What size motorcycle is right for me? I am 6'1" 280lbs, I am a bigger guy. I want a street bike.?

Question

My friend said I could have his 1995 suzuki GsxFR 600, wondering if that is to small for me. I don't care about power, I just wanna be able to ride it around town and enjoy riding it around. Don't plan on going as fast as I can or anything, just more of a hobby enjoy the weather type thing.

I am more worried about if I will fit comfortably on the bike, and be comfortable riding it, or will I be to wide for this bike and should go bigger?

Answer 1

Just sit on it...1000cc bikes aren't much bigger than 600cc bikes. They just weigh a little bit more and have way more power.

Get a sport touring bike if you're worried about the riding ergonomics. :)

Answer 2

I knew a guy 6'4" and 310; he rode a Honda Shadow 700.  It got him down the road just fine and he fit with a little room to spare.  I tried it out; I'm 5'10" / 185 and it fit me too.  Nice bike.

The midrange street cruisers seem to have a lot of flexibility built into them; you'd probably have a wide range of choices from any of the builders.  Being as big as you are, I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than a 500, however.

It's my experience motorcycle salesmen aren't like car salesmen.  These guys love to ride, and they want more people to ride, and they want everyone to enjoy their ride.  Talk to them and see what they recommend.

Answer 3

most of the bigger guys I know ride eye abusers, not that it's a good choice for a starter bike, but just an idea for down the road...

Answer 4

A great bike, and affordable, is a 6 - 8 year old Kawasaki 1500 V twin cruiser. That will fit you nicely. It is not a super power bike, around 55 hp I'm guessing. First you need a little experience on a smaller bike, say 3 months in traffic etc. Have fun.

Answer 5

i would recommend a BOSS HOSS or any harley touring motorcycle or a triumph rocket III touring, maybe an old honda valkyrie

Answer 6

honda VFR

yamaha fz

kawasaki zx7, 9, 12

suzuki katana, TL

Answer 7

I really enjoyed my BMW R1150RT, with extra thick seat.  I'm also 280, and have a 32" inseam.  With the thick seat, I rode with it in the lowest position, and could juuuuuust reach the ground.  If you were to position the seat higher, you would probably find it to be the best handling, most comfortable bike you'd ever ridden.  Not the most powerful, but certainly adequate--police ride a version of it.   It has gobs of storage in the bags, an electrically adjustable windshield, probably heated grips. They're bikes for riding.  A LOT.   Oh, yeah, and far too--7 gal fuel capacity and 40something mpg.