Big guy lookin to ride

W

wabi-sabi

New member
Hey riders. Sorry for the length

I'm Erv, 21 almost 22, about 6'8" 360ish. Never ridden that before but working on changing that soon. Signing up for the MSF course in the next few days and lookin at more bikes as soon as I get off work tomorrow.

I've been reading threads for a few days now, just registered today so I could talk and whatnot. I've been thinking about riding for a few years and stopped to look at bikes...HD, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda.

Anyway, orginally lookin at the Yamaha Star line, but feel in love w/ the Boulevard as soon as I sat on one. Read posts about the C/M50 as great starters, but I do have aquestion.

For those that have them, do you think they'd "fit" me? Most people here seem to be a lot smaller than me riding 50s. I know its how it feels to me, jus wanted to get others ideas. I have sat on an C90 and C109, so I know reach isnt an issue cause I have arms and legs for days. I was just curious about the weight and possibly being cramped.

So, any thoughts about a C50 or M50 as a first bike for a 6'8 360+ guy???
 
Either bike will be good, although either one will require you to get some forward controls i'd think...if for no other reason than to make you more comfortable. I'm 210, my wife is 125 putting us at 335 lbs and riding two up have never been left needing more power.

That being said...maybe get into a used bike if you can. Ride and learn on it and then once you're skills have increased, something like a c90 might be more along your lines.

Good luck

PS: Your post looks like a singles ad Big guy lookin to ride :lol4: be carefull, there's a couple of members that might PM you
 
The C50 might work, but larger guys usually find the C90 to be the best choice. It is physically the largest bike out there in terms of ergonomics, so people with long legs simply fit on it better than other models. While it is bigger than most bike I normally recommend as a first bike, the power is refined and easy to handle, and the bike has a nice low center of gravity. And I do know several people who have gotten one as a first bike. It would probably fit you well, being longer, wider, and more powerful than the C50, while not being any harder to ride.
 
I would go with the C90. I'm 6'4" and find it comfortable. Plenty of room for me. You being 6'8" I think would find the 50 small. I know I did.
 
Hi everybody. I've never posted on a website before, so here goes. I've enjoyed reading your posts and have learned a lot already, so thanks!! I sold my first motorcycle in 1975 when I joined the Navy and I bought a Suzuki S50 last September, and it's been a lot of fun. I guess that makes me a 32 year returning rider. The S50 made it easy though because it's so easy to drive. Thanks for a great forum!!
 
Hey Camp21178, I just posted in your other thread. Welcome again, and you're right, you'll get more of a response in your own thread.

Ride safe.
 
My thread's been hijacked. No worries. I went to a couple dealerships to look again on friday. Just talk and weed thru some BS and get another look and some info from salesmen.

I've gotten mixed reviews on jumping to a 90 over a 50 b/c of my size even tho I've never ridden before saying I likely could handle it. Kinda like what DrBob said. My major issue is handlebar clearance at my knees.

One guy was just showing me bikes and I really liked the Kawaski Raider, nice bike. Another really tried hard to sell me on the Hyabusa.
 
I am 6'6" and 230 or so. So I am not quite your size but pretty close. I would recommend strongly a used first bike. I had never ridden before and was talked into getting THE BIKE YOU WILL STAY WITH as a first bike. It has worked out okay but the learning curve has been long and more difficult. If I had it to do over I would get a smaller cc bike to learn on even though I would be a little cramped. I have a 1600 vulcan and it fits me pretty good but it has been heavy and at slow speeds, and tight spots a real pain to learn on. Going on a two years and I feel confident now but if I had gone smaller to learn the basics I think it would have come quicker.
Just my 2cents.
James
 
I have a 6'7" buddy who rides an M. Got his a week after me, and rides it EVERYWHERE. As in over the last 12 months he's taken his car to work ONCE.
He would like some forward controls added, but overall he's not too put off.
His stance is that at his size, nothing outside of a custom job will be big enough ergonomically.
 
The Raider is a Yamaha model....if I were you I'd look into a used M109R. They are comfortable and look nice, and have plenty of power. You can pick up a used one from $8500 on up...good luck!
 
M109 is a LOT of bike for a beginner. I have the C90 with two inch risers on the bars and it is a very good thing.
On paper the 90 is only a couple of inches bigger than the 50 but it seems like it is waayyy bigger.
The LC1500 is the older version of the C90. You can probably find one in good used condition. It is pretty much the same except for being carberated.
:welcomes:
 
I know this. I told them I wasn't opposed to anything (but I am leaning heavily towards the Suzukis) thats how I ended up there. I was just looking around. I looked at the size specs and I'm right there w/ you henc90t, about the actual feel. I'd love to find a 05/06 M95 or decent priced Kawaski Mean Streak (same thing.) The 109 is beautiful and feels great but I know thats a bit much for starters.

Anyone know why they dont make M95s anymore????
 
Lots of reasons. The easy one is that they and Kaw decided to stop sharing bikes.
Suzuki wanted to tempt the US market with an "Americanified" muscle bike (akin in performance to the V-Rod), and the M95 wasn't it.
 
Because the M95 didn't sell nearly as well (or have as many accessories available) as the Meanstreak.

I see Meanstreaks here a lot. (for sale) Look around on Ebay & don't forget craigslist.
 
I disagree. :)

There are a ton of bikes that fit the big guys very well: Yamaha Road Stars & Ventures, Kawasaki's bigger Vulcans/Nomads, Suzuki's C90, C109, and M109, Honda's Goldwing (hey...if I'm that big...I'm looking into them), any of the sport tourers (designed for looooong legged folks for sure), and quite a few of the Harleys.

Friend of mine recently got a RoadStar I think (help me out here Dr. Bob, what's BJ's new ride?). It's one nice looking bike, very low seat height (which I like) and the controls are good & foward (too far for comfort for me, but might fit you great).
 
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