Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimellow
As for cruisers and more upright riders... What are some models I should be checking out and looking for? I'd likely be looking to start with a 500cc or so bike, perhaps more on a heavier cruiser. I am a taller guy (6' 2") and found the upright rides to feel a bit cramped. I have long legs, and thus stretching them out a bit would likely be ideal. Oddly, the Suzuki and Honda sport bikes felt more comfortable and less cramped than the more upright rides (Honda Nighthawk?), whereas the Kawasaki and Yamaha sport bikes didn't fit me quite as well. I didn't sit on as many cruisers, thus my experience is skewed a bit towards the sportier types.
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Yeah, all the stuff I said above and:
The Nighthawk is what some may refer to as a "girly bike" and isn't designed for your body. Why would you settle for that? That isn't even a midsized bike... that's a peppy little scooter. You went to the course did learned how to handle a bike responsibly, right? Reward yourself with a real bike.
See, you're even taller than I am and probably weigh significantly more (given that I'm stacked like a skeleton)... get a bike that'll suit your body. Don't be afraid of the weight of cruisers, it's rarely a negative factor. There is no reason why you couldn't start with a 1100cc Honda Shadow cruiser. Check 'em out... Shadow ACE, " Spirit, " Sabre (my bike). They're extremely popular and I can attest to their comfort for taller guys. Any comparable sized bike made by the other big names (Star V-Star or Kawasaki Vulcan 900) would be a good choice as well.
Don't get a starter bike that you'll outgrow in dimensions or power in a month. Cruisers are amazingly comfortable for tall guys given the upright position, cushy seats available, and the addition of foot pegs. I'm big on safety and I feel safer doing highway trips on a heavier bike that has a highway bar to protect my legs. I was nervous at first on my adult-sized bike (especially since I learned how to ride on a dirtbike and training class used pathetic 250s), but after taking the safety class and stalling out a million times in my neighborhood, I've taken my rumbling spaceship through three states.