fit, the only issue you might have is enough leg room if the bike has pronounced tank cut outs.
The advantage with being tall is that no bike is too big!!
I sat on a KTM 990 Adventure R which has one of the highest seats of any bike, and with the suspension compressed a little with my weight, was able to flat foot it. That thing has a 900mm (35") seat height!!
Some sports bike you might find cramped, but otherwise you'll be OK.
As you'll be commuting, I'd base the buying decision on other factors - what type of commute? 75% town? then a 50bhp bike will be fine. 75% Motorway? Nah. Get something with a fairing/screen and at least 75bhp. 75% SC NSL road? Naked, 600-750. Winter commuting? Screen/fairing. How many miles a week? Filling up every 2-3 days can get boring, I have a 180 mile a week commute and have made sure to have bikes that can do at least that to a tank, therefore only needing to be filled up once a week. Commuting into London? Don't get anything shiny...
At our height, it's rare the to find a bike that won't fit, the only issue you might have is enough leg room if the bike has pronounced tank cut outs.
The advantage with being tall is that no bike is too big!!
I sat on a KTM 990 Adventure R which has one of the highest seats of any bike, and with the suspension compressed a little with my weight, was able to flat foot it. That thing has a 900mm (35") seat height!!Some sports bike you might find cramped, but otherwise you'll be OK.
As you'll be commuting, I'd base the buying decision on other factors - what type of commute? 75% town? then a 50bhp bike will be fine. 75% Motorway? Nah. Get something with a fairing/screen and at least 75bhp. 75% SC NSL road? Naked, 600-750. Winter commuting? Screen/fairing. How many miles a week? Filling up every 2-3 days can get boring, I have a 180 mile a week commute and have made sure to have bikes that can do at least that to a tank, therefore only needing to be filled up once a week. Commuting into London? Don't get anything shiny...
21 miles each way.
4 miles to m1 through town and a dual carriage way.
13ish miles on the M1
The rest is dual carriage ways and single lanes.
Other route is about 20 miles and all back roads, country lanes etc
I know they may not be the best for motorway use but I just love the look of the naked bikes.
4 miles to m1 through town and a dual carriage way.
13ish miles on the M1
The rest is dual carriage ways and single lanes.
Other route is about 20 miles and all back roads, country lanes etc
I know they may not be the best for motorway use but I just love the look of the naked bikes.
rich12 said:
21 miles each way.
4 miles to m1 through town and a dual carriage way.
13ish miles on the M1
The rest is dual carriage ways and single lanes.
Other route is about 20 miles and all back roads, country lanes etc
I know they may not be the best for motorway use but I just love the look of the naked bikes.
So 30+ miles a day on 60/70mph speed limit roads? 4 miles to m1 through town and a dual carriage way.
13ish miles on the M1
The rest is dual carriage ways and single lanes.
Other route is about 20 miles and all back roads, country lanes etc
I know they may not be the best for motorway use but I just love the look of the naked bikes.
A 400cc, single cylinder naked really isn't the best option, 'fraid to say!!
at 75mph it'll be doing 7000 rpm, I've had a bike (my CB400) that at 75mph was doing 7k rpm - not only did the MPG plummet, but it got very old, very quickly - my commute was never motorway, but I've been on the motorway on long trips and after an hour or 2 you've had enough - the revs, the lack of wind protection, the vibrations...
Not saying you can't do it on a duke 390, of course you can - but just be prepared to want a different bike VERY quickly doing that sort of commute.
Tall_Paul said:
So 30+ miles a day on 60/70mph speed limit roads?
A 400cc, single cylinder naked really isn't the best option, 'fraid to say!!
at 75mph it'll be doing 7000 rpm, I've had a bike (my CB400) that at 75mph was doing 7k rpm - not only did the MPG plummet, but it got very old, very quickly - my commute was never motorway, but I've been on the motorway on long trips and after an hour or 2 you've had enough - the revs, the lack of wind protection, the vibrations...
Not saying you can't do it on a duke 390, of course you can - but just be prepared to want a different bike VERY quickly doing that sort of commute.
I know you're right, I just don't want to admit it. A 400cc, single cylinder naked really isn't the best option, 'fraid to say!!
at 75mph it'll be doing 7000 rpm, I've had a bike (my CB400) that at 75mph was doing 7k rpm - not only did the MPG plummet, but it got very old, very quickly - my commute was never motorway, but I've been on the motorway on long trips and after an hour or 2 you've had enough - the revs, the lack of wind protection, the vibrations...
Not saying you can't do it on a duke 390, of course you can - but just be prepared to want a different bike VERY quickly doing that sort of commute.
I just can't spend double the money on the 690.
Yes there are others but I have my heart set on one now.
Just to note also, the particular part of the M1 is junction 7 to 11a which there is never going to be more than a mile or 2 at 70mph.
Normally I average around 30mph in the car.
Edited by rich12 on Monday 12th March 20:54
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