Another "will I fit" question.

I don't know if I will get hammered for this or not but the only dumb question is the one not asked so here goes.  I ride and have ridden sport atv's for quite sometime. I have also wanted a street bike for quite some time. I want something for the short trip to work everyday and riding with friends on the weekends.  The problem is probably two fold. 1) I want and have always wanted a sport bike. I love the looks, sound and power. I don't want to have to settle for a cruiser. 2) This is the big problem. I am 6'4" tall and weigh 350. I have been taking the weight off (was over 400 a few months ago) but it is taking forever. My question is am I to big for a sport bike?  The info for new riders at the top of this forum says that a new rider should stay away from anything 600cc or bigger but will anything smaller actually fit me?  Anyway if there are any real big guys out there riding please tell me what you think.  I know if I went to a dealership the salesman would tell me that I will be fine on one so he can get a sell so I am asking all the real riders out there.

Thanks for any and all help and advice.  

Wow.  Big dude.  

I'd suggest getting something older and used to learn how to ride on pavement.  Maybe a Bandit 600 or Seca II or something similar.

Then you'll just have to go to a dealorship and see what fits.  People recommend ZX-9, 'Busa, ZX12 for bigger guys.  But those are a lot of bike for a new rider.  You may need to scale it back a degree and look at an FZ1 or SV1000 once you have spent some time learning how it ride on the streets and dealing with traffic....

I'm 6'1" and about 185 and fit fine on my 10R.  But that really doesn't help you much...

Your biggest problem/issue is going to be leg room.  Keep up the good work on shedding pounds, and try to get more flexible.  Michael Jordan has a bunch of sport bikes from Ducatis to GSXRs, so tall guys can fit on them.  Not sure about how much time he spends on them (half hour?  couple hours?)....  You'll just need to decide how cramped you want to be.

Good luck in the bike search.



Chris  

YZF600R would be a good fit.

AT  

I'm 6'3" 250 and I started on a Seca II but after I decided to move up I found that Yamaha had the longest seat length from tank to passenger seat. That was very important to me being a taller bigger guy if I'm going to go full tuck (or as much as my gut will allow) I slide back in the seat and lay on the tank. But yeah I like AT's suggestion the YZF600R would give you enough power to get your feet wet and sit upright enough to make you a little more comfortable. I've decided I'm never going to be a Moto GP rider so being Danny Pedrosa size is not that important to me. Kid's like 5'2" and 105lbs!!! Besides if I lose weight my clothes won't fit anymore . Yeah just find a bike that you like the feel of and go with it. A lot of people would suggest a busa or zx-14 or something like that but Chris is right that's a lot of bike for anybody especially a new rider. There are plenty of options so "Just listen to you heart. That's what I do." I've often wondered if I should trade my R6 in on an R1 but after having ridden one I can thankfully say I'm glad I got the R6. Because the R1 is really friggin' powerful. Keep us posted though will ya? Let us know what you go with.  

I'm 6'2", about 175 lbs (read: tall, thin) and I too have a hard time fitting the current crop of sport bikes. Stuck riding some of the older longer wheelbase sportbikes til I can afford a big liter-plus monster, since those seem to be the only ones I'm comfortable on... Also seem to be more comprehensive, too, but that's besides the point I guess.  

I'm 6'4" to 6'6" (depending on which doctor I go to) and fit on my Ninja 250R just fine, so I wouldn't be too concerned about leg room.  When my knees get sore (usually after about an hour and a half) I pull off the road and stand up for a minute.  The 500R is a little more roomy as far as ergos go and Suzuki's GS 500 is similar to the Kawi.  The only problem I have is that my suspension is very soft, even being 180 lbs.  The two 500's do have stiffer set-ups, but depending on how long you plan to keep that particular bike, an up-grade might be something to consider, and up-grades are much easier to find for the 500's, I have yet to find any for my bike.  
~MXC250  

I got a chance to ride a 600R the other night. It was a pretty good bike and very comfortable. Has a slip on and sounded really good. It didn't quite pack the punch of my R6 but I didn't really expect it to, and it was a little heavier but all in all a really good bike to start on.  

You're a big guy, I recommend a sv650, plenty of power to move ur big ***  

well i can tell you this most 600 sport bikes have a maximun rider weight of around 450 or so.i've seen 600's power wheelie with 300 pound guys on them.one thing for sure is you will plant that chit to the ground. i knew a 400 pound guy that rode a 50cc scooter around town.  

Dude your fine in 6'3" 325lbs i was lineman for a Univeristy. But you will get the occasional dude your too big (mostly from car drivers)but for the most part Motorcyclist dont care cause they know its not about looking good but the ride. Besides if you so them you can ride and ride well you will get the respect. I started on a 92 FZR 600 and it wasnt all that cramped i curently have a 99 ZX-6R and a 06' ZX-6R and i dont feel cramped at all the suspension is plenty stiff i had to make it softer in the back but you'll be fine i wouldnt worry bout it.  

Im 6"3 230 lbs and fit on my brothers R6 no problem. I just bought a ZZR600, very comfortable middle-sized sport bike.