Hello, my name is Adam i'm 17 and live in the LA area. I'm looking to get my first motorcycle (I'm taking the MSF course in a couple weeks, my only previous experience is with dirtbikes) and I'm not sure what bike to get. My problem is that I'm very tall, ~ 6'4"(i can stand with both feet flat on a BMW Dakar). I'd like to get a sportbike and I've heard that the Ninja ex500 and gs500f are good starting bikes but im just too big for them. My uncle who is an experienced rider suggested that I just start off on a 600 since i can fit onto those alot better and i'd end up getting one later on anyway. Would that be a viable option? Any input would be appreciated, thanks.

Honestly, i'd expect a sportbike to be even worse than an ex500 or gs500. The leg position is much more scrunched and the wheel base isn't much better.

Also, a 600cc sportbike is NOT a beginner's bike no matter what people tell you. They're too overpowered and not the least bit forgiving if you make a mistake, and you WILL make mistakes.

IMO, stick with a 500cc bike or smalles, and if you REALLY want a sportbikes, look at maybe an SV650S.

I have heard that Yamaha's FZ6 is very roomy for it's size, and comfortable, although, I'm not sure if that's a good starter bike..

_________________
2003 Honda Shadow VLX600

well keeping away from engine size for new riders and sticking just to the ergonomics of things.

no sport bike is built for comfort period. the bigger the engine means more performance and more performance means more cramped seating position.

just go sit on some or look at pics, youll see the more performance the higher and further back the foot pegs get. anyone thats talls will not like your legs right under and behind your seat. the seat also gets higher(which isnt helpfull youll flat foot it either way so whats it matter how high the seat is) but the handle bars get lower taking away any level of comfort you thought you had just sitting up right on the bike.

if your tall and want comfort get a cruiser with some extended foot pegs thats all you can do. imho

_________________
03 katana 600

80's UJM.... I see everyone keep recommending these, and there is definitely a reason. Just about anyone can fit on these (unless you have really short legs, they might not be comfy at stop lights).

They are standard seating position for the most part, but you can easy change out the bars, seat, etc, to make it look more sporty. It is good to be able to flatfoot your bike, I would consider that a bonus.

Agreed...one reason is the extra width of the saddle area. Your legs go out, then down, so tall folks can still flatfoot without bumping their knees with their elbows. Not all UJMS have the same exact ergos, though, so you probably want to start no smaller than a 650 or 750, size wise. They are pretty powerful, but not excessively so, and the power is very user-friendly compared to a modern sportbike. Generally pretty good lower in the rpm range, but not as low as a v-twin.

_________________
Ride safe...God bless!
-Ron

I'm 6-foot-5 and bought my first motorcycle, a GS500F, in May. It's comfortable. Yes, my knees are near the top of the tank. Yes, I sit all the way back to the indent on the seat. But that's how it is on every bike I try except some dual-purpose bikes. You're not too tall for the GS500F. Plus, it's a fun, easy bike to ride at any speed and a fun bike to learn to ride fast.

_________________
Doug Boyd
Greenville, NC, USA
My Suzuki SV650S

Thanks for the advice guys, I'd like to look for something at least somewhat sporty, im not saying i want to go out and do 150 on the freeway but i'd like something that will handle a bit better than an 80's UJM. Could an Suzuki SV650 or a Honda 599 work out well for a beginner?

You'd be surprised at how fast they are. just because it's older doesn't mean it's slower.

_________________
80 honda CB750F Super Sport

An 80's UJM (while not the end all be all of beginner motorcycles) will probably be able to handle anything you can throw at it. Especially as a beginner. It's recommended that new riders begin on bikes under about 50hp. Alot of the recommended UJM's come in over that amount, but because of the nature of the power delivery, many experienced riders feel comfortable in recommending them to beginners.

It seems to me you are looking for ways to justify your wanting a faster bike. If you want one, go out and get one - no one here can stop you. Packrider (Who is taller than you) Mentioned that he fits fine on the gs500, yet you pretty much ignored him and just went straight to the more powerful stuff again.

You also have a misconception that a bigger engine means better ergonomics. Quite often it doesn't. You need to go to the bike dealerships and sit on some of the bikes you are interested in. Get a feel for them. If you find something that you feel you fit on, and want more advice, feel free to post back.

_________________
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”
- Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher)