First bike/scooter recommendations for 6'5" son

[Bonz]

No, man. 150cc for a teenager is "measly" and dangerous. You gotta have enough power to safely enter a freeway, get outta the way of cars, flow with the traffic, etc., etc. Gotta have at least 500cc. Motorcycle Safety Foundation course will keep him more safe.

You missed parts of my post my friend. I suggested bikes in the 300 to 500 CC range that would be appropriate to his height. In the same vein, MSF bikes are in the 250cc to 300cc range. I'm not quite understanding that a 150 is dangerous for a teenager. What rider is it safe for would be the de facto follow up question based on that statement.

His height is short in my motorcycle world, there are easy ways to make many bikes fit which was part of my post as well. Used bikes are an option, go to a dealer try some models out most of them have a good selection between new and used that opens up more options.

Then I shared that a 150 in a bike such as the Honda that has a decent chance to fit him to get him through his beginning and maturing phases is an idea for a young person, a teenager, that's never ridden.

The default to "needs more power" to ride on the street can be more of an undoing than knowing ones equipment and personal capabilities at any given stage in a riding career and riding accordingly, again for a teenage mind.

As well, in the opening post, the father mentioned about engine size. Just reading the room and the words.

Something we haven't talked about, and I would absolutely say, in the middle ground, would be a Honda CRF 230, Kawasaki KLX 230, etc.

I don't want to draw conclusions prematurely however I get the idea the father may not be a current rider or hasn't ridden much based on the question itself regardless of his son's height.

OP, you and your son should sign up for an MSF course together. There's no substitute for knowing the same things and the same terminology. That allows a mature voice and presence into his start to riding that is talking the language and principles he was taught.

 

[FZ1]

You missed parts of my post my friend. I suggested bikes in the 300 to 500 CC range that would be appropriate to his height. In the same vein, MSF bikes are in the 250cc to 300cc range. I'm not quite understanding that a 150 is dangerous for a teenager. What rider is it safe for would be the de facto follow up question based on that statement.

His height is short in my motorcycle world, there are easy ways to make many bikes fit which was part of my post as well. Used bikes are an option, go to a dealer try some models out most of them have a good selection between new and used that opens up more options.

Then I shared that a 150 in a bike such as the Honda that has a decent chance to fit him to get him through his beginning and maturing phases is an idea for a young person, a teenager, that's never ridden.

The default to "needs more power" to ride on the street can be more of an undoing than knowing ones equipment and personal capabilities at any given stage in a riding career and riding accordingly, again for a teenage mind.

As well, in the opening post, the father mentioned about engine size. Just reading the room and the words.

Something we haven't talked about, and I would absolutely say, in the middle ground, would be a Honda CRF 230, Kawasaki KLX 230, etc.

I don't want to draw conclusions prematurely however I get the idea the father may not be a current rider or hasn't ridden much based on the question itself regardless of his son's height.

OP, you and your son should sign up for an MSF course together. There's no substitute for knowing the same things and the same terminology. That allows a mature voice and presence into his start to riding that is talking the language and principles he was taught.

My point is more power is better than less power, wherever you ride, and, getting a bike that fits is better than getting a bike that does not fit. Taking a MSF safety riding course is a must. The Dad and Son can take it from there.

 

[Hohn]

Your son is on the taller side of things. Me as well at 6'11". I am sure any bike itself seems/looks small under him. By changing foot pegs, building up the seat taller, different bars with more rise/wider, all can make a comfortable riding cockpit for a taller person. I look like a grasshopper riding a flea on my ZRX1200, but the riding position is comfortable.

With that said, a 650cc bike whether a thumper like a KLR/DR or a twin like the VStrom/Versys, is not a small engined bike. Royal Enfield Himalayan, Versys 300, Honda CB500X would be other options that could be worth a look.

A "measly" 150 cc for a kid is not to be looked down on. Get a safety course on the books. Interested in resale value or success for your son? Honda 150 makes a ton of sense. Who cares if you can't resell it for what you bought it for, your son will keep the rubber side down and learn some skills. He's gotta make it through the learning process on the road in one piece, and the right wrist is along with wide eyes and young teenage brain don't necessarily mean they all work at the same time when they should.

100% on the MSF course if he elects to head the 2-wheel route.

As for engine size, smaller is preferable but it's not like a 150cc can't get you killed. You can die quite easily with 50cc pushing you along at 30mph.

That said, the Honda 150 XR150 seems about perfect. I like the idea of the long flatter seat which will allow him to scoot back a bit on the bike and better package his long legs. His femurs are crazy long even in proportion to his height, so he needs a bike that will not cause his knees to whack the handlebars or constantly be in the way.

 

[FZ1]

Im 6'1" and 375lbs. That "measly" Honda XR150L easily and comfortably carried me at 50MPH, topping out at 65MPH indicated, 62MPH GPS confirmed.

My current scoot is 163CC 2012 Kymco Like, a Vespa clone. I sold bigger scoots as this one meets all my needs for a daily 60-70 mile work commute, and way more nimble than anything above 200CC. Carries me just fine at traffic speeds and has enough power to pull ahead of traffic until I reach the speed limit. 50-55mph all day no problem, 65mph available when necessary.
View attachment 292276

A new rider does not belong on the highway, no matter what size bike they got. Take the back roads and enjoy the ride, while honing skills. Get the XR150L or PCX150.
- PCX150 goes 70MPH+ and gets 110MPG with a simple Dr. Pulley mod. No shifting, easy CVT. Stock it still does 65MPH and 100MPG.
- XR150L is 90-100MPG. Shift all you want on this one. Play with chains and sprockets to shift the powerband or efficiency where it's needed most for your commute.

Handsome Scooter and it fits your needs.

 

[Hohn]

I don't want to draw conclusions prematurely however I get the idea the father may not be a current rider or hasn't ridden much based on the question itself regardless of his son's height.

I rode a LOT as a kid and younger man, both off road and on, and I've always had in intuition about riding since then. But I've never owned a bike as an adult or regularly street ridden as a father and husband. Sort of left my bikehood in my youth.

So it's arguable that I'm worse than inexperienced-- I have just enough experience to beguile me into thinking I'm better than I am or know more than I do.

 

[Hohn]

Get a trail bike motorcycle with street legal lights. They are the correct size for tall people. And beginners are way ahead of the learning curve if they spend the majority of the first couple years almost always off road. There's no cars to deal with while learning to ride off road.

Agree with this, I learned mostly offroad and it's hugely advantageous to have mastered the basics of vehicle control before trying to manage traffic and road rules on top of vehicle control.

Too much engine will get them in trouble easier, too little will be slow and also wear out the engine quicker.

I mostly disagree with this. While I do think it unwise for a beginner to start on a Hayabusa, let's not kid ourselves that a 150 is somehow a great deal safer than a 400 or 650. Reserve power sometimes can get you out of sticky situations.

The main hazards of motorcycling on the road are managing other drivers and having to share the road. Single-vehicle bike accidents are almost always preventable and a small engine is poor and weak substitute for having some respect for the throttle. A 150 can go fast enough to get you killed just like a 350 or 650 can.

 

[rstcso]

While I do think it unwise for a beginner to start on a Hayabusa, let's not kid ourselves that a 150 is somehow a great deal safer than a 400 or 650. Reserve power sometimes can get you out of sticky situations.

^^^This. But you need to know how to do so, and that's where I'm totally in the "learn to ride in the dirt/offroad first" camp.

 

[KrisZ]

150cc is simply a waste of money. It’s great if you want to teach 10-13 year old to ride, but not a teenager that’s almost a grown man and a big one at that.

It all sounds good on paper, but that’s hardly the case. Off road is different and hence dirt bikes don’t have big displacements.

For road riding, throttle control is key and learning to ride on something as underpowered as a 150cc can get a new rider into the bad habit of abrupt throttle operation because the little engine has no power.
Those same throttle inputs on a bigger bike will get one in trouble real fast and that’s something to keep in mind.

I guess 150cc would be ok if the next bike would be 250-500cc and then go bigger after that. But a lot of new riders start off real small and then make a big jump, which is not good either.

That’s why I’m a big proponent of starting off with something bigger, 500cc is optimal in my view and won’t bore the rider after just few weeks.

 

[Bonz]

Agree with this, I learned mostly offroad and it's hugely advantageous to have mastered the basics of vehicle control before trying to manage traffic and road rules on top of vehicle control.

I mostly disagree with this. While I do think it unwise for a beginner to start on a Hayabusa, let's not kid ourselves that a 150 is somehow a great deal safer than a 400 or 650. Reserve power sometimes can get you out of sticky situations.

The main hazards of motorcycling on the road are managing other drivers and having to share the road. Single-vehicle bike accidents are almost always preventable and a small engine is poor and weak substitute for having some respect for the throttle. A 150 can go fast enough to get you killed just like a 350 or 650 can.

This post says volumes about your understanding of the intangibles such as rider skill, mentality, intuition, anticipation on the road and the scope of what your son is taking on potentially. He's gonna be in good hands having your guidance.

If the Honda 150 is where you end up, check around for used examples. I've seen a few on Facebook marketplace in my area with low miles in the lower $2000 range. You can take advantage of the depreciation they seem to be experiencing and have a stone reliable bike.

 

[barbersurgeon]

BMW G310 GS high seat option is over 33"

 

[FZ1]

Agree with this, I learned mostly offroad and it's hugely advantageous to have mastered the basics of vehicle control before trying to manage traffic and road rules on top of vehicle control.

I mostly disagree with this. While I do think it unwise for a beginner to start on a Hayabusa, let's not kid ourselves that a 150 is somehow a great deal safer than a 400 or 650. Reserve power sometimes can get you out of sticky situations.

The main hazards of motorcycling on the road are managing other drivers and having to share the road. Single-vehicle bike accidents are almost always preventable and a small engine is poor and weak substitute for having some respect for the throttle. A 150 can go fast enough to get you killed just like a 350 or 650 can.

Best to buy bikes and boats used.