Tall Riders!

[Tall_Dallas]

Here's the scoop fellas!

So I'm quite tall (6'10") and my girlfriend isn't such a tiny woman either at 6'2".

I have previously owned an '02 Suz DL-1000 (V-Strom) and an '04 CBR1000RR.

I think I've matured past my "crotch rocket" days but still am not a "cruiser" type person by any stretch.

The FJR has always had my eye even back when I was on my CBR.

I'm looking at getting the '13 model this coming late winter / spring.

** My question:

Has anyone had any issues with the fairings hitting their knees? I sat on a FJR at the dealer and it was a close enough fit that I really think I may need to get adjustable rear-sets to drop the pegs down or back at least an inch. I've gotta find the comfort spot between my knees hitting the sides of the flair of the tank and the fairing.

I haven't found any good rear-sets that were for the FJR (still looking).

Any tall riders had any issues and what adjustments did you find most accommodating?

Anyone dropped the pass pegs down any?

yes, I realize I'm asking questions that probably only one or two FJR owners have had to consider... ever... LOL

Thanks in advance!

 

[VanHarlan]

6'10" OY! I'm 6'4" with a 35" inseam . . . and have 30,000 on my 07 FJR. She's pretty much stock except for the following: new risers to bring the grips up & back, taller windshield - I prefer the Cal-Sci but that's a whole nother can of worms to open up, I haven't had to raise the seat but do have a pro-comp sheepskin gel pad making the sitting height about 3/4 inch taller.

As I'm aging I'm noticing that my knees pay for particularly long days of 500+ miles so recently I've considered either lowering my pegs or raising my seat using the stock adjuster.

Really my biggest battle was coming up with a windscreen solution that mitigated the buffeting but wasn't the size of a barn door.

 

[Tall_Dallas]

Really my biggest battle was coming up with a windscreen solution that mitigated the buffeting but wasn't the size of a barn door.

I was thinking about that as well. I expect I'd have the same issue and I've been looking at options online.

I typically don't "fit" in anything and I have become accustomed to adjusting anything I buy to fit me.

I would think that raising the seat possibly combined with an aftermarket which is taller would be my best bet for getting my knees some relief.

I am looking at some 300-500 mile rides in my future though I haven't ridden in years since I sold my CBR shortly after my son was born due to finances and such. My son is now almost 7 and I can't wait to take him for a ride on the back roads.

I may end up having to customize these pegs for my long term use but I still think I'm going to be happier with the FJR than any other bike I've considered.

 

[Bokerfork]

6'4" here with average inseam. Knees are very close to front panels but don't hit. Have to say that the bike feels rather small to me and after following Patrick(RsvlFeej)who is about the same size, on his Gen I, I gotta level with you. You're gonna make the FJR look like a mini bike. I'm sure you are more than aware of your limitations when it comes to cars and motorcycles but you might have to go with a large cruiser or Goldwing.

Best of luck to you,

Mark

 

[lonewolff]

I'm not that tall or tall in any comparative measure. I'm 6' but have short legs and a longer body. My problem was that I needed to lower the seat to put both feet flat on the gound. I had the stock seat worked over twice to get the feel that I wanted. After that my knees started to hurt with the lower postition. I ended up buying the motorcyle Larry's peg lowering kit. I only bought the front ones. My knees are great when I ride and have no issues. I would recommend them for you since you will have the same crunched feeling when you fold your legs up to ride. I have also purchased the hwy pegs he has on his sight as well as the risers he sells. I installed the risers and moved the bars back to me so I sit more upright in the saddle. I bought the grip buddies and no longer have the hand go numb and have a soft feel to the grips. While I was at it I bought and installed the throttle meister. Why do I say all this... because I can routinely go out and ride 400-600 mile days with zero fatigue from the bike, wrists, knees, back etc. You will love the FJR like we all do but you will need to spend some money to make it yours and ride with out any issues. BTW, with lowering the pegs I have touched down the toe of my boots in steep corners. I avoid this by simply moving my feet back and placing the balls of my feet on the foot pegs when I'm in the "sport / twisty mode" of riding. I have not touched down since adopting this routine.

https://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5&zenid=339s9l9p432vrij0ptdatskq65

 

[CAJW]

Being about 9" shorter, but with a 36" inseam, I think I feel your pain. I've had occasion to bump my knee pads in my Aerostich against the fairing, but went with a bit taller than stock (Rick Mayer) seat., that helped a bit. Also having long arms allows me to slide my butt back just a bit, which puts me in a semi-crotch rocket forward lean, but keeps my knees clear of the fairings. I too am a former CBR rider so this doesn't bother me and helps keep me out of the wind blast if cross winds make for unacceptable turbulence. You didn't mention your inseam, but guessing you have a fairly tall torso so a Cal-Sci Med or Lg might be the ticket in the windscreen dept. I switched recently my Cal-Sci Med to a stock 03' windscreen and really love the extra air when it's hot, better yet my Mrs. likes the smoother air it affords. So many choices, so many opinions, wish I sold seats and windscreens, I'd be cleaning up!

 

[Road_Runner]

You might consider these as part of the package:

For rider:

https://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_5&products_id=32

For passenger:

https://www.motorcyclelarry.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_5&products_id=31

 

[Nikk]

I'm 6'6" with a 36" inseam. I'm a tight fit. I've actually put some clear protective film on the fairing bits where my knees rest. My knees aren't normally resting on the fairing unless I'm braking or riding hard.

My wife rides with me often, so I have experience hauling a passenger. I also have size 14 feet. I would caution lowering the rear pegs. I already have to fight for space when I need my toes on the pegs for aggressive riding.

 

[Fred W]

I'm only 6'2"... I know, practically a midget right? And I obviously have no fit issues with a feejer, but I can definitely envision some at your size. Your pillion will be OK with some peg lowering, but you will be pretty well folded up. OTOH, if you've been riding a CBR1k, well this will feel spacious. Compared to the V-strom, not so much. The seat to pegs distance on the 'stromboni is pretty darned generous for a street going bike.

I've got a long torso and only 32" inseam. I've found that there is not a windshield around that will allow truly buffet less highway riding for guys my size or bigger, which you clearly are. I just don't think there is a chance in hell you will get behind a shield at your height.

The solution is to go the other way, and go short. Try to get a shield that takes the windblast off your torso some, but keeps your head up in the clean relatively buffet free air. I do that most of the year with both the V-strom and the FJR, and all of the year with the VFR (which gets ridden a lot less when it's actually cold out).

Good luck with your decisions.

PS - normally I tell people that are considering an Old Wing to just cut their losses and buy themselves a sporty convertible, but in your case I don't think you'd fit well in one of those either.

 

[Top_Speed1]

6-4 w/ 34" inseam and I'm at what I feel is an almost limit for the Feej! Can't imaging 6-10 ...holyshamunga Good luck

 

[Tall_Dallas]

Thank you all for such great replies.

Yes, my inseam is about 39+" so I am typically cramped on any bike. I know I heard a few mention the goldwing and I will respond by stating only that I threw up a little in my mouth. I'm only 34 and I really am looking to tear up some twisties while also keeping the touring side available thus I may look into the goldwing idea when I get older and.. er-um slower? (ducks to avoid incoming objects.) NO THROWING HELMETS!

What I've gathered thus far is that lowering the passenger pegs, raising the seat, buying rear luggage with backrest and adding a slightly taller windshield would be the first things I do.

after that I may see what else is needed.

Thanks for the link to "Cycle Larry" I think that site will be a good bookmark to have around when I get her.

My girl is from Arkansas (damn razorback) so I can easily see us having weekends where we go visit family and enjoy some back roads in that area.

I'm just as concerned with making her seating comfortable too. Nothing worse than a pissed off passenger on long rides... *eye-roll*

 

[wfooshee]

Yeah, find some of Yellow Wolf's dragon videos on Youtube...... Then tell us about the crummy Gold Wing and twisties.

(Although I don't want one, either!!!)

 

[FJR Bill]

Geeze my only complaint of the FJR is its too tall for me (29 inch inseam) when maneuvering in parking lots, turn arounds etc. My rideing buddy at 6ft 4 thought he was too cramped on his FJR, so he sold it. He bought a Vstrom and he and his wife riding on back have been happy ever since.

Bill

 

[Falko]

6-3, my knees touch in the lower seat position when I have on my Dainese pants, the knee pads are fairly thick. I also added some 3M clear protective material to those areas. I ride with the seat raised and that helps a lot. But, a 39" inseam? Multistrada and forget about good wind protection, you aren't going to find it anywhere. Get a good quiet helmet like a Qwest.

 

[lonerider]

6'4" here, with a 35" inseam and a bum knee. My '07 (with the seat in the upper position) has the minimum leg room I can tolerate; past injuries and arthritis contribute to that. You're gonna be cramped with your dimensions; hope you don't end up having to lower your pegs and decrease your cornering clearance. I use a Heli triple clamp and Wild Bill's highway pegs to stretch out on long rides. Also have a GL1800 and don't find the leg room on that to be much more than the FJR, YMMV.

 

[lonewolff]

https://www.thetankslapper.biz/

 

[jcyuhn]

I think you will be rather cramped on an FJR - not that any other bike will fit materially better. I am a lanky 6'0" and find the pegs are high enough to give me discomfort in the knees and hip flexers on long days. And clearance behind the fairing is pretty much all used up with my 34" inseam.

I am surprised at all the taller riders that have fitted bar risers. The stock bars give me an almost neutral sit-up-and-beg riding position; pulling them back would just result in more bending at the elbows.

One concern I have not seen raised in this thread is GVWR. The FJR is rated to carry roughly 425lbs total weight, including both passengers and all luggage.

For grins I suggest plugging your stats into the fit simulator at https://cycle-ergo.com/ and comparing to other alternatives.

 

[airportcop]

Thank you all for such great replies.

Yes, my inseam is about 39+" so I am typically cramped on any bike. I know I heard a few mention the goldwing and I will respond by stating only that I threw up a little in my mouth. I'm only 34 and I really am looking to tear up some twisties while also keeping the touring side available thus I may look into the goldwing idea when I get older and.. er-um slower? (ducks to avoid incoming objects.) NO THROWING HELMETS!

What I've gathered thus far is that lowering the passenger pegs, raising the seat, buying rear luggage with backrest and adding a slightly taller windshield would be the first things I do.

after that I may see what else is needed.

Thanks for the link to "Cycle Larry" I think that site will be a good bookmark to have around when I get her.

My girl is from Arkansas (damn razorback) so I can easily see us having weekends where we go visit family and enjoy some back roads in that area.

I'm just as concerned with making her seating comfortable too. Nothing worse than a pissed off passenger on long rides... *eye-roll*

Great roads they have down in Arkansas! I ride them often and always attend the Bikes Blues & BBQ rally in Fayetteville! I think the peg lowering pieces will help as will raising the seat and a tall windshield. I'm 511 and have a 33 inch inseam. I am cramped at times but it is more the riding style (foot position) than the space. You can't go wrong with an FJR. Tons of power for two up riding and good storage for trips. Very fun & reliable bikes too.

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

I've got a long torso and only 32" inseam. I've found that there is not a windshield around that will allow truly buffet less highway riding for guys my size or bigger, which you clearly are. I just don't think there is a chance in hell you will get behind a shield at your height.

The solution is to go the other way, and go short. Try to get a shield that takes the windblast off your torso some, but keeps your head up in the clean relatively buffet free air. I do that most of the year with both the V-strom and the FJR, and all of the year with the VFR (which gets ridden a lot less when it's actually cold out).

Good luck with your decisions.

Gotta agree with Fred; if anything, on the windshield, you may want shorter. Actually, the stock shield may be perfect for you. I'm 6'3", and wish the stock shield was shorter, probably by a couple of inches. Right now, the clean air line is right at the bottom of my helmet, which is very annoying. On my '98 SuperHawk, the clean air line is about armpit height, which is perfect.

I have a riding buddy who is 6'7", and he used to have a 929RR, which he loved. Other than knee bend, he actually said it was fairly comfortable for him. It sure wasn't a long reach to the handlebars for him. (Of course, he looked like a gorilla riding a Rupp minibike). He now owns a BMW 1200GS, and it fits him much better. I rode it, and you can actually get that thing to hustle down a twisty road pretty well, and he does a lot of 2-up riding, too.

See if you can bum a ride on one. Good luck with your search.