A tall boy's request

Reader letter: can you help?

Posted: 30 July 2012
by Ben Cope

This letter was sent into Visordown HQ. We thought we'd put it out to you: the knowledge-packed masses. So all you tall riders, lend this guy a (big) hand.

Dear Mr Webeditor

My name is Allan Barnard, and I have a dilemma. I'm 6'6" so of course, this severely limits my choice of new motorbike. Smaller riders can have seats lowered or buy a Ducati, but there is nothing taller riders can do which is actually of use (for example, a Harley dealer will say "Pay us £400 to put forwards controls on and you'll be fine).

I'm 21, and I don't want to buy an adventure bike. I don't want to immediately be forced into that genre of bike for comfort because I'm tall, and I'm not interested in adventuring, or buying a grey and black Hein Gericke Textile jacket and hi-viz. Thus, this is why I have come to you. I question forums but I get, of course "have you tried the Versys". All tall riders know these bikes will be comfier for taller riders, I don't need to be told. However, above the fact you guys churn out the most unbiased, interesting material pertaining to motorbikes that the world has to offer, as a team, you've collectively ridden a huge range of bikes, regardless of whether you've properly reviewed them or not, so I ask of you to do a short article or response about bikes for tall people! From memory is fine. You have an article for short people, and nobody likes a tall-ist.

Searching the internet doesn't show me how comfortable a bike is. cycle-ergo.com gives me an idea, but not a very practical one at that. As I said, I'm 21, I want something cool with at least half-decent speed, preferably not a faired sportsbike, and not over £10k (I'm buying new and have been saving for a long time, whilst being a student! That defies logic, so I must get it right!). There are no dealers close than 40 minutes from me, and I don't have a bike to get to them anyway.

Thanks in advance! I await with excitement.


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Discuss this story


Pagik
I'm 6' 3", and have found that FZ1's are perfectly comfy.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 14:14


Hugh G. Rection
Supermoto? ktm 690smc or aprilia sxv 550, tank range may be a problem though

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 14:26


evil ken evil
im also 6,3 and to be honest the most comfortable bike i have owned was a ZZR1100

ive had a TDM which was groovy too

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 14:31


Szmolo
I'm 6' 1" and although not as tall as others, however I have the arms and legs of an orangutan, therefore am comfy on sportsbikes as I don't have to reach very far to the clip-ons. Even on my Daytona 675 I was reasonably upright and comfy.

It all depends though, I say find a few that you like and test ride them. It's nearly impossible to say who will suit what.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 15:09


MKJ
Try a BMW HP2 Megamoto; I felt I needed a step ladder to get on when I tried one...

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 15:12


MGPHOPEFUL
Kawi ZX12R?

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 15:31


Drapes
I'm 6'4 and i have found that early 2000's superbikes are the best. Iv'e had k2 gsxr 750 and a 2001 rsv r and covered lots of miles with ease. Plenty of road power just get the suspension sorted. Supposedly new r1 fireblade and rc8 are good as they are bigger than dukes and rsv4. Ktm rc8 are brilliant bikes and the bars, rearsets and subframe are all adjustable as standard.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 16:16


bigralphie
I think the Aprilia shiver or Dorsoduro is a good choice for tall un,s , I had a dorsoduro and at 6ft4 it was a perfect fit

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 16:29


Imriyr
A friend of mine who is close to 7' rides an Aprilia Futura. Can't get them new anymore, but they are quite large bikes, and certainly funky and different from the norm.
I am 6'3 myself and I'm very comfortable on my Daytona 675. Although i do have different rearsets, set as far back as possible. But 600 miles in a day is not a problem. The Daytona's seating position is stretched out more than most modern sportsbikes I think.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 17:38


mobus
ZX9 possibly?

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 18:59


Luka Husbands
i'm 6'4 and am very comfortable on my bandit 600 ... daytona 675s are kinda skinny so you may look odd if you're broad. dad's is 6'4 and is fine on his 52 plate GSX-R 1000

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 19:00


Big Doozer
6-3 and a
R1200GSa is only an adventure bike if you want it to be. seat at full height, handle bar risers and its every bike i ever needed.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 19:05


Jacko80
Kawasaki GTR 1400 or ZX 1400.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 19:08


John Doe 3
I'm 6'1" with long legs and so far Triumph is the company offering the most spacious bikes. I was more comfortable on my 2009 Triumph Speed Triple then I was on a 2009 BMW K1300GT! So it seems the brits are above the germans in terms of legroom. I've owned and tried many bikes, and really I think the Speed Triple was the most comfortable on long rides, might be worth checking it out. (Oh and yeah it should be fast enough ;)

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 19:16


Rawdon
I'm 6'5" so in a similar situation. I still ride my zx7r as i've yet to find a sports bike that comes close in comfort.
If you're after a more naked bike then the last of the 955 speed triples are good, but the v Twin Tuono is by far the best thing i've ridden for size.I've tried as many things as I can and everything seems to be getting smaller apart from these, 1200 bandits and all BMW's

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 19:19


mark thompson 3
I'm 6-4 (all legs) and fit well on my FJR1300 and '07 Tuono. The Tuono did take one adjustment: fitting footpegs that were 25mm lower. Before I felt like a jockey on a thoroughbred, now it's just about right for me. I haven't lost a huge amount of ground clearance either, certainly no problem for street riding or even intermediate track days.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 19:24


Mitchell Turpin
I'm 6'4" and have a daytona 675 that fits me reasonably comfortably. It's a tall and narrow bike which suits me perfectly because I am pretty thin but have the long legs. I can move around on the bike with ease when I want to have fun in the twisties or at the track.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 20:32


josh fidler 3
I'm 18 and passed my test last year. I also am 6'6 so can sympathize. I ride a fzs600 which i have no problems with comfort wise at all. I've also ridden an 04 r1 and a bandit 600 before. Yes they are a bit cramped but i never have any huge problems with comfort for short distances or sunday rides. I love sportbikes and hope to buy one next year and all i can say is that try rearsets and things like heli bars. you can then try and get a custom fit. If you are determined enough you can ride what you want within reason (no rs250's or vfr 400's for us haha)alot of my mates look at me and say 'Aren't you a bit big for a bike?' all i can say is i love bikes too much to let my height get in the way.

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 20:58


allantheboss
I'm gearing my pockets up to buy an XJR1300, sank into one today like a marshmallow into a plump boy's mouth. Felt good. Any of you (handsome) tall chaps tried one?

Posted: 30/07/2012 at 22:04


Paul Bunyan
I am 6'6" and race. The older (pre '09) R1's are not bad. Its what I've got now. Also older (pre '08) CBR1000RR's seem to be comfy too. As far as new bikes, the S1000RR has the most room that I've found for a sport bike.

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 08:30


Richard Lee
I am 6'6" but my height is in my back, inside leg is only 33". I find my KTM 990 SM-T fine, it is the perfect all rounder, sportsbike performance with all day comfort. Aprilia RSV Mille was best of the sportsbikes I've had for comfort, along with Suzuki SV1000S.

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 13:06


phanteh
I'm 6'4 and it's all in the legs. I've been riding an XJR1300 for the last 3 years and love it! I'd be surprised if that or a GSX1400 didn't offer you enough grunt / comfort!

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 13:06


Hugh Jarse

"Grunt" eh?

Mr. Panteh, you've been reading too many tacky bike mags. Tell us about the "grin" factor too....


Posted: 31/07/2012 at 13:45


Pagik
Helpful as ever there Hugh....

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 15:47


Pagik
As an aside, going to test a 2012 ZX-10R this weekend. So I'll update here what I think of it. I reckon I'll love it :D

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 15:48


yurf
I'm 6'6" with 36" inside leg and a long back. I tried a Ducati 848 which was compact but an OK fit. I have an XJR that is very comfy and have toured on 2 up. Also found an old Thunderace was good and very cheap speed but can only last an hour in the saddle!! Also found the older Tuono. ZX12's, Blackbirds, ZZR12 to be a good fit on short rides however not done serious miles on any of these.

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 16:15


Hugh Jarse

Thanks Pag, always willing to help.


Posted: 31/07/2012 at 19:26


Adrian Hebron
I agree with Big Doozer. You do not have to ride an Adventure bike as an Adventure bike. Many are ridden purely as road bikes and are fantatsic at that. Stick some decent road biased tyres on, remove some of the Adventure farkles and many an Adventure bike will show a clean pair of heels to most road/sport bikes.
I am just under 6ft 6in and ride a BMW R1150GS. To make it more suitable for me I have fitted a Corbin seat, Rox bar risers and lower pegs.
One advantage of riding an Adventure based bike is you back will thank you.

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 22:08


DavidC246
I suggest:

Honda Varadero

Suzuki GS1000

Both bikes for big boys like us.

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 22:36


v m 3
im 6'5 and ride a ducati 1198. had it for a couple of years and have actually done a bit of touring on it.
its not awesome for comfort, but you are young, leave comfort worries for a few decades time! :)
p.s. bad news we'll never ditch the minimoto look :(

Posted: 31/07/2012 at 22:46


David Perkovic
I'm 6'6, the most comfortable sports bike I've ever ridden on was a KTM RC8R. If I was getting a sports bike, that'd be it.

I ride an MV Brutale 1090RR. Had to get some properly adjustable pegs, now it's pretty much perfect.

Posted: 01/08/2012 at 02:46


Rawdon
as an addition to this, just rode a B-King yesterday. Now that's a bike designed for a proper sized bloke. and also very easy managable power if you're a beginner.
Not sure how the insurance would be if you're only 21 though. perhaps the GSR 600/750 are as comfy?

Posted: 01/08/2012 at 10:35


Greggusrex
If you're after a sportsbike, I found that V-twins tend to be tall. I'm only 6'1" but found the RSV-R and SP-1/2 tall and comfy. That was a few years ago now though, and at you're height I'd be going for one of the adventure bikes that seem so popular these days. I ran a V-Strom 1000 for a few years, big and comfy and didn't once take it off road. Stuck some BT-021s on it and it kept up or even out paced sportsbikes on the road.
Comfort is important for me, as is touring, so now I ride an armchair that I would recommend to anyone - an R1200RT. Handles brilliantly, can do 500 plus miles a day in comfort and great weather protection.
I don't seem to get that many nods any more though......

Posted: 01/08/2012 at 10:38


PommyR6
It depends on the bike; I'm 6'3" and covered 1000s of KMs on a grey import Honda CB1 (400cc)
Take your time and test ride a few bikes, see which one you like the best....

Posted: 02/08/2012 at 04:04


Trevor Agg
Just PXd my XJR1300 for a Harley. Nice bike. Went to Normandy a couple of times and was okay. Owned if for about three years. Wouldnt say it was the most comfortable of bikes but def a real mans bike. Enjoy the wind blast when you crack open the throttle and make sure you hang on :)
Had an old zzr1100 that I used for a winter hack when owned a Duke. The most comfortable bike I have ever ridden but pig ugly. Buy a Harley :)

Posted: 05/08/2012 at 00:00


Lerrxst
At 7' I struggled to find a comfortable bike. I started on the Versys, convinced the better half to go touring so bought a R1150RT but wanted a bit more speed so I now ride a K1300GT. Probably not the sort of thing you're looking for but it does give some ideas. Your best bet is to have a day trip out trying stuff - the bike shows are ideal.

Posted: 07/08/2012 at 17:11


Slimkoppie
I'm 6'4 and all legs. Back in 2002 I was sitting on all kinds of brand new bikes i couldnt afford. The one that I always remember fitting best and wanting most, was a Ducati 750s. It was a half faired matt black bad ass looking thing and it was tall as f***. google it.

Posted: 29/03/2013 at 04:01

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