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Weight vs. bike size

27K views 30 replies 16 participants last post by  GatorJoe 
#1 ·
Obviously new here. Never ridden before. About to take the class in a few weeks.

Here's the thing. I'm a big guy ... 6'1", 280. I've been looking at the SV650 to start on because I can find them relatively cheap (used, of course) and that way, if i lay it down, I'm not wasting "my dream bike" even though I haven't yet figured out what that is.

But some riders have told me that I could probably handle a bigger bike. Thing is, I don't want to "handle" a bike, I want to learn and practice. So ... a big guy my size ... would a 650 be adequate?
 
#5 ·
Xian,
I'm 6'1" and when I started riding again I weighed 295.
I started with and still ride and '83 Nighthawk 550.

If you feel comfortable on a bike, ride it. Don't listen to others. I don't care if I look like an elephant on a tricycle. I'm going to ride what I feel comfortable on and feels easy for me to handle.

CD
 
#7 ·
Awesome. Great to get advice from someone who was in almost the same situation. Thanks much.


The SV will be great for your height, I wouldn't worry about the weight, they have more than enough power to carry a 180 lb rider and a 150 lb passenger for example, which combined is more that your individual weight.
Perfect. I won't be riding any passengers for a long time, until I've been riding for a while and am comfortable with it so that sounds perfect. Appreciate the advice.
 
G
#6 ·
The SV will be great for your height, I wouldn't worry about the weight, they have more than enough power to carry a 180 lb rider and a 150 lb passenger for example, which combined is more that your individual weight.
 
#8 ·
Xian - As long as the bike fits you (comfortable to ride and you're not all cramped up sitting on the thing), a 650 is more than enough bike to move you around. I say go for it.

PS To some of you long time riders out there. I can remember in the early 70's when I was a kid, my Dad had a Yamaha 650. Back then that was considered a pretty big bike. What happened? Boy are we ever getting spoiled!
 
G
#10 · (Edited)
Boy, is that ever true! As a kid ‘750’ cubic centimeters class sure seemed like HUGE bikes. I dunno, perhaps back then (1970’s) it was?! As I was at about 19 years old, 5’ 9-1/2” tall and about 150 pounds – I really felt like a Flea on an Elephant on my at the time beloved 1976 Suzuki GT750A ‘Water-Buffalo’! ;-) Now at almost 51 and 229 pounds and my spine getting shorter (thanks MS!) most of these bikes (including Harleys) have seemed rather tiny. That is until I got this (older) Victory (1507cc) V92SC: with it’s huge 6 Gallon tank, 55mm front Fork Tubes, Large (for a Cruiser) 7” headlight, and 17” low-profile WIDE tires – I again am feeling like a Bug on a Woolly Mammoth! So as it could be said, it’s all relative (state of mind) as far as bikes. What ever physically fits you comfortably I’d say will most likely work out fine. ;-) One of the easiest to deal with (physically) bikes I’ve ever owned (obviously NOT counting past Off-Road Enduro Thumpers…) has been thus far an H-D FXDL-88 (1450cc) Low-Rider – at 26” off the ground seat height, plus (last year of the...) 32 degree Neck Angle, and NOT 1" over stock Fork Tube length of the previous FXS/FXSB models, the bike is a breeze to of dealt with. Nuff’ said?! ;-)

LRG



Xian - As long as the bike fits you (comfortable to ride and you're not all cramped up sitting on the thing), a 650 is more than enough bike to move you around. I say go for it.
PS To some of you long time riders out there. I can remember in the early 70's when I was a kid, my Dad had a Yamaha 650. Back then that was considered a pretty big bike. What happened? Boy are we ever getting spoiled!
 
#11 ·
I think that a 650 would be good one to start out on. I've only been riding for about a year and the bike I bought to start on was my VStar 650 and I'm only 5'2 and weigh about 110 lbs. I sometimes let my boyfriend ride my bike and he's about as big as you sound to be, and he actually looks too big on it. But for someone who is starting out and learning, I absolutely recomend a 650. You'll have a blast! As long as your comfortable on it and you can handle it in all situatons, then you should be fine! Good Luck!! :)
 
#12 ·
Yea, it's funny. Now a days, a 500 to 650cc cruiser are pretty much considered entry level bikes. Thirty years ago or so, a 650 to 750 was a pretty big ass bike. Not now. Heck, in reality my 805 cc Suzuki is really an entry level size. When you have cruisers out there in excess of 2000 cc's you wonder where it's going to stop. Just like the one salesman told me a couple of weeks ago, we motorcyclist in this day and age sure are getting spoiled.
 
G
#13 ·
RELAX...your weight will NOT be an issue on an SV650.
It will have plenty of power for you to learn on.

When looking at rider weight and motorcycle capacity the one thing you can look at for a factual gauge is the motorcycle GVWR (Gross Vehicle Wait Rating...I think :) ). Regardless, the GVWR is the total amount of weight the mfr claims you can put on the motorcycle and still operate safely.

So you can take the GVWR of a motorcycle, reduce it by the weight of the bike itself (remember to include weight of fluids in it) and what you have left is how much rider/gear/baggage weight you can put on the bike.

Using an '03 SV650 as an example consider these specs:

GVWR: 885 lbs.
Reduce the 885lbs GVWR by the weight of the bike/fluids.
This leaves you with a load capacity of 449 lbs!

So on an '03 SV650 you can bet your 280lbs is NOT going to be a problem.
Suzuki has already rated the vehicle as being able to handle 449 lbs.
You have plenty of weight available for bags, gear, accessories, etc.

You can also take comfort in knowing that historically those GVWR figures are set low by the mfr to prevent lawsuits/problems. So again, 280lbs is NOT going to be a problem.
 
G
#15 ·
Afternoon Xian,

Just some further thoughts on the '650cc class' in general: for the past year or so I got to admit I have been following the progress of the Hyosung GV650 ‘Cruiser’, made in (of all places) South Korea. Generally as a matter of course I would dismiss immediately a bike of 650cc, but in the case of this scoot I’ve had to keep following it. The impression I’ve received thus far is though it is a smaller (engine size) bike that has been quite frankly set up to suit larger stature riders. And though I admittedly still reject bikes like such as the V-Rod, for whatever crazy reason I’m STILL drawn to this particular ride…. I don’t know why?! The point being, engine displacement (any more then let’s say Firearm Caliber…) is not necessarily representative of how physically well any given machine may or may not fit your particular stature. Your best bet is to read the specs, check out other’s experiences, and if at all possible, straddle these things IN person. Nuff’ said?! ;-)

LRG
 
#17 ·
Afternoon Xian,

Just some further thoughts on the '650cc class' in general: for the past year or so I got to admit I have been following the progress of the Hyosung GV650 ‘Cruiser’, made in (of all places) South Korea. Generally as a matter of course I would dismiss immediately a bike of 650cc, but in the case of this scoot I’ve had to keep following it. The impression I’ve received thus far is though it is a smaller (engine size) bike that has been quite frankly set up to suit larger stature riders. And though I admittedly still reject bikes like such as the V-Rod, for whatever crazy reason I’m STILL drawn to this particular ride…. I don’t know why?! The point being, engine displacement (any more then let’s say Firearm Caliber…) is not necessarily representative of how physically well any given machine may or may not fit your particular stature. Your best bet is to read the specs, check out other’s experiences, and if at all possible, straddle these things IN person. Nuff’ said?! ;-)

LRG

I would imagine that parts would be a little pricey for that though. Just a hunch. Thoughts?


The SV650, you're talking 70+ hp. That's plenty for your weight, it will push you along just fine, and it's a great little bike that will give you quite a bit of room to grow, hell, you may never outgrow it (skill wise). If you went with a regular v-twin cruiser, however, I wouldn't go less than 800-1000cc's.


If I had my 'druthers, I would go for the non-s (sv650 vs. sv650s). The S has clip on bars and a much more "sport" riding position. With your height, and considering the small overall size of the bike, you would probably be quite uncomfortable on it at and after around 100 miles. Also, I don't know how old you might be, but if you're, well, say, 35 or older, the ergo's will be hard on your back and wrists. The non-s has standard bars and a more up-right sport-touring riding position similar to most any other naked-sport-standard (Kaw Z1000, Suz Bandit 600/1200) which is much, MUCH more comfy for taller, heavier riders. Plus, in sport bikes, there are a lot better choices than the sv650s.

For me though, I would go for the Bandit 1200. I know I say that a lot, but anyone who has owned/ridden one knows why. They are CHEAP, a 1999 or 2000 can be had for 3-3500 bucks. The SACS oil/air-cooled 1157cc motor will run forever and then some, and that motor, mmmmmm, that motor is sweeeeeeeeeet. It's more than mild enough for any beginner. It's a torquey mild-mannered sub-100hp motor that will do everything you could ever want to to, and then, when you're ready, a couple simple mods will push it past 120-130hp and give you some serious thrills. Some more serious mods will push it past 150hp and 100fp! And, it will do almost everything very well. It rides long distances well, it's very comfy, it corners very well, you can sport-ride with it, although it won't win any track events! IMHO, having all that mild-mannered torque down low makes it a very safe bike for the beginner. It's always got power if you need it. You pull out in too low a gear and bog it a little, well, you're road kill on the sv650 or even a 600 supersport! But, that 1200's got so much torque it will pull you on through and save the day!

Think about it!
Definitely information to think about. Thanks for the input. I'll definitely consider all my options. I'm still a couple months away from my purchase so I have time to look into all of this.
 
#16 ·
The SV650, you're talking 70+ hp. That's plenty for your weight, it will push you along just fine, and it's a great little bike that will give you quite a bit of room to grow, hell, you may never outgrow it (skill wise). If you went with a regular v-twin cruiser, however, I wouldn't go less than 800-1000cc's.

Read this...... http://www.westernaspect.com/sv650s.htm

If I had my 'druthers, I would go for the non-s (sv650 vs. sv650s). The S has clip on bars and a much more "sport" riding position. With your height, and considering the small overall size of the bike, you would probably be quite uncomfortable on it at and after around 100 miles. Also, I don't know how old you might be, but if you're, well, say, 35 or older, the ergo's will be hard on your back and wrists. The non-s has standard bars and a more up-right sport-touring riding position similar to most any other naked-sport-standard (Kaw Z1000, Suz Bandit 600/1200) which is much, MUCH more comfy for taller, heavier riders. Plus, in sport bikes, there are a lot better choices than the sv650s.

For me though, I would go for the Bandit 1200. I know I say that a lot, but anyone who has owned/ridden one knows why. They are CHEAP, a 1999 or 2000 can be had for 3-3500 bucks. The SACS oil/air-cooled 1157cc motor will run forever and then some, and that motor, mmmmmm, that motor is sweeeeeeeeeet. It's more than mild enough for any beginner. It's a torquey mild-mannered sub-100hp motor that will do everything you could ever want to to, and then, when you're ready, a couple simple mods will push it past 120-130hp and give you some serious thrills. Some more serious mods will push it past 150hp and 100fp! And, it will do almost everything very well. It rides long distances well, it's very comfy, it corners very well, you can sport-ride with it, although it won't win any track events! IMHO, having all that mild-mannered torque down low makes it a very safe bike for the beginner. It's always got power if you need it. You pull out in too low a gear and bog it a little, well, you're road kill on the sv650 or even a 600 supersport! But, that 1200's got so much torque it will pull you on through and save the day!

Think about it!
 
#18 ·
Since you are getting the bike to learn to ride, it isn't like you need a super large and comfortable bike as if you were going on long road trips....You just have it to learn on for now. As long as you feel comfortable with how the bike fits underneath you and the controls, you should be okay.
 
#19 ·
Yeah and in all honesty, I'm imagining that I will own this bike for only 6 months to a year before feeling comfortable enough to upgrade a bit to the bike I might want a little more. Therefore, a bike with good resale value is important to me ... assuming I don't lay it down and negate that factor.
 
#23 ·
Before you set your mind on a certain bike, I urge you to go to various dealers and sit on all the models they offer. This will give you a rounded feel for what you think is comfortable. At 156lbs, you won't have any issues with even a 300cc. It might be a little cramped, but power won't be a problem. The Fz07 is a great bike, along with the Suzuki sv650 as the OP was looking for, so many years ago... lol. Also, the new Z bikes from Kawasaki are excellent choices. Use the dealerships to find the size and style you want, then shop for a used model to learn on. You want to start on something that won't break your heart if it gets dinged or dropped. After a couple riding seasons, and you feel more comfortable, graduate yourself up to what you truely want.
 
#26 ·
Personally, I wouldn't lock onto any particular brand or model. But I'd definitely stay away from the Chinese bikes even though I've been following a new entry into the adventure bikes family that seems promising. But the only reason I would consider this if I wanted to travel a foreign country and was flying in. Buy new and sell it for half when I'm done if I couldn't rent from a reliable source.

Lock onto a class of bike. This means cruiser, sport, dual purpose, etc. There are simply way too many great deals out there. Pricing has always been my top determination factor. I've never had a purchase where I've gotten to pick out the options or the bike's color. Small trade off as I see it. I see garaged bikes over 10 years old with less than 10,000 miles and less than $4K every day. I bought my first new bike a couple of years ago only because after 40 years of riding, I know what type of bike is "me". It was also two years old sitting in the show room and knocked off almost $3K. I drove across two state lines to pick her up. I'll keep this one until I decide to hang up my helmet for good. That doesn't mean I don't have others in my stable. [emoji6]

Now, for learning to ride, power and inexperience can get you into trouble. I got my start in dirt and heavily recommend everyone learn there as well. For the one reason being, the dirt is forgiving on both your body and your bike. I rode for years and had many falls with my worst injury to this date being a sprained wrist. I did hill jumps and flipped in the air and landed on my back with the worst being my ego being bruised.

If you don't want to buy a dual purpose bike to practice off-road, take any and all classes you can find. It's a start, but by no means will you have "graduated" until you've had over 30-50,000 miles of various situations under all weather conditions under your belt. Get on another bike? It may be the same model but if it's wearing vastly different tires, ride with caution until you learn the tire's characteristics.

My first accident on the road at 16 netted me multiple fractures on my right shoulder blade when I sideswiped a pickup truck. And even though I had been already riding 3 or 4 years by that time, learning is an ongoing policy of life. In that accident I learned that even though the road was tarmac, I was unaware it was heavily dusted with sand from nearby construction which equated to ice-like traction. I was able to lift my injured arm with help from my good arm onto the handlebars which now pointed hard right while the front wheel was pointed straight to get it home.

Im sure anyone with just car driving experience can relate to punching the brake at lightning speed using spider-like instincts to prevent from getting into an accident. Well, on a motorcycle to a newbie, there's a lot of controls now at your wrists and fingers. Clutch, throttle and front brakes. Then there's the gear shifter and rear brakes with one at each foot. Thank God, years ago laws were passed to keep the foot controls uniformed across all manufacturers. I had a Bultaco Pursang 250 with a right side shifter and it's not something to add to the mix when you have more than one bike.

Last, powerful (over 50 HP) bikes when you accidentally slip the clutch, you'll lurch back and as you do, you'll roll on the throttle while you lose your grip and now the bike is out from under you and driving away upright quite well on its own. In a car, pop the clutch under idle and it'll just lurch forward and die on you.

I enjoy motorcycles and would love others to get involved in the sport but not at the cost of a bad accident or death. I tell people, the pavement is hard and not forgiving, at speed it's 40 grit sandpaper. Wear your gear. I lived on twice because of helmets alone even though I'm ATGATT and also avoided "zero" road rash to being fully enclosed in gear. I wear full face with the lift up jaw bar style. Google motorcycles and road rash. I'm still a sharp and handsome looking dude that's pleasing to the eyes. At least that's what my wife and "attracted to males" friends say. [emoji57]Yes, I hear from both sides...No problemo though. I'm friends to anyone that wants a friendship without ulterior motives.
Let me know if I can provide any kind of wisdom and I know the same goes for most here on this page as well.
Later brother!

www.ATGATT.org




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#27 ·
WOW, this thread is as old as I am!:smiley_mornincoffee

Weight versus bike size?????

If you are FAT like I am, then you need a big fat bike so that you won't look ridiculous like on a 50cc moped.:)

Does this bike make me look fat???:confused:

Sam:thumbsup:
 
#31 ·
I know that feeling now .. When first lost some weight was pretty happy with the idea But once started having pancreas problems and lost another 23 lbs without trying did find the lighter weight is a bit rougher in slow speeds and parking with the Indian Chieftain Dark Horse .. But still managing at 150 lbs .. The Dyna is still a Breeze to handle ..
 
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