Is the GS500 a good bike for taller riders?

[mdbHokie]

I'm 6'5" and looking to get my first bike.  I have very limited experience riding (just passed the MSF Basic Rider Training course).  I want to stay under 600cc and get a few thousand miles under my belt before I move to anything more powerful.  I've sat on a GS500 before and it felt ok to me (again...limited experience with bikes).  Are there any tall riders out there who like the gs500?  If not, can anyone recommend another good beginner bike?

Thanks,

Mike

[Codger]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20520.0
Regular discussion

[hmmmnz]

hi there im 6'4" and i found the bike a little small,
but i brought a sv650 shock for $20 and put that in it lited it a couple of inchs and is pritty much the perfect size now.
if only it had another 20 -30 hp 

[domas]

if only it had another 20 -30 hp 

I talked to SV650 rider not long ago. He said the same thing. So does 600 driver looking at 1000 driver. It is never enough as long as there is a more powerfull.

[GS Jenn]

If you do find the GS too small, consider the Kawasaki KLR 650 - that was/is my boyfriend's first bike, and he loves it. It's a very tall bike, well suited to big guys.  It's a 650 which is more than you said you wanted in terms of cc's, but since it's a dual sport, it's geared with some light off-roading in mind, and does not feel as powerful as a 650 sport bike.  It's not really a bike you risk getting into trouble for going too fast. Being a tall bike it is harder to balance at slow speeds than the GS, but being a dual sport it is much more forgiving if you encounter gravel or a rough road. It's also quite affordable.