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billywillgo
Tricycle
1 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 12:15:01 AM
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I have been looking into building my own Cafe bike, most likely something Japanese but I have one concern.... I'm 6'4" tall. I don't want to look like a big man on a little pony. Anyone out there tall and if so what are you riding? Or any suggestions on a bike that's good for a tall guy.
Thank you |
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Geeto67
Dahlia Lama
USA
6586 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 07:38:13 AM
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I'm 6'5". at that height the world just isn't designed for us so you are going to dwarf a lot of bikes out there.
Do you know what kind of bike you want to build? the superbikes from the late 70's and early 80's are excellent for big folks but they look like shit when people try to make "early" style cafe bikes out of them. If you want an early cafe, save your pennies and buy a norton, next to a vincent they are the biggest of the brit set and also a proper cafe bike.
but chances are you probably dont have $4K-$8K to spend on a bike so here are my top choices for the big'uns out there:
- SOHC cb750. I rode one for years but these are the smallest of the bikes I am going to recommend so you have to be careful about mods not to shrink it in size anymore. Big tails, and big tanks are available and will shore up the look, but even still you could end up a little cramped.
- DOHC cb750F/900F/1100F - these bikes are massive and there is a great following for them. If freddy spencer could bring home titles for honda aboird one you can look hawt in a street legal superbike replica.
- GS750 (1977-79): This is my daily mount and most who have seen it say it is freaking huge, but it feels comfy for me and flat rocks in everything else it does. I did a few tall man mods like jacking up the rear and superbike bars with bar ends so it is really a super comfy awesome mount.
- kz900/1000: I recommend these last because the z1 kz900s have gotten into stupid money territory but the 1976 900s and the kz1000s are still reasonable. Excellent racing heritage to draw from like moriwaki and eddie lawson to have a killer superbike replica. These are freight trains of a motorcycle, they are fast in a straight line but tend to be a little weak in the turns, mostly due to mass and soft suspension.
- GS1000. Expensive but deals are still out there. Bigger and heavier than the gs750 but with the balls to back it up. DiamondJ on this board has a skunk gs1000 to die for with modern cbr wheels and brakes swapped in. |
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YucA
Training wheels
USA
120 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 08:27:20 AM
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+1 on ^
My personal fav of that bigboy list is the gs750
If you're down with 2strokes the Kawi H2 triple is another valid choice. |
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UngaWunga
Daemon Racer
USA
4711 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 09:00:20 AM
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| DiamondJ needs to post some pictures of that GS1000. I'm in the process of doing the same to a GS1100e. |
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Diamondj
Minibike
USA
419 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 09:44:05 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by UngaWunga
DiamondJ needs to post some pictures of that GS1000. I'm in the process of doing the same to a GS1100e.
Ask and ye shall receive...
Here's the three pictures I have in the Vinmoto garage:
http://springvinmoto.com/gallery/album167
And for the Hack-A types that don't clickidy the linkidy:
If I can provide details of the mods I've made so far please let me know....
Jim
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UngaWunga
Daemon Racer
USA
4711 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 10:04:21 AM
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I will eventually need an exhaust system, as mine has a leak somewhere. Is that a MAC system?
Good looking bike. |
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YucA
Training wheels
USA
120 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 10:59:08 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by UngaWunga
I will eventually need an exhaust system, as mine has a leak somewhere. Is that a MAC system?
Good looking bike.
"The exhaust is a Kerker header with a Supertrapp megaphone. "
straight from the link he posted.
Serious beast you got there. Props. |
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kenessex
Streetbike
USA
2695 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 11:35:47 AM
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Unga,
I have a MAC header with a basically open short muffler tip on my Seca 550 racebike and like it a lot. The MAC muffler section is very heavy and unattractive. I found mine on e-bay for very cheap. It might be a place to start.
Ken
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WERA 119
CCS 119
CRA 112
AHRMA 981
Newbies and Tex hate me!! |
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Pete Casper
Dirtbike
USA
1786 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 3:52:19 PM
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I am 6'4" 215lbs. I look stupied on my TTR 125 (but I have fun). However, I would also recommend the GS1000. I had a 79 GS1000e and rode that bike from Wisconsin to Wyoming and back in just under a week....it was really nice. I also wouldn't rule out an old airhead. Not a traditional "cafe" bike...but neither is the GS1000. I fit well on my 1984 R100RS and can drag the valve covers in turns (you can't do that on a GS1000 either). I also fit well on my old 1987 K75. Smaller folks can barely touch their tippie toes when riding a stock K75 (you know who you are!).
Good luck in your search. |
"The things that pass for knowledge I can’t understand"
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kenessex
Streetbike
USA
2695 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 5:12:03 PM
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Billy,
Texy is a little distraught right now, so I will help him out.
FILL OUT YOUR BIO!!!!!
This is one of those times when it really helps us to know where you are and what you can do. We will give you one kind of advice if you are a newbie, hipster, poseur douchebag and other advice if you know one end of a wrench from the other and live close to somebody that may have or know of an appropriate bike.
Fill it out.
Ken |
WERA 119
CCS 119
CRA 112
AHRMA 981
Newbies and Tex hate me!! |
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Geeto67
Dahlia Lama
USA
6586 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2010 : 5:15:40 PM
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| The phrase of the day is "hipster herpes". Spread it in good health |
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Topic |
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Any Tall Bike Riders?!?!
