View Full Version : Looking for Advice on a Bike Choice
dcolby10
11-02-13, 12:10 AM
Hey everybody
I have been around bikes for my entire life and now I have decided to actually get one. I got my MSF completed and now all I need is a bike. I am looking into the SV650, FZ6, Honda 599, 750 Katana, and the 650 Ninja. I have also looked at the V-Strom, but due to cost restrictions, (college student), I am limited to pretty much the SV, Katana, or older Fazers.
What I would like to know is if the SV is comfortable for 6'3" w/ 34" inseam bean pole such as myself, I am not too worried about having my knees bent, I'm more worried about being too hunched over and my knees coming up past the tank.
Anyways, thanks for your help!
To be honest, in stock trim it can be uncomfortable. I have your dimensions, maybe a little heavier but long legs. The best solution for me was to get adjustable rearsets allowing me to locate the pegs lower. Gripping the tank is ok, the problem is that on long rides the knees are prone where bent and end up feeling like they're set in concrete. The knock on effect is that the lack of natural mobility and movement makes the back more stiff.
If you have longer arms then you can adjust to let the arms support your weight. And reminding yourself to ride on the balls of the feet help a great deal as your thighs act like shock shock absorber. But Its more a question of how easily and freely you can get into this position and move around to avoid getting stiff in the first place.
So lower pegs, higher handlebars (which I personally choose not to have) or using a tankbag to support the weight will all help for longer rides (i.e. regular trip to London for me). For shorter rides I don't find it a problem.
dcolby10
11-02-13, 01:05 AM
I have seen quite a few people put the Buell pegs on to lower them about an inch, I could see doing that as well as raising the handlebars a bit if I had to.
Trust me, an inch makes a big difference for taller fellas like us compared to stock position. Also, what SV650 were you thinking of? I have a K9 S which I believe is taller than the 1st Generation model, and therefore a bit more suited to me I think.
dcolby10
11-02-13, 01:22 AM
I'm pretty much open to any of the models, though I have read that the naked version has better ergos, but I'm up in the air on which one I would want, it all comes down to cost.
squirrel_hunter
11-02-13, 01:37 AM
Trust me, an inch makes a big difference
True.
Wildkid
11-02-13, 06:55 AM
True.
Trust you of all people!
The GSF 600 & 750 are bigger .
Not that much different cost wise .
You can only get old 750's .
Bandits are often used as winter hacks so look carefully.
Sir Trev
11-02-13, 09:32 AM
The GSF 600 & 750 are bigger .
Not that much different cost wise .
You can only get old 750's .
Bandits are often used as winter hacks so look carefully.
I'm guessing you're in the US as you refer to the GSX-F as a Katana :).
The 600 and 750 were effectively replaced by the one 650 injected model a few years ago. It's a Bandit with a proper fairing - everything else is the same.
I changed to a 650 F from an SV and can confirm they are longer, a bit taller and way more comfy for the taller person. If you are indeed in the US you can pick them up quite cheap as their residuals are terrible on that side of the Pond.
Otherwise the naked SV has lower pegs and higher bars than the S model. Go get some test miles in and see what's comfy for you. Have fun!
I'm guessing you're in the US as you refer to the GSX-F as a Katana :).
The name Katana got forever lost when suzuli di that and on a scooter too!
this is a real Kat
http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1983-suzuki-katana-1100-02.jpg
This is the value choice.
http://www.suzukicycles.org/GSX-series/GSX750F.shtml
http://mcndealerportalimagesupplier.azurewebsites.net/Image/GetImage/4750027d-05d7-4301-bac7-3ddd6a28acf2?container=listingimages&width=-1&height=-1&fixAspect=1
Ruth at work has one its too big for her so her partner uses it
MJC-DEV
11-02-13, 01:01 PM
SV is the most uncomfortable bike I've ever has (I'm 6ft). The GSF750F I had before was so confomy I could ride it all day. I think in your list all the other bikes are better for comfort. I have the Buell pegs which did help a bit but there something about its geometry that doesn't work for me, not just that its a small bike. But I'm staying with the clip-ons as changing those would defeat the point of the bike for me.
dcolby10
11-02-13, 05:19 PM
I have heard both sides of the argument haha. Some say it is comfortable, others say that it is horrid. I agree that the GSX-750F is pretty comfortable, a friend of mine has one as his first bike and he says it is incredibly comfortable.
Hi im 6,4 and about 90 stone I find mine comfy but I did find putting my foot done at traffic lights hard as my leg was bent a bit to much made me wobble.
So I fitted +30mm dog bones problem solved :)
The longest ride I have done was to ace café that was about 2 hours in one hit I now that's not far compared with the guys on here but I got off and was fine. 04 plate sv by the way..
SV has more caricature in main due to its light weight and torquey motor ..
Fallout
11-02-13, 09:39 PM
I'm 6'3" and most of that height is in my legs. I found the SV650S curvy comfortable overall, though my knees always felt like they were slightly above the tank grooves. Also glancing in the odd shop window I felt I looked a bit ungainly on it. I now have a k1 gsxr 750 and find it's better suited overall to my height (not that I'm recommending that!), but it's less comfortable overall than the SV.
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