[GurkanG]

Hello everyone!
I'm in the middle of taking my drivers license and now I've gotten to the point that I need my own bike to be able to get my license all done.

I'm a quite small guy, only 5''10 and about 150lbs (I think that's the conversion from 65 kg and 180cm). Anyways I've ridden a BMW f800r at my driving school and I think I can handle it quite well, it doesn't feel to big or topheavy or anything like that, feel quite comfortable on it. But then again it is the only bike i've ever ridden.

Now, I really like the v-strom DL650 and from what I heard it is a good allround bike, will mostly commute to school with it, but also go camping and a little bit of touring when I get the chance . Am I to small for a v-strom? Will it be hard to handle compared to a F800R?
As I'm not allowed to go test bikes untill I get my license, and I need a bike to get a license I kind of have to buy my bike blind, so anything people could tell me about the v-strom will be greatly appreciated !
O, I might add I live in Sweden, so if the laws are confusing it's cause of that

Cheers!


EDIT:
I forgot to add that I have to legally restrict the bike to 25kW for 2 years.

 

[LordSmoke]

Many don't listen, but the tried and true approach is to get a clean, used 250-500cc standard, sport, dual sport, or whatever. Get your license, ride for a while, sell it to the next beginner, and get what you want. I would recommend something as close to standard as possible as a starting point to see in which direction you want your riding to go. Good luck in your quest. :yesnod:

 

[GurkanG]

Many don't listen, but the tried and true approach is to get a clean, used 250-500cc standard, sport, dual sport, or whatever. Get your license, ride for a while, sell it to the next beginner, and get what you want. I would recommend something as close to standard as possible as a starting point to see in which direction you want your riding to go. Good luck in your quest. :yesnod:

Yes, I know that is the tried and true approach of getting into motorcycling. But thanks to a combination of stupid laws I need to have 375cc or more to be able to get my license (yes, I know... don't get me started). So that rules of the real beginner bikes such as ninja 250r and cbr250 etc. So that leaves me with a bigger beginner bike. And since I don't have a lot of money I'd like to buy a bike that I will use for some time.

So with that in mind, even though I appreciate the sentiment, I have decided on a "bigger" bike as my first one. So if anyone would be so kind as to help me answer some of the questions asked in my first post I'd relly appreciate it :yesnod:

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I will have to legally restrict the bike to 25kW for 2 years.

 

[jokermtb]

I've ridden one of those street only BMW 800's. Nice bike, easy to ride, but it struck me as being a very small bike. No wonder you like it so much!

I am 6 feet tall, and feel the Strom is a BIG bike. It may only have a smaller 650cc engine, but the whole motorcycle is full size. You are 5'10, and if you have longer legs [my legs are a bit on the short side], you should not really have any problem with the Strom. However, you may find it difficult or impossible to get both feet solidly planted flat on the ground. If you're OK with riding a bike with those conditions, then you'll be fine.

Think of how many motocrossers can barely get their toes to touch the ground, and they do just fine. One foot is all you really need, but two toe-tips definitely help.

Find one to sit on, and see if it's even a remote possibility for you.
Good luck! Hope you fit on a Strom.

 

[jokermtb]

I've ridden one of those street only BMW 800's. Nice bike, easy to ride, but it struck me as being a very small bike. No wonder you like it so much!

I am 6 feet tall, and feel the Strom is a BIG bike. It may only have a smaller 650cc engine, but the whole motorcycle is full size. You are 5'10, and if you have longer legs [my legs are a bit on the short side], you should not really have any problem with the Strom. However, you may find it difficult or impossible to get both feet solidly planted flat on the ground. If you're OK with riding a bike with those conditions, then you'll be fine.

Think of how many motocrossers can barely get their toes to touch the ground, and they do just fine. One foot is all you really need, but two toe-tips definitely help.

Find one to sit on, and see if it's even a remote possibility for you.
Good luck! Hope you fit on a Strom.

I say - GO FOR IT!

 

[nhbubba]

I tell a lot of my friends I think something like the SV650 is a fine starter bike, after a rider course. I know the 250 first route is preferred. But most lack patience for that or the headache of having to buy and the resell a bike for just a couple years. And I can't say I blame them.

The issue with the DL650 is of course the seat height. The SV is going to be lower and probably more noob friendly. But then if you're used to the f800r, maybe this isn't an issue for you.

Dunno how it is in Europe, but here Kawi EX500's (aka Ninja 500, aka GPZ500) are cheap and plentiful. They seem like a fine option for you, considering they meet the 375+ cc requirement.

 

[Illinois]

Now, I really like the v-strom DL650 and from what I heard it is a good allround bike, will mostly commute to school with it, but also go camping and a little bit of touring when I get the chance . Am I to small for a v-strom? Will it be hard to handle compared to a F800R?

If you are an honest 5'10'' mrgreen sounds like the Strom is just what you are looking for. Likely to be a little more awkward than the F800 initially but nothing you can't get used to. Good luck. :thumbup:

 

[GurkanG]

Now, I really like the v-strom DL650 and from what I heard it is a good allround bike, will mostly commute to school with it, but also go camping and a little bit of touring when I get the chance . Am I to small for a v-strom? Will it be hard to handle compared to a F800R?

If you are an honest 5'10'' mrgreen sounds like the Strom is just what you are looking for. Likely to be a little more awkward than the F800 initially but nothing you can't get used to. Good luck. :thumbup:

Well, my calculator says 180cm is 5 foot 10.28' :yesnod:

Great to hear atleast some of you think I can manage a strom as a first bike. I'm gonna try to find someone who'll let me atleast sit on the bike so I can feel how it is under me without asking me for all my money first :hurray:

 

[Sam4938]

As I'm not allowed to go test bikes untill I get my license, and I need a bike to get a license I kind of have to buy my bike blind,

No you do not have to buy a bike blind, most of the time if you have your learners permit you can go do a dealership and the sales person will ride with you on a separate bike.

 

[GurkanG]

No you do not have to buy a bike blind, most of the time if you have your learners permit you can go do a dealership and the sales person will ride with you on a separate bike.

Okey, maybe I've just been unlucky, cause I've been to 3 different dealerships and none of them have let me test ride a bike... 2 of them just looked at me like I was an idiot and the other one explained that his insurance didn't cover any damages caused by drivers without a license.

 

[BobA]

I believe the stock f800r is about 1" (25mm) lower than the stock DL650. When you're approaching "too high" that can be a lot of difference.

My expereince with the DL650 (3 weeks now), coming from a much shorter, lighter bike is that it's fine when being ridden, but it's still a handful for me when I have to move it around with the engine off or when coming to a stop on uneven ground or where the ground might be slippery. Once it gets reasonable out of vertical it can be quite a challenge to keep it on its feet. I'm 6ft with a 33" inseam.

I assume I'll get used to it with more experience, but at the moment I'm occasionally fighting it at standstill (and I've lost the fight once so far).

Of course there are a few techniques to lower it if the height does become a real problem.

As for a first bike, I'd say there are certainly easier bikes to handle, however powerwise I think it's fine. It can be ridden very gently and unless you do something really stupid it's unlikely to bite you (especially if restricted).

 

[DougInKY]

The dealer's won't even let you sit on one? If you can find one that will, you can answer the question of height yourself. If you can comfortably sit on it and flat foot it I would think it might be a great bike for you. Especially in light of the restricted horsepower you will have to use at first.

 

[Orange Crush]

If you find one to try out and find it a little tall they can be lowered easily. I am also 5' 10" with a 31" inseam. I lowered my 650 .75" and it made a noticeable difference for me. I think .75" converts to 19mm. The lowering kit I used came from murphskits.com.

 

[FieroDude]

I'm 178 cm tall, 32" (84 cm) inseam, and while it took a couple weeks to get used to the fact that I wouldn't be able to flat foot it with both feet under most conditions, the height has never been a problem. The biggest thing is learning how to handle it around the garage and at very low speeds. That is where the height and the weight of the bike can be a real challenge until you get used to it.
Good luck!