GPZ500 Too small - What to go for?

[stephen_o]

Hi, been riding my GPZ500s for a few weeks now and its clear to me that its too small, I am 6ft 2 and need something thats not going to cramp me up. what to go for? er-6? like Kawasakis, and like sports bikes but will look at anything so could you give me your suggestions?

budget is low unfortunately, so anything newer than 2000 is likely to be out of my league.

Thanks

Stephen
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf

[GREENI3]

CB500.

I've just bought one after passing my test and love it.

I'm about 6ft 1 and the riding position is ideal and it doesn't feel cramped at all.
It's a naked, so don't know whether you like that sort of thing, but I put a fly screen on mine and it feels fine.

It's a 2001 plate and I picked it up for £850.

[blurredman]

When I first got my GPZ500 I felt the same. I was getting aches all the time in places I did not get them on the CG125 I was riding prior.

But a few months after using the GPZ500 I started to realise my positioning and how I held myself wasn't correct for the bike. This is why I was having stresses in my wrists, lower back, higher back, elbows etcetc.

Maybe give it a few more weeks/months and try to change your posture slightly, clench your knees to the tank, sit a bit more forward if you can. Hold yourself up with a straight back, and not with your arms.

Did me a wonder of good
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[Sako]

^^^ as above, it does take time to 'gel' with a different bike.

[tsmith]

new rear shock and / or dog bones can raise the bike considerably.

dog bones (fog bones):
https://www.ex-500.com/index.php/topic,5176.0.html

you can fit a taller tyre as well, if it's a 1994 or later model fit a 140/80-17 rear.


decent shock (expensive):
https://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalog/partdetail.aspx?partno=M64006H

[stinkwheel]

[J.M.]

I'm 6ft2 and find my GS500F comfy to ride as standard; without modifying a thing.

Had no troubles doing several hundred mile journeys. Racked up about 1100 miles over the Easter holidays; first time on the bike! Most of those journeys are over 100 miles each.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[stephen_o]

Thanks for the replies guys. I already sit with my knees clenching the tank but will look at everything again. It is not as bad as when I had the CG125 which crippled me after more than 25 mins riding.
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Rogerborg]

[tsmith]

you can get rearsets to relocate the foot pedals back and up a couple of inches:
https://www.bluestreakracing.ca/en/bluestreakracing_motorcycle_accessories/motorcycle_rearsets/woodcraft_cfm_rearsets/c378144247/woodcraft_kawasaki_rearsets/c378144265/rearsets_ex500.html

and clipons to adjust the handlebar width:
https://www.bluestreakracing.ca/en/bluestreakracing_motorcycle_accessories/motorcycle_handlebars/woodcraft_cfm_clip_ons/woodcraft_ex500_clip_ons.html

but replacing the shock on mine made the most difference. when I got off the bike the tyre was almost touching the mudguard, replacing it raised the whole thing up by several inches.

[stinkwheel]

[pendulum]

[Rogerborg]

[stinkwheel]

[Rogerborg]

[stephen_o]

I went into DK bikes yesterday, they are just around the corner from me. They suggested the er6 or versys, I sat on a new versys but was on my tiptoes, then went onto a 10 plate which I was fine. It was surprising to see how much a 2 yr old bike had settled. Both out of my price league for now. The GPZ feels like a childs toy in comparision, a few weeks ago I thought it was massive. lol
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf