Chunky Rider

[ashcroft999]

Evening All,

I'm looking for help in picking a bike.....

I've got a small budget £2500

I'm 6ft2 and 25stone (ex rugby player) I am in the process of losing weight so that'll soon start dropping.

I don't want a sports bike so I've been looking at Suzuki Bandits as I love how they look.

I would prefer peoples experiences rather than opinions on my weight. (I know I'm fat)

Thank you in advance

[patchb]

If you like bandits then just get a 1200 or 1250 bandit. Kinda easy really...

[anonymous-user]

Look at K1200 BMW. I had one as a first back to bikes after 20 years away. I'm am 6' 3" and heavy it's a big bike. Very suitable for bigger people

[Jazoli]

A bandit 1200/1250 would do the job, big engine, roomy riding position and comfortable plenty of big lads have them and your weight wouldn't be an issue as it would be just like carrying a small pillion, also look at ZRX1200's and CB1000's

[ashcroft999]

cliffords said:

Look at K1200 BMW. I had one as a first back to bikes after 20 years away. I'm am 6' 3" and heavy it's a big bike. Very suitable for bigger people

Thanks for your reply. will have a look...

[ashcroft999]

Jazoli said:

A bandit 1200/1250 would do the job, big engine, roomy riding position and comfortable plenty of big lads have them and your weight wouldn't be an issue as it would be just like carrying a small pillion, also look at ZRX1200's and CB1000's

I did think that about the pillion, I won't ever be carrying a passenger just me (which is 2 people).

I just didn't want to get a bike which will be too small for me. Wanted something of size so I doesn't look like a monkey bike ha

[ClaphamGT3]

6'1" and 16 stone (all director muscle mass, you understand...) And a Honda VFR is fantastic

[zzrman]

K1200S is a good suggestion for a big chap like you. Nice and comfy, plenty of power and weather protection as its fully faired. Check that all upgrades have been installed - mainly software upgrades for the fuelling - and look for a full BMW dealer or good independent service history.

[Baldchap]

Any of the big sports tourers will be absolutely fine, as will any cruiser.

Sportsbikes might be more of a squeeze, but as you say, you don't want one.

The super nakeds and adventure bikes are the ones you might need to try on, as they vary from pretty small to surprisingly large.

Try http://cycle-ergo.com/ and you can enter your height and leg length etc and see how you'd be sat on each bike you fancy.

[black-k1]

ashcroft999 said:

cliffords said:

Look at K1200 BMW. I had one as a first back to bikes after 20 years away. I'm am 6' 3" and heavy it's a big bike. Very suitable for bigger people

Thanks for your reply. will have a look...

zzrman said:

K1200S is a good suggestion for a big chap like you. Nice and comfy, plenty of power and weather protection as its fully faired. Check that all upgrades have been installed - mainly software upgrades for the fuelling - and look for a full BMW dealer or good independent service history.

As many on here will tell you, I'm a real fan of the K1300S. I owned 2 over 6 years and think it's one of the best "do everything" bikes you can get.I'd happily recommend one of those but I don't think you'd get one in your budget.

I also owned a K1200S for 5 years/50,000+ miles and I say - don't touch one with a barge pole! They are almost as good at everything as the K1300S but they have a huge potential for some very large bills and, as time goes by, the big bill potential increases.. I'd buy a 1250 Bandit every time.

[V8RX7]

I'd mention that 4 cylinder bikes make their power up top - whilst this is disguised by larger engined bikes, singles / twins have torque far lower down the rev range which would be a better solution IMO

SV650 naked (so it has bars) would be my starting point if you like the Bandit or the Versys might fit you better

Edited by V8RX7 on Saturday 20th June 16:20

[XR]

Bandits are great bikes but also have a look at a GSX1400

[ashcroft999]

Appreciate you all taking the time out to reply.

You've given me some decent choices to look at.

my budget seems to hold me back too, so may save up a little more and get something next year. plenty of 600 Bandits about that are cheap but I just don't think it'd move with my lump on it

Edited by ashcroft999 on Saturday 20th June 17:28

[Jazoli]

V8RX7 said:

I'd mention that 4 cylinder bikes make their power up top - whilst this is disguised by larger engined bikes, singles / twins have torque far lower down the rev range which would be a better solution IMO

SV650 naked (so it has bars) would be my starting point if you like the Bandit or the Versys might fit you better

An SV650 will struggle a bit with a big bloke on it (you did read the OP?) as they are only 65bhp and the suspension is also built down to a price, my Versys was fine solo with me on it but with me and the wife combined (28st) it was about as fast as a 2 litre mondeo!

If you like Bandit's OP just get one, they are great bikes, the earlier 1200 is more 'sporty' but they were built down to a price and tend to get rough if not looked after and a lot have been 'tastefully modified' or ruined in other words, look for a standard unmodified one with an end can (as they free up 15bhp) don't be tempted to buy someones pre-modified heap of ste.

The 1250's are more 'mature' but still great, they are like a big comfy sofa but have brakes and handling that work although you'll not be taking on sportsbikes in the twisties!

£2500 will get you a decent 1250, whatever you do don't buy a 600, they are ste.

[V8RX7]

Jazoli said:

An SV650 will struggle a bit with a big bloke on it (you did read the OP?) as they are only 65bhp and the suspension is also built down to a price, my Versys was fine solo with me on it but with me and the wife combined (28st) it was about as fast as a 2 litre mondeo!

Yes - he said he wanted a Bandit as he was asking I presumed he was new to biking so was talking about the 600 - depending upon model they have basically the same power output as the SV650 (70 v 69)

It really wasn't was it - go work out the power to weight ratio plus many bikers aren't in it for the speed

[Volant]

SV1000?

ZRX1200?

[PartOfTheProblem]

I'm a similar size to you OP and I'm happy on my Bandit GSF1250S...

[Triaguar]

Have a look at Yamaha XJ1300 similar looks. And a big bike.

[jhoneyball]

another vote for the k1300s from here

i was looking at trading my mint 35k mile 2009 orange one for a motorsport one, and my bmw dealer offered me 2500 tradein. So you might find an early one in your price bracket. However, you must get it checked out

[crofty1984]

It may be worth putting some money aside for a suspension upgrade/setup. Bikes are set up for the average rider. If you're a bit bigger than that it would be worth holding a couple of hundred back for a proper suspension setup.