Basically the subject line wraps it up, but I will expand a bit. I’m 6’5", and it seems to me that most motorcycles are built for the average height person which makes it quite uncomfortable for me. I can’t go on long rides without being in pain. It’s mostly my hips and knees that hurt because the pegs are too close to the seat for me.
I was in a Suzuki dealership to get a replacement part for my JetSki and I saw a bike called a V-Strom. It looked like a tall bike and that it might be comfortable, but I had never heard of it before. I was in a hurry or I might of taken it for a test spin. So, I’m wondering what else there is out there that I am unaware of.
Right now I drive a 700 Honda Shadow. I mostly have had cruisers because they seem to be the most comfortable (which still isn’t comfortable.) I really don’t care what kind of bike it is as long as it fits me. I’m guessing most sport bikes are right out. I’ve put lots of miles on my Dad’s 1500 Goldwing and that isn’t anymore comfortable on my hips and knees than my Shadow is. I would rather stay away from H-D because the price is way too inflated for the product IMHO.
I’m 6’3" and the Ulysses was maybe a little tall. Also, the steering stops are too short, so you cant turn the wheel as far as you want. The front brake is way to sensitive. I have owned two of these, an 06, that I crashed on(future pit story), and the 07 to replace it that I promptly sold (and the day after I decided to sell it back to the dealer a guy on a test ride hit a truck with it).
Nice bike, but I’ll never own one again, cursed I think. My boss even stated after the second wreck that maybe the metal used on the bikes is reclaimed from Incan sacrificial knives…
You do have the option of engine guard mounted footpegs that extend your legs out. Many H-D riders use these (looks cool I guess, since some are short and use them anyway) because the pegs are too close and it makes it more comfortable.
Check out the buell Lightning super TT, its taller then the buell sportbikes, but not as tall as the Ulysses.
If you like dual-sports like the V-Strom (who named that thing anyway?) you might give the BMW R1200GS a look. The R1200GS Adventure is a little taller still.
I’m 6’0" and ride a '96 Triumph Tiger, but the new Tigers are a lot shorter than mine.
The V-Strom is a very nice bike. But the Kawasaki KLR 650 is what you’d like because it’s tall. Plus you can go off the road as well as down the interstate on it. They claim that the (great) V-Strom is also an on road/off road bike, but that’s a stretch, to say the least. (It’s a road bike.)
If you hurry, you should be able to get a good deal on a 2007 KLR that is of the model that’s been going strong for 22 or so years. Later this year they’re coming out with a redesigned KLR, as it’s the first major redesign of the bike. That’s why you can get one of the “older” models for around $4700. By far the best bike for the money out there. Plus it’s said that the new KLR is 50-lbs heavier than the one it’s replacing, which is NOT a good thing!
Last year I bought my second KLR. The first one I bought in '92. But I got rid of it because the wind blew it over and did $700 worth of damage … .
You’re right about finding one that “fits” you, so look around and sit and ride 'em until you find the one. There are sooooooooo many GREAT bikes out there that you can’t go wrong, as long as it fits you, that is. Good luck!
P.S. A friend just got a good deal on a bike on Craig’s List, so you might want to look there if a used one doesn’t bother you.
VTX 1800? I’ve been looking for a used one. I’m not in the market for a new bike. I have a hard time justifying that kind of money on a vehicle I’d only drive half the year.
I would like to sit on one and see if the pegs are any further from the seat than they are on my current bike.
I’ve been doing a bit of research on the Kawasaki KLR 650. So far, I’m impressed. It’s pretty much exactly what I’d like. I need to see if I can find one to test ride. The only downfall I see is that it is chain drive. I’ve been spoiled with the shaft drive on my current bike.
At 6’5" The BMW R12GS-adv was a nice fit (thanks for letting me ride it D.) Noticeably better than my R1150GS, even though I wouldn’t have guessed that by looking at them, even side by side.
I know what you mean about liking the simplicity of a shaft that you seldom have to mess with. I had a 700 Honda Nighthawk that was shaft-drive, but, honestly, they’ve must have made some improvements in chains recently because I’ve only adjusted my chain once and even then I’m not sure that I needed to. The things I really like about the KLR is that they come with water-cooling, disk brakes, mono shocks, and – best of all – big 6.1 gallon gas tanks!
If you go to KLR650.net you can get all the info in the world there on the bike (that’s if they’ve got it running, as often it would be down).
For a tall rider then you would do well to look at a BMW GS, differant engine sizes.
Other bikes that would suit, Honda’s Africa Twin, you need o be 6 foot at least to climb on to it.
The Triumph Tiger is definately 6 foot and over.
KTM Adventure would suit a tall person, I believe their new RC8 would fit the bill too, and it is so sweet, LOOK AT THIS,
Aprilia’s RSV needs a tall person, its not unusually tall, but the riding position tends to favour a taller person.
This might be of interest, however, seat height is not the whole picture, you have to combine it witht eh forward reach and the reach to the footrests.
Any of the large capacity 70’s machines tend to be tall, things like the Laverda Jota or the early Goldwings.
The KLR 650 looks the most promising at this point.
I do like the Beamers, but eesh, they’re pretty spendy- even those that are 10 yrs old!
I do really like the Honda Africa Twin, but apparently they stopped making them and I can’t have one in the US without the pain of circomventing emmisions laws.
I looked at the Triumph Tiger as well. It does look like it is pretty tall, but it’s kinda weird looking. It reminds me of the alien bugs from Starship Troopers. I’m not sure if I really don’t like it or if I really do like it. Regardless, I can’t seem to find any in this area anyway.
The midrange torque is incredible, you don’t need to set it at screaming revs to get the big bang acceleration, you don’t have to drop the clutch hard, you just wind it on and it goes, how it goes.
If you’ve never ridden a triple before, it’s an eye opener.
They are obviously not as fast as a proper 1000cc sport machine, but at any speed below 120 and in almost any gear, it’ll simply leave anything else around, for fast overtakes this is a great bike to have, and it makes a seriously good luggage carrier too.
If you have a tall pillion passenger, this bike is ideal, not many bikes except the big tourers offer as much space to the passenger.
Suzuki Germany did, because the design is a product of that division. “V” because it’s a V-twin motor, and “Strom” meaning a flow or current of energy.
I’m biased (I ride one as a daily commuter), but the V-Strom is an excellent bike and well worth a closer look. Cycle World said it “may just be the most shockingly competent machine in the world today”. The German magazine Motorrad conducts a large (~20-bike) comparison test in the Alps every year, including everything from top-shelf liter-class sportsbikes to touring machines to everything in between, and the V-Strom 650 has won the title of “Alpenkonig” the last two years running. It may not be well known in the US, but it has a very strong cult following. Stromtrooper.com is a good place to learn more about the bike.
The V-Strom can be off-roaded (I offroad mine), but you have to remember that it’s not an MX bike. It’s fine for trail riding, but if you want to be jumping off 6-foot escarpments then it’s not the right bike. It does need some drop-proofing, it’s a bit vulnerable out of the box. I’ve gone so far as to paint a set of fairings with truck bedliner which I put on for dirt riding so my “good” fairings don’t get messed up, but then I’m insane so I’m going to do things like that. The stock tires are street-biased, but there’s knobbies available if you want to get serious.
Which version is the one you saw? It comes in two flavors, a 650 and 1000. The literbike is popular with taller riders because it comes with a taller seat, though the 650 and the 1000 seats are directly interchangeable so you can put the 1000’s seat on a 650.
Besides the V-Strom, any of the big trailies should suit a taller rider. They’re all a little different, it just depends what sort of features you’re looking for. They also have a neutral, upright seating position that lots of riders find more comfortable than the foot-forward position typical of cruisers.
Oh, now it makes sense. It’s not surprising since Germany is one of the biggest markets for this style of bike.
Nice bike you’ve got there, btw. I really need to get off my ass one of these days and fix my Tiger. Damn carbs are leaking again. :smack:
My husband had a Honda Shadow ACE and it felt cramped to him. He switched to the 1800 VTX and he feels it is way roomier. I have ridden both. The Shadow I could ride comfortably, the VTX’s handlebars and pegs are so far away that it feels like I’m trying to touch my toes. He is only 6 ft but his legs and arms are long for his height.
Hey, you live in Wisconsin. Where? I know someone who just traded in his 1800 VTX at a dealer. I could find out where.
