Whats the best bike choice for a taller rider new to sport tourers?

[Tola]

Hi, This is my first post and from my research seems to be the best place to get learn and get a question answered. I've been riding for a while. mostly older classic bikes and an 80's GS1100. I'm looking into a sport tourer mostly for my commute to work and weekend rides with friends. I will rarely have a passenger on the back, wife isn't into it My problem is most bikes feel small/tight to me especially where my knees hit the tank and the ones I am looking at are hard to find for a test ride. I'm interested in the Kawasaki Concours zg1000, Triumph Sprint st and Ducati ST3/4 or 2s. Price limit is $5500- I'm 6'3", 230lbs with longer arms. Just looking for feedback from others with similar dimensions and what works for you. Also curious if the Ducati ST2S is a bike that can be maintained by the home mechanic? I'm pretty comfortable working on bikes.
Thanks from Vermont!

[garry]

I think the peg-to-seat distance the Sprint ST can be a little tight for tall folks. Both the Sprint and Ducati STs have somewhat sporty ergos. Long arms help a lot with the forward lean. Adventure-touring bikes tend to be roomier than sport-touring bikes. With a $5500 budget, I would check out a Suzuki V-Strom or Bandit 1250 too.

[2WheelPilot]

I would also consider a ZZR1200.  I'm 5'10", and the reach to the grips is almost too far for me.  With a Corbin seat (lower than stock), the reach is too far.

[veefer800canuck]

Don't know if you're interested in an adventure-tourer or not, but a Vstrom 1000 or a BMW GS might afford you a lot of legroom.

[Tola]

I was just looking at the v-strom, different but nice,not totally against it but would like to see one first and that style could be nice for the dirt roads up here, bandit looks nice and I'm familiar with them and 1200cc's is nice! I do like the BMW but I was concerned about parts and maintenance costs but that was with the K series.

[Bowtie76]

6'5" 230lb with a 33" inseam.

I've owned a ZG1000 and fit fine, no leg issues and the reach to the bars was nice and comfy.  Problem was wind blast.  I ended up with two shields one cut short/flush with the fairing, the second a barn door for the winter.  Anything inbetween was too much buffeting.

I sold that for a sprint ST.  I love it.  My right knee will ocasionaly rub the front fairing, and my knees are bent about to their limit but I have no problems riding for 3 hours straight stop for gas and water and hop back on for 3 more hours.  The bars are lower but I have no problems.

Between the two the Sprint is a far better bike and I actually find it allmost as comfortable as the connie.

YMMV

[coho]

This will help in your narrowing down process:

http://cycle-ergo.com/



Also, welcome to the nuthouse.

[Stripes]

Try out an 1150GS.  

[UHOH]

With a $5500 budget, I would check out a Suzuki V-Strom or Bandit 1250 too.

seems like sage advice.

[ChrisZRX]

In 2006 I rode down to the Deals Gap area for the VStrom rally.  At 6'0" I was the shortest VStrom rider there.

[expatbrit]

I think the peg-to-seat distance the Sprint ST can be a little tight for tall folks. Both the Sprint and Ducati STs have somewhat sporty ergos. Long arms help a lot with the forward lean. Adventure-touring bikes tend to be roomier than sport-touring bikes. With a $5500 budget, I would check out a Suzuki V-Strom or Bandit 1250 too.

The Sprint ST was roomier than the Ducati, IMO. Peg to seat was pretty short on the former, but I'm taller than the OP and did some 20K miles on mine -- it wasn't as comfy as it could have been, however. Forward lean was OK; again, I have long arms for my height, however, so it never felt /too/ aggressive. Sprint's are available in that price bracket; they seem to not hold their value too well. An '05 should be doable.

Eventually, I went the adventure-tourer (HAH!) route, though what I really have is just styled that way and makes it comfy for me, as a taller guy. I'm much happier on it than I was on the Sprint -- and, in fact, I found that a KTM950SM with a Renazco seat was more comfy for me than the Sprint (regardless of the fact that I loved that bike and really, really, really hated to sell it)

V-strom would be an excellent choice if you can get past the looks; a bit more adventurey with the 19" front. Most of the newer adventure bikes are going to be out of your price bracket; maybe, if you're lucky, a last-gen MTS1000/1100??

[birdrunner]

I was just looking at the v-strom, different but nice,not totally against it but would like to see one first and that style could be nice for the dirt roads up here, bandit looks nice and I'm familiar with them and 1200cc's is nice! I do like the BMW but I was concerned about parts and maintenance costs but that was with the K series.

If we only bought bikes for logical reasons the Vstrom would be the only bike out there.

They haul ass, are comfortable, cheap, and easily modified.

[toma nova]

6'3", 34" inseam, 35" sleeves.

VStrom 650 with the OEM gel seat (1" taller) was perfect - taller, flatter seat that was all-day comfortable.  Knee bend was great with plenty of room to stretch my legs out off the pegs.

The 1000 is 40lbs heavier with more power but the exact same ergos.

Cheap, great aftermarket, sweet v-twin.

Tom

[Skee]

If we only bought bikes for logical reasons the Vstrom would be the only bike out there.

They haul ass, are comfortable, cheap, and easily modified.

Sometimes I hate logic.

The Wee is a great choice.  It's competent at most everything and great at nothing.  The gas tank is too wide.  The stock seat is a medieval torture device.  And just as you're starting to have fun, you hit the rev limiters.  I'm 6'6", and can ride it for hours on end.  I'm hoping someday to discover that it has some soul hidden somewhere.  But I doubt it.  Logic dictates otherwise.  It's just too d@mn practical.  That's the downside on a Wee.

For 1-up touring, if you are staying on paved road, I found the Sprint ST to be very comfortable, other than it might cook your right calf, depending on which model year you get.  

[loadedmind]

I have an '02 Triumph Trophy (chain-driven) 1200.  While it's a bit top heavy, it's extremely smooth and definitely ample power.  I'm almost 6'3" and weight 250 with longer arms.  The reach is damn near perfect.  You have a choice of varying heights for windscreens (see Yahoo Groups Trophy Forums for specifics on upgrades/aftermarkets/farkles) as well as hard luggage with optional top box.  I bought mine for $3500 and feel I can make a profit if I ever decide to sell it.  She's quiet, minimal vibration, if at all, easy to turn into corners, fairly easy to work on (full fairings) and extremely comfortable - even with the stock seat.  I bought mine in Green Bay, WI and rode it down to Huntsville, AL.  My one and only complaint is she doesn't like rush hour traffic or standing still under the hot sun for long periods of time.  But then, I don't know too many bikes that do.  Do a search on searchtempest.com and I'm sure you'll come across one.  There's a guy on our Yahoo Groups selling one that's green.  I've really been enjoying this bike a lot.

http://www.sportbikerider.us/Index.cfm?Go=SP&ID=178018&CFID=53698785&CFTOKEN=c861b60a4a030cb2-203C3D76-FD7B-CAF0-16B99E5C52C8F2C7&jsessionid=84304282fd68b5a57b3339732035293f4379

[Yankee Dog]

Get another Triumph Tiger. I find the 955 and the 1050 to be quite tall. You can easily find the 955 in your price range.

Speaking of which. Where are you at?  I might just be able to help.  

[Kneescrubber]

Y'all are wasting your time. He hasn't been registered here in a week. An obvious drive by.

However, I gave him a   for owning a '73 Triumph Tiger. My dad had one.  

I'd love to see pics of yours Tola.


As far as credible recommendations; I have none, I'm only 5'11".

[Bill-Z]

tola: I am your exact size and weight.  I ride a 2011 DL650A Vstrom and I love it.  It is one of the best bikes that I've riden and I consider it the Ford Ranger of motorcycles.  It's not the fastest or the prettiest, but it fits me perfectly, after I raised the rear end using Soupy's links.



I have changed the seat to a DL1000 seat because others have reported that the foam was firmer to provide a slightly taller seat.  I also added a bead-rider to gain an additional 1/2 inch of lift as well as a cooler seat for riding in the heat of summer.  I have not lowered the foot-pegs, but that can be done for less than a $100.  You lose a little ground clearance and if you're into grinding hard parts, that'd be a problem.  I have removed the front plastics and rode "naked" for a few months but have decided to re-install them because I ride through the winter and need the extra wind protection.  I have added bar end mirrors since I took the picture above.

If speed/power/guts is one of the characturistics that you're after, I'd recommend the DL1000, but I valued the MPG savings more than the power so I opted for the "Wee" strom.  I haven't found that I'm missing anything yet and the 650 will kill me just as dead as any other bike, if I decide to get crazy.

I highly recommend the Vstrom, for a general commuter and all purpose rider.   It ain't the fastest, it ain't the purriest, and it ain't a dirt bike for tough technical off-road adventurin', but it'll get the job done and keep your heart racing while it does.

[Jim M.]

My knees never hurt on my Kaw C-14 like they used to on the BMW K1200GT. I'm 6'2" and 230#. I got the Concours back in March and it fits really well with the addition of handlebar risers.

[Hambonee]

As I get older having knee issues on most bikes. Even the Norge has me sore in the knee after and hour or two on it.

Not sure I want to stay with the big bikes but eyeing a Tiger XC or BMW F800 GS. Anyone with experience on those and leg from at 6'4"?