by "Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
Published 06/16/2017 at 12:18
by "Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
Published 06/16/2017 at 12:18
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STARS: 0
I’m 6'1", 225lbs on a good day, and my motorcycle search is still ongoing. I rode my buddy’s Honda CM400T and it felt like all the power I need.
I’m not going to get a sportbike, I don’t want to go too fast, I just want a toy that I can tinker with and have some fun on the backgrounds near my house.
So my question is, with my weight and height, how much bike do I need? I thought about starting off on a Ruckus, but they have auto transmissions and I wouldn’t be able to break 40mph. Then I thought maybe a Grom, but they are PRICEY if you manage to find one that someone wants to get rid of.
I don’t want to go too fast, I don’t plan on ever getting on a highway, I just want something fun to cruise around with. I’ve been thinking of 125cc bikes like in the picture above. I love the look of it. Is that engine just too small? I’ve been doing a lot of shopping around for a 250cc as well, but some people have told me that an older 250cc might even be sluggish for my weight. I don’t want to take this thing up to Lime Rock, but I definitely want to have some fun. Anyone got any ideas for me to go off of? I know never bikes get a whole lot more power out of each cc (which is why I can get an 80's 750cc Honda Interceptor that’s slower than a 2017 250cc Kawasaki Ninja). But beyond the year of manufacture being a big determining factor, I really don’t know what displacement bike I should be looking for.
"jimz" (jimz)
06/16/2017 at 12:24, STARS: 2
is it going to be primarily on or off road riding? I’m not sure if when you said “backgrounds near my house” if that was a damn-you-autocorrect thing.
"The Ghost of Oppo" (gohstoklasa)
06/16/2017 at 12:28, STARS: 1
When you say, not a sportbike, do you mean not a “crotch rocket”? Are you open to sportier looking standard/naked/streetfighter style bikes? If so, used Yamaha FZs are great bikes.
"McMike" (mcmike)
06/16/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 1
There are still other choices besides the Grom and other smaller displacement bikes that are good for larger framed first time riders - like the Triumph Rocket III
"BobintheMtns" (bobinthemtns)
06/16/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 2
Also, what’s your budget??
But if you’re over 6ft/200lbs and you liked your buddy’s 400cc- I’d look at the honda 650L . Rock solid, even if you’re not gonna dirt it up, it’s still fun around town hopping off curbs etc. Very simple/air-cooled, so working on it doesn’t require a pile of specialty tools... And really, the only mod it needs is a larger after-market fuel tank (but only then if you plan to do trips on it.. around town the stock tank is fine)......
"Hammerdown" (hammerdown32)
06/16/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 1
Along those same lines, if you have no intention of going over 60mph you could downsize even more, to a DR350-400 or similar.
"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
06/16/2017 at 13:15, STARS: 0
For just fun, look at a Ninja 250. It will be the most versatile small bore bike you can own. Also most who say they’re slow have chicken strips that would make the colonel blush :p
Just got a Grom 2 days ago, it is the dictionary definition of “fun”
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:19, STARS: 0
Damn auto-correct. I meant “back-roads.” Although I have a big yard I’d like to fool around in if I got a dual-sport kind of bike. But those are expensive, so road bike only is what I’ll end up doing.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0
Damn Kinja. I tried to edit and put in my budget like 5 times and it wouldn’t save. Kinja’d again.
I’d like to keep it under $3500, but I’d pay more for something interesting.
And I definitely would prefer an air-cooled bike for simplicity’s sake. I’ll take a look at that Honda, thanks!
"jimz" (jimz)
06/16/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0
if you want something cruiser-style, I’d say Honda Rebel 300/500. Something sporty-but-not-a-sport-bike, CB300/500F. Though I’d probably just go for the 500 in both cases.
Now that the Rebel has been completely re-thought, I wouldn’t bother with the old Rebel, or anything like the V-Star 250. They only have about 16-18 hp and aren’t that light.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 0
Thanks, I’ll take a look! I really don’t plan on going over 50-60 mph, just around town.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:24, STARS: 0
I want a Grom SOOOO BAD!!! I even considered financing one even though it’s the worst idea in the world.
Don’t worry, I’m still keeping my eyes out for a Ninja that hasn’t been abused too badly.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:26, STARS: 0
One of the bikes I’ve really started liking is the Honda Nighthawk. Mostly because of the badass name. I’ll look at the CB300/500F too.
"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
06/16/2017 at 13:27, STARS: 0
Have you considered a Razkull? It’s basically a Grom at 2/3rd price
Plus mini-monster!
http://www.ssrmotorsports.com/store/street/razkull.php
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 0
I’m sorry for not clarifying, I just didn’t mean “crotch-rocket” GP-style bikes.
I am definitely open to a sportier looking bike. I’ll definitely add the Yamaha FZ to my list!
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 0
I hadn’t even considered non-Japanese bikes. I’ll look into that Triumph. Any other suggestions?
"BobintheMtns" (bobinthemtns)
06/16/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 0
Hells bells... for $3500 you can find piles of (barely) used 650's!
"jimz" (jimz)
06/16/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
depending on the year and specific bike, some ‘80s Honda and Yamahas had failure-prone charging systems. Certain Yamahas would develop a shorted field coil after a while, and Honda used undersized wiring/connectors coming from the stator, and with age and use would overheat and melt.
"BobintheMtns" (bobinthemtns)
06/16/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 0
You’re in Conn? Right? Here you go! 2K miles and $2500
https://hartford.craigslist.org/mcy/6162397910.html
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 0
Yeah I’m in CT. That thing is RAD!!!! I am a sucker for color schemes like that. I might be making a trip to check it out this weekend...
"Tripper" (tripe46)
06/16/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 0
Grom owner here. They are fantastic fun, but don’t make it your only bike. Mine is my only bike and after the first half of the first “season” of ownership I wanted a real bike.
That said, I won’t be getting rid of the Grom when I get a real bike because it is so fun, but I need to lose a car before I get any more vehicles.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:45, STARS: 0
Thanks, that’s good to know. I am now in love with the CB500F you suggested. Now I just need to find one....
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:46, STARS: 0
I’ve seen those online- I thought they were like a knock-off brand. They are legit?
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:47, STARS: 0
Oh boy, I want a Buell Blast now....
"McMike" (mcmike)
06/16/2017 at 13:47, STARS: 1
You said “backgrounds” did you mean back roads? If you are looking for a pavement bike, you could probably go as high as 500 or 650 for someone your size.
It will be fine on back roads, and also in the event you want to do some highway some day.
Skip the ruckus and the grom. They aren’t much bike. I was 6'-2" 190 when I bougght my first bike. That ‘84 Honda Shadow 500 was plenty.
How do these look?
Suzuki Vstrom 650
Suzuki GS 500
Kawasaki Versys 650
Kawasaki KLR 650 (if you like knobby tires)
"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
06/16/2017 at 13:48, STARS: 0
Define “legit”, It’s definitely a far east made bike. But they exist and reviews I’ve read seem to compare it favorably to the Grom.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 0
I meant “backroads,” damn auto-correct. Kinja broke and won’t let me correct the error. I am definitely looking for a pavement bike. Thanks for the list, I’ll check those out for sure.
Yeah, after some thought I am DEFINITELY skipping the ruckus. They Grom or Buell Blast is just too expensive in my opinion.
"BobintheMtns" (bobinthemtns)
06/16/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 0
Oh dude..... was just poking around your cl why I had it open....... dude...
https://worcester.craigslist.org/mcy/6110536728.html
"jimz" (jimz)
06/16/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 0
I think he was being facetious; that’s a heavy bike with a lot of torque. It’s basically a 2.3 liter 3 cylinder engine with wheels on either end.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 20:51, STARS: 0
Gotcha, gonna stay away from Nighthawks.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
06/16/2017 at 20:54, STARS: 1
“legit” as in the fork or handlebars won’t crack in case I hit a pothole, I’m scared of China metal, seen too many bent mountain bike bars and folded rims to deal with it on a motorcycle.
"Decay buys too many beaters" (decay)
06/17/2017 at 01:37, STARS: 0
There was a motorcycle.com review that seemed to really like it as a toy bike. But yeah, I could see that being a concern