bikes for tall people!

[Livid]

so im looking on autotrader looking for a bike, as im a complete newbie , just getting an idea of whats good. also
looking on other sites. my problem is that most reviews of bikes state they are uncomfy to ride if your over 6 foot.

so im asking the tallish chaps out there whats a good bike for a tall novice.

i was looking at a Suzuki SV650, until i was met with the dreaded 'Six-footers may find an SV650 a little cramped.' me being 6 1, and stocky =( so im hoping someone can point me towards a nice bike, that is relatively good for a novice but a bike i wont get bored
after a few months. looking at about £1500 if that helps.

or should i not listen to all this huhar! and just test ride, and if i like it i like it full stop?

cheers

[Snake the Sniper]

I remember reading this, but being sat in my mates SV650 isn't too bad, and I'm 6'3". Although another mates Fazer wasn't bad either. Best bet is to go jump on a few and see what actually fits you, as some people have long legs/short arms or vice versa and this can really affect what you feel comfortable on.

[RizzoTheRat]

Agree only way is to try a few, but you might want to consider taller bikes like the TDM, Tenere, Transalp, Africa Twin etc. Should be a fair few in your price range and they'll generally be cheaper to ensure than sports bikes.

[bordseye]

The bikes that will be cramped for you are the sports bikes - they're made small so they are light. Bl88dy uncomfortable anyway.

Hav a look at the giant traillies eg the Ewan and Charlie type bikes. Unless you are going to totally obliterate (ie double) the speed limits they are as fast A to B as the sports bikes, a great deal more comfortable, cheaper to insure and with seat heights in the 830 to 870 region.

Africa Twin, Varadero, KTM Adv, BMW GS , Triumph Tiger.

[randlemarcus]

bordseye said:

The bikes that will be cramped for you are the Japanese sports bikes - they're made small so they are light. Bl88dy uncomfortable anyway.

Hav a look at the giant traillies eg the Ewan and Charlie type bikes. Unless you are going to totally obliterate (ie double) the speed limits they are as fast A to B as the sports bikes, a great deal more comfortable, cheaper to insure and with seat heights in the 830 to 870 region.

Africa Twin, Varadero, KTM Adv, BMW GS , Triumph Tiger.

Edited for accuracy

My Mille is very tall compared to the Blade, as was the MV. But then I am a dwarf

[FunkyNige]

I'm 6'4 and don't have any issues on my SV.

[oggs]

randlemarcus said:

But then I am a dwarf

[IsMad]

I am 6'4" and find my 07 GSX-R600 not too bad, yeah it is not continental cruise comfortable but it is ok for a days ride. As you are looking at second hand machines I think you will find that they are often roomier than their more modern versions. The best bet is to try as many on for size before you buy Have fun.

[Beemer-5]

A mate has a 1976 Yamaha FS1E, the later disc braked model.
He is 6 feet 4 and really struggles to fit!

[Biker's Nemesis]

Beemer-5 said:

A mate has a 1976 Yamaha FS1E, the later disc braked model.
He is 6 feet 4 and really struggles to fit!

I fit onto my 78, drum braked FS1E with no trouble at all.

Knees fit snugly under my chin.

[Davel]

Ducati Multistrada


-ugly but very good!

[dern]

randlemarcus said:

bordseye said:

The bikes that will be cramped for you are the Japanese sports bikes - they're made small so they are light. Bl88dy uncomfortable anyway.

Hav a look at the giant traillies eg the Ewan and Charlie type bikes. Unless you are going to totally obliterate (ie double) the speed limits they are as fast A to B as the sports bikes, a great deal more comfortable, cheaper to insure and with seat heights in the 830 to 870 region.

Africa Twin, Varadero, KTM Adv, BMW GS , Triumph Tiger.

Edited for accuracy

My Mille is very tall compared to the Blade, as was the MV. But then I am a dwarf

I'm 6'2" and find my blade very comfy

[Reidy10_0]

Penny Farthing?

[randlemarcus]

dern said:

I'm 6'2" and find my blade very comfy

Seat to ground height,rather than actual riding position. I've not found an actively uncomfortable bike to pilot,though mandlebars do seem less umm, "committed" for longer boring journies
The only bike I actively disliked was the Benelli, but that was more a product of a shallow seat, so I didn't find it easy to move backwards and forwards on the seat.

[nervous]

dern said:

randlemarcus said:

bordseye said:

The bikes that will be cramped for you are the Japanese sports bikes - they're made small so they are light. Bl88dy uncomfortable anyway.

Hav a look at the giant traillies eg the Ewan and Charlie type bikes. Unless you are going to totally obliterate (ie double) the speed limits they are as fast A to B as the sports bikes, a great deal more comfortable, cheaper to insure and with seat heights in the 830 to 870 region.

Africa Twin, Varadero, KTM Adv, BMW GS , Triumph Tiger.

Edited for accuracy

My Mille is very tall compared to the Blade, as was the MV. But then I am a dwarf

I'm 6'2" and find my blade very comfy

Im 6'4" and my ceebeebie is dead comfy, and Ive got the spine of an eighty year old.

in a box, under my bed, for emergencies, like.

[Busamav]

a zx12 would be perfect for a six footer +

[RizzoTheRat]

Busamav said:

a zx12 would be perfect for a six footer +

Doubt his budget of £1500 would pay the insurance though let alone buy the bike

[randlemarcus]

dern said:

I'm 6'2" and find my blade very comfy

Seat to ground height,rather than actual riding position. I've not found an actively uncomfortable bike to pilot,though mandlebars do seem less umm, "committed" for longer boring journies
The only bike I actively disliked was the Benelli, but that was more a product of a shallow seat, so I didn't find it easy to move backwards and forwards on the seat.

[randlemarcus]

dern said:

I'm 6'2" and find my blade very comfy

Seat to ground height,rather than actual riding position. I've not found an actively uncomfortable bike to pilot,though mandlebars do seem less umm, "committed" for longer boring journies
The only bike I actively disliked was the Benelli, but that was more a product of a shallow seat, so I didn't find it easy to move backwards and forwards on the seat.

[TallPaul]

My old '95 EXUP was pretty comfortable for my 6'4" frame. The only downside was the very low seat height, apart from that, it fitted me perfectly. I've now got a 954 'Blade and the seat-pegs angle is great, its just a bit "wristy".