I'm Back / Commuters for the vertically gifted

[DaleJ]

Hey guys,

Sorry for essay, TL;DR at bottom

First of all hi, I hope this is in the right section/not all over FAQ threads and stuff, I did have a skim over the stickies but couldn't see what I was looking for but feel free to hurl abuse and chase me out of town if I'm breaking rules etc.

I'm not completely a 'new biker' as I past my 'restricted' license back in 09 (A2 License iirc?) which is obviously now no longer restricted. After ~ 4 years of being away from biking (couldn't afford to keep a bike while at Uni) I'm hopefully getting back on two wheels around the end of september, as insurance on anything with 4 wheels would cost me almost as much as my tuition fees and rail companies are due to start charging in blood fairly soon.

So, I come seeking some guidance. I've got an idea of what I'm looking for but if anyone with relevant experience can give any further information I'd certainly be grateful.

- I'm going to be commuting for my final year of study at University, ~ an 80 mile round trip, 3-4 days a week.

- I'm fortunate in that there's a number of viable routes I can take including both motorway runs and fairly twisty B roads.

- Ideally I need to be able to get a top-box on the bike - not a necessity everyday but I will occasionally need to take a laptop with me and I'm not sure I'd be happy keeping it in a backpack or soft case (if anyone has more experience with carrying laptops pointers appreciated)

- Preferably I would like something naked or only semi-faired, mostly down to keeping insurance costs down, but obviously a screen would be great for long motorway rides.

- I'm more-than-a-bit tall, which is my main reason for posting here. I'm 6'8 with a 36in leg and I weigh just under 17st, so I don't want my knees up round my ears or my backside dragging on the rear tyre.

- My budget isn't quite as tall unfortunately, I've got around £1750 to spend, maybe to stretch a little more if my parents are feeling generous.

So far I've been looking mainly at;
-Hornet 600
-Bandit 600
-Triumph Speed Four
-Fazer 600
-SV650(faired/unfaired)


TL;DR Bikes for 6'8 tall rider on a 40 mile each-way, 3 days a week commute, on a ~£1750 budget, ~600c for insurance reasons.

Thanks in advance

[Albigularis]

I don't know precisely what would be a good bike as I usually look for the bikes for the shorter rider - I'm 5'6". However, I did find this website which is a good idea of how a bike will fit you - www.cycle-ergo.com. Pretty easy to use, just try out various bikes and you can see what ones are going to be too big or too small. There are other factors obviously, but it's a really good guideline.
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Biking history so far-
Aprilia RS125 - Kawasaki ZXR400 - Triumph Street Triple R - Suzuki GSXR1000 L3 - BMW R1200GS - Kawasaki Z1000 - Kawasaki ZX10R C1H - Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring - Suzuki Hayabusa

[CaNsA]

1995-1998 CBR600F

/thread.

[c_dug]

Pretty sure you'll dwarf most of the bikes mentioned so far. My dad is 6'6" and I'm sure when he rode my CBR a few years back he said it felt tiny.

Personally for a commuter (and especially doing that sort of mileage) I would be after a shafty, also something pretty comfortable and with a decent sized fairing.

If you're willing to sod off any sporting pretensions I would suggest something like a Divvy 900:

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cm4UVj8OflY/Tp2PhgT9kDI/AAAAAAAABEA/9LQpxGMZ_3g/s1600/Diversion+900-02%20

Shaft drive, holds luggage with ease, plenty of room for the larger gentleman, easily under budget, in fact for your budget you'll probably find one with a full set of luggage and heated grips etc...
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[WD Forte]

My lads 6'7" and when looking for something to suit his size
and limited budget, the Divvy 900 was on the 'shortlist'
We mused over TDMs and Vstroms as well.
( it didnt end well, his girlfriend got him to buy a car instead)
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bikers smell of wee

[DaleJ]

Thanks for replies so far guys. Albigularis that site's pretty interesting, though I guess it's difficult to tell how directly it would translate into real-world fit.

I had kind of glazed over Diversions because I'd like to have something that's fun when I'm not commuting too - but I'll definitely keep my eyes open and if there's one nearby I'll be sure to take a peek.

The CBR-6F would be nice but I have a feeling it'd be too small - plus the insurance is nearly half again on anything else I've been looking at.

I am a tall b-*-d but I'm in pretty good shape so I don't tend to cramp up immediately - I used to ride an NSR125 back around when I got my licence and even on 200-odd mile rideouts I only struggled with a little stiffness in my knees so I'm mostly looking to eliminate anything that's unusually cramped

[c_dug]

It's really not as boring as you might think to be fair, but I understand the worry.

Mines got bluespot brakes and delkavic pipes, plus Hagon front and back suspension, it makes for a surprisingly fun commuter.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[chris-red]

I'm 6'5" I've ridden most of the bikes you listed, Owned a bandit and currently own a Speed Four.

I wouldn't want ANY of them, if I was 6'8"

Even the Speed Four which is on the bigger side feels small, I needed to change the Clipons to bars.

I've go for something tall, I currently have a TDM900 which is perfect for me. Others to look for are the Varadero and the V-Strom, however both aren't as good as the TDM

You'll struggle with £1750 to get a 900 but definitely pay the extra to get the one over the 850 the 900's are much better. Don't be put of by high mileage mine is at 70k and still going strong.
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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.

[DaleJ]

Since WD Forte mentioned TDMs above I did take a look and I gotta admit they're looking more and more appealing the more I see of them. What is it that makes the 900s that much better than the 850s, is it just the engine or are there other more noticeable changes? I've seen a fair few 850s within my price range even with luggage/ other extras included and having been off the road for a couple years I'll probably not notice/be able to make use of more engine

As far as the others being small, I'm fine with a bit of forward lean but high pegs might have my knees clipping wing mirrors while I'm filtering. Thanks for the heads up

[WD Forte]

I know 900s are FI and 850 carb
but there's probably lots of other differences
fancied one myself and I'm a shortarse 6'3"

here's a review/comparison
( i do recall a crunchy gearbox was a major criticism of the 850)

https://www.visordown.com/road-tests-used/buyer-guide-yamaha-tdm-850-and-900/14590.html
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bikers smell of wee

[stevo as b4]

ZX12R's are a fairly roomy bike noted for popularity with big and heavy riders. Probably not a lot of use to the OP though?

I kind of wish I was a bigger heavier bloke, as I'd have far fewer reservations about buying a V-max then, but as a 12.5st 6'2 weakling, I think a 260kg bike might be a fraction too much?

[chris-red]

So much is better on the 900.

850's burn oil(To varying degrees but they all do it.)
900 has much better brakes (same as R1)
900 has much better and adjustable suspension.
900 has an extra gear (850 is 5 speed)
900 is Fuel injected.


I really would save for it, I'd take a dog of a 900 over a tidy 850 personally.
____________________
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.

[DaleJ]

I'll be sure to keep my eyes open for 900s then, I may be able to borrow some money from my folks if I find a decent example of one but saving up extra isn't really an option - without a bike I'll be paying £70+ a week on train fare and I only work part time so I'd actually be losing money.

[WD Forte]

On a limited budget and wanting a reliable commuter
first and foremost
I'd forgo looks/sexyness/blah and be looking for a decent, comfy,
easily maintained, workhorse like a Divvy.
Something that will clock up miles with getting all wanty needy.
Maybe something that does the job like the much maligned
Deauville 650 perhaps?
Chrome dont get you home and all that
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bikers smell of wee

[Conzar]

Get a CBR600 F3
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

[Kris]

6'5 currently using a Bandit 600s for 50+ mile each way daily commute. Comfortable and spacious and easily pick up a good one for that money.

(You could even buy mine )
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[rideslikean00...]

Well if the Divvy 900 is anything like the XJ-6 it's gotta be a solid, reliable yet surprisingly fun commuter with just enough torque and top end to be good for leisure rides. I know my XJ-6 is super reliable, I've put about 1,200 miles on it in 2 weeks and to my amazement all of the fluid levels are barely down from where they started. I'd recommend it here but I can't imagine it'd be much fun for a tall rider - my feet comfortably touch the floor and I'm 5 foot 8 medium build, I think it'd feel cramped and restricted for someone well over 6 foot.
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Previous/Current Bikes
2013 Yamaha YBR-125ED -> 1997 Yamaha YZF-1000R Thunderace -> 2009 Yamaha XJ-6 Diversion -> 2007 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer S2