First Bike for a Big guy

[Panman]

Need some advice, my son Jesse is 6'6" 250or 260 and wants to start riding and picking something for him to ride is a concern. My first ride was a 650 Triumph Bonneville 40 HP I'm 6'4" and it work OK ergo wise for me and wasn't overly fast.

But for my son most of the stuff I see out there he just isn't going to fold up like that! He wants to join me and buy himself a FJR but for at least the first year I think something more like 70 HP would be better to start with.

I thought about starting him out on my old Trident but with the right hand shifting and it being my toy I'm reluctant to do that also.

So looking for suggestion's.

Anyone?

 

[keithaba]

Concourse (not the new C-14)

or

ST1100

Both are probably still more powerful than anyone needs for a starter bike, but the ergos should be decent for someone that size.

Neither bike is a slouch, but neither of them is an FJR when it comes to power.

 

[Scab]

How about one of these? Clickage

 

[Goryo]

Need some advice, my son Jesse is 6'6" 250or 260 and wants to start riding and picking something for him to ride is a concern.

Panman,

I'm sort of in the same boat as your son, being 6'2" and 258 (with 34" inseam) and looking to buy my first bike next spring. Where I have an additional problem is that my knees will not put up with any of the sportier riding positions, so that eliminates many of the current crop of bikes out there.

The one I've liked the most, in terms of outright comfort, is the WeeStrom that Scab recommends:

How about one of these? Clickage

I will qualify this with the fact that I do not ride (yet) but I must admit that I have way too much seat time on this bike at the local Suzuki dealership. (Not to mention a few thousand miles of mental roadtrips.)

I'm also considering a used KLR650 as a learner bike for the first year or so as they seem to offer a lot of bike for the money, and they look to suffer the "noob"-drops pretty well.

Another bike that seems to offer a good combination of comfort and entry-level performance is the new Kawasaki Versys, but I must admit to having never seen one in person. (The local Kwak dealers have only had a couple and those were sold 1st day on the floor.)

 

[BuilderBob]

How about one of these? Clickage

+1 on the VStrom. Should fit nicely and the power is adequate while not being over the top.

 

[cougar8000]

What about a nice cruiser? Should fit him nicely and not too much power. After a year he sells it for the same money or for profit, depending how he bought it, and buys him self a bike that he wants.

 

[spklbuk]

I'm with cougar. A Honda Shadow comes to mind. Bulletproof and will sell when he's ready.

 

[Panman]

Thanks for the coments Guys! I don't think Jesse would go crusier he was the smart one and kept pointing toward the FJR when I was looking toward the Buell ST3 ST's Jesse's knee's arn't so hot either from B-Ball.

I did rent the ST1100 and they arn't a bad bike I ran one south bound across Blewett Pass at 90 MPH from Hiway 2 to I-90 and it didn't miss a beat. Did the same with a 05 FJR and the a ST1300 all three did great but the FJR won out and I have a new 07A!

Iv'e only droped a bike once and that was the old Bonneville pulling off some grass and a little to much throttle a little bit of a wet tire and on my butt I went. I had only had the bike a week and I would hate to see him do that to a FJR! He is a responicble 24 year old young man and I feel that he will use his head but Motorcycle are like Boats they don't easily forgive! We will have to take a look at the wee strom also.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Niehart]

Hi jack, Hey Panman, Pacific Northwest rides, one Sat. if your interested.

 

[Docholiday]

I would think a VStrom with ABS, a 650 KLR or a Buell Ullyses might fit the bill. All are pretty tall and have adequate power. Kawasaki has also just come out with the Versys but no real track record on that.

 

[caryb]

+1 on the WeeStrom. My Son, 6'4" 250 lbs rides one and is really pleased with it. I actually like to ride it every time I can which is not often with him around. It was his first ride. Took to it like a fish to water. Only regret is not getting the ABS version. Could not find one at the time.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

CaryB

P.S. If the WeeStrom had been my first bike I would not have the FJR! Its that good for what I like to do.

 

[madmike2]

At my size and weight I find the SV650 a bit anemic....but I'm used to larger displacement bikes.

Have you considered a nice Kawi Z750S? A bit "larger" framed than the 650s, I-line 4 engine that isn't as "peaky" as the 600s. Right wrist control is an issue no matter which bike, but staying away from the Liter bikes (and larger) might be a good idea. The C-10 Concours has to be twisted pretty good to develop top horsepower. Its really docile when ridden "softly", but it is top-heavy when full of fuel...if he wants a sport-touring bike to begin with.

I suggest a "naked" or partially faired bike for the first years worth of riding.

 

[ROADHAZARD]

How about a 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250. Nice bike for about 8500 bucks.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Well seein's it's Friday I could tell ya what I think, but....

6'6" 250 An he can't fit or fold? up to a rocket? must be past my 48 years or outa shape.

Just sold a gsx1000 last year. Only 'cause I wasn't wise enough yet.

:jester:

 

[FJRBluesman]

Only 'cause I wasn't wise enough yet.
:jester:

Are you saying you're wise enough now???? Or still not yet....

 

[madmike2]

How about a 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250. Nice bike for about 8500 bucks.

TOO MUCH POWER!

 

[Bustanut joker]

Only 'cause I wasn't wise enough yet.
:jester:

Are you saying you're wise enough now???? Or still not yet....

Well, I can jerk off with either hand......... Damn wrong forum.

Yep

:jester:

 

[FJRBluesman]

Bust... TMI- I guess in your part of the country they call that, "multitasking".