Thinking about a bike

[fastpakr]

OK, we're more on the same page than I realized. I'm just frustrated with the morons who assume that nobody could ever be happy with a small displacement bike, or that as an enthusiast it's mandatory to use a liter class bike just to putz around town. If you were just referring to a size that physically fits the driver then I have no problem with that. 6'5 is definitely a HUGE rider on a Rebel.

 

[cappin90]

The two bikes i learned on were a 2006 buell 1200cc V-twin (stupid fast) and then i rode a 2007 Yamaha R-1 (even faster) and i have to say start small.... almost killed myself a couple of different times on those bikes

 

[rurouni20xx]

at least you learned your lesson cappin. fastpakr i understand there are tons of riders on rebels that love them, im not against them just fig he would feel awkward. the fsc600 (a) silverwing is not a 500cc vtwin, its a 600cc single fuel injected, they are fun but the initial takeoff *grab* of the clutch is kind of awkward and you instantly shoot to 85, thats rediculous on 12 inch rims imo. im looking at a yw125 zuma myself, will do about 70 (per speedo havent seen or ridden yet, so my opinion is just what ive seen so far in our brochures.) and averages 88mpg* i put the star up there like the websited does. sure its ugly as sin but considering im hoofing it/bumming rides it looks damn good to me right now. the only modification i would do is get a small heineken keg and tap the bottom and have a filler for fuel on top, have it in the trunk, then run a fuel line to the existing fuel tank...poof! more gas=increased range! 50cc scooters go about 45 pegged and you can mod them to do 60 but why buy a 2k scooter and then spend another 1500 in mods when you can get a 125 for 3k. 6/7k for a 250 honda, 600 honda or 500 yamaha is a lil much in my opinion for a scooter, you can get a streetbike of decent displacement for about the same price. since the 250 reflex honda and 80 honda models are discontinued youd have to find a used one. STAY AWAY FROM CHINESE COPIES!!!! i know a few ppl that have some, some are great, most stay broken, mostly because the parts are hit and miss for them. dont want to spend 150 bux for a cdi unit that you dont know will work, sure it has the same plugs but the internals are dif and u just skrewed yourself out of the money from the no return policy. good rule of thumb, if a guy is selling scooters/atvs out of the back of a trk at xmas, not a good idea.

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

It depends on if you want a cruiser or a sportbike. I'm about your size, so I know what you mean about not fitting on a bike. I would recommend a Honda Shadow. I find them pretty comfortable. I can't help you out with sportbikes, though. Don't know anything about them.

 

[dranger21]

Well yeah I dont want to spend the money on something too small that ill be bored with in two months. I've ridden 4wheelers quite a bit and a few dirtbikes with a clutch so if i give it a little too much gas on a dirt trail its not the same effect as a turn in traffic. Actually rode a sportster 1200 of a friends around the neighborhood last summer and that was quite torquey for a first ride. I like to consider myself not a complete idiot (some might disagree) but you guys have given me some things to look at

 

[Sunk]

I'm 6'4" and I've been relatively comfortable on the sport bikes I've been on. These include a Yamaha Seca II, and 85 Honda VFR500 and the 89 Honda Hawk GT I ride almost daily. I did 850 miles on the Hawk in one day, so no, it's not just on short rides either.

My first bike was an 82 Nighthawk 450, and it was a good beginner with a decent amount of power, but it took less than 30 min for my legs to start hurting.

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

Well yeah I dont want to spend the money on something too small that ill be bored with in two months. I've ridden 4wheelers quite a bit and a few dirtbikes with a clutch so if i give it a little too much gas on a dirt trail its not the same effect as a turn in traffic. Actually rode a sportster 1200 of a friends around the neighborhood last summer and that was quite torquey for a first ride. I like to consider myself not a complete idiot (some might disagree) but you guys have given me some things to look at

If you don't want to get bored, just remember that thumpers make more low-end torque. I had a 1986 Suzuki Savage ls650, and my top speed was only about 95 after I tuned the card and added octane boosters. However, I could beat the hell out of harleys at red light races because I had insane torque and acceleration. It's a lot of fun to watch guys with 20,000 dollar harleys get pissed when they get beat by a guy with a 600 dollar suzuki.

 

[Redneckryder]

my first was a suzuki 650 savage--if you're over 5'7" i wouldnt recommend it. i now ride a kawasaki vulcan 900--love it!! the 900 is powerful, but mild enough to learn on.

 

[Southern_Trendkill]

my first was a suzuki 650 savage--if you're over 5'7" i wouldnt recommend it. i now ride a kawasaki vulcan 900--love it!! the 900 is powerful, but mild enough to learn on.

It was pretty cramped. Too bad, it had one hell of an engine.

 

[rurouni20xx]

glad we could help!

 

[chico4554]

anyone have experience with bmw bikes? I have been looking at the f650 gs bikes for a little while.

 

[Jason]

anyone have experience with bmw bikes? I have been looking at the f650 gs bikes for a little while.

I have ridden and worked on some, but not the little guys. If they are anything like the 1200's you will be very happy. BMW builds great bikes.

 

[RedRanger888]

It was pretty cramped. Too bad, it had one hell of an engine.

There's actually a guy that makes forward controls for them, a lot of the taller riders rave about them. At 5'11'', mine's not too bad. I plan on spending my money (when I get some! ) on the engine/exhaust first. And yes, it is a torquey little engine.

 

[TinyBear]

anyone have experience with bmw bikes? I have been looking at the f650 gs bikes for a little while.

Well wich bike ya looking at. the New ones are actually 800cc twins but the older ones were 650cc Rotax built Singles that made a very nice 50hp.

Never rode one myself but even at my 6' i found em to be a bit small for me. The KLR is a much better preportioned bike i think but does not make as much power.

My V-Strom makes a bit more power but is not as good off road.

 

[LittleHorse]

I really enjoy my Suzuki DRZ400SM. It'll outcorner any sport bike though it obviously lacks the power for acceleration, and with an extra set of wheels and tires you can switch to knobbies in half an hour and be blasting the trails.

I've got a set of supermoto tires on mine that I taken off road. They're not much good in mud or sand but they're fine on rock and hardpack. Here's a pic I took back in September in American Basin, on a 65 mile Jeep trail loop around Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton, Colorado. The alpine loop, containing Engineer pass and Cinnamon pass for those familiar with the area...

The aftermarket parts availability is awesome, as they've been making the DRZ since 2000.