will GS 'fit' me?

[gqelements]

hi, i;m new to the forum and would like to introduce myself.
i am a new rider looking to buy my first bike. i have some experience riding friends' machines, but yet to pick up my own.

my first question would be - Do you think GS500 would be a little small for a 6foot, 195 pound guy? i have broad shoulders and do not what to look like a russian bear on a tricycle. I what to go naked, so it is between SV650 or the GS500.

GS is obviously cheaper and better to learn on, but SV is bigger and [arguably] better.

could you guys let me know what you think?

thank you in advance,
looking forward to participating in the forum discussions,

dS.

[raylarrabee]

I'm 6' 6" and 220 (34" inseam and 37" sleeve length).  My knees hit the tank in kind of an uncomfortable location, but with riding-specific pants (padded knees), it's not a problem.  Depending on your proportions, you should theoretically fit on it better than I do, but the only way to really know is to sit on one and see.


Given unlimited money, I'd rather have a bandit, as it has signifigantly more legroom.  For right now, though, I'm fine on the GS...a little cramped, but fine.

[Cal Price]

Welcome, we have several big guys who ride the GS, this has come up before. The SV is "bigger" but the sportier riding position may not suit, eventually it's a case of you-pays-your-money-and-takes-your-choice, try and get a few test rides and remember if it's not too comfortable after ten minutes it will be a big problem in an hour. There are a few things you can do with bars and springing but you won't make a GS a lot bigger.
I don't know whereabouts on the planet you are but in Europe there are a lot of "Rally" and street-trailie hybrids about that often suit the taller in stature. Transalp, Africa twin etc,. For a naked all-rounder the GS wants some beating.

[pantablo]

the 2001+ gs500 is comparable in physical size to the sv650, the older gs500 (89-00) are a bit smaller and thinner but any of these will fit you just fine. There are a number of members here that are *at least* your size.

Also, check out this thread from another forum. This is a new rider looking for a first bike and this post has pictures of him on the various bikes. He's a tall guy and it was interesting that the kawasaki ex250 fit him so well.
http://forums.about.com/ab-motorcycles4/messages?msg=509.1

In terms of power the gs has plenty to haul you around at high speeds.

[gqelements]

I'm 6' 6" and 220 (34" inseam and 37" sleeve length).  My knees hit the tank in kind of an uncomfortable location, but with riding-specific pants (padded knees), it's not a problem.  Depending on your proportions, you should theoretically fit on it better than I do, but the only way to really know is to sit on one and see.

33 waist and 44 chest, 32 inseam

question: you mentioned being a little cramped but not beyond discomfort - does it look a little funny though - or can you pass it off?

[raylarrabee]

question: you mentioned being a little cramped but not beyond discomfort - does it look a little funny though - or can you pass it off?

Well, I haven't seen anybody openly laughing at me, but maybe that has something to do with being 6'6", 220 and dressed in all black. :dunno:   Seriously, though, I'm not sure if it looks funny, as I haven't had anybody take any pic's of me on the bike yet.

As for comfort, the biggest problem is that my knees hit the tank right where it flares out to it's full width.  With the padded knees on my riding pants, it's not a big deal, but it was pretty uncomfortable after a while with jeans on.  One solution I've found is to move my feet back so the balls of my feet are on the pegs.  This brings my knees down to right about where a'normal" sized person's would be on the tank.  This obviously requires a little movement to get on the shifter/rear brake, so I normally only do it for extended cruising or on the twisties.

I think I could solve a lot of the problem by re-shaping the seat in order to push me further back in the saddle.  That'll be a project for this winter.

You have slightly shorter legs than I do, though, so the ergo's might work out completely differently for you.  At 6' tall, you're not that far from the middle of the bell curve for height, so I doubt you will have all that much trouble fitting on most bikes.  

Sadly, the only real way to know for sure is to spend some time on the bike.  If you're just starting out (I'm totally new, too), my advice would be to buy a cheap, used GS and see how it suits you.  If you find that you don't like it, you can probably unload it w/o losing any $ and you'll have a better idea about exactly what you want.  I'm happy with the bike for now, and the fact that it's light, relatively cheap, easy to work on, and cheap to insure makes it a great beginner bike.

I plan on keeping it until (a) I learn to ride a LOT better, and (b) I can afford a used Bandit.

[charleym3]

I'm 6' and 240 riding a 90 GS500E.  I don't have any trouble, but I haven't been in the saddle for more than 30 minutes at a time yet either.

[crash]

i'm 5'11" @ 195lb (*pats belleh*) and i fit fine on my 2k1.

although i must say that if you're more of a sporty sitter, you'll probably have to change out the handlebars, as the stock ones would be too high/close for you

2c

[raylarrabee]

I have Srinath's bars on mine, and it certainly adds some much needed reach to the bike.  What I really want to do, eventually, is to put some different rearsets on it and move the pegs.  That's a job for a good welder, though, not for me.