Saxophones Carrying a tenor on a (motor)bike?

[jonf]

Do I look like a man that would drive a Marina?

I have a colleague called Marina Sierra

 

[jonf]

possibly more supple, but definitely shorter - 30 inch inside leg rules out a lot of bikes for me! I'd be on my tiptoes with a zx6r, but I have a sportsbike itch that needs scratching.

Just goes to show, horses for courses. I have long and unbendy legs, so sports bikes are out for me, whereas you'd never be able to ride my bike. All different, all good.

 

[ProfJames]

I have a colleague called Marina Sierra

Wet and dry?

 

[sax panther]

Yamaha R6 may be lower or there are always replacement seat options. My pal is 5'4" and he rides and R1

it's all fine when I'm moving, but I have to tiptoe my bike backwards out of my driveway. My ER6 is 810 mm I think. Will have to sit on a few when I've saved up a bit more cash! ZX6r appeals more because of the extra midrange...I'm told those extra 36 ccs make all the difference

 

[jonf]

Depending on which model year ZX6 you look at, the seat height may be a smidge higher than the ER6. However, it will probably feel lower due to the seat being narrower.

 

[Jay]

I've just managed to acquire a very-neary-new pair of Daytona boots, the ones that are built up inside but look normal outside, for not very much, on Gumtree.
The extra inch on my legs makes all the difference to how easy it is to move my bike about with my feet, since although the CBF600 supposedly has quite a low seat on its bottom setting, mine came with a custom seat which is comfier but thicker......

 

[Gareth WG]

I own a zx6r (636 A1P). I am around 6 foot 2 (plus...)

when I purchased the bike, the guy that owned it was 5 foot 4 and had the ninja "professionally" lowered.

Felt incredibly weird riding home, but you can have bikes lowered.....so don't let that dream bike go by.

 

[sax panther]

I own a zx6r (636 A1P). I am around 6 foot 2 (plus...)

when I purchased the bike, the guy that owned it was 5 foot 4 and had the ninja "professionally" lowered.

Felt incredibly weird riding home, but you can have bikes lowered.....so don't let that dream bike go by.

I've heard that the lowering kits can affect the handling, so didn't want to go down that route. I'll be fine on my tiptoes (I'm 5'8""). ZX6R has no luggage, is slightly too tall than ideal, has a very wide turning circle, high insurance premiums, minimal wind protection, uncomfortable riding position, hardly any room for a pillion, has peak torque at ridiculously high revs....it's entirely unsuited to what I need from a motorbike but I'm planning to get one anyway (will have to wait until next year though)!

 

[sax panther]

I've just managed to acquire a very-neary-new pair of Daytona boots, the ones that are built up inside but look normal outside, for not very much, on Gumtree.
The extra inch on my legs makes all the difference to how easy it is to move my bike about with my feet, since although the CBF600 supposedly has quite a low seat on its bottom setting, mine came with a custom seat which is comfier but thicker......

ah yes....if I can just bring myself to get a decent pair of cuban heels, it will get me access to a universe of bikes that I previously considered un-rideable!

 

[ProfJames]

I've heard that the lowering kits can affect the handling, so didn't want to go down that route. I'll be fine on my tiptoes (I'm 5'8""). ZX6R has no luggage, is slightly too tall than ideal, has a very wide turning circle, high insurance premiums, minimal wind protection, uncomfortable riding position, hardly any room for a pillion, has peak torque at ridiculously high revs....it's entirely unsuited to what I need from a motorbike but I'm planning to get one anyway (will have to wait until next year though)!

Lowering kits shouldn't have any influence on the "ride" of the bike. It doesn't affect the rake and trail.

 

[Gareth WG]

Sax panther, I have had three of these particular models of ninja's over last 11 years, and have to disagree on a number of points.

This particular model of ninja has a very usable spread of power right through the rev range, secondly, it is not too bad at all at taking pillions, wind protection?.......your on a bike, you want wind protection? buy an igloo!

I cannot drive (thank God) so ride my bike EVERY single day, I am a large guy with arthritis in my right knee and two broken ankles, but I can honestly say this bike is very comfortable (it is the last of the big 600's), it does everything.....newer ninja's are tiny, but this model is a superb road tool, underestimated bike that one can buy for peanuts........I love them.

 

[Targa]

Lowering kits shouldn't have any influence on the "ride" of the bike. It doesn't affect the rake and trail.

Wouldn't the CoG being lower effect it?

 

[ProfJames]

Wouldn't the CoG being lower effect it?

Wouldn't the CoG alter for each person? Probably but it should not alter the way the bike performs, rides, corners, etc as the frame, length, weight, power/torque should remain a constant and has been applied to the frame and dimensions. I am sure more people will comment......

 

[Targa]

Wouldn't the CoG alter for each person? Probably but it should not alter the way the bike performs, rides, corners, etc as the frame, length, weight, power/torque should remain a constant and has been applied to the frame and dimensions. I am sure more people will comment......

I was meaning 'all things being equal', the lowering being the only change with the same rider.
My knowledge of bikes is limited to owning one, learning to ride, (passed test first time of course), and then selling it when it didn't get used much.

 

[ProfJames]

I agree @Targa ...all things being equal. But then the CoG is something that will differ from bike to bike but in essence, should not alter performance, etc

 

[sax panther]

Sax panther, I have had three of these particular models of ninja's over last 11 years, and have to disagree on a number of points.

This particular model of ninja has a very usable spread of power right through the rev range, secondly, it is not too bad at all at taking pillions, wind protection?.......your on a bike, you want wind protection? buy an igloo!

I cannot drive (thank God) so ride my bike EVERY single day, I am a large guy with arthritis in my right knee and two broken ankles, but I can honestly say this bike is very comfortable (it is the last of the big 600's), it does everything.....newer ninja's are tiny, but this model is a superb road tool, underestimated bike that one can buy for peanuts........I love them.

probably badly phrased/explained....I'm not dissing the ninja (I'm saving up for one!!) - just that I'm used to torquey commuter twins, so can be pretty lazy changing gear, can shove a top box on, upright riding position, good fuel economy etc..perfect for what I use if for - getting to work (I ride every day too, like you), getting to gigs, and weekend fun on the twisties if the weather is nice. .I've not ridden a sportsbike - sat on a couple and thought they looked fun but would give me backache! After 4 years on the ER6 though, I'm a lot more confident on the bike and really fancy trying a sportsbike. I imagine I'll have it for a couple of years, find it fun but inconvenient, then go back to something more suitable...but as I said earlier, it's an itch that I need to scratch!

I love how we've turned this place info a biking forum... 😉

 

[Gareth WG]

Ha ha yes sax panther, very cool indeed..........no worries man, did not think you were dissing the ninja, just think that you (and many others before) will be pleasantly surprised what a great road tool the ninja can be.

Whatever you ride is cool by me, have fun, enjoy.......don't forget to check out this model on ebay.(ZX6R A1p)...crazy money.

Although I have been drooling over one of these lately......

 

[trimmy]

Also remember there is a happy medium in a sports tourer !

SPORTS TOURER Motorbike Reviews | MCN

 

[ProfJames]

Indeed. I owned a Honda Blackbird............best bike I had ever had........sports tourer

 

[Gareth WG]

Yeah those blackbirds were amazing, had a go of my friends, such a smooth, plush bike, had a Honda in my younger years, (CBR 400 at 21) but a self confessed Kwaka fan for most of my riding life.

Pretty much given up all the naughty things in my life now....but my bike, man so much fun.