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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 26 May 2007
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what is the biggest sportbike thats good for new riders.

Hello, im just now getting into motorcycles and am trying to learn as much as possible, im about 6'5 and 300 lbs. I like the sportbikes because the seating position is more comfortable on my back. Which bike would be good size wise to get, Im currently learning on my cousins bike around the neighborhood before I start the class, its a suziki gs, however a little small. Any recomendations.
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  #2  
Old 27 May 2007
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Thumbs up what bike?

Buy your cousin's bike or similar and ride at least 10,000 miles and go a least 3 states away from where you are. Then get back to us with your big plans . Ride a lot its the best way to learn if you want to ride a lot more.
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Old 27 May 2007
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......and while you are doing that, borrow as many of your friends bikes as possible and ride them, talk to lots of other riders where-ever and whenever you are out and read all of the bike magazines that you can get!
Also, fall off a few times, preferably at slowish speeds.
Oh yes, read the threads in here as well!
Try a few test rides of bikes that the dealers have in your area.
That will get you started!!

Enjoy,

Dave
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  #4  
Old 27 May 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Newbie311 View Post
Hello, im just now getting into motorcycles and am trying to learn as much as possible, im about 6'5 and 300 lbs. I like the sportbikes because the seating position is more comfortable on my back. Which bike would be good size wise to get, Im currently learning on my cousins bike around the neighborhood before I start the class, its a suziki gs, however a little small. Any recomendations.


You may find it comfy on your back, but your wrists and knees won't thank you, especially on a long ride, but I MAY be wrong As some others have said, get some saddle time in, try some 300/500 mile day rides, your height may be a stumbling block (I am 6'1" and find sports bikes far too small, but then I am getting on in years). You will find it a good thing to be able to move around on a bike, to relieve pressure points, until you have really experienced the 'I can't feel my ass for the pain' syndrome, you won't understand Whatever you choose, pick function over fashion, you won't regret it



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  #5  
Old 27 May 2007
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A big lad like yourself will probably find the lastest range of sportsbikes pretty cramped - ok for a short ride, but no good if you want to head further afield.
Take a look at the Yamaha Fazer 600/1000 or Suzuki Bandits if you want a comfortable road style bike with plenty of space to move around on.
Whatever you get make sure it's at least a 600cc - you'll quickly become bored/frustrated if you get something too small.
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Old 27 May 2007
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Talk about possible trollers

So can Newbie311 really be serious - as in, he knows so little about motorcycles that he posts a question about what kind of sport bike to buy to a website for adventure travel motorcyclists. I know we're all a friendly and helpful group, but...

Is this for real or what?

C'mon Newbie311 - level with us!
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Old 28 May 2007
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what about all the people doing hardcore adventure travel on Sportsbikes then? (RTW world on an R1, trans Sahara on a TNT etc)

If you want a fun bike for tarmac the get a sportsbike, if you want hardcore off-road get a 250 - 650 single, if you want a good compromise get a big traillie. I would suggest an Africa Twin or a Cagive Elefant (if you have a strong mechanical bent or a large servicing budget). In an ideal world I would have a 250 2-smoker (for local off-roading), a Highland Allroad (for longer trips and sick speed) and a Fireblade (for track days etc).........

Whatever you get ride it lots and lots - that's the way forward. Would agree that anything under a 600 would be a bad move for a road bike (first bike was 750 and never had any probs handling the power).

Last edited by henryuk; 28 May 2007 at 08:49. Reason: mistake
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Old 28 May 2007
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Originally Posted by henryuk View Post
what about all the people doing hardcore adventure travel on Sportsbikes then? (RTW world on an R1, trans Sahara on a TNT etc)
So, the Newbie311 has never ridden a motorcycle before - thinks that he's more comfortable on a sport bike - because of the position!? - than something else. And is asking for advice from this group as to what to buy. Sure, you can go RTW on just about anything, as the members of HU have demonstrated over and over.

Sorry if I think this post is a bit fishy.
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Old 28 May 2007
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Time will tell Quastdog - lets see what "Newbie" decides to buy. When he gets a bike, that is one more convert!

Newbie,
Go for it! Lots of info in here about bikes and related things but, as Quastdog says, not too much about sports bikes (in fact, probably nothing!!) - however lots of contributors to this forum will own more than one bike including a wide range of sports bikes, or they owned one (or more) in the past or whatever.......

Dave
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  #10  
Old 29 May 2007
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My apologies, as I said I am new, apparently not the best site for new people. Amazing how anybody gets into it with responses like that. Despite a few very helpful ones, I think I will try a different site, thanks for the help for those of you who arent CAPTAIN CYCLE.
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  #11  
Old 30 May 2007
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Thumbs up Stick in there "Newbie"

No problems Newbie -- you will come across people who are on all sorts of forums as well as this one + we all started somewhere with this particular one!!!!

If you read into the info in this one you will find a vast amount of different opinions held and views are expressed with a lot of conviction at times; that's the advantage we all have of free speech.

It's often been said that you can go round the world (RTW) on any bike, including a sports model so this site is as relevant to you as any other single contributor IMHO. BUT, we don't all ride around the world and that is not a qualification to use this forum.

If I can make one suggestion: please put in your name on your next posting - Newbie sounds very "remote"!!!

Cheers,

Dave
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Old 30 May 2007
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Stay with us...

...and I got to agree!! Some of the folks here seem to write their comments just to p... o.. others. So - don't worry about them!

If it was me, I'd get a nice BMW, Honda AT or TransAlp or something similar! With your size and with what you are planning to do - yup...that's it.

It all depends also on your budget, of course!!
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Old 31 May 2007
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Angry

I'm guessing Newbie didn't read this - from the homepage

"Are you a Motorcycle Traveller? Does the smell of spices wafting through the air make you think of Zanzibar, a cacophony of honking horns is Cairo, or a swirl of brilliantly patterned clothing Guatemala? Then this is the site for you!"

I'm guessing he did a search of motorcycles, came up with this website, and posted his note without even checking into what this website was all about.

He's clueless, about bikes, motorcycle travel, and this website. When I read his post, before anyone responded, I figured he posted for kicks it was so lame.

I couldn't believe anyone actually responded to his question, which is why I jumped in.

And it just won't die, will it?
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  #14  
Old 31 May 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quastdog View Post

He's clueless, about bikes, motorcycle travel, and this website. When I read his post, before anyone responded, I figured he posted for kicks it was so lame.

I couldn't believe anyone actually responded to his question, which is why I jumped in.

And it just won't die, will it?

Maybe some people like to give 'benefit of doubt' before knocking folk


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  #15  
Old 31 May 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quastdog View Post

He's clueless, about bikes, motorcycle travel, and this website. When I read his post, before anyone responded, I figured he posted for kicks it was so lame.
Well, if he's 'clueless' (only your opinion), what better way to get clued-up (is that a word?) than to ask questions? How else do you find stuff out?
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