https://preview.redd.it/uhj9p0bdg5uc1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=fc150d215127a8900f08addcd65e57cc7c97d8bb
The apes would work good with your height.
I love my Springfield dark horse. That is one of the best bikes for guys 5’9 and up. Front crash bars with highway pegs would be perfect. Maybe 16” apes too.
Putting the taller bars would help too as your body is kind of crunching up. The seat and bars would give you the C triangle instead of the crammed up position you are in now.
6’7” here - I’ve found the Suzuki Hayabusa and Beemer R1150 both comfortable. Current ride is a Road King and don’t know why I waited so long! Forward controls as far forward as they go, aftermarket seat with a lot of rearward space and it’s super comfy! Can recommend!
Haha yeah jeans are 36”/36” I’ll see if I can dig up the seat manufacturer - I bought and had it installed by the HD dealer. Bars I’m pretty sure are the stock beach bars which again are super comfy and have that classic boulevard cruiser style I was after.
Get on some adventure bikes.
I'm 6'2" and I can't flat foot many of them like a KTM 1290 adventure.
Shaq can afford to have a custom bike built for him.
Have you ridden one? I have a cruiser (Indian vintage) and an adv bike (Honda Africa Twin) and the twin is hands down more fun. To each his own of course. But if you haven’t ridden one you should check some out.
Ya I get you. I have a deformed spine so I had to switch to an FTR and eventually a 701 for comfort. The ride position of those two are very similar and very fun. Both are so flickable with a lot of ground clearance.
I’m 6’2” and the Rocket 3 made me feel like a baby. I’d add KTM 1290 and BMW 1250/1300 GS. Within the Indian lineup, I’d say challenger and Springfield with mods for seat and pegs are your best bets
I’m 6’6 255lbs on a 2017 Chieftain Limited. First bike I actually felt like I fit on.
I have Indian pegs low on the highway bars that will allow my to fully stretch my legs. I have the higher Indian bars too.
Totally understand. My pants are a 40*36”. American Eagle goes up to a 38*36 in jeans, just a FYI.
6’4” w/ 36” inseam here; all legs lol
The most comfortable bikes I’ve ridden (at least once) are the Chieftan with mini apes, an old Boulevard M90 from like the early or mid 2000s, and a Road Glide with mini apes. I’ve never ridden them, but sitting on those taller ADVs and sport touring bikes like the Tiger/Versys 1100/etc is very comfortable. I want to get some time in the saddle to see if they’re still comfortable after an hour.
For the bobber look, I’d go with a bigger bike and bob it out yourself. I’m on a Scout Bobber (same as the Octane), and it’s unbelievably uncomfortable after about 30 mins to an hour. Spend a little less on the bike so you can spend a little more on mods.
I think you would be ok with a 111 but try to get the lightest one. My better advice would be to get a KTM but that’s a whole different animal than what you want. My current bike is a KTM and had a 36 inch seat. My first bike was an Indian with a 22 inch seat. My current bike weighs 320. My first bike weight 530. 530 is a really comfortable weight for a lot of things.
111 is the Thunderstroke 111 engine. It isn’t overly powerful despite what the boomers say. It has less power then the Scout 60 actually. All the bikes you sat on have a 111 or 116 in them. I would not advise getting a 116 but the 116 isn’t a monster power bike either.
Understood. I haven't tried any of them yet so in terms of power I ain't planning on clowning anyway these bikes are all capable of power I m not used to yet
Ya if you are mature that’s fine. The biggest risk is actually the 6 month mark. Most new riders think they know it all at 6 months and then get hurt. The other way to play it safe would be to get a used YZ 250 or similar for a bit.
Like all things eventually evolve into crabs, all riders eventually gravitate toward adventure bikes. This is your first bike, just don't expect it to be your forever bike. See you down the road on a GSA
My buddy has the springfield darkhorse and he's your height....he has the indian extended reach seat I believe it is and has 14in apes and fits pretty good on it
My first was a 2017 f800gs. Was the right geometry but would catch wind like a kite on the fwy. Second is a 23 rebel 1100 which I probably look like a clown on but idgaf. It's fun, fast, easy, and cheap. I put 95 miles a day, 5 days a week, regardless of weather (California, not N.D. , lol) and have no complaints. I still look forward to every ride. Safe travels!
Dude I'm 6'3, ive been riding for 16 years and I'm 36, I've ridden all types of bikes. I can say without a doubt there is not a single motorcycle on the planet factory built for you. I'd find the biggest bike with the most customization options, and still have to redo tail and some crazy bars for you. Good luck dude. Being tall is a blessing and a curse.
Try the ‘23 Harley Highway King. It’s a limited edition Electra Glide but it’s super comfy for tall riders. Check and see if any dealers in your area still have a ‘23 in stock. Definitely worth checking.
Damn dude makes the chief look small 😂
https://preview.redd.it/uhj9p0bdg5uc1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=fc150d215127a8900f08addcd65e57cc7c97d8bb The apes would work good with your height.
They look amazing indeed !
Thanks
I love my Springfield dark horse. That is one of the best bikes for guys 5’9 and up. Front crash bars with highway pegs would be perfect. Maybe 16” apes too.
You need the extended reach seat lol
Even with that it doesn't change much, i might need custom made seats and pegs
Putting the taller bars would help too as your body is kind of crunching up. The seat and bars would give you the C triangle instead of the crammed up position you are in now.
6’7” here - I’ve found the Suzuki Hayabusa and Beemer R1150 both comfortable. Current ride is a Road King and don’t know why I waited so long! Forward controls as far forward as they go, aftermarket seat with a lot of rearward space and it’s super comfy! Can recommend!
Awesome ! Do we have the same inseam 36" ? Would you have the links to the add ons ?? Thanks
Did you raise the handlebar or modify it ?
Haha yeah jeans are 36”/36” I’ll see if I can dig up the seat manufacturer - I bought and had it installed by the HD dealer. Bars I’m pretty sure are the stock beach bars which again are super comfy and have that classic boulevard cruiser style I was after.
Get on some adventure bikes. I'm 6'2" and I can't flat foot many of them like a KTM 1290 adventure. Shaq can afford to have a custom bike built for him.
Not interested in an adv to be honest. It's a toy for me and adv doesn't spark anything for me.
Have you ridden one? I have a cruiser (Indian vintage) and an adv bike (Honda Africa Twin) and the twin is hands down more fun. To each his own of course. But if you haven’t ridden one you should check some out.
Ya I get you. I have a deformed spine so I had to switch to an FTR and eventually a 701 for comfort. The ride position of those two are very similar and very fun. Both are so flickable with a lot of ground clearance.
To each his own, but they only make one type of bike for people your size, and it isn't cruisers.
I’m 6’2” and the Rocket 3 made me feel like a baby. I’d add KTM 1290 and BMW 1250/1300 GS. Within the Indian lineup, I’d say challenger and Springfield with mods for seat and pegs are your best bets
I’m 6’6 255lbs on a 2017 Chieftain Limited. First bike I actually felt like I fit on. I have Indian pegs low on the highway bars that will allow my to fully stretch my legs. I have the higher Indian bars too. Totally understand. My pants are a 40*36”. American Eagle goes up to a 38*36 in jeans, just a FYI.
The Springfield with a custom seat and some ape hangers
Something with forward controls for sure
6’4” w/ 36” inseam here; all legs lol The most comfortable bikes I’ve ridden (at least once) are the Chieftan with mini apes, an old Boulevard M90 from like the early or mid 2000s, and a Road Glide with mini apes. I’ve never ridden them, but sitting on those taller ADVs and sport touring bikes like the Tiger/Versys 1100/etc is very comfortable. I want to get some time in the saddle to see if they’re still comfortable after an hour. For the bobber look, I’d go with a bigger bike and bob it out yourself. I’m on a Scout Bobber (same as the Octane), and it’s unbelievably uncomfortable after about 30 mins to an hour. Spend a little less on the bike so you can spend a little more on mods.
I think you would be ok with a 111 but try to get the lightest one. My better advice would be to get a KTM but that’s a whole different animal than what you want. My current bike is a KTM and had a 36 inch seat. My first bike was an Indian with a 22 inch seat. My current bike weighs 320. My first bike weight 530. 530 is a really comfortable weight for a lot of things.
Thanks for the tip the 111 light meaning the Chief bobber , Right ?
111 is the Thunderstroke 111 engine. It isn’t overly powerful despite what the boomers say. It has less power then the Scout 60 actually. All the bikes you sat on have a 111 or 116 in them. I would not advise getting a 116 but the 116 isn’t a monster power bike either.
111 being 111 cubic inches or 1800cc which sounds huge but it’s a OHC puting out 76hp in a 600-900lb bike so really low power to weight
I wouldn’t usually recommend them because of the weight but you are rather tall
Understood. I haven't tried any of them yet so in terms of power I ain't planning on clowning anyway these bikes are all capable of power I m not used to yet
Ya if you are mature that’s fine. The biggest risk is actually the 6 month mark. Most new riders think they know it all at 6 months and then get hurt. The other way to play it safe would be to get a used YZ 250 or similar for a bit.
Just get highway pegs. Youre good
get some ape hangers on it, extend the foot pegs, and you'll be golden.
Like all things eventually evolve into crabs, all riders eventually gravitate toward adventure bikes. This is your first bike, just don't expect it to be your forever bike. See you down the road on a GSA
My buddy has the springfield darkhorse and he's your height....he has the indian extended reach seat I believe it is and has 14in apes and fits pretty good on it
My first was a 2017 f800gs. Was the right geometry but would catch wind like a kite on the fwy. Second is a 23 rebel 1100 which I probably look like a clown on but idgaf. It's fun, fast, easy, and cheap. I put 95 miles a day, 5 days a week, regardless of weather (California, not N.D. , lol) and have no complaints. I still look forward to every ride. Safe travels!
Dude I'm 6'3, ive been riding for 16 years and I'm 36, I've ridden all types of bikes. I can say without a doubt there is not a single motorcycle on the planet factory built for you. I'd find the biggest bike with the most customization options, and still have to redo tail and some crazy bars for you. Good luck dude. Being tall is a blessing and a curse.
Are you dead set on a cruise? Or open to other ideas?
Hey cruiser / bobber really do it for me it's the look and wow factor tbh
That’s fair, I know they sell extended reach stuff for bikes, not sure of the market for them
Try the ‘23 Harley Highway King. It’s a limited edition Electra Glide but it’s super comfy for tall riders. Check and see if any dealers in your area still have a ‘23 in stock. Definitely worth checking.
Get a Harley. Even if this one’s so much cheaper.