Beginner Bike - Stage 2

[kickshift]

Hello all, I posted on here last year when I was looking for a bike to learn on, ultimately I picked up an old EX500 that has been my learning bike.  I rode last summer on that, and I am riding it now.  I am looking for ideas for my next bike but for reasons that I feel are fair.  My 2 issues are height and weight.  I am 6'4" but I am all legs, so I have legs of someone much taller.  Also I am 210 stepping out of the shower so probably with gear and all I am up closer to the 220-230 mark.  However the bike is designed for someone about 150lbs, and certainly well shorter.  So there is ALOT of vagueness from being way undersprung, seating position also isn't great for me.

So I getting ideas for bikes I would pick up maybe end of summer or over winter, something to step up to but still not a ton of bike, maybe this will be the bike I stay on for years but also I don't want a rocket either, but do want something very confident in a deep turn.  I don't have alot of use for 120mph but I would like to lean it over pretty deep when I find the right roads.

I stopped by a dealer and sat on several bikes this weekend, including a Ninja650R, ZZR 600, Z750S, and an FZ1.  Oh also a ZX-14, but that was just for giggles and cause it was there.

650R is right out for me, my legs came up well above the knee cutouts and my knees where outside of the wide part of the tank, there is no way I can tuck into that area which is unfortunate cause I was excited about that bike as a possibility.

ZZR 600 was a little more comfortable on my knees but still I was above the cutouts but the flair wasn't as aggressive or something, but also a more forward seating position.  It was not uncomfortable sitting forward, just not what I am used to, otherwise it was really not too bad.  I know this is the same bike as the 00-02 ZX-6R so if I were to go this route I would probably get the older ZX-6R as it would be much cheaper and have a slightly tighter suspension.

Z750S was pretty good too, it seemed about the most comfy out of the set, still not sure about the lack of lower fairings, I like the look of a fully faired bike, not sure.  I noticed though that Kawi isn't making it anymore for the newest model year, anyone know why?

FZ1 was very comfy too, very similar to the Z750S but the seat was not great, I prefered the seat on the Z750S.  I wouldn't consider an FZ1 I think it's too much engine, but they didn't have a 6 on the floor.  I have heard the Yamaha's are very top end heavy though and not alot in the lower RPMs, got to wind them out.

So I have these bikes and also looking for other ideas.  The 650R unfortunately is out, it just wasn't comfy also I don't think I want to get into the SV650, I have also heard that has a lack of adjustability in the suspension which at my size I think I am going to need.

If I were to get anything I would probably try and pick something up a couple years old, I want to be able to buy outright, not willing to/can't afford to carry a loan and I won't have much more than a few grand I can spend.

So my needs are a bike that can handle a little weight/adjustable suspension/whatever.  Looks do play a part.  Ergos for tall riders.  Nimble in turns, power not as important as handling, don't want a big heavy bike or something not good in turns.

I am basically getting ideas together so I can do and start finding bikes to sit on, and get a feel.

Thanks for the input.

[Dichotomous]

I see that you mentioned that you didnt want to get into an SV because of the lack of suspension tuning, but you can likely pick up an SV1000 for not TOO much more than most of what you are looking at, if not less, and it has a pretty high knee cutout, and if its not big enough, the pegs can be rotated downwards and forward, or you can get risers and set them further back, which you could do with other bikes as well, to get more room.  the SV1000 has adjustable suspension, and for probably $500 all said and done if you have a basic set of hand tools you can upgrade the SV650 to fully adjustable suspenion and it will be custom tuned for your weight and riding style.  but again, many bikes also can be upgraded in the same way, and at your weight you WILL need springs on any bike you choose.  

the 750 I remember fitting great, but I have shorter legs (34" inseam)

[ctfz1]

See yamahafz1oa.com for lowdown on fz1.  READ tech tips and Pats Site, and use search, your size and soft low end (not that soft) should suit.

[Grainbelt]

Its too bad they don't sell the Versys in the US - its a Ninja650R done up VStrom style, taller and better suspension, but still with street tires.  Test ride a Vstrom 650. They're uglier than sin, but people love them, and they are certainly tall enough.

The Z750S is still sold in Canada this year, just not the US.  I wouldn't worry too much about the lower fairing, its just one more thing to take off for maintenance. Used, the ZR-7S is also a nice bike. The very similar bike to consider would be the Yamaha FZ6, I sat on one and immediately noticed the excess legroom - I have about a 33" inseam.

The new Suzuki Bandit is supposed to be offered in a 650 model, that would be a very good choice. May as well try an older Bandit 600 as well.

Good luck. Bike shopping is fun  
 

[kickshift]

Yeah, people have suggested the V-strom to me, but I just can't see spending money on something that, ugly. hehe

For reference I wear a 36" inseam cause they don't make any longer, but they are short on me.  I should be about a 37" inseam or maybe a hair more, but they don't really make them, you definitely can't find them on the shelves.

I looked into adjusting my suspension on the EX500, but you have to manufacture alot yourself, there is no bolt in stuff and to get something you can tune in I would spend more on getting the suspension set up than I did on the whole bike.

So maybe I need to just find a bike that I can get other bolt on parts for?

[ctfz1]

FZ with Buell footpegs, possibly raised bars and seat. Actually a Triumph Tiger or Aprilia Tuono might fit far better. Second thought is DL650 weestrom is about right.  Possibly 850 BMW? Or 1100R.