[jaks7124]

I am looking at getting a vulcan classic 800. I'm 6'1" and 260 lbs. I will be riding by myself and was wondering if I was too big for this bike and would I look goofy on it. This is my first bike so I was thinking go with it instead of the 1500 or 1600. I just don't want to look funny riding it. Thanks

 

[bikeaholic]

re

i would say no,the bike can certainly handle it :wink:
sit on it and see for yourself-if it feels small to you sit on a 1500
have you taken the saftey course yet? then you'll see what a small bike is :lol:

i would'nt be so worried about how you look as i would can you handle the bike :wink:

 

[Strictly VN 1600]

On 1600 you'll definetily won't look ridiciolus. I'm almost 6"0 tall, and on pics it looks just like my size of bike. The drivers seat is far behind, so there's plenty of room for legs and arms. Or why don't go straight for a 2000 :wink: ... But since it's your first bike... don't go for too big ones. You'll learn things much easier with smaller bikes, like the 800.

 

[bud8fan]

just lookin..theres not very much diff between the 1500 and the 800..a friend has the 800..i ride the 1500. hes a little slow at times because of the power diff but as far as looks...there aint much difference 8)

 

[tfarish]

Am I too big?

A friend of mine is shorter than you but weighs about the same. He bought a Honda VTX (800?), and regretted it within a week. Test drive a 1500 - 1800 bike and see what you think. I'm 5'9" and 180 lbs and LOVE my Vulcan 1500.

tjf

 

[kingofwings]

I don't think the 1500 is too much bike, now the 2000.... THAT'S a lot of metal. But I'm only 5'9".

 

[bluestringer]

I agree with Bud8fan. There is not much difference in rider space between the 800 and 1500. The 1500 is probably a little wider and longer, and of course it weighs a bit more. Sit on both and see how they feel.

bluestringer

 

[Spok]

I've sat on the 800 and even considered the 800 before I bought the 1500. I knew I'd want more bike after I got my wheels beneath me and I am glad I went large. I'm 5'7 and 175 lbs, its not too big but large enough for you taller guys...and gals

 

[Shendo57]

Hey Jaks,
I am 5'10" and 200 lbs. This is me on my 1600 classic. Picture yourself in my place. Someone your size on this bike I think is perfect. Also this is my first bike. I never rode any other bike before getting this one. Thie first time I drove the bike was when I drove it off the dealer's lot when I picked it up. I have had no problem handling it. I was a bit intimidated but I just didn't want to to buy a smaller bike (1100 cc bike) just to think it was too small and then to buy another one later. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Bud]

The best advice I've read here is to sit on it and see how you feel. Slicks has the 800 with the 21" front wheel, and it stretches out as long as it's HD counterpart. Put a little into pipes, and hyper-charger, get it set up at the shop, and for a small investment you have a whole lot of scoot ! My FLT is hardly a match for it ! Anywhere ! And did I mention that for around $15 you can play with the counter sprocket gearing ?

 

[BigRed]

My 2 cents

I am 260, 6'0 and have a 1600. I hadn't ridden for about 10 years. After a couple of months of having the 1600 I'm saving for the mods to make it faster. You will outgrow the 800's power very quickly. Its not really a speed monster so its more about the weight of the bike and your coordination. If you've taken a safety course you've ridden lighter bikes. The riding part of a bigger bike is pretty much the same, only much tricker at slow speeds. You have to decide, but power wise I think you'll be sorry in short order with the 800.

 

[centerpunch]

My vote is to get the bigger bike. I am 6' 2 " and 210. I found on long rides that I was a little cramped on my 800 and was looking to spend more on highway bars and pegs so I could stretch out. I have been on the 1600 and it feels a lot more comfortable. The weight limit on the 800 is just under 400 lbs. by the time you add saddlebags, windshield. lowers. aftermarket seat (you will need one) it all adds up. The 800 is a great bike but when you get it loaded up it is lacking a little in power. If you buy the 800 and find out it is a little small and then sell it, you will be out a lot more than if you get a bigger bike now.

Either way you will enjoy owning a Vulcan.

Have fun
DJ

 

[2WheelFun]

You WILL NOT REGRET A BIGGER BIKE!

I have a 650 Yamaha and a 1500 Classic and my wife tells me how silly I look when I'm on the 650.....but the 1500 fits me really well....and I'm 6'4" so you can draw from that possibly to help you to look strongly at the 1500.

 

[rwrighter]

A lot of you are putting the 800 down. I have to disagree with you about the power, I am pretty big at 6'1" 230lbs, (after the holidays). My 2003 800A has been jetted and has Vance & Hines Cruzers...it will outrun my friends 1100 Shadow up to 80. I may eventually put forward controls on it to be able to stretch out a little. Overall the 800 is a great bike!

 

[2WheelFun]

I didn't put it down. I am simply making a point that for bigger / taller people I feel the 1500 offers a more comfortable ride as I found out after enjoying riding mine 3000 miles this summer.

 

[Phatboy]

I'm on a 1600 because my ex said I looked top heavy on my 440 :???:
If I were in your position I'd be looking at a used 800 to learn on.

No I don't think you'd look goofy on the 800 unless you looked goofy to start out with :wink:

Buy the used 800 and save for the 1500/1600/2000 whose body styles will more closely resemble your own =P I chose the 1600 because it is fatter than the Fatboy, but I wouldn't want to learn to ride on one.

Phatboy

 

[Bud]

I realize that I'm gettin' old, but it don't seem that long ago that a 450 Honda (4 speed), a 750 K model Harley, and 650 Triumphs / BSA's were BIG bikes. Now, an 800, with the same wheel base as the new Harleys, is to small for a first bike ? And he will outgrow the power, when with just a few mods (hyper-charger, pipes, and setup) will run with ANY stock Harley at any speed. Sorry guys. And lets not forget little things like price and weight comparisons, for a first bike.

 

[Alex214]

i am 5'9, 130 lbs and glad i got the 1500. i am sure u can handle it and think you will be happier in the long run with a bigger bike........ but i haven't the experience these other ppl have. just puttin in my thoughts. as long as it's a vulcan, u can't go wrong

 

[xepathfinder]

Sit on a some bikes to see what fits best. As for the 800's power it has plenty, the bigger bikes have more power but also more weight to have to pull around. I ride with bigger cc bikes all the time and have no trouble keeping up. The biggest thing in my opinion when buying a bike is how it fits with the motor size second. Got a good friend who is 6 foot 2 , he finds my bike a little cramped and also finds his 1100 V-star cramped also. I am 5 foot 10 and my 800 fits me perfect. If you like the 800 and it fits you I say go for it. You will not be dissapointed. But whatever you get ride and enjoy.

F

 

[jukief]

First, I'm obviously a female because when I saw the title of your post, the first thing I thought was, "Do these jeans make me look fat?" LOL

Second, although I don't think you'd look silly on an 800, I think that in the long run you'll be happier with a bigger bike. I'm 5'5" and bought a used 800, thinking that it was a big beginner bike that I wouldn't outgrow for a long time. I was wrong. Within a month or two, I realized I wanted a bigger bike with more power. The 1500 doesn't really feel all that much bigger, and it's so much smoother and more powerful. I didn't lose any money trading up to a used 1500, but my husband lost quite a bit of money on his smaller BMW that he traded in after a couple of months. Had we known what we know now, we both would have bought the bigger bikes to begin with.

Good luck!

Julie