[64475]

Hello Guys,

Hope all is well in your world.

I normally ride a VTX 1300 cruiser. I rented a CBR 600 RR last weekend and I have been bitten by the streetbike bug. I am looking to pick up a short ride, hobby bike.

I am 6'2, 200 lbs, and not real flexible. I have no streetbke experience to speak of, I am interested in a used 2005 or 2006 liter bike. Any recommendations on which bike would be best for someone in my shoes?

Any input would be greatly apprecitiated.

Thank you in advance for any time devoted to this matter.

-D

 

[longride]

"Any recommendations on which bike would be best for someone in my shoes?"

Here is my recommendation: " "

 

[sachiwilson]

If you are not flexible, a full-on sportbike will NOT be a good choice for you, even for short rides. They are designed to fit small people best. You could consider a less-extreme bike that would have better ergonomics (that is, not so cramped), which would have the same (or even better) usable performance as long as you're not an expert rider on a race track. Look at a Yamaha FZ-1, for example, or a Triumph Speed Triple. Fast, good manners, room for a bigger guy.

 

[seruzawa]

If you are not flexible, a full-on sportbike will NOT be a good choice for you, even for short rides. They are designed to fit small people best. You could consider a less-extreme bike that would have better ergonomics (that is, not so cramped), which would have the same (or even better) usable performance as long as you're not an expert rider on a race track. Look at a Yamaha FZ-1, for example, or a Triumph Speed Triple. Fast, good manners, room for a bigger guy.

+1 on the S3 or FZ1 or you can find Kaw ZRX1200s. Any of these will fit you and more than fulfill the need for speed.

 

[sachiwilson]

Good suggestion. What about Suzukis? Any analogues there? (I don't think Honda has one currently.)

 

[longride]

Bandit. Cheap and effective.

 

[The_AirHawk]

Bandit. Cheap and effective.

And rare as Hen's teeth, if you want the "old ones". Sorta like a HawkGT (only not as much character).

 

[acecycleins]

Depends on how aggressive you want to be. A mid 90s Kawi ZX9 might be the trick and you should be able to find good examples for $3500 or so. Honda 919- Great ride cheap to maintain and insure. Something with character- 90-92 Yam FJ1200 or 88-92 BMW K100rs- both under $3500 for good examples. The new Suz Bandit 1250s is great but used ones are reliable as h3ll.

 

[pplassm]

Where in the US can you RENT a CBR600RR?

Just curious.

 

[longride]

And rare as Hen's teeth, if you want the "old ones". Sorta like a HawkGT (only not as much character).

They aren't that rare here. They are on craigslist every week. Not hard to find a pretty cherry example with few miles.

 

[cruiz-euro]

You have "no streetbike experience"? What, your VTX is for off-road use only? Must be one of them ****** things. Like the handball game you guys call football.

- cruiz-euro

 

[ejis]

Don't know what your price point is, but a bike like the Ducati Multistrada or Triumph Tiger (current iteration) has plenty of performance and plenty of room. The Suzuki SV1000 is a little more roomy than a full-on sport bike, and if you can find a naked version with real handlebars/lower controls, it's even better.

Then again, if you liked the CBR, why not just get one of those?

 

[Buzglyd]

You have "no streetbike experience"? What, your VTX is for off-road use only? Must be one of them ****** things. Like the handball game you guys call football.

- cruiz-euro

Do Euro motorcycle riders fake injuries the same way Euro football players do?

 

[sarnali2]

There's plenty of choices.. Bandit, FZ1, 919, ZRX, Speedy Triple.. all will work just fine. The ergo's on the ZRX and Bandito will be the most comfy, the FZ1 and S3 a little more extreme with the Honda about in the middle.

Ditto what Longride said, the a/o cooled Bandit is cheap and effective, as buildable as a small block Chevy and reliable as a brick, my '02 1200 S hauls my ass around pretty quick and I'm 6 ft. waay more than 200 lbs.....everytime I think of selling it I just hit my thumb with a hammer, cures that bit a' stupidity pretty quick... You shouldn't have any trouble on one.

 

[Buzglyd]

There's plenty of choices.. Bandit, FZ1, 919, ZRX, Speedy Triple.. all will work just fine. The ergo's on the ZRX and Bandito will be the most comfy, the FZ1 and S3 a little more extreme with the Honda about in the middle.

Ditto what Longride said, the a/o cooled Bandit is cheap and effective, as buildable as a small block Chevy and reliable as a brick, my '02 1200 S hauls my ass around pretty quick and I'm 6 ft. waay more than 200 lbs.....everytime I think of selling it I just hit my thumb with a hammer, cures that bit a' stupidity pretty quick... You shouldn't have any trouble on one.

Aprilia Tuono. End of story.

 

[pushrod]

LongRide,

No plug for the Hayabusa?

I'd have jumped in on the Triumph Tiger recommendation, but I was beaten to it.

 

[ejis]

Another possibility - sportbikes have become more "focused" over the years. If you look at a late 90's early 00's liter or 3/4 litre bike, the ergos will be much more relaxed than the current iteration. Take look at a CBR929/954 or a ZX9R.

There's also the VFR - I don't know how I forgot that one before. It's highly capable with a much more relaxed riding position than any dedicated sportbike. In the same vein, Triumph has the Sprint.

 

[longride]

Yeah, get a guy with no street experience to speak of a Busa. Nice guy you are Pushrod!

 

[63022]

I think the very knowledgable motorcycle.com moderators have covered the bases here (as usual). For taller guys the old ZX-9R was a good choice cause it was big boned. Having sit on one once I would definitely agree. The SV1000 is good choice if you like V-Twins. Everything else (sporbikes that is) past 2003 or so have pretty track/sport focused ergos. Even a average guy like me (5'11") has trouble getting a good fit. The old Ninjas (pre 2002) were pretty comfy. A VFR is a good choice but many call it a sports tourer. Although I have seen many VFR riders kick ass on them including mine. The problem with VFRs is that folks hold on to them a long long time (i.e. older riders using them as tour bikes). So if you see one it will probably be a few years older than the used full-on sportbikes. I know cause I have been looking for a 2-3 year old one and can't find one. I can easily find high mileage 4-5 year old VFRs. It could be just the Seattle area though you might have better luck where you are.

 

[pushrod]

LongRide,

I'm the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet!

The guy was asking for recommendations for a liter-bike, fer cryin' out loud!

A land spear is a land spear! The 'Busa seems to have decent ergoes for a bigger guy. Especially if he has long arms. What do you think, having been there?

And the windscreen seems to work well with ballcaps worn backwards, judging from the ones I see toodling around here.

Like I said, I'd put him on a 1050 Tiger. A white one. Ohhhh yessss!

Zachery - Heck with the VFR! Get a Sprint ST! It's the same bike, only a LOT better!