[Sutur]

hello fellow bikers.

i'm new to this site and don't know if this is the correct place to post, but i have a question.

i am looking to invest in a motorcycle, but am concerned about my weight. i am 310 pounds and 6 foot 5 and was wondering what capacity bike would be recommended. i would still like some speed, but it's not an necessity. i also don't want to spend a years pay on the bike.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NCDave]

Need more info like riding skill, your maturity level (which usually coincides with age), and riding interest. It's hard to give a suggestion because there are so many options out there.

 

[Sutur]

Need more info like riding skill, your maturity level (which usually coincides with age), and riding interest. It's hard to give a suggestion because there are so many options out there.

i've done alot of riding on scramblers and quads, if that even counts. i'm only 21 but very responsible as i have a child. the main reason for me buying a bike is the current fuel prices in South Africa, as it's ridiculously high, so i want to save on fuel as my car only gets about 10km per liter. it would also be for city driving.

 

[alec]

A zx-14 of course!!!!

 

[Sutur]

A zx-14 of course!!!!

Thans alec. very nice bike, but a little out of my price range. this would be my first bike so looking for something around the 6000$ mark.

 

[NCDave]

Your height will be the biggest challenge for you in trying to find something comfortable. You might look at the dual sport market for something. Generally those bikes are on-road rather than off-road and the come in sizes from the 650 on the Versys to 1200's.

Not sure if that's the style you are looking for.

 

[Sutur]

Your height will be the biggest challenge for you in trying to find something comfortable. You might look at the dual sport market for something. Generally those bikes are on-road rather than off-road and the come in sizes from the 650 on the Versys to 1200's.

Not sure if that's the style you are looking for.

Thank you so much for your help dave. the 650 versys is a nice bike and i will keep my eyes open 4 something like. what would you recommend in the street\sport bike category?

 

[eidian]

Thans alec. very nice bike, but a little out of my price range. this would be my first bike so looking for something around the 6000$ mark.

Actually Sutur, I think that alec was just joking; the ZX-14 isn't a beginner bike by any means...it's kind of a running joke that we have here in the forum.

I just did the conversion to pounds (because us Americans have no idea what a kg equals so for the other forum members: 140 kg is approx. 308 lbs) and I think that something in a Sport/Tourer package would do you fine. Have you considered the previous Concourse (not the current Councourse 14)? It's a 1000 cc SportTourer that has a reputation of lasting forever if taken care of; the bike has quite a cult following. A used one with low miles should be right in your price range.

I just found some specs: 95.5 hp/9100 rpm's and 65.7 lb-ft/6350 rpm's means that it'll have plenty of power to get you going. The only thing though is that you might have to shave the seat a little because of your height.

Hope this helps out.

 

[alec]

650r would be nice. And yes I was just joking:lol:

 

[NCDave]

Perhaps a 750 size bike given your height and weight? The older Honda Nighthawk might be good for a "standard". I'd think it would be pretty bullet-proof.

 

[Sutur]

Actually Sutur, I think that alec was just joking; the ZX-14 isn't a beginner bike by any means...it's kind of a running joke that we have here in the forum.

I just did the conversion to pounds (because us Americans have no idea what a kg equals so for the other forum members: 140 kg is approx. 308 lbs) and I think that something in a Sport/Tourer package would do you fine. Have you considered the previous Concourse (not the current Councourse 14)? It's a 1000 cc SportTourer that has a reputation of lasting forever if taken care of; the bike has quite a cult following. A used one with low miles should be right in your price range.

I just found some specs: 95.5 hp/9100 rpm's and 65.7 lb-ft/6350 rpm's means that it'll have plenty of power to get you going. The only thing though is that you might have to shave the seat a little because of your height.

Hope this helps out.

i really appreciate all the help. i've never had such speedy replies on forums! sorry 4 the whole kilogram thing. it's out of habit. changed it though. and yeah, i think that zx-14 would kill me, haha. like i said earlier, the only riding i've done is on quads and scramblers, so my experience with street bikes is limited, so i haven't really considered anything specific. will the transition from of road to street be difficult?

 

[Sutur]

Perhaps a 750 size bike given your height and weight? The older Honda Nighthawk might be good for a "standard". I'd think it would be pretty bullet-proof.

thanks again dave!:smile:

 

[skewterdewd]

I think you'd be right at home on something like a Versys or Vstrom, both of which have great suspension and lots of throttle too.

As an alternate you could go with a cruiser fit with forward controls.
I'm 6'3" and I fit on the 900 custom nicely. Lots of bigger guys here like the meanstreak also.. Maybe a V2k?

Good luck!

 

[NCDave]

i really appreciate all the help. i've never had such speedy replies on forums! sorry 4 the whole kilogram thing. it's out of habit. changed it though. and yeah, i think that zx-14 would kill me, haha. like i said earlier, the only riding i've done is on quads and scramblers, so my experience with street bikes is limited, so i haven't really considered anything specific. will the transition from of road to street be difficult?

usually off-road riding helps because you have to really learn to control a bike in that environment. You should make the transition fine as long as you learn to watch out for the idiot cars!

You should probalby start looking around for used bikes in the 750 to 1000 range. Not sure if you have many dealers in your area, but go in and sit on some to get a feel for size and space for you. That will give you a better idea of what will be comfortable.

if your primary interest is gas mileage, try to find the smallest bike that you can be comfortable on, like perhaps a 650.

Maybe a Suzuki Bandit 600?

 

[capncalyx]

Your height will be the biggest challenge for you in trying to find something comfortable. You might look at the dual sport market for something. Generally those bikes are on-road rather than off-road and the come in sizes from the 650 on the Versys to 1200's.

Not sure if that's the style you are looking for.

+1

 

[Sutur]

usually off-road riding helps because you have to really learn to control a bike in that environment. You should make the transition fine as long as you learn to watch out for the idiot cars!

You should probalby start looking around for used bikes in the 750 to 1000 range. Not sure if you have many dealers in your area, but go in and sit on some to get a feel for size and space for you. That will give you a better idea of what will be comfortable.

if your primary interest is gas mileage, try to find the smallest bike that you can be comfortable on, like perhaps a 650.

Maybe a Suzuki Bandit 600?

The idiot cars would be the biggest issue in SA as we have **** taxis! i drove behind one the other who's bumper sticker said ' don't drive too close. this taxi stops anytime anywhere!'. and they really do!!

how would some of the bigger cruisers handle in the city, and what would their gas mileage be, as i love the look of those.

 

[ervins]

Yeah you are a big guy...Nothing less than a 650...I would steer toward a 600. I have seen big guys your size and they are on bikes that are huge...First bike? Cruiser? Sportbike?

 

[ervins]

By the way, welcome to the forum!
***I hope I do not see a 250 discussion come out of this because this one does not fit. ***

 

[Sutur]

Yeah you are a big guy...Nothing less than a 650...I would steer toward a 600. I have seen big guys your size and they are on bikes that are huge...First bike? Cruiser? Sportbike?

yeah, this would be my first bike, but i have alot of scramble and quad experience, so driving isn't new to me. i love the look of those cruisers, but would they handle well in the city and do any of them fall into the 6000$ price range and what is the gas millage like, coz that is a big issue for me?

 

[Tod]

You could get a nice 650, either Ninja or KLR for that much, and either would handle well, and fit your size well too.

Just depends what style you're more interested in.