I'm a tall guy (6feet 7inches) and I'm planning on buying a new ADV bike. I’m considering the new Himalayan 450, the Benelli TRK 502X and the Kawasaki Versys 650. Please recommend the best option.
Saif Khan, Sangli
Autocar India says: For someone as tall as yourself, it is very important to try the bikes out for size because you may discover areas of discomfort that most other riders will never experience. The Himalayan 450 is definitely worth waiting for and hopefully the tank extrusions will not come in the way of your knees. You could also take a look at the KTM 390 Adventure, which has a fairly tall seat and is very roomy with a smooth fuel tank area.
However, no matter what motorcycle you go for, you will probably need to make some modifications to help these bikes fit you better. These shouldn’t be too complicated and they will essentially involve a taller seat and handlebar risers, or a different handlebar.
A taller seat will create more space for your legs and allow your hips to feel more relaxed. On long rides, this can make a great difference to your comfort. For the taller seat you could look at aftermarket options that exist for the international bikes you have mentioned, but they can be very expensive.
The alternative is to find a reputed seat maker in your city and have them modify your existing seat to your needs. You may also need to look for a taller windscreen if you find your helmet catching too much wind as a result of the taller seat.
