Replacement bike suggestions for long inside leg

[daverave999]

After some cock has misappropriated my bike last week I am obviously in need of a replacement. I've been hankering after an upgrade for a month or so anyway but this has given me the push to sort it. This may get a bit tl;dr but bear with me if you can as this was my first bike that got nicked so I'm not really sure what way to go now.

I was on a 2001 Diversion 600 and I quite liked the upright position around town for visibility but as soon as I got into NSL I found myself leaning forward mainly to get a bit more shove into the bars for cornering. I'm 6'2" with an inside leg of 35" so something where my knees aren't by my ears would be nice.

I liked the comfort, how easy the Diversion was to do maintenance on, the sound once you get up the revs, the bit of protection the bikini fairing gave and the fact that chucking it on the floor by accident would cost less than £20 to fix. Until it disappeared, I also enjoyed believing that nobody would want to steal it.
I disliked that it was a bit of a barge to corner on, the fact the headlights were crap if they were all you were relying on and the brakes were a bit lacklustre.

Budget of £2k I guess; would like to spend less but could likely stretch to £3k if something takes my fancy. Use is mainly commuting so needs to be reliable, with the odd long trip. I'm no speed demon but I do like a bit of go for when the mood takes me. Ability to take a top box is a big plus. Currently shying away from Suzuki for the 'dissolve in the rain reputation' and I generally like the look of Yamahas.

Thoughts so far are:
TDM as I suspect it will fit my size very well, but don't know whether I'll like a twin. Probably a bit out of my price range too.
FZ6 as they look cool as fuck with the underseat exhaust, and I like the fact it revs high. Also probably too much

Mrs Rave is driving me round the bike shops tomorrow and I'm intending to try all the bikes they have for size to get some ideas, but I'm asking for suggestions to look out for on Gumtree and Ebay too (apart from my own bike ). Any ideas welcome! Thanks.
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2007 Versys 650 2001 Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
HT: Imagine a bike......A bike designed by way of crude polls, assembled by cretins using the finest hammers that Lidl had on offer.

[Shaft]

[chris-red]

TDM! mine has ~80,000 done plenty of touring and commute daily. Few odd issues, but still going strong!

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11150703_10153248758058476_2335300367766793234_n.jpg?oh=da253e6e1c4e419edd2721e591a01ad9&oe=55F1389D
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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.

[Polarbear]

With reference to your size, I would look at adventure style bikes. Versys, V Srom, etc. however I don't know if they are within budget.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[winz]

Striple.

Am I doing it right?

[Dave500]

Have a look a versys when you are out you'd probably get a 1st gen so it would be quite vibey but it's very comfy for my size (6ft4 and a 36" inside leg) good fun to rev too.
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Bye bye Z hello Versys

[Clanger]

I personally have a Versys 650 (5'8" tall with 35" inside leg). I love it. I call it the armchair. Should have got it a lot sooner than I did.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[daverave999]

Quick summary while I'm on my phone so I don't forget:

FZ6 and FZ8 didn't feel too cramped (FZ8 pegs seemed nearer but felt better around knees/thighs), and felt like it might be pretty manoeuvrable as steering angle is quite steep. Not sure whether it would be a bit much for longer distances though. Love the look of the FZ6. Trying not to persuade myself into the FZ6 for solely aesthetic reasons!
SV1000 was horrible.
Versys 650 felt really good. Good position, wide bars, plenty of space for legs. Bike itself seemed very small but in a pleasant way. 1000 a bit heavier but still pretty nice. Bars too wide for filtering?
V-Strom felt clumsy and heavy.
ER-6F was all wrong. Bars horrible, strange seating position.
GSX-R750 was surprisingly good, especially with stomp grip on the sides. Unexpected.
TDM900 was very comfortable but felt huge. Would be spot on for long distances but not sure around town? Expensive.
MT-09 fitted well but no fairing.
Speed Triple felt weird, but not sure why.
Triumph TT too small.
Aprilia Dorsoduro felt like it would be great fun but impractical for any distance.

Might be more to come if I remember...
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2007 Versys 650 2001 Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
HT: Imagine a bike......A bike designed by way of crude polls, assembled by cretins using the finest hammers that Lidl had on offer.

[Clanger]

[Blustagg]

Recently changed a 2009 Triumph Tiger 1050 triple for 2014 Tiger Sport

I'm 5' 10", inside leg 31" and the Tiger 1050 was a long stretch, couldn't get my feet flat down, put a gel seat on it which lowered the seat by around an inch. Triumph have made the seat narrower on the Tiger Sport which helps a lot, its not just seat height for those of us with shortish legs..

I think you'd find the Tiger 1050 a very comfy ride, as it certainly isn't cramped. Great riding position, the 1050 motor is a smooth torque machine. Basically the same motor is in the STriple, but that would feel very cramped in comparison to a 1050 Tiger

Only 2 downsides with the Tiger were hopeless headlights, so a HID conversion is a must, and a fairly clunky gearshift, but to be honest the torque curve of the 1050 motor is so good you aren't constantly shifting gear

Triumph have now sorted these issues on the Tiger Sport which has new quad headlamps and a redesigned gearbox

Unfortunately £2K wont find a 1050 Tiger, but early ones with high miles (which isn't a problem for this motor) can be found around £3750 ish. Would be worth selling the dog, mortgaging Mrs etc to raise funds..

Or a KTM 950/990 and remortgage Mrs...

[Wednesday Biker]

[Blustagg]

here's my lovely new Tiger Sport

Unfortunately I seem to be struggling to find suitable long legged females who like riding pillion, and the Mrs is very anti 2 wheels, has been for the past 25 years and wont change her mind...

[daverave999]

I've been having a think and checking out reviews, and realistically, the Versys seems most suited to my use. The one thing I can't get past is the lack of a centre-stand.
For the Versys owners out there:
Does the lack of a centre-stand really piss you off?
How are the brakes on the earlier models?

I'm not rushing into anything as I'm also hoping to try out an older Fazer for size as this could certainly save me a few quid. I'd consider a 2002/03 model for the improved lights. Anything that might be a deal-breaker for me on this?
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2007 Versys 650 2001 Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
HT: Imagine a bike......A bike designed by way of crude polls, assembled by cretins using the finest hammers that Lidl had on offer.

[daverave999]

Rode home earlier on my new (to me) Versys 650!

2007 in black with 26k on the clock. Plenty of extras that I wanted: hard panniers, top box, LED running lights, alarm, chain oiler, heated grips, radiator grille, rear hugger and probably a few more bits I can't remember, all for around £2k! Very please with it, just freaking out about it getting nicked...

First time I'd ridden a twin and I've got to say I love the power delivery on this bike after coming from the Diversion. Seems to pull in any gear at any revs, and it's a very confidence-inspiring ride. Took the twisty route back and by the time I got home I'd forgotten that I'd never ridden this bike before. I reckon it will be ideal for me!

[EDIT] Just noticed two days ago I wasn't rushing into anything. Funny how things change...
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2007 Versys 650 2001 Yamaha XJ600S Diversion
HT: Imagine a bike......A bike designed by way of crude polls, assembled by cretins using the finest hammers that Lidl had on offer.