Mid Power Sports bike - taller Rider

[smiles1]

Following a complete change of plans for this year I am on the look out for a mid power sports bike in the £2-3.5k rice range.

I tried a 2001 CBR 600 but being 6ft 3 it felt small for my frame. I have tried a GSXR1000 and ZX12 and they felt much more suited to my frame, but I'm ideally after something with slightly less power.

Does anybody know a mid power sports bike that suits taller riders?

[cebica]

If I were you I would get a gsxr 1000 but take out two of the pistons to make it a 500cc. Then when you are ready for it put another back to make it a 750cc.

[clen666]

I have an 07 ZX6R and I’m 6’4.
I’m sure I look rather comical perched on top of it but I don’t find it uncomfortable, although I have fitted rearsets to move the pegs back.

[308mate]

I would suggest an E2 ZX9R. Great for taller people, plenty of grunt, very comfy.

[kingb]

RSV Mille. Ok it’s a 1000 but it’s a twin and they are not big power but enough for the road.

They are nice and roomy - I’m 6”4 and have done 400 mile days without discomfort ( you stop every 130 miles for fuel too)

You would get a nice gen 1 for that budget potentially with Ohlins and Oz wheels. The motors seem fine with bigger miles too!

[scarble]

cebica said:

If I were you I would get a gsxr 1000 but take out two of the pistons to make it a 500cc. Then when you are ready for it put another back to make it a 750cc.

Sounds good.
Or you could get a hyabusa with plenty of room for your powerful frame and fit an a2 restrictor.

[308mate]

scarble said:

Sounds good.
Or you could get a hyabusa with plenty of room for your powerful frame and fit an a2 restrictor.

Hayabusa is terrible for taller riders imo. I found the the distance between the (already low) seat and the pegs to be tiny if you have longish legs. If the OP is around 6'3, I wouldn't recommend it.

Hayabusa would be the perfect bike if the thread title was "Unusually short rider needs very powerful sports bike".

Pistonheads - Thread titles don't matter

[Dog Star]

You could just buy a more powerful bike but, you know, not twist the throttle as far. I've got a (alleged) 197bhp bike and I don't speed - I apply this technique and it works.

[gavgavgav]

I'm your height, and fit on a Blackbird. Does not fit anywhere near the "mid power" description, but there it is really well catered for with aftermarket adaptations for taller riders. I'm running a handlebar/ clip raising kit which also includes a front shock preload adjuster, this made a huge difference. Also a screen with a higher bubble as at speed the helmet was being forced upwards, and a peg lowering kit. Everything is bolt on and no mods needed, so bike can be returned to short ass spec easily.

The challenge you have is going for a sports bike in the first place - my other bike is a hornet, not a sports bike but it's good for tall riders out of the box due to the seating position.

[MrGman]

GSXR750?

I've always thought these seem reasonable, but i am only 5'11 and ride a daytona which makes everything feel roomy.

[2wheelsjimmy]

gavgavgav said:

I'm your height, and fit on a Blackbird. Does not fit anywhere near the "mid power" description, but there it is really well catered for with aftermarket adaptations for taller riders. I'm running a handlebar/ clip raising kit which also includes a front shock preload adjuster, this made a huge difference. Also a screen with a higher bubble as at speed the helmet was being forced upwards, and a peg lowering kit. Everything is bolt on and no mods needed, so bike can be returned to short ass spec easily.

Likewise, but I still find my legs/hips get a bit sore towards the end of a tank.I'm 187cm, but do have 88cm inseam.

The BB is a real tame beast. It's so polite to ride slowly because the engine is so smooth.

Really if you're tall, sports bikes aren't great. I understand some of the older ones are larger. Perhaps something like Suzuki GSXR K1 might work. Plus with it being older, even a 1000 won't be so fast, compared with modern 1000s.

Use www.cycle-ergo.com to see (it's not 100% but gives an idea).

[Pravus1]

rsvr or rsv mille are both good bikes with realistically about as much power as a good 600 but with a lot more grunt and bigger frames

[MYOB]

308mate said:

I would suggest an E2 ZX9R. Great for taller people, plenty of grunt, very comfy.

I had one of the last zx9r. Extremely comfortable and highly recommended, if you can find a decent one.

[SteelerSE]

MrGman said:

GSXR750?

I've always thought these seem reasonable, but i am only 5'11 and ride a daytona which makes everything feel roomy.

That's where I'd start. A decent size and a genuine sports bike.

[black-k1]

With the budget suggested I'd say an RSVR had to be worth a punt.

[sjtscott]

OP you said the size of the GSXR1000 was better for you, you do know that basically the GSXR600 is the same bike with a different engine in it.. they do a GSXR750 too. Suzuki have been masters of making basically the same bike but getting 3 different models out of it for years. Granted you don't get all the toys on the smaller engined models.
The 600 has to be reved to get it to go.. its not slow for public road use but being nice and slack low down the rev range more difficult to get wrong if you can't control the throttle which might appear to be an issue for you?

[PTF]

MYOB said:

308mate said:

I would suggest an E2 ZX9R. Great for taller people, plenty of grunt, very comfy.

I had one of the last zx9r. Extremely comfortable and highly recommended, if you can find a decent one.

I'm looking to sell mine this year. Near mint. 22k miles. Had a massive service last year with everything done and has done about 100 miles since. PM me if interested.

[dibblecorse]

SteelerSE said:

MrGman said:

GSXR750?

I've always thought these seem reasonable, but i am only 5'11 and ride a daytona which makes everything feel roomy.

That's where I'd start. A decent size and a genuine sports bike.

That is indeed the answer, the thinking mans GSXR.

And a Camo hoodie ......

[podman]

Not sure what mid power is nowadays but a good second hand option for taller/bigger riders for a modest outlay may be a Honda Firestorm, makes similar power to the CBR you mention but the motor is much more torquey and a nicer thing to use day to day.

Mine was dyno'd at 107RWHP a few months back, there cheap ,reliable second hand buy...my bike has around 8,000 miles on the clock , is in very nice condition and worth 2k or probably a bit less..and it'll be for sale soon!

[fergus]

I'm 6'6" and find that most bikes can be made to fit with a combination of seat mods & rearsets. You also have the option if required to fit clip ons to adjust the reach.