How is this bike for a BIG rider?

[mds2004]

When I say big I mean I am currently at 270lbs and 6'4''. I am currently looking into getting my first motorcycle and this is the bike my eyes are set on so far. The problem is I have yet to sit on one to see how (un)comfortable it will be for my stature.  Are there other bigger sized riders with this bike too? Any info or input would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Mark.

[NWDave]

6'4 is tall, not to say a 500 wouldn't work for you.  It would work, but for comfort sake I would say sit on one and see what you think.  Short distance commuting would be ok, but your knees are going to feel it on the longer rides.  Try a dual sport?

[lossfound]

I can say that the weight handling (on paper, anyway) is definitely as good as any bike you are likely to find in this category. I'm a few dozen pounds short of you but the bike has absolutely no problem hauling me around. Haven't done two up yet but most sub-750cc bikes top out "officially" at under 400 pounds, the official haul-ability on this bike is around 440, which is really pretty awesome. Under 500ccs I've only seen a couple of really old Hondas that can officially handle much more than 350 or so.

The seating on this bike is very standard and upright, but I am not sure how comfortable it would be for someone over 6'1" or so (I'm 5'9", no problem flatfooting, I'm pretty much standing up). If you have long highway commutes you might take the advice I saw from another forum poster and try using the passenger pegs for long stretches, that might work. I can't imagine there are any such things as forward controls for the GS...

[mds2004]

My long commutes would be about 2 hours for when I travel  home from school which will not happen often as I have a daily driver for that. Other than that this bike is simply for pleasure and training me as I am a new rider. I am sure the weight is fine too as I keep losing it and should be down to 240 soon. My height is the problem that is worrying me and I really do not have any interest in dualsport bikes although I have read that these are better for the talller riders. I do do not mind the cruiser look either  but I was thinking the gs500 would be a perfect starter bike for me pending on my comfort problems.  Thanks.

[darb85]

dont worry about height, im 6'3"  no isues.  but i dont have an answer for ya on the weight.  Though there is a guy around here thats about the same and rides a gs.  dont know him though but it seems to go ok

[lossfound]

The weight question has come up before, there's some thread around here where a bunch of 300-pound GS riders say they have no issues.

I think the role of weight for a single rider is greatly exaggerated. Before this bike I had an '87 GS450, a '98 Ninja 250, and an '01 Rebel (in that order going to most recent-- I was going for a more reliable commuter each tradeup). Everyone tried to tell me the Rebel wouldn't be able to handle me at 240 or so and that I should go for something beefier, and I believed them until I actually rode one, because it did just fine - even 2 up.

Of course, I know that's not the OP's concern, and I definitely would NOT recommend a Rebel for a 6'4" rider. I had the forward controls on it and it was still too small for me. Point being I think people get way too worked up about the effect of a rider's weight on a bike's abilities-- it's part of the unfortunate big-bike complex we have stateside.

[toyopete]

My long commutes would be about 2 hours for when I travel  home from school which will not happen often as I have a daily driver for that. Other than that this bike is simply for pleasure and training me as I am a new rider. I am sure the weight is fine too as I keep losing it and should be down to 240 soon. My height is the problem that is worrying me and I really do not have any interest in dualsport bikes although I have read that these are better for the talller riders. I do do not mind the cruiser look either  but I was thinking the gs500 would be a perfect starter bike for me pending on my comfort problems.  Thanks.

For a starter bike it might be okay, about the weight issue I do think it is important, I weigh about 135 and my lenght is 1,77 meters whatever that might be in foot/inches. the GS 500 fits me like a Armani suite, my weight makes a big difference, because  if we ride dual with the lady were talking about 265 and I miss power and braking force for sure...

[Jay_wolf]

Im 6 ft3 , and 13 and a half stone , and this thing is Rapid , And MK1Cali is 6ft 6 and does trackdays , and he uses it alot , and he doesnt seem to mind at all 

[frankieG]

ok what is stone in non caveman language

[Jay_wolf]

Stone is how We Measure Weight Frankie ...

I looked up a conversion just for you , im a 191 Pounds

[BassHz]

I had the same concerns about weight but not height.  I'm 5'11" - 290 lbs. and I ride a '00 GS500e.  I'm sure the bike would zoom to redline a little faster if I shaved about 75 lbs. (which I am attempting to do) but it still feels quick once it hits the power band.  I estimate my 0-60 at about 5 seconds which is kinda slow for a sport bike but there aren't many cars that will keep up with it.  I'm still new to the bike and working on my 1st gear starts.  I'm finding I have to rev higher and ride the clutch to get a really smooth launch.

I agree that the GS is a great starter bike because it's relatively inexpensive, nimble and has enough power to keep the ride exciting.  Plus there's this great web site!

One reason (of several) I stayed away from the Buell Blast was that I thought I would feel like a gorilla riding a scooter because those bikes are built shorter with smaller wheels.  You should definately pick a bike that feels comfortable to you.

Here my pic from the member wall of fame:
http://www.gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/17530/normal_Me_on_GS500e.JPG

I may still look like a gorilla on a scooter but I don't feel like one.  I do plan to check into suspension modifications to see how much it would cost to beef it up a little.

BH

[tripleb]

I'm 6'3" and I have no issues.  I've also ridden with my gf and we're prob about 350 together and everything handles fine so I think you'll be ok.

[ohgood]

The wife brings the total on bike height / weight to 12'3" and 350 lbs riding two up. You do the math, we're not small people.

We've taken all day cruises with big 1500cc cruisers, HD guys/gals, and they're generally surprised at the gs's capabilities.

I/We are usually comfortable for the first hour or two, then take a scenic break. Besides, you gotta eat man

Your weight and height are both non-issues for the gs500.

Ride n Enjoy

[mds2004]

You guys have no idea how happy you just made me. This is for sure m :cheers:y primary bike that I am searching for but I still plan to sit on it first before I  make it my final decision. I hope I can become a real member of these forums soon 

[ohgood]

Man, I forgot to mention the ninja 500ex. AKA ninja 500r.

They've been making it forever, a little more power, fairing already there, parts are easily found like gs's.

Just something else you may want to sit test.

[reminor]

Engine-wise the rider's weight is mainly a concern when just initiating movement. i.e. taking off on a bike (when fighting something called in physics 'dead mass'). More mass needs to be moved, more effort it takes. With a humble GS engine it may be the biggest challenge. Once the bike is at speed it takes much less effort for the engine to keep up.

So if the startup dynamics of GS will bother you my suggestion would be to eventually swap the 16T stock front sprocket to 15T, or even 14T. That will change gearing ratio and will allow to use GS torque a bit better. One drawback that 14T sprocket will effectively 'remove' your 6th gear (e.g. you'll ride in 6th with the same revv's as stock 5th). It's all covered very well on this board.

Don't forget about stopping. More mass, more effort to stop. So think about swaping your brake lines to stainless steel. That'll give you better brake feel and action.

Also, I guess you'll want to rejet sometime down the road to boost your power.. And maybe do progressive front springs to give you better steering control.. And also Katana shock for the better rideability.. I.e. eventually go through that 'regular set of mods' many of us did to our GSs..

That'll finally make your bike ideal But as it is a stock GS500 is an amazingly capable machine.

[Hoop]

bringing this WAAAAAAY back from the dead.

Do any of you 6+ foot guys have pictures of you on/with your bikes? These bikes arel ike hens teeth around me. Otherwise I'd just go sit on one and see if I fit worth a hoot.

[JHoffy8]

I am 6'5'' and 235... i feel ok.. prob look a bit funny but I never feel uncomfortable even on long trips.... being young and flexible probably helps a bit.


Don't worry guys that was just a spin down the driveway, I don't ride in shorts or without a helmet!

[Roadstergal]

If you're tall, you might want to consider a cheap dual-purpose as a starter bike/streetbike along with the GS500.  DR-Z400S if you're not going to see a lot of freeway; DR650 if you are.

Dunno if they're more like beaks around where you are, but another option.

[joshr08]

Or as a bigger rider you could always change out the rear sets to move your feet back a bit more.