Bike for a tall beginner rider?

[FunkyNige]

It looks fairly certain I'm going to be doing my bike licence with a friend early next year (possibly around Easter), so I'll be looking at a beginner's bike. I'm a lanky 6'2 so I don't want a bike that'll make me look like I'm riding a monkey bike! I'm looking at about a 400-600cc bike because of insurance (I'll be 22 when I get my licence) and I don't really want to kill myself.

Having a quick look round I see the Honda VFR400 is well thought of, but I can't find many opinions on it being a beginner's bike.

Any suggestions?
I won't be looking for a new bike (it's almost inevitable I'm going to drop it), and budget will be up to £1500 (ish).

Nige.

[Tim2100]

Get something like a Bandit, they are cheap as chips, laods around, A lot of taller people like the Bandit for comfort. Easy to ride a great first bike

Tim.

[DennisTheMenace]

You will not fit a vfr 400 , you could also try a fazer , or a trialie style of bike

[Davel]

Fazer or BMR F650GS or some other Funduro type such as Transalp etc.

Enjoy..

[iguana]

DennisTheMenace said:

You will not fit a vfr 400 ,

Not quite true denny, granted its a bit tight on the knees & for long rides its a bit of a pain, but no worse I feel that a modern 600 sports bike ie R6, CBR-R, etc. My VFR400-NC24 was roomyer than my RVF400 mainly as it offers a bit more of an upright riding postion.

Bandit is however LOT roomer & I really rate 'em as a budget bike, & my Kwaker ER5 was ok, tho not as roomy as the Bandit.

[a j]

Bandit, Hornet, Fazer, SV650 all have less of a race set up in terms of peg to seat layout. I sugest you go to a few dealers and sit on a few bikes, get a feel. In my own experiance (average 5'11") you sometimes forget about the cramp when your having a good blast anyway!

Have fun.

[rumpelstiltskin]

im 6ft 3 and have a cbr600,its perfect!

[FunkyNige]

Thanks guys, it looks like I'll be looking for a Bandit 400 then.

Has anyone here got any buying tips for one?

[iguana]

Ahh, not sure if Bandit 400 is same size riding position wise as 600 & 1200, so might still be a squeeze.

I'd go for a 600 over the 400 as many more about & easy to get bits for, bullet proof engine, prob no more to insure, easier to sell on.

If 400 is the way you want to go check out-

www.400greybike.co.uk

lots of forums to ask ya questions.

[Mags]

I'm 6'2" and ride an SV650S, its fine, a good cheap starter bike and low insurance group.