Looking to purchase my first sports bike(suzuki) any suggestions on the size???

Question

I've been told by experience riders that I should go with a 1000 because of my size 6'6 240lbs.

Answer 1

That depends, First Bike?? or are you an experienced rider switching from a standard to a sport bike?
If you are not an experienced rider starting on a large sport bike is a good way to get hurt.
You'd be wise to start on a smaller bike and survive outgrowing it.

Answer 2

Whoever recommended a liter bike to you must be a mortal enemy and want you dead. The GSXR-1000 has an ungodly amount of horsepower (somewhere around 170 hp, IIRC, which would be like driving a 785 hp Corvette), and Suzuki designed it for experienced riders. I tried riding a liter sportbike with about a year of riding and 6,000 miles under my belt, and it scared the heck out of me. And I'm not much smaller than you - 6'2", 220 lbs.

One thing to keep in mind is that sport bike engine size has absolutely no relationship to its comfort level for taller riders. The riding position is determined more by whether the designer wanted a comfortable street bike or a fast race bike. Probably Suzuki's best fitting sport bike for taller riders is, curiously enough, their smallest sporty street bike in their whole lineup, the DR400SM. That's because it's a supermotard, a dirt bike turned into a street sport bike, and dirt bike designs just give the rider a lot of room to stretch out. The DR400 wouldn't have trouble with your weight, either.

I ride a Suzuki sport bike myself - a GS500F. It's definitely got enough power to haul around me and my luggage, but it's also a forgiving and predictable bike where a newbie mistake will mean a jolt of adrenaline, but not a trip to the emergency room. At your height, you may want to go with the DR400SZM I mentioned earlier, or the DL650 V-Strom. The V-strom has a bit more power and you'll need to be pretty careful with it your first couple of months, but they fit taller riders pretty well.

(Note: After posting this, I realized you may be an experienced street rider who's just never touched a sport bike. If this is the case, I still wouldn't say jump on a one liter four cylinder, but you could consider other V-Strom versions, the Katana 600 through 800 line, or some other, more powerful bikes than the ones I mentioned.)

Answer 3

Wow big boy! your going to have to think something with over 1,000cc and high heat height. If your already experenced rider I would reccomend a BMW Twin Cyl bike. They last a long time and have many advanced features like Anti lock brakes fuel injection a engine quiet enough to hear things around you. German craftsmanship you will be proud to own. Those lould V twins Cruser bikes just don't do it. However of those types Buell American motor cycle might be worth looking into. Decatti, Moto Guzzi have some tall motor cycles. I just cannot see a 6'-6" guy making a Kawasaki 1,200 Ninja Look like a pocket bike and you with your feet folded back legs cramping.

Answer 4

At your size I wouldn't think there would be much diffreance between bikes over 500cc. Generally bikes under 500 are going to be smaller, and probably not fit that well for you. I'm 6'1 with a Kawasaki ZZR1200. It is a sport turing bike, but most people say it is a sport bike because it looks more sport than touring. I changed over to the sport touring becouse they were more comfortable. Loose a little on the handling, but the comfort was worth it.

Answer 5

interesting
i'm 6'4 and close to 300 lb's and i've got a 250 ninja (albeit with a stronger rear spring) it gets me where i want to go quite well, and uses next to no petrol in the process

i'd like to get a 600 but i cant aford it

dont discount the 250's, just because they are 205's. go and sit on some, and take for a ride to see if you like it before making up your mind

Answer 6

wtf 1000 thats too fast to

should get like a 700 or 800