Rider size vs. bike fit

[Gary856]

I'm 6', 170 lbs, w/ 32" inseam. When I was brand new to riding back in Jan '09, the GS felt to be the perfect size and was very comfortable. I can flat-foot it with a comfortable bend in my knees – very confidence inspiring. However, after over 1 year of riding and owning physically bigger bikes (YZF-600R, SV650N, DR-Z400sm), the GS now feels a little small and cramped. The seat is about 1.5-2" too low for me now.

What is your size and how do you feel the GS fits you? It would be helpful if you include your inseam measurement and your experience with other bikes. I wonder who's the tallest, heaviest, shortest, lightest person riding the GS, and how they feel about the physical fit of the GS.

[Lifeforce99]

Im 6'2''  and about 210 lbs with a 34'' inside leg and I find the GS fine although since I took a 7 day tour to Italy and back I cant ride for more than an hour or two before my left shoulder cramps up -_-

Can stand with it between my legs, can sit on it with no problems, can crawl along between cars at 1mph with no issues and when I drop it I have no struggle picking it up since it weighs bugger all.

Ive briefly ridden my dads previous three bikes; Kawasaki ZZR1100, ZZR1200 and Honda Goldwing

Both ZZRs are horrible to me, firstly they're heavy and far too low making them hard to push around outside the garage. The handlebars are bad for my shoulder, giving me cramp in about 10 minutes and the foot pegs are too far back and too high for my legs.... so altogether not something I'd commute to work/go on holiday with

the Honda Goldwing is an armchair with an engine strapped to in and it all fits like a well worn glove, soft supple and comfortable and its so tall that when I accidentally dropped/laid it down gently, fully laden, standing still outside the garage I picked it up on my own

[burnymcstalls]

I'm 6"4 and 315 with a 34" inseam. I find that I'm right on the cusp of comfort. I'm tall enough that the regular bars are good for me, but sometimes too tall to be comfortable cruising at highway speeds over a long time. I tend to tuck under the imaginary fairing ( naked bike) and almost hunch up on my tank, and it seems to help with the ouchies. Makes manuverability great.

[tt_four]

I'm 5'8, 145lbs, and have a 29-30 inseam( haven't bought pants in a really long time).

I think the GS fits me pretty well. My last bike was a full sized 600, and even though I couldn't put both feet flat on the ground I was perfectly comfortable on it when I was riding. The GS I can get both feet flat on the ground with a slight bend in my knees still. That works well for city riding. It feels find when I'm on it as well. I have the ebay gsxr pegs on my bike so that drops the foot position down an inch or more, and I still almost feel as if my knees could be a little higher up on the tank. It works for what I do, I definitely wouldn't want something too much bigger, but could definitely go for something slightly larger. At least it's not like that ex250 I used to have. When I get down in a tuck my elbows would be touching my knees.

[noiseguy]

6', 31" inseam. I like the handlebar position but find my legs cramping up after 1-2 hours riding.

[007brendan]

I'm 6'2" and I think the location of the footpegs makes it feel a bit cramped at times.  I think I would like it better if the seat was just a little bit higher.

[mister]

I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam and have no comfort issues at all. After riding 500+km one weekend and 450km the following, together with the 300+ I ride during the week to work, my legs do not cramp or any such issues.

BUT... I do't just sit rock solid in one place while riding long distances. I make small adjustments - toes on pegs, heels on pegs, arch on pegs, toes point up, toes point down, knees out for small bit, knees in. I do this even though I feel no discomfort, to ward off any. Will not ride longer than 2 hours straight without a break to stretch the legs and sides. I also keep Plenty of fluid in so no internal dehydration can cause ill effects. I also keep some paracetamol on hand - just in case I start having muscle issues and still have a long way to go (usually not taken, but sometimes).

Michael

[luohanfan]

I'm 5'9..
Only weigh 50kg..
Ive done a 19 trip from coffs right through to melbourne on my GS..
Wasn't as bad as i thought it would be..
I find the GS great out on the highway,
And even better once you get into the twisties..
Sure there are more powerful bikes around, but these are a great all rounder..
And pretty comfy compared to a lot of other bikes ive ridden.. (cbr600rr, yzf600 tomcat, bmw 750, cbr 250, ninja 250, and V strom- too big for my liking..)

[jrains89]

6'1" with a 34" inseam and monkey arms to match. I feel cramped honestly, wish I had some more leg room, seat is too low, pegs not low enough. I do not fit on this bike.