gs500 ergonomics for taller riders?

[wamanning]

i'm new to motorcycling and i'm curious how well the gs500 will work for a tallish rider.  i'm 6'1" w/ +35" inseam.  i loathe a cramped riding position, in particular really bent knees such as the riding position found on the typical crotch-rocket.

[wamanning]

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11101&highlight=ergonomics+tall+riders

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13074&highlight=tall+riders

[pnaberhaus]

wmng,
I'm 6'5" and also have a 35" inseam. I find I'm able to ride for hours on my '89 GS w/o being uncomfortable. As a matter of fact, when I ride, I usually have my toes, rather than the arch of my foot, on the pegs in order to get my feet up and back further. Even though I'm 58 and have been riding this particular bike since '92, I've found the riding position to pose no ergonomic problems whatsoever. My affection for the semi-crouched "racing" position might stem from the fact that I've had my bikes set up this way since 1972. To me, anything more upright feels downright  bizarre.

[Slavik]

i am just fine as well.......6'1", 220 lb, 34 inseam....

[JMyrick]

I am also 6'5 and have no problems on the bike other then crushing the boys sometimes but a quick stand on the pegs fixes that

Joe

[Roadstergal]

Damn tall people.  

[J-Double]

I'm 6'2" and was not cramped on my GS when I had it.

[RVertigo]

6'0" - 32" inseam - 165 lbs ( )...  I do have a few issues because my knees are messed up, but my knees only hurt after I've been on the GS for about two hours...  But, I also ride with my toes on the pegs, which bends my knees a little more.

And...  I have awful posture, so my lower back starts to hurt after about an hour.  Sitting up usually cures that.

[Jake D]

6'1", 230, 34 inch inseam.  I like the ergos on the GS.  But I've never riden any other bike, so maybe I really have no idea what I am talking about.

[brembo]

6'5", 75kg, no problems ridng for hours, but I do start to get pains in the lower back after 3+ hours. I have found going to the gym and working out a little helps strengthen the lower back though, which in turn reduced fatigue and pain. I ride with the balls of my feet on the pegs 90% of the time

[rritterson]

I ride on my toes too. I feel like I have more leverage in corners. When I'm on the freeway, though, i switch back and forth between my arches and toes, though, because my knees start to bother me.

The ergos aren't bad, but they aren't perfect either. Aside from a BMW or Goldwing, though, it's hard to find a bike that'll feel great after many hours in the saddle.

[RedShift]

I'm 6'4", 225 lbs with a 36" inseam, and I find the GS500 more comfortable than any other standard or sport bike of similar size.

The Kawasaki Ninja 500R felt crampt and the tank flare cut into my thigh.  The Ninja 250 just felt small to me.  The KLR 650 was of interest, and might have been an option.

The Yamaha FZ-6 and the Suzuki SV-650 are interesting bikes for the tall rider and represents the best of what is good about the GS500 -- more upright seating position, with sportbike leg position.  The GS500 won out with polite power delivery and price.

Best to check it out for yourself, if you can find these bike in dealerships.  No one can make this decision but you.