A beginner's sportbike...

warneckutz

warneckutz

Well-Known Member
Any suggestions on a sportbike for someone with no experience at all (and I'm 6'4" so I'm not sure how much that may fit into the equation)?

Any suggestions on what features or options look for when buying one? (right now, I'm more concerned with handling and comfort over speed)

I looked at a few, including a Kawasaki Ninja 500R...

Thanks!
 
aps45819

aps45819

24/7 Single Dad
Why does it have to be a sport bike?
Try out the 650 Suzuki V-Strom :yay:
Some of the 650 BMWs would fit a taller person and you might enjoy one of those enough to keep it a while.
 
GWguy

GWguy

*
aps45819 said:
Why does it have to be a sport bike?
Try out the 650 Suzuki V-Strom :yay:
Some of the 650 BMWs would fit a taller person and you might enjoy one of those enough to keep it a while.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat: The size of the bike does not imply more or less leg room. I have a Goldwing 1500, 5'11" and I always feel like I could use a couple more inches. I've been on smaller bikes with more leg room.
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
warneckutz said:
Any suggestions on a sportbike (right now, I'm more concerned with handling and comfort over speed)

I looked at a few, including a Kawasaki Ninja 500R...

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Huh??

That's hard to do.

At your height, a 500 would be rough.. You need a tall seat, and a good distance between the seat and the pegs. I tried to sit on a Ninja years age.. all was well until I tried to take my feet off of the pegs. They had my legs so wrapped tight that I couldn't get them off of the pegs without standing up first.

I'm 6'3.. LUG and YLE are about the same height.. granted they ride 600cc sports bikes, and they say they are comfortable.

I'm very comfortable on my bike, but it's more Sport Touring than Sport.. and a LOT of tall people like the dualsports bikes.

The WeeStrom (Suzuki).. The F650 (BMW).. F800(BMW)..

How much $$ you want to spend!!?
 
Vince

Vince

......
warneckutz said:
Any suggestions on a sportbike for someone with no experience at all (and I'm 6'4" so I'm not sure how much that may fit into the equation)?

Any suggestions on what features or options look for when buying one? (right now, I'm more concerned with handling and comfort over speed)

I looked at a few, including a Kawasaki Ninja 500R...

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Sorry, I've never been tall, so I can't help. 5'4"

Think Harley Fat Boy.
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
From what you are saying.. "Sport, comfort" you might want to depart the "Sport-Bike" and ask around for "Sport Touring" ALL the big names make AWESOME Sport Touring bikes.. They are unbelievably comfortable, and all the speed and performance you'd want.

Yamaha.. FJR

Honda ST 1300 you can find a nice cheap used 1100

Kawasaki Concours 14 The prior concours models are out there, and can be found fairly cheap.. and they are DURABLE..

BMW ($$$$$) K1200GT.. or a lot less horsepower but just as fun R1150RT
 
warneckutz

warneckutz

Well-Known Member
itsbob said:
Huh??

That's hard to do.

At your height, a 500 would be rough.. You need a tall seat, and a good distance between the seat and the pegs. I tried to sit on a Ninja years age.. all was well until I tried to take my feet off of the pegs. They had my legs so wrapped tight that I couldn't get them off of the pegs without standing up first.

I'm 6'3.. LUG and YLE are about the same height.. granted they ride 600cc sports bikes, and they say they are comfortable.

I'm very comfortable on my bike, but it's more Sport Touring than Sport.. and a LOT of tall people like the dualsports bikes.

The WeeStrom (Suzuki).. The F650 (BMW).. F800(BMW)..

How much $$ you want to spend!!?
Click to expand...


I've looked over the sport and touring bikes, still undecided what I ultimately want. (I'm going to a dealership just to sit on a few to see what feels comfortable)

As far as money, since it is my first bike - no more than $4,000. While I have no intentions of dropping it - it won't piss me off as bad if I do.:lmao:
 
warneckutz

warneckutz

Well-Known Member
itsbob said:
From what you are saying.. "Sport, comfort" you might want to depart the "Sport-Bike" and ask around for "Sport Touring" ALL the big names make AWESOME Sport Touring bikes.. They are unbelievably comfortable, and all the speed and performance you'd want.

Yamaha.. FJR

Honda ST 1300 you can find a nice cheap used 1100

Kawasaki Concours 14 The prior concours models are out there, and can be found fairly cheap.. and they are DURABLE..

BMW ($$$$$) K1200GT.. or a lot less horsepower but just as fun R1150RT
Click to expand...

Just when I thought my research was done. :pete:

I will check these out as well. A few reviews I've read on some bikes say that certain bikes are more "forgiving" - I kind of like that idea since I'm not the most coordinated person.
 
itsbob

itsbob

I bowl overhand
warneckutz said:
Any suggestions on a sportbike for someone with no experience at all (and I'm 6'4" so I'm not sure how much that may fit into the equation)?

Any suggestions on what features or options look for when buying one? (right now, I'm more concerned with handling and comfort over speed)

I looked at a few, including a Kawasaki Ninja 500R...

Thanks!
Click to expand...

LAstly.. take the MSF riders course before you sink the money into a bike.

Learn to ride, and see if it's something you really want to do.. chances are you will, but might as well be sure.

Sad part is, unlike cars, very few motorcycle dealers will let you take a bike for spin.. hard to get a feel sitting in the showroom going.. varooooooooooooooom.. varooooooooooooooommm...
 
nachomama

nachomama

All Up In Your Grill
I just can't picture you on a bike, War. You're hair will get all messed up. And Lord help you if you get a bug stuck in your grill. :faint:
 
warneckutz

warneckutz

Well-Known Member
itsbob said:
LAstly.. take the MSF riders course before you sink the money into a bike.

Learn to ride, and see if it's something you really want to do.. chances are you will, but might as well be sure.

Sad part is, unlike cars, very few motorcycle dealers will let you take a bike for spin.. hard to get a feel sitting in the showroom going.. varooooooooooooooom.. varooooooooooooooommm...
Click to expand...

I'm definitely taking the class. I don't want to leave anything to chance with this.
 
warneckutz

warneckutz

Well-Known Member
nachomama said:
I just can't picture you on a bike, War. You're hair will get all messed up. And Lord help you if you get a bug stuck in your grill. :faint:
Click to expand...

My hair is very short and I'll have a helmet (I'll get to that question eventually) so that takes care of both.
 
nachomama

nachomama

All Up In Your Grill
warneckutz said:
:lmao:

Hell, if it would help! I have no idea where the idea to get a bike came from, but it just sounds like it would be fun.
Click to expand...

Please tell me you haven't been cuddling with Luggy. :faint: That would be an awful lot of wasted manflesh if you ask me.
 
Lugnut

Lugnut

I'm Rick James #####!
itsbob said:
I'm 6'3.. LUG and YLE are about the same height.. granted they ride 600cc sports bikes, and they say they are comfortable.
Click to expand...

My bike (YZF600R) is the most comfortable sportbike I've ridden. That said, I still ant to raise the handlebars about an inch, and replace the seat with a corbin.

War, if this is your first bike, I'd recommend a naked beater for a while.
 
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