What bike for a tall fat bloke?

[Scooty]

Afternoon all,

After my CG125 being written off by the local scum trying to nick it, I'm looking to book my DAS in the next couple of weeks. Have been planning for a while what sort of bike I would be looking for after my test, and came out with a couple of clear favourites:

CBR600F
YZF600R Thundercat
Suzuki SV650

However, I went to have a sit on a few bikes at the weekend, and have found out that these bikes are tiny... I'm 6' 4" and the wrong side of 18 stone, so not a small person!

So, the SV650 is small and uncomfortable, the CBR600F is better, but still too small, and there wasn't a Thundercat to try.

So, my query is: Are there any bikes around 600ccs that you would recommend I have a look at? The bike would be used mainly for commuting, and I want something with a sporty look, rather than a sporting pedigree.

By far the most comfortable bike I tried was a 2000 VFR800, so I'm giving this some serious consideration if anyone has any opinions one way or another?
____________________
Current Bike: 2018 Honda CRF250L
Ex-Bikes: 2002 Honda CG125, 1998 Honda VFR800, 2011 Honda CBR600F, 2013 Triumph Sprint GT SE, 2015 Kawasaki ZX10R

[Teflon-Mike]

Look away from the pure sports bikes. A street-bike will probably fit you better. Fazer, Hornet, Babndit etc.
Dont be too bothered about keeping it to 600cc. Its the bikes behaviour / nature, not its engine size that will urge you to stupidness or keep you sensible.
Just remember that the throttle goes BOTH ways and is an infinitely variable analogue input.... not an on/off switch!
VFR could do you well, if you like & it 'fits'.
Thats the main thing, get a bike you are comfortable on, rest will follow.
For commuting, though, would have to caution about 'big bikes' for the job.... the task squares tyres, stretches chains, eats brake-pads & colapses wheel-bearings. Maintenence costs are high in consequence & you dont save much fuel slogging through the city.
If THAT is to be its main task, unless yuo like throwing away tyres with loads of tread on them & enjoy getting your mits creasy changing chains.... something a little more, err... 'mundane' may be a better bet, preferably something with shaft drive..... BMW's still excell in the role.... but plenty of alternatives.

[Scooty]

But, but, the commuting bikes aren't pretty

If I can keep costs down to less that £100 a month (excluding fuel), I'll still be saving more money than on my current train ticket..... The commute is mainly fairly quiet A-roads, so not too much town riding, so fuel economy shouldn't be too bad, and a 45 minute ride each way shouldn't be too harsh on an engine.

The reason I would avoid sportsbikes is because even 'soft' sportsbikes (CBR600F) feels small and cramped, and the new ZX-6R feels like a childs toy beneath me. However, I just don't like most styles of bike. Nothing against anyone else who does, but I tend to find only the sporty looking bikes pleasing to the eye.

So, VFR is still the leading contender
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Current Bike: 2018 Honda CRF250L
Ex-Bikes: 2002 Honda CG125, 1998 Honda VFR800, 2011 Honda CBR600F, 2013 Triumph Sprint GT SE, 2015 Kawasaki ZX10R

[pepperami]

[Scooty]

[Kal]

*cough*Hyosung GT650R*cough*

failing that

The Bandit 600S?

although to be honest the most practical bikes for you are either going to have a more or less flat bench seat (Commuter bike then) or a enduro/trail type of thing like the Transalp
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[chris-red]

If you want to drop the sports bike look, a TDM900 is perfect for you it is massive and the engine is nice and torquey around the same power as the bikes you are looking at and the insurance is reasonable (probably less than the old 600s) Only poroblem is it isn't a looker

Reliable and perfect for the commute though.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[WD Forte]

Whats your budget?
If you want to commute on it screw the looks
go for reliabilty and longevity
K series Beemer, Deauville, Pan mayb even a Divvy900
not water cooled OK, but a shaftie
Ok I'm a shaftie fan and dont ever want a chained bike again.

Right thats my two pennorth, I'll go back to swearing at the telly
and leave you in peace......

[metalangel]

Don't get an SV, have you considered something bigger like a Blandit or Fazer or Z750?
____________________
Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[TCGS]

50cc Piaggio Zip

[Teflon-Mike]

[WD Forte]

ha ha ha ! Brilliant !
Trotter, love the name
One of these I assume?
https://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/moto_guzzi_trotter.jpg
I want one
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bikers smell of wee

[Scooty]

[Teflon-Mike]

[defblade]

I'm 6' 4" and 16 stone, fine on my Bandit 650 (although the fairing's a waste of time for me - might as well be a naked).

Actually, the v-strom was a better fit, but it's sooooo ugly

Just go and sit on as many bikes as possible till you find one you like
____________________
Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[WD Forte]

Scooty Puff
I'm obviously biased as I ride a k100RS but
as the K's are not 'real' BMW's they often go for very good prices.
I know guys with K75's and K100/1100'S and the things can log up massive mileages
without major work and definitely Worth considering on your budget.
Smooth, biddable only goes as fast you want it to
A mate just got a good K100Rt 58000 miler for £600
hardly run in at 58 thou

NOT sporty but well built and solid .No street cred, not sexy or a fanny magnet by any means
but I'd jump on my 87 RS and go anywhere in Europe with no worries
Spares not a problem sometimes pricey but what bikes aint?
My RS will cruise at a ton all day long and give 50 MPG
Aberdeen to bristol on a sunday afternoon last year
I was knackered but the bike would have kept going round the clock
Not bad for a 22 year old bike eh?

After a CG125 any larger bike will feel awesome at first
My lad passed his test and I got him an old CX500 I got cheap as his first
'big' bike he's still riding and enjoying it now 3 years later.
he doesnt give a monkeys when his mates with sporty bikes take the piss
about him ridng a bike older than he is.
I'm 6'3" hes 6'7" and the old CX is a good old runabout if looked after but
many are showing signs of distress nowadays and you need to know them to keep
em running.they can also suffer from rot in the frame and swinging arm but
as his dad does all the work and servicing, hes got no worries.

If you want cool/sexy ignore the above but whatever you get I suggest you
take your time,consider what you want and how you want to use it and read up on the bike/s
and gather opinons before buying.
there are still good deals to be had for your money, dont get beguiled by chrome and plastic
check out the UBG buyers bible as well
https://www.usedbikeguide.com/bible/index.asp
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bikers smell of wee

[Scooty]

[Teflon-Mike]

[WD Forte]

Scooty Puff
It just occurred to me that you may be well advised to
trot down to your nearest biker cafe/hangouts have a llook at
whos riding what and chat to all and sundry.
Bikers love talking bikes and I'd be surprised if you didnt get
advice and opinions galore.
Dont be embarrased by turning up on a CG125, ignore any snobs
and talk to the genuine bikers, many of whom will say
"I used to have one of them" and regale you with tales of
their early biking days.
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bikers smell of wee

[Scooty]

[Teflon-Mike]

[stuartadair]

Hiya,

I've been riding a Suzuki GSX500 recently which was a real struggle as it was slightly too small.

I've got a ZZR400 which is a perfect fit and I'm 6ft 4 and weight...well lets just say its a lot

[Louise]

My old boss rides the VFR - he is 6'1 and fits him nicely.
Nice bike, fits him well and he loves it....
he also has a huge beer belly
Not saying you have of course

[Adamantis]

If you wanted to have a sit on a t'cat, and you're not -too- far from sw London, you can have a sit on mine.

I love my Cat

[chillyman0]

well im 6'3 and around 19 stone and ive just bought a vfr750 (much better looking than the 800's if you ask me) and it suits me great, from what i've read aviod the non- vetec 800's as they have less go than the 750's, the vetecs are probs out of your price range so get a mint 750 like mine for £1700 ish
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preivious : 2007 Skyjet 125 (died), 1991 gsf400 (problems, rotting in garden)
1996 gsf600n (sold)
current : 1996 VFR750 for sale, PM for info! 2000 E1 ZX-9r