I will start by saying that i'm more of a cruiser guy at heart, I do want a harley night train some day. I figure that i would be better off however learning about bike dynamics (while very different) on a street bike or naked bike as a starting point. What do some of you other taller riders ride? I'm signed up for the Harley Rider's Edge course sometime in early May. At that time i'm going to be picking up a bike, maybe sooner if I find a deal but i obviously will let it gather dust untl i can get instruction.

 

Suggest you sit on bikes so that you find the ones on which you are comfortable as a start point. But if you want to go the cruiser route, why not start there?

 

buy an older standard naked bike, that you wont mind dropping every now and then. Go to some track days (one's that teach). WEAR A HELMET!

 

Well I am 6'4'' and when I bought my most recent bike (Yamaha YZF600R) I found that a tall rider has to go towards the more touring road bikes or of course cruiser bikes. The R6 and CBR600's were a little to cramped for me.

 

The Kawasaki ZX 12R is good for tall riders

 

I think i would feel more comfortable learning on a cheaper bike, something about the fear of dropping a 25K harley that would add to the tension of riding as I'm learning. I really like the Honda 919, it reminds me alot of the suzuki SV650 ( i know for sure I cant fit on the SV), i'm going sometime next week to look at the 919 and see if it is any roomier.

I remember a while ago i sat on a couple Ducati Monsters, but i do not remember how the fit was. I dont think I need/want the maintenance required with such a bike for starters.

As far as the import cruisers... they dont offer the same feeling as a harley (or american custom). I was considering picking up a sportster, but they are way to small for a guy my size...

As if its bad enough I cant fit in an S2K out of the box... i wonder how limiting my height is in the two wheel arena...

 

Get a pocket bike . LOL

The Duc Monster should fit you,as a side benefit you can learn bike repair since you will break down quite a bit. We have a couple of Duc owners in our riding group. When you buy your Harley you will be used to fixing bikes.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WFO Racer

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Busamav

 

How do you know that a Jap cruiser can't offer the same feeling as a Harley? You stated that you are just learning.