Just a thought, have you considered a Can Am Spyder, you get that big bike feel without the falling over issue.

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Originally posted by chellim1:

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I started out wanting a cruiser and now detest it when I have to ride one for a demo because I'm really not a fan of the seating position.

That's what I'm worried about...
Considering a used Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic cruiser which can be found pretty cheap these days.

IMHO, anything that puts you on your tailbone with your feet forward is going to get uncomfortable very quickly. Unless you're only going to do short stints around town they are just not practical. I also find them harder to ride proficiently than someone with a more "standard" ergonomic seating position.

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Originally posted by Powers77:

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Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

I started out wanting a cruiser and now detest it when I have to ride one for a demo because I'm really not a fan of the seating position.

That's what I'm worried about...
Considering a used Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic cruiser which can be found pretty cheap these days.

IMHO, anything that puts you on your tailbone with your feet forward is going to get uncomfortable very quickly. Unless you're only going to do short stints around town they are just not practical. I also find them harder to ride proficiently than someone with a more "standard" ergonomic seating position.

I don't find forward controls any less comfortable compared to more 'standard' ergos.
My FIL's older Indian Scout has pretty forward pegs & it's no discomfort to me over a couple hours in the saddle.

I did prefer the more nimble handling & more rearward fit of my dad's Kawasaki Vulcan S I had for a while. Much more sporty handling & demeanor, compared to the bigger/heavier Indian.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

I started out wanting a cruiser and now detest it when I have to ride one for a demo because I'm really not a fan of the seating position.

That's what I'm worried about...
Considering a used Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic cruiser which can be found pretty cheap these days.

This gets my vote or even one of the 650's for a starter bike

I'll second what Spinzone said. Given your size I'd look for something like a used Suzuki VStrom 650 or even DR650, Kawasaki KLR650. These "adventure" (or dual sport) bikes will have enough leg room w/o being crazy tall and have the suspension and ability to ride everything from dirt roads up to interstates. They're the most versatile motorcycle because you can do so much with them. Something like: https://www.facebook.com/marke...58-8450-cd7dd2e24cf1

If you're wanting more of a cruiser, look at any of the Japanese brands such as Honda Shadow, Kawasaki Vulcan, etc. Cruisers are lower to the ground which can compromise legroom so what they do is locate the foot pegs more forward. Their shorter suspension also compromises ride quality on less than perfect pavement.

Set aside at least $500 for a helmet, jacket and gloves.

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Originally posted by SpinZone:
I'm going to recommend that you buy a very used, smaller bike. Something that, when you sit on it, both feet are flat on the ground with your knees slightly bent, and in the 500 to 750 cc range. You want it to feel a little small and light.

....Starting out with a smaller bike will allow you to develop riding skills without having to work at learning to control a whole lot of bike at the same time. This will also give you some experience to help you figure out what you like and don’t like in a bike. It will also be easier for you to pick it up when it falls over, because as a new rider, you will forget to put your foot down at a stop or forget to put down the kickstand when you get off of it or something else similarly silly.

Ride that for 6 - 12 months and trust me, you will know when you’re ready to move up to a bigger bike and get the one you want for the longer term. You can recoup the cost of the first bike by selling it or using it a trade in.

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 could be a good option. They seem to be pretty reasonably priced on the used market & would be a middleground on power compared to something like a 650 or 1100+

If the fit is good, an Indian Scout 60 could work as well, but might be a tighter fit for a really tall rider.

Something in the Triumph Bonneville lineup could be an option as well.
I'm quite fond of the Speed Twin 900 & would be near the top of my list if I were shopping today.
The Speedmaster gives more of a cruiser feel, more swept back bards & I believe more forward controls compared to the other Bonnies.

I'll echo CA Phils suggestion of a Road King or Heritage Softail or similar size bike from any manufacturer.

While many here love the mid peg bikes, I can't stand them, they shove big guys legs under them, and they cause me hip pain from the central peg positions.

HD has the Low Rider ST it's light, fast, and I've ridden it several times at the HD Demos during Daytona. Hurts the heck out of my hip, and it has my legs in my chest, but it's a ball of fun.

The stretched out position on Indians, HD and some metric cruisers are way more comfortable for me.

The point? you need to go around to some dealers and sit on the various types of bikes to see what fits your idea of comfortable.

Leaning over like a monkey humping a football on a crotch rocket doesn't do well for my wrists or hips, but it's quite popular with the go fast guys.

Great decision to get riding, take a little time and demo ride some motorcycles, get your endorsement, take the class, have fun.

I have the H-D trifecta of bike styles: LiveWire, Pan American, and Street Glide. All have different riding positions for my frame at 6’-0” and 275lbs.

LiveWire: sport forward style, not as comfortable since you are leaning forward and your upper weight will be on the handlebars. Great for the short trips around town, lack of storage, so you are wearing a backpack to carry anything.


Pan America: Adventure touring upright, can also stand for off-road balance or to stretch on longer rides. Very capable of long distance rides. With saddle bags attached can carry ample supplies.


Street Glide: The touring bike, stock seat is ok, but if you are doing 600-1000 mile days upgrade. Lots of storage.


As the others stated, riders academy, and get out for demo days and ride/sit on a bike. The dealers will also help with the ergonomics to make you comfortable on the bike of your liking. Lots to choose from and ride safe.

My opinion, that most people ignore, is that if you do not have any dirt bike experience, you should get a used 400-500cc parallel twin UJM type bike. Get your license, take some classes, ride it for a year or two, then sell it for near what you paid for it or give it to a kid and then buy what you think you want after you have some riding experience and a better feel for how you will use it long term. In order to know what bike would best you you will not only need to know how to ride, you will need to know the riding that you will do.

I ride solo, for 1-1.5 hours at a time, on rural roads, never commuting, never in town, and never on the freeway. All two lanes, with a lot of twisties, and often early in the morning to avoid the summer heat and most traffic. I rarely go more than 8 over the posted speed more than once or twice per ride and always on a straight with perfect visibility no traffic and no cross roads, then back down to a reasonable speed. The bike I prefer would not likley be one that a social rider normaly rides with groups and does poker runs and such, or someone who wants to ride with the gangs of sport riders or straight pipe Harley folks would choose. That does not make their choice or mine wrong, everybody likes what they like, but untill you figure out how to ride and how the bike will normaly be used best not to blow a ton of cash. If all your buddies ride scooters, then you better get just get a scooter.

Take the motorcycle safety course first. It will keep you from starting bad habits that are hard to break. And it will tell you if you want to do this or not. Look at Can Ams. They’ve got two wheels in front.

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Originally posted by Imabmwnut:
Take the motorcycle safety course first. It will keep you from starting bad habits that are hard to break. And it will tell you if you want to do this or not. Look at Can Ams. They’ve got two wheels in front.

It's been a long time, but the original CA Spyders were some of the most uncomfortable seating positions in the showroom.