Advice on a new bike from a tall rider

[briangorrell]

Hello all -

This is my first post here - I've been lurking for some time and love this forum! I absolutely love riding and when I can't ride I spend probably way too much time thinking about it, reading about it, watching videos about it, etc...

I've had 5 or 6 different bikes in this past 5 years - keep trading around... I just paid off my 06' Goldwing though and am committed to keep it long term along with my 07' Suzuki DRZ400 (I ride it 90% off-road and 10% on). I made a couple of modifications to the Wing including a custom seat that sets me back farther to accommodate my size (6'4", 34" inseam, 260 weight)... The wing is a great motorcycle, BUT - I am excited about adding a new bike to the stable this summer! So....

I can NOT decide what I want yet - I don't want to make another purchase I'll later regret... (don't get me started about the Suzuki Boulevard C109RT I owned for 2 months!)

Because of my height and inseam I am somewhat limited in choices... I am really interested in the 2010 R1200GS or GSA - especially with the new upgrades. I also keep thinking about the 2010 K1300GT - I had an 07' K1200GT that I sold and now really miss! Loved the performance...

I would like to take some short trips, but most of the time I am just riding in and around my area - thinking a bike like the GSA might inspire some longer trips though...

Anyway, I would love to hear from some other tall riders about their experiences with the R1200GS vs. the GSA vs. the K1300GT - or any other thoughts... When I sit on the GSA it really fits me well, but I'm concerned it might feel too heavy and laborious compared to the standard GS... Just to complicate things a bit more I'm also interested in the new Multistrada 1200S - even did a test ride on it recently - it was a riot but I felt like the seat pushed me forward into the tank with my 34" inseam... Sorry for the rant!

Thanks,
Brian

[ausfahrt]

Hi Brian, welcome to the asylum. I can't speak about the other bikes you mentioned but I love my '07 R1200GS Adventure. I am 5'-17" 250 lbs. with a 36" inseam and I have never had a bike fit me like my "panzer".

I plan to keep this bike a long time and I am slowly adding farkles as time and finances allow. I added a tall Parabellum windshield recently and that has reduced head buffeting at hiway speeds considerably. The only other change regarding size/fit that I am considering is getting Fastway lowered footpegs.

Ride on.

[Tasy's BIGJIM]

I now own a 2010 Buell Ulysses and I like it a way lot more than the Gs or the Goldwing 1500. I'm 5'16" with a 36" inner leg... sorry seam! Lols. jim.

[Mudcat]

If you buy a new GS, request the free optional tall saddle. I found it to be magnitudes more comfortable then the stock one .
I am 6’ 3’’ with a 34 inch inseam.

[funhouse]

Brian:

If you're next bike is going to be ridden 'metro' most of the time and you are still keen of the big performance offered by the 1300GT, you must still be mid-50's or less......and need to get your need-for-speed satisfied before you're going to like a GS. ....Bruce

[JeffinTD]

I'm around 6'3 and I really love my GS-A. I don't feel like I dwarf the bike, and I find it to handle very well.

For someone with longer legs, though, the pegs are pretty high. I go off on rutted single track, and don't want the pegs any lower. The tank and cylinders would prevent putting highway pegs some place comfortable.

For me the solution was a Don Weber custom seat that is slightly taller than stock, and it got rid of the forward slant. I also added short bar risers.

As long as I remember to straighten my legs out or stand up every once in a while before my knees start feeling stiff, I can do long hours on the bike in comfort.


Welcome to the forum.

[rrmdeuce]

I also ride a 05 GS being 6'4" #270 34" to 36" inseam and 51 years old. I added bar risers, a Russell Day Long seat, fastway peg, Cee Bailey windscreen and GSA wing-lets. I love this set-up for around town or 500 mile days.

I've sat on a few Goldwings and find them extremely tight for there size (or my size).

[Reverse]

I love my 2007 GSAdv, the best bike ever for my 6'4" frame. I ride it (as far as seating etc.) in stock form, with the saddle in the high position.

The only thing I wish for is a straighter handlebar so my wrists aren't forced into the current slightly uncomfortable angle. Other than that: the only bike I could find that fits me.

I actually tried the GoldWing, but couldn't imagine owning it. Nothing on that bike is adjustable, the saddle is really low, a bike fit for midgets. Impressed that you could get it to work for you.

BTW: the handlebar on the 2010 version has even more sweep than the 2007 model, and felt really uncomfortable when I tried it a few weeks ago. Make sure it works for you before you buy a 2010 model.

[xplorador]

Brain,

If your in OKC (I used to live on Westminster in Nichols Hills - now if Fort Worth and married to an Edmond girls) you probably test rode that Multistrada at BMW of OKC. Michael and Ryan are great guys and the only ones I buy all bikes, most gear and get all services done there even living here in Fort Worth. They are great to work with as is Jen.

I just recently traded my 2003 K 1200RS for a 2010 GSA. Both heavy, but the K 1200 has the SGA beat by quite a few pounds. I prefer the riding position and the easier pace that I have on the GSA. On the K bike I was always in "squid" mode. I felt like I had to ride that bike hard all the time. On the GSA I feel like taking it a little easier and seeing things rather than looking for the next twisty at all times.

I am just shy of 6' and I have to tiptoe if both feet are down but can flat foot if slightly leaned when at full stop. It took me just a little while to get used to the wider bars and turn in of the bike. But I am so happy with my new machine. I can't wait to get more off road miles and a new skill-set built up.

[erappaport]

Buy a KTM 950/990 Adventure and you'll never feel too tall for your bike again, I gurantee it.

[briangorrell]

Wow! Thanks for all the great posts! To answer a few questions, I am turning 40-years old this summer However, I do still enjoy the torque and visceral qualities of a bike like our 07' K1200GT... (why did I sell it!!)...

My hope is that the new 2010 GSA would fit my -5'16"- frame and still offer some of that K-bike excitement. Seems the best solution would be to get both the GSA and a K1300GT, but I am reasonably sure my wife would simply kick me until I was black and blue if I bought em' both! I keep hearing how the new boxer engine has tons of character and great torque - true? Also, I didn't know BMW had an optional taller seat on the GSA, thought the choices were stock or shorter??

To answer the question about making my 06' Goldwing fit my tallness, I had a custom seat made by a company in TX called Wingsoft - they have a "Large" seat where they cut back the stock foam and give much more room in the saddle. (Sucks for the passenger, but I ride alone 95% of the time) I also installed bar risers that bring them up and back some... Add to that the Kury II highway pegs to change positions occasionally and it works great... The Goldwing is a great machine, but I am just too young for that to be my only ride!!

Also, yes, I test rode the Multistrada at BMW of OKC - they are great guys and tolerate my bi-weekly lurking and bike sitting routines!

Glad to know I'm not the only one with this moto-addiction thing!

Thanks - Brian

[Emoto]

Originally Posted by funhouse

Brian:

If you're next bike is going to be ridden 'metro' most of the time and you are still keen of the big performance offered by the 1300GT, you must still be mid-50's or less......and need to get your need-for-speed satisfied before you're going to like a GS. ....Bruce

There is a certain amount of truth to this. The twins won't give you the same top-end nuclear rush that the inline 4s will, but outside of the extreme ends of their performance envelopes, you can run with them most of the time. It is great fun to be riding behind a squid through the twisties, get through a section and have them glance back to see how far back you are and there you are tootling comfortably along bolt upright as though sight-seeing.

I am close to the original poster's size (same inseam), albeit not quite as tall, and the GS fits me well. The only things I did for comfort were Fastway pegs (which I run in the lower of thee 2 positions, which gives maybe 3/4" more legroom) and I had Rick Mayer re-do my seat. Oh, and a taller windscreen.

[briangorrell]

Originally Posted by erappaport

Buy a KTM 950/990 Adventure and you'll never feel too tall for your bike again, I gurantee it.

I hadn't considered the KTM 990 Adventure - does anyone know how it compares to the GS in terms of torque, fun factor, etc...?

- Brian

[jdub1242]

Hello fellow Okie! I'm just about 6'01" and have to tip-toe on my 06 gsa. Had an 08 Concours 14 that seemed too small at times. The extra height on the gsa makes it feel bigger but it isnt. I actually enjoy not having an extra 50 horses, makes the bike funner to ride. I can still get through corners as quick as before and enjoy it more.
I figure you have already test ridden everything at OKC BMW but if you need a little extra push you can come ride mine.

[JeffinTD]

I test rode a KTM 990 and was really on the fence. I found it comfortable (I suspect a little more room between seat/pegs), fast and smooth. It is also notably less expensive, and I like their side case design a lot. The difference in size (of the motorcycle, compared to BMW) is apparent.

Sitting there having a burger with a buddy after testing the KTM and trying to decide which dealer to go back to, I realized I wanted to do some long range riding that I felt the BMW was better for, plus there was just something about the BMW that called to me... Character or something.

Anyway, I stepped out of the burger shop and called Salem BMW, and they had the paperwork ready and were prepping the bike by the time I got down there.

For sure ride the KTM before you decide. For me the decision was part intended use (long range), and part personal preference for bigger motorcycles with character (and fuel range).

YMMV.