Time to get back on.. which bike?

[gmb27]

Hello folks,

Just looking for an opinion on a sports bike for a tall(ish) rider. I've not ridden for about 10 years so thinking of a refresher course and getting myself a sports bike. I'm just a tad over 6 foot and have heard a few horror stories from friends who say I'll struggle to find something that'll be comfortable. How true that is I don't know! At the moment I'm liking the look of a Triumph Daytona or a GSXR, but that's just going on aesthetics and having the right level of performance I'd like. Any first hand suggestions?

Cheers

[billinom8s]

hi there, welcome in.

you will now get a raft of opinions and views.

personally, being 6'1 i had the same issue and have found an ideal match in the 99 R1.

i think what you would have to do in all honesty is spend a few days going round the bike shops trying on and riding the various bikes on offer. not for 5 mins but get them for n hour so you can settle in.

any bike is going to feel difficult after 10 years away as you will be a little tense in getting back out there.

just go baby steps, don't try to prove anything and enjoy it.

be warned though, bikes have evolved a lot in 10 years so don't expect to be able to jump back on, they will feel rocket powered now

[MellowYellow]

Depends on your relative bits. My brother and I are the same height, but his inside leg is 4 ins longer than mine. Therefore, I have a very long upper body. Have put risers on both my bikes, and dropped the back end of current one. Still can't get 'right'.
Do take the above advice. Take your time, try lots. Maybe a VFR ?

[Ruffian]

What makes you want to go for a sports bike? In 10 years bikes have evolved a lot,
Some very good other bikes out there which may be worth looking at also, speed triple being a very good.
The newer 1000's are the size of 5 year old 600's there tiny!!

[robbieg]

Hi,

I'm 6ft 5 and suffer the same probs - however my last bike was a Triumph ST1050 as it fitted really well. Drop a tooth on the front sprocket and it goes like a sports bike, then bang the panniers on and have a weekend away. Good tank range and great torque/usable power, and you feel you're getting the best out of the bike.

Then i sold it - Have now got a KTM RC8R - really adjustable, handlebars, shock, pegs, frame height, the riding position is not far off the Triumph but obviously the performance is a little stronger! I spent a load of time sitting on sportsbikes at the NEC show, the KTM has the better ergo's for tall people than all the other sports machines on show.....but....depends if you like big twins (the bike variety, not the women!) The only other faired sport touring bike that was comfortable was the triumph gt1050.

[Andy900]

Another option, could be a ZX9R, on the ZX forum, there has recently been a lot of chat about how well they fit people 6 foot plus. Sadly I sold my spare one a couple of weeks back, but whereabouts are you, and welcome to the forum.

[gmb27]

Thanks for your replies folks, I appreciate the input. I'm after a sports bike simply because I like the aesthetics and used to have a cruiser so I'd like to try something new. I'm down towards Newton abbot so I think exeter will be the place to try a few different bikes out. The R1 or R6 looks nice so maybe ill find one to test!

[forestcat]

Test ride the mt-07 (below) may be a bit small for you tho, but its cheap. 5k
I had 20yr absence but as soon as i got it it feels like ive never been away, 6 months on and 6000m and im still grinning from ear to ear
Although the kwaki Z1000 with the angry face headlight looks sweeeeeeeet but 10k :/ (same as R6)
Bridge actually have some demo bikes in for a change

[TLS-Moose]

Most of the litre sized sport bikes should be comfy enough for someone around 6' or you could try the "naked's" ..... the RSV4 Tuono, KTM Superduke, etc.

[gmb27]

Has anyone tried a Honda VTR (SP1)? It looks a fair sized bike being a bit older?

[billinom8s]

Dynamight used to own one. Big heavy bike. He is not Tall though.

[gmb27]

I took a trip to a few bike shops today and tried out for size - KTM RC8, Triumph Daytona, GSXR and an R1. Ironically the KTM was the most comfortable but v highly priced indeed. The GSXR was comfortable but had a distinct forward lean position in comparison. I really liked the Daytona and although it's not huge, the position wasn't too bad and I could get my legs locked on under the tank without it feeling cramped. The only thing about the Triumph that I wasnt sure about was that it wasnt exactly easy to get my foot up onto the rear brake. Apart from that I thought it was a lovely bike. The chap in the shop suggested fitting risers and a decent rearset to fine tune the adjustments to better fit me. Sound like a good idea?

[billinom8s]

a set of risers and rearsets will set you back the thick end of £500 for decent ones

[dchurch1604]

Hi,

I have a daytona that I picked up last year, I love it, I'm 6ft with long legs and I fit on with ease, the rear brake pedal I found was a little high, but I had enough adjustment on it to get it right, the power is good and more than enough and they look great too.

Like you I hadn't gone the sports route before, I had a couple of Bandits which were great but I wanted to move to sports bikes as again like you loved the look.

If you got on well with the daytona, with a few tweeks, you could probably get comfortable, I haven't been out as much as I would have liked since I picked it up, but did get out with a few of the guys from here up over the Malvern hills last year leaving from Bristol, after what was probably a good 4-5 hours riding I was still quite comfortable sat in the seat.

Just my view and I am biased towards the daytona

Darren

[Dailaughing]

Bear in mind the weight on your arms and back from the forward lean can be offset by the wind blast pushing you back. Never tried sitting upright on a bike (tourer or adventure) but I have heard those who do moaning about their arms hurting from fighting the wind after a while. Never had that on a sports.