Too tall for a GS500?

[Unnamed]

Hi everybody, I'm new to riding (my MSF class is actually in 3 weeks) and I've been looking around at beginner bikes a lot, and the GS500 caught my eye. My problem is mainly my height, I'm 6'4" (210 lbs) which makes me too large for nearly all 250cc bikes (and a lot of 500s). I'm also a college student so my budget is limited, and the price tags of used GS's are pretty decent. I've looked around a few forums but I can't get any sort of concensus out of people about whether I'll fit on a GS500. Is anyone here as tall, and do you fit on the GS500 ok? If not, do you have any other recommendations?

[tussey]

I'm 6'2" 150lbs. GS500e fits me perfectly. I'm also a college student and got my used GS500 for $1100. I hope you enjoy a new GS500e.

[LimaXray]

I'm new to riding too and I'm 6'6".  I looked at a lot of different bikes at a lot of different dealerships.  Aside from maybe cruisers with forward controls, the GS seemed the most comfortable.  dunno for sure, thats just what it seemed to me from sitting on the differant bikes

[dweese]

I've sat on one and was amazed at its height, it's seat is the same as a Honda VFR800.

Want a good laugh go sit on a 500 Ninja I'm 6'3 and when I did my wife almost fell over laughing at me, all she could say was clown on a bike 

[skoebl]

I'm 6'6" as well...I do look rather awkward on the bike, but it's no big deal. It's comfy and was cheap 

[Grainbelt]

I'm 6'2" 150lbs.

If you find yourself in saskatchewan stop by, I'll buy you a steak. I thought I was a skinny mofo. 

[stephan]

I'm 6'2", 220lbs with a 36" inseam and the GS is great.  I've did a 400 mile trip one time with it.  Note that I did say ONE time. 

I was sore but the bike's ergos are great for tall and short allike.  The best thing to do is try one out.  Go to a dealer and sit on one to see what you think.  They may only have the GS500F but it's still pretty much the same bike, same ergos.

Good luck!

[RedShift]

I've got 2" on Stephan but the rest is the same.  The GS500 fits fine.  Others may say that it looks small on us vertically gifted folks, but what do I care what other people think?  I enjoy the bike.  You should too.  It's perfect to learn on, build good habits into riding instincts and gets you anywhere with terrific gas mileage.

Other opinions may vary, but I kinda like my reality.

[pnaberhaus]

Too those with no name,
I've been riding my GS500 for 14 years. I'm 6'5"" and 195lb. I'm very comfortable with the riding position and the peg/seat/tank/handlebar(clip-ons) relationship suit me fine.

[RedShift]

Too those with no name,
I've been riding my GS500 for 14 years. I'm 6'5"" and 195lb. I'm very comfortable with the riding position and the peg/seat/tank/handlebar(clip-ons) relationship suit me fine.

Oh, to be 195 lbs again... 

[Unnamed]

Thanks for all the help, if I can find one for a decent price around me it would be my top choice for sure. In case I can't, has anyone had much experience with other mid sized bikes? My budget is really tight, so I'm limited mostly to what I can afford, and as long as its big enough for me I'd be happy just to be riding. So, if the ebay prices are lower on any of these bikes, would I be able to fit on them?

Buell Blast
Katana 600
Bandit 600 (is this the same as the Katan? I can't figure it out)
Ninja 500
Yamaha FZR 600
SV650

Also, is it possible to remove the fairings on a 500F? If I got one with the fairing I don't see any reason to keep it on for a while since I'd just damage it.

Thanks!

[ptoncracker]

First of all, don't buy a Buell Blast.  It's a POS.  I see them for sale all the time here in Atlanta, and have yet to hear ANYTHING good about them.

As for the remaining bikes, I'd probably shy away from the Yammie FZR.  That's a lot of juice for a first bike- even compared to the Katana and the Bandit, both of which I considered as first bikes.  Both have more power than the GS, but both could be handled well by a careful beginner.  Same with the Ninja 500- you won't "outgrow" it as quickly (if you ever do, really), but you'll have to be a little more cautious as you learn throttle control.

I've got a GS,  and hope to get an SV soon.  There is actually a lot of debate on whether or not an SV is a suitable bike for beginners.  I erred on the side of caution, and went with the GS.  Whether or not you want to start with an SV really depends on previous experience.  If you don't have a lot (like riding dirt bikes growing up- which I did not)- read the online comparisons by performing a Google search for "GS vs. SV" or "GS500 vs. SV"  You'll get some interesting threads on various boards, and see what experienced riders have to say.

Just my $0.02.

-PB

PS- As for skinny, I'm 6" and about 135.  Can you say "motor jockey"?

[Mk1inCali]

I'd stay away from the inline 4s, they tend to be buzzy over 50 mph, even the tamer examples.  Racier bikes, such as the FZR/YZF600R, will only be more so.

I'm 6'6", 185 lbs, and have put motocross-bend tall aluminum bars on my Y2K model, along with different footpeg mounts (rearsets), to shift the ergos around a bit to fit better.

I'll ditto ptoncracker's suggestion to run far away from any Buell Blast, a guy I go to school with has one and it's constantly breaking down on him, just like a real Harley.  That, and I can run away from him pretty much as fast as I like on the streets, handling and power are not it's strong points.

I'd suggest going with a used GS, buy what you can afford now, figuring in how much you will have to spend on good quality gear, and go from there.  I've been riding/racing motocross for almost 14 years, had my GS since 2001, and am just now really wanting to move up, mainly because I put on a lot of freeway miles, and the GS starts running out of power keeping up with California traffic on the freeway with my big body blocking a lot of air.  Most likely going to move up to an SV650 as soon as I have the cash.

Remember to check with your insurance company, most 600s will be A LOT higher.

[Unnamed]

What about the Katana 600? I can't really figure out where it fits into Suzuki's lineup, but some are cheaper than GS's on Ebay.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

d3

[Dr. Love]

DR650's also a good choice. 650 thumper, lots of torque down low - easy to ride, good to learn on if you are tall.
And then 'tard it:

[Killermarmot]

Hello, I just bought an '01 GS500 a few days ago, I'm 6'4" 200 lbs and it fits me great, I'm really happy with the height I'd actually be worried about it being too tall for shorter riders. I suppose that's why I keep seeing "shortened" seats.

[Chris_B]

Im 6'3". The bike is alright when riding, except my knees dont quite fit into the tank reccess, unless i slide farther back on the seat but thats not very comfortable and it messes with my balance. When stopped at a light my knees bend more than I'd like them to. The seat height is definetly a bit low. Still a great bike though.