Superbikes wasted on the tall

UNCOMFORTABLE: BMW S1000RR IS SUPERFAST AND MAKES ME LOOK LIKE A GRASSHOPPER

- Jim Freeman

Back in the early 2000s, a Catalan rider in the World Superbike series, Rubèn Xaus, got the nickname “Spider-Man” because his 1.8m body gave him an ungainly stance on his BMW S1000RR motorcycle.

I am 10cm taller than Xaus and, having ridden the 2025 model of the same bike for the past fortnight, have discovered that modern performance bikes are not designed for big men.

My neighbour laughed as he watched me returning home the other day, saying I looked incredibly uncomfortable... like a grasshopper with knees behind my ears and bum hanging over the rear of the bike, he said.

With a seat height of a mere 824mm and the front footrests (as received for testing though they are adjustable to a degree) set 400mm above the ground, it was actually quite difficult getting my feet onto the pegs.

Compare this to the 480mm play between pegs and the seat on my everyday BMW R1200GS adventure bike which, combined with a more upright riding stance, makes things a lot less awkward for my 65-year-old lumpy body.