Bike for a 6ft4 guy

[gaslight12001]

Morning all, first time poster here. I'm after some help I'm a new biker. 46 yr old bloke and I'm 6ft 4. And I'm looking at buying my first bike. 

I like the look of adventure bikes. The more I search the harder it gets to find a bike that I won't look daft on. I fancied a cb500x watched vids on big guys on them thought great, buy then I read its not ideal for the taller rider. I'm just wondering really if anyone out there is the same or similar height as I am, what bikes have they got. Or can the cb500x be modded to suit. Like I say more of a adventure bike guy not sports bike. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Simon. 

[Fiddlesticks]

I would try sitting on a few.  The larger ADV bikes are ideal for taller riders, don't be afraid to go big!

[Shepherd]

I'm not as tall as you at 6'1", but I'm long in the body which makes me look like a bag of folded washing on a lot of bikes.

I narrowed it down to a couple, the bike I have now is a Versys 650 and I love it. Just added handlebar risers to make my positioning quite natural and comfortable. 

(I think the other bikes I was going to check was the V-Strom and Triumph Tiger? The V fitted me, so I looked no more).

 

Check out https://cycle-ergo.com/ to narrow it down a little.

 

 

 

Shep

[manxie49]

I agree with Fiddlesticks.  Get yourself down to a couple of show rooms, sit on the different bikes and try them for size .... You're the same height as my mate, he's also quite a big lad in size and opted for and adventure bike, he went for the BMW and loves it, he certainly doesn't look to big on it anyway.  Good luck with your hunt.

[Ian Frog]

Totally agree with @manxie49 and @Fiddlesticks and as someone over 6ft I feel very comfy on a Tiger 1050 or a large Harley.

I am considering getting rid of a Busa due to neck issues on long (500 miles + ) runs but I am resisting as in all other respects I felt comfy.

Bottom line get your bottom on as many things you like the look of as possible.

Not a bad maxim though I say so myself lol.

Cheers

Ian

[onesea]

TDM 900

Biased YES  I have one.

 

50-70mpg, not the most powerful bike (my FZ6n was quicker off the line),  however fast enough and still great fun in the bends.

185kg so not to heavy  so good in traffic, a capable distance tourer has some adventure in its design.  Reasonable ones cost about 2k so not bank breaker as first bike.

 

Bad bits they can be a bit lumpy/ snatchy at low speed, however most older bikes have had the “fix” and if you don’t run fuel low, keep above 3k revs (use lower gear) it’s not a problem.

[Gerontious]

I’m 6’7 in my boots and ride one of these. 
 

 

it’s not the tallest bike you can buy but it suits me. A few minor and inexpensive adjustments and off I go. They brought out a newer version in 2020 but they made it lower, which pleased a lot of people but meant upgrading wasn’t an option for me. 
 

in fact the vast majority of popular bikes aren’t an option even worth considering. I need a minimum 33” seat height with an option to go higher. Handlebar risers usually and possibly lower foot pegs, though I don’t need them for this bike.

Edited August 20, 2022 by Gerontious

[bonio]

KTMs come up tall. I know this cos I couldn't possibly ride one. Might be worth looking at some.

[S-Westerly]

Multistradas are quite tall with options to increase height. I have one but have short legs so need to be careful where I put my feet.

[JustinW]

I am exactly 6ft 4 and have a 2019 cb500x.

I find it perfectly comfortable.

Two things though. 

If you are doing off road, knees are too bent for transitioning from seated to standing up a lot. I don't do off road.

Buffetting on 2019 was horrible until I cut the screen down by a few inches (lower screens are available).

 

The seat has a big dip and could easily have a couple of inches of foam added. I have no need for it, but might just for the hell of it.

 

Worth having a test ride.

 

Also, in current financial crisis, 89 mpg imperial is welcome.

[MikeHorton]

Penny farthing? 

[billy sugger]

4 hours ago, MikeHorton said:

Penny farthing? 

Probably cost a lot more than that

[gaslight12001]

On 21/08/2022 at 08:02, JustinW said:

I am exactly 6ft 4 and have a 2019 cb500x.

I find it perfectly comfortable.

Two things though. 

If you are doing off road, knees are too bent for transitioning from seated to standing up a lot. I don't do off road.

Buffetting on 2019 was horrible until I cut the screen down by a few inches (lower screens are available).

 

The seat has a big dip and could easily have a couple of inches of foam added. I have no need for it, but might just for the hell of it.

 

Worth having a test ride.

 

Also, in current financial crisis, 89 mpg imperial is welcome.

Thanks for this Justin, how do you look on it mate OK? I'm just feared of looking daft on a small bike. But at least you have given me some confidence that I'll be fine on one. Just need to get one. Wanted to buy new but been told I'll have to wait till Jan or Feb. Gutted. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Thanks to everyone. 

[MikeHorton]

Take a look at the benelli trk502 similar size to the cb500x both good bikes indeed or maybe even a RE Himalayan the newer ones seem to have ironed out some quality issues

[Bender]

Jan is a blink away  

[Ian Frog]

I don`t know if this will help much but there is a bike ergonomics website that you can put your details into and virtually any model of bike and it generates a sketch showing your positioning.

It is great for working out passenger space etc.

I will try and remember what it is called.

Cheers

Ian

[gaslight12001]

1 hour ago, Ian Frog said:

I don`t know if this will help much but there is a bike ergonomics website that you can put your details into and virtually any model of bike and it generates a sketch showing your positioning.

It is great for working out passenger space etc.

I will try and remember what it is called.

Cheers

Ian

Hi Ian yes cycle ergo I'm trying that. Thanks alot. 

[gaslight12001]

1 hour ago, Bender said:

Jan is a blink away  

Ha yes your probably right . Ha. 

 

1 hour ago, Bender said:

Jan is a blink away  

 

[S-Westerly]

Jan is bloody ages away.! I think.

[JustinW]

On 22/08/2022 at 12:29, gaslight12001 said:

Thanks for this Justin, how do you look on it mate OK? I'm just feared of looking daft on a small bike. But at least you have given me some confidence that I'll be fine on one. Just need to get one. Wanted to buy new but been told I'll have to wait till Jan or Feb. Gutted. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Thanks to everyone. 

Bloody hell that's a hell of a wait. I don't feel too big on it and hopefully don't look daft. If you sit on one you'll be pleasantly surprised.