Bikes for the taller gent?

Knubje · 15 Sep 2010 at 13:50

Hi,

Currently I ride a pretty banged up Honda Deauville 650, not complaining as I got it free from my old man a few years back when I passed my test. Anyways, it suits me good because I don't think I could ride a sports bike for long, being 6'4", without getting chronic back ache and uncomfortable.

I use my bike for commuting a short journey these days but I also go out for rides in the summer to visit friends anything from 50-150 miles away. The Mrs also likes to ride on the back during these times. The "Sports/Tourer" style of bike means that it is comfortable for us both over the longer rides and has a back rest back box for her which is an added bonus.

I get a bit of stick from the other bikers at my work for riding an old man bike, fair enough. I must admit it wouldn't be my first choice if I had to pick one from new, but I do like the practicality features as listed above. This got me thinking:

What other bikes are out there that are similar to mine or that have similar spec? I'm not too up to date/knowledgeable with this kind of thing and want to ask what you guys think?

duc999 · 15 Sep 2010 at 14:10

Ducati Multistrada 1200T :cool:

http://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspducatimultistrada/index.jsp?lang=en

agnes · 15 Sep 2010 at 15:07

YEa, that or a Ducati hypermotard

I am 6'2" tall and get on fine with my Ducati 748 which is tiny and skinny compared to most modern superbikes, although the seat height is very high whilst the handlebars are low = loverly sports position

Me on mine, I find it comfy

Mind you, that extra 2 inches might make a difference... As they say lol.

ags

helpimcrap · 15 Sep 2010 at 15:42

Aprilia RSV Mille suits taller riders.

I'm 6'1" and i loved it!

Knubje · 15 Sep 2010 at 15:55

Aren't Ducati's notoriously forever breaking down and costing lots of money? I like the look of the multistrada though...

I like my Honda atm because it is essentially a war horse. They also look like you gotta be bent over a fair bit, at least from Agnes picture.

Helpimcrpa the Aprilla looks nice but seems lacking in pillion comfort. I've seen a few nice looking BMW sport/tourers, any opinions on them as a whole?

Wyvern971 · 15 Sep 2010 at 16:45

The newer Ducatis, and those with the electics worked on and properly waterproofed are fine.

Any sports bike (which the Mille is) doesn't have much pillion comfort.

Sports tourers may be more what you're looking for

gillywibble · 15 Sep 2010 at 16:53

Triumph Tiger 955.

PieEater · 15 Sep 2010 at 18:23

Knubje said:
Hi,

Currently I ride a pretty banged up Honda Deauville 650.....I don't think I could ride a sports bike for long, being 6'4", without getting chronic back ache and uncomfortable.

I use my bike for commuting a short journey these days but I also go out for rides in the summer to visit friends anything from 50-150 miles away. The Mrs also likes to ride on the back during these times. The "Sports/Tourer" style of bike means that it is comfortable for us both over the longer rides and has a back rest back box for her which is an added bonus.

/Snip ......

What other bikes are out there that are similar to mine or that have similar spec?......

Your current bike is a 650 V-Twin road based bike producing ~60hp which seems to be able to average 50mpg and has a seat height of 814mm. When you're asking for bikes of a similar spec is this the kind of thing you're after or did you want a bit more power? Also what kind of budget are we talking about?

Maccapacca · 15 Sep 2010 at 20:32

I'm 6 3 and sometimes get caught out how tall my Funduro is but mines an early one and I think BMW reduced the height on the Dakar / GS etc

Knubje · 16 Sep 2010 at 10:23

Wyvern971 said:
Sports tourers may be more what you're looking for

Yes! I think this is exactly what I need. The Multistrada Ducati sports/tourer options looks quite sexeh if I'm honest!

PieEater said:
Your current bike is a 650 V-Twin road based bike producing ~60hp which seems to be able to average 50mpg and has a seat height of 814mm. When you're asking for bikes of a similar spec is this the kind of thing you're after or did you want a bit more power? Also what kind of budget are we talking about?

This is some good stattage. My current bike, although old man style, is very practical. I think something like the Multistrada sport/tour would be ideal as it has more grunt and ditches the old man look.

I would like a bike with a bit more grunt definitely. I'm guessing in the region of 900cc and up. Think the Multistrada is 1200 which is awesome. It doesn't look to heavy either so I guess it would go like **** off a shovel

Budget is hypothetical at the moment. But I guess up to the region of around £5k would be reasonable. What would you recommend?

nicks3607 · 16 Sep 2010 at 10:51

If you want to ditch the old-man look:

They may split opinion, but I reckon they look awesome

and they're nuts to ride.

Wyvern971 · 16 Sep 2010 at 11:14

Have a look at these

Flukester · 16 Sep 2010 at 11:45

get a mint low milage ZX12R, huge bike and quite sporty for it's size... think scaled up sports bike

Knubje · 16 Sep 2010 at 12:46

Flukester said:
get a mint low milage ZX12R, huge bike and quite sporty for it's size... think scaled up sports bike

Now that IS sexeh! What is it like for pillion capability though? Does it have a nice comfy seat with back box capability?

Maccapacca · 16 Sep 2010 at 12:52

Iirc the first ZX9rs were very big almost a tourer / blackbird size, that was before they went skinny and small, my instructor had one, I always back remember him coming back from a ride and the front tyre being ruined and melting over the rim

St0rmer66 · 16 Sep 2010 at 12:55

You'd probably be better with something like the Honda Blackbird than the ZX12R. The 12R is on the wrong side of sporty for you by the sounds of things, where as the Blackbird is still bloody quick but has more comfort along with it

.

Knubje · 16 Sep 2010 at 15:15

Ah man, the blackbird looks ideal to be honest. It has the look of something a little sportier and has the engine to boot! Looks quite comfortable for a pillion when fully laden.

Also, I do like Honda bikes for their reliability. Good shout there Stormer!

Flukester · 16 Sep 2010 at 15:54

good yell on the bird, better two up and I'm sure there are tons of luggage options

best bit it's still a very very quick bike when you want it to be, rest of the time a nice lazy tourer

Knubje · 16 Sep 2010 at 16:07

Flukester said:
good yell on the bird, better two up and I'm sure there are tons of luggage options

best bit it's still a very very quick bike when you want it to be, rest of the time a nice lazy tourer

Yeah, since he recommended it I have been looking at pictures and reading about it. I must say I love the look of it and it appears to tick all the boxes. I'd love to test ride one tbh.

I then moved to auto trader for prices and decent deals...I now need to stop trying to convince myself that £3.5k isn't that much to spend, maybe less given a trade in on the deauville but I doubt I'd get much for it.

agnes · 16 Sep 2010 at 17:15

To be honest, 3.5k is a very good price.

ags

Bikes for the taller gent?

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