Triumphrat

11-14-2006

Hey all.

I'm looking at buying a new '07 Bonneville. I'm 6'4" tall, and have a 34-35" inseam.

I sat on an '06 Bonnie (regular and T100) last year and it was comfortable...problem is, I wasn't able to test-ride one - and I probably won't be able to before I make a purchase.

In your experience - tall guys especially - how are these bikes for comfort? Are your knees jammed up into the bars? Any fit issues?

Thanks in advance...
Andy

EDIT: Also looking to find out thoughts about Thruxtons for taller riders...but I can't change the subject!

[ This message was edited by: ACGrow on 2006-11-14 18:34 ]

meatwagon · 11-14-2006

You are probably at the upper limit for height on a bonnie.The problem is the mid position pegs.Your thighs will be angled up toward the bars instead of level or downward. Rear sets will help ,or forward controls (like on an America or Speedmaster).I sat on a Sportster recently and with the lower seat the thigh position was barely tolerable.(I would still like to ride one!)
I am about 6'2" but have a shorter inseam and the bonnie with mid controls is comfortable.I hang my legs on the passenger pegs on long trips to change things up.I recently spent a day on a Thrux with rear sets and that was nice and comfy too.Andy

11-14-2006

Thanks for the reply...I am considering a Thruxton as well, since I'm taller in the torso and when I sat on that I wasn't leaning too far forward at all (long arms).

Thanks!
Andy

MES · 11-14-2006

I'm 6'3" with a 34 inseam.
I would say that Meatwagon is correct but it really depends on how flexable you are and what type of riding position you like. Rearsets will help.
When I first got my Bonnie my hips were a little tight so I got a bit of a twang. I just had to loosen up a bit and now everthing is fine.
I do find that the bars are a little to high and have a little to much pull back.
Rearsets with slightly lower bars and less pull back will tranfer the pressure from the butt and hips to the shoulders, arms and wrists.
The lower the bars and the less they are pulled back the more they will transfer the pressure to the upper body.

If your long legged but short of torso, try the Thruxton.

McQueen278 · 11-15-2006

The Scrambler might be a better choice with it's taller seat height. I'm 6'2", 34 inseam and the bike fits me with no issues.

aswanner · 11-15-2006

I'm 6'3", 34in inseam and I have had no problems with leg comfort at all. The only issue I had was with the seat and a sheepskin cover solved that.

Baltobonneville · 11-15-2006

I'm 6 ft (183cm) with a 34-inch inseam and I find the Bonnie (standard) to be a good fit for my legs. The bike seems to be the right size for me.

Marty
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
2005 Bonneville Blue

caspianthruxton · 11-15-2006

I'm 6 ft. and i fit perfectly on my Thruxton. I actually think if my legs were a little longer i could use the Knee pads on the tank better. I remember reading on here when i bought mine that the Thruxton was better for people 6ft or taller.

11-15-2006

Thanks to everyone for the replies. It'll be another month or so before I am able to get to a dealer...and even then they might not have anything out for me to sit on ('tis snowmobile season!), but we'll see...

Thanks again.
Andy

markbvt · 11-16-2006

I'm 6'4"/250 and not particularly flexible, and I find my Bonneville (NH Ace bars, stock footpegs) very comfortable even for longer distances. I never feel cramped, and in fact my best friend, who's 4" or 5" shorter than I am, feels too small for the Bonnie. He thinks the reach to the bars is too long (again though, I've got the NH Ace bars, which work best for long-armed apes like me).

--mark