Good bike for larger riders, Ninja 650?

[beatr911]

Good discussion on larger bikes. Seems that the smaller displacement bikes are also ergonomically smaller in most cases. Not all riders that want a 250 are smaller in size.

For a high speed, fuel efficient, long distance commuter about 20hp is pretty much the bottom end for a stock bike because of the wind drag. 20hp would be WOT 90% of the time. Remember that this is for a 70-80mph high speed commute. That makes the 250 scooters and cruisers marginal at best.

I've listed the bikes that come to mind that fit the bill (more or less) with an MPG guess and a short descriptor of a salient feature.

The cheaper larger-ergo bikes:
Kawasaki Ninja/Versys/CFMoto-clone 650 family 65-70mpg. EFI, Sport-tour-ish.
Kawasaki Ninja/Vulcan 500 60-65mpg. Cruiser.
Suzuki GS500F 60-65mpg. Old tech in new Sport-tour-ish package.
Suzuki Sv/Vstrom 650 55mpg. Verified at 70 mph.

More expensive bikes:
BMW 650 65-70mpg. Top shelf.
Honda 700 70-75mpg. New efficiency tech.
Kymco 300i.


Anyone care to adjust/add/subtract to this list?

[sendler]

Originally Posted by beatr911

Anyone care to adjust/add/subtract to this list?

I think the TU250 would struggle to make 75 mph most of the time with a large rider on it.

[user removed]

According to the info I have read the TU 250 is maxed out at 76 MPH, so it will not be a good choice if you need to average 80 MPH. I haven't tried for max speed on mine, expecailly if I tucked to reduce my aero drag. Mine also has 1 more tooth in the front sprocket. My best guess with the TU 250X would be that you would need some aero to get to that speed, without any grades to deal with. With some gearing and aero work you could probably get to 90 MPH on level ground. Drafting on my Kawasaki 125 Eliminator, I have seen 70 MPH, so I would think the TU would do significantly better than that but for sustained 75-80 MPH I doubt the Suzuki would be a good choice. Even the CBR 250R would be fairly hard pressed at 80 MPH sustained for considerable distances expecially with any grades.

regards
Mech

[beatr911]

Ok, The TU is off the list. Thanks.

Really, the CBR wouldn't cut it iether? I was even thinking of how to lower the footpegs of the CBR and fabbing an effective windshield.

Guess that removes the Honda Helix/Reflex as they make even less hp, and they can't be that much aerodynamically slicker.

So the next common size up is a 400 like a 400 Burgman or the DRZ or the GS500F. Also the old Ninja 500/Vulcan 500.

Any other suggestions?

[user removed]

My Vulcan 500 seat is the worst motorcycle seat on which I have ever ridden. The bike would definitely do 80 up any grade and otherwise would be a candidate but the seat would have to be replaced. A good fairing would help with aero and possible MPG with the low seat height.
The Ninja would be a good candidate. I have not been on one yet but it is cammed for higher RPM than the Vulcan. The Kawa 500 engine is very reliable with some riders going over 100 k miles on the original engine.

regards
Mech

[sendler]

Originally Posted by beatr911

Ok, The TU is off the list. Thanks.

Really, the CBR wouldn't cut it either?

I fly on the CBR but giant sized riders who refuse to tuck find times where the 23 hp struggles to maintain 80 into headwinds. Then you are compelled to run wide open in 4th and get 50 mpg. A Ninja650 with a custom tall seat is a sure bet for large commuters and can still bring back some decent mpg with longer gears. the NC700X with the touring windscreen can still break 70 mpg with a large rider if you can justify a new bike.

[jkv357]

The SV650 and V-Strom 650 are another option.

As far as MPG goes, I think the SV may be ahead of the V-Strom. With moderate highway riding it's pretty easy to get 60+ MPG from the naked model. At 70+ MPH a naked SV650 will deliver around 55 MPG.

[beatr911]

Noted, thanks for the Suzuki 650 data.

Anyone have any Burgman 400 numbers for 70+ mph?

[star_deceiver]

You won't be getting 65mpg on the KLR at any speed over 45mph. You can go anywhere though!

70-75mph freeway speeds with stock gearing and a 130/90-17 rear tire give me about 45-48mpg. On a tour of Yellowstone I got 59mpg doing the speed limit of 45mph.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by beatr911

Noted, thanks for the Suzuki 650 data.

Anyone have any Burgman 400 numbers for 70+ mph?

It looks like low 60's might be possible. Write to this guy at Fuelly. He has 20,000 miles on his and is pictured wearing a full adventure style cold weather suit.
.
Burgmans are pricey when new but I have seen used ones for $4,000. The Kymco Downtown 300i is another one to look at for $5,600 new.