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Zakman · 01-23-2007, 02:04 AM

Make sure that after a 15 year absence you get a bike that can at least go 150 mph. Try and find something that will lift the front wheel off the ground in any gear whether you are leaned over or straightened up. It's also very important to find something that has enough horsepower to spin the back tire when ever possible. If you can't seem to find something that will make all of these scenarios possible go to a Suzuki shop and try on a DL650.

Zak

acecycleins · 01-23-2007, 02:13 AM

So, you're looking at nekked or semi-nekked bikes, is that where you want to stay? If so, the monster is a great bike but reality is that you'll hate the riding position if you ride more than 50 miles. The "original" FZ1 is a great bike with better ergos than the 919. Here are a few others, go all used because you never know how your taste will change over the next few months: Yamaha FZ1, Kawasaki ZRX, BMW R1150R, Suzuki Bandit 1200s, Triumph Speed III. All can be had for between $4500-$6500 used. Check service records on them and ask the bloggers in any of the individual forums for things to look for (small fixes, upgrades, any warranty work) while shopping. Good luck and remember to be patient while shopping. It will help keep the headaches in check.

seruzawa · 01-23-2007, 02:44 AM

You also might check out some used Triumphs. Legends, Bonnevilles, Thunderbirds and Tigers all have good ergos.

mem03 · 01-23-2007, 02:45 AM

I'm 6'4" w/32" inseam. I ride a 2002 Triumph Sprint RS, and aside from the bars being *slightly* lower than I would like it's an excellent fit. Seat's not too hard on the keister either. Not too heavy, not too light. WAY more than enough power for me, and about 50 mpg on the road.

Just an option to think about ...

jesskauffman · 01-23-2007, 02:51 AM

Sounds like you need some bike advice from Yossef. Since he's a fellow lanky guy who tests bikes for a living, he ought to be able to point you in the right direction.

gbrummett · 01-23-2007, 03:27 AM

If you are that tall and want a bike that seems big under you might try...

Buell Ulysses

BMW R 1200 GS Adventure

BMW R 1200 GS

KTM 950 Adventure

Suzuki V-Strom

Triumph Tiger

rebis69 · 01-23-2007, 03:42 AM

Acecycleins is pretty much on the mark, I would really give the Suzuki Bandit 1200's a look, very good riding position, also, check out the different cruiser type bikes, add some highway bars and you can pretty much customize your riding position.

MTRHEAD75 · 01-23-2007, 03:53 AM

I'm 6'5" with a 36" inseam and i ride a 2002 buell x1 lighting for such a little bike it has a surprising amount of leg room. Just my two cents.

buellerbud · 01-23-2007, 03:54 AM

If you decide to check out Triumphs, take a look at the 900 Scrambler as well.

ScottMcCrary · 01-23-2007, 03:56 AM

I second the Triumph Tiger as a good choice. Comfort, good power, good road manners, and versatile. at 6'0", I'm just big enough to ride it comfortably once I put a Corbin seat on it. It will fit 6'4" quite well. Make the simple addition of bar risers if you want to take it off-road. Used ones, only two-three years old, are available for $6500 or less, with not too many miles on them. (Many people hang onto them and put lots of miles on them- they are good for 100k+ with little trouble.)

01-23-2007, 02:04 AM	#1
Zakman Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 36	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... Make sure that after a 15 year absence you get a bike that can at least go 150 mph. Try and find something that will lift the front wheel off the ground in any gear whether you are leaned over or straightened up. It's also very important to find something that has enough horsepower to spin the back tire when ever possible. If you can't seem to find something that will make all of these scenarios possible go to a Suzuki shop and try on a DL650. Zak

01-23-2007, 02:13 AM	#2
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... So, you're looking at nekked or semi-nekked bikes, is that where you want to stay? If so, the monster is a great bike but reality is that you'll hate the riding position if you ride more than 50 miles. The "original" FZ1 is a great bike with better ergos than the 919. Here are a few others, go all used because you never know how your taste will change over the next few months: Yamaha FZ1, Kawasaki ZRX, BMW R1150R, Suzuki Bandit 1200s, Triumph Speed III. All can be had for between $4500-$6500 used. Check service records on them and ask the bloggers in any of the individual forums for things to look for (small fixes, upgrades, any warranty work) while shopping. Good luck and remember to be patient while shopping. It will help keep the headaches in check. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

01-23-2007, 02:44 AM	#3
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... You also might check out some used Triumphs. Legends, Bonnevilles, Thunderbirds and Tigers all have good ergos. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

01-23-2007, 02:45 AM	#4
mem03 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... I'm 6'4" w/32" inseam. I ride a 2002 Triumph Sprint RS, and aside from the bars being slightly lower than I would like it's an excellent fit. Seat's not too hard on the keister either. Not too heavy, not too light. WAY more than enough power for me, and about 50 mpg on the road. Just an option to think about ...

01-23-2007, 02:51 AM	#5
jesskauffman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 30	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... Sounds like you need some bike advice from Yossef. Since he's a fellow lanky guy who tests bikes for a living, he ought to be able to point you in the right direction.

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01-23-2007, 03:27 AM	#6
gbrummett Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 512	HUm.... If you are that tall and want a bike that seems big under you might try... Buell Ulysses BMW R 1200 GS Adventure BMW R 1200 GS KTM 950 Adventure Suzuki V-Strom Triumph Tiger

01-23-2007, 03:42 AM	#7
rebis69 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 10	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... Acecycleins is pretty much on the mark, I would really give the Suzuki Bandit 1200's a look, very good riding position, also, check out the different cruiser type bikes, add some highway bars and you can pretty much customize your riding position.

01-23-2007, 03:53 AM	#8
MTRHEAD75 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 49	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... I'm 6'5" with a 36" inseam and i ride a 2002 buell x1 lighting for such a little bike it has a surprising amount of leg room. Just my two cents.

01-23-2007, 03:54 AM	#9
buellerbud Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... If you decide to check out Triumphs, take a look at the 900 Scrambler as well.

01-23-2007, 03:56 AM	#10
ScottMcCrary Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	Re: Returning rider - Tall rider... I second the Triumph Tiger as a good choice. Comfort, good power, good road manners, and versatile. at 6'0", I'm just big enough to ride it comfortably once I put a Corbin seat on it. It will fit 6'4" quite well. Make the simple addition of bar risers if you want to take it off-road. Used ones, only two-three years old, are available for $6500 or less, with not too many miles on them. (Many people hang onto them and put lots of miles on them- they are good for 100k+ with little trouble.)