Discussion
What's your bike weight limit?
Inspired by the VFR thread (dropping your bike). I have a few bikes ranging from 230lb/100KG to 500lb/225KG, and I think 500lb/225KG is my personal max (funnily enough both the Tiger 900 and the RC51 are this heavy when full of fuel). Although starting on a CBR250R I do now appreciate a bit more weight to combat side winds. The FZ-09 I used to have was about 400lbs/180KG which seemed about perfect to me.
A friend of mine test rode a Harley and stopped by once, it was well over 300kg, and just getting it off the side stand was terrifying. If your foot slipped on gravel or something it felt like it would crush your leg. The Tiger holds its weight up high and I'm on tip toes so can be a pain to move around when it has a full tank.
So do you have a max weight that you wouldn't buy a bike over?
Inspired by the VFR thread (dropping your bike). I have a few bikes ranging from 230lb/100KG to 500lb/225KG, and I think 500lb/225KG is my personal max (funnily enough both the Tiger 900 and the RC51 are this heavy when full of fuel). Although starting on a CBR250R I do now appreciate a bit more weight to combat side winds. The FZ-09 I used to have was about 400lbs/180KG which seemed about perfect to me.
A friend of mine test rode a Harley and stopped by once, it was well over 300kg, and just getting it off the side stand was terrifying. If your foot slipped on gravel or something it felt like it would crush your leg. The Tiger holds its weight up high and I'm on tip toes so can be a pain to move around when it has a full tank.
So do you have a max weight that you wouldn't buy a bike over?
One of the heaviest bikes I've ridden is a Pan European 1100. Probably 300kg fully fuelled. It was a huge lump to move around. I don't think I'd ever buy anything that heavy mainly due to having a sloping gravel drive. My 230kg Crossrunner can already be a handful if I get that wrong. I think 250kg is probably about my limit.
It doesn't really bother me as I'm quite strong and well built, I have never dropped a bike because its too heavy, I have ridden 1800 Goldwings and full dress Harleys and have had no issues with them although I wouldn't want to end up underneath one, really tall bikes are more of an issue when they have panniers and a topbox, there's been a couple of times I've nearly given myself a hernia trying to swing my leg over and catching my boot on the luggage.
The problem with such a question is that the answer is ... it depends!
It's the feel and "manageability" of the weight as much as the actual number on the spec. sheet that is important. There is a reason why those riding HUGE Goldwings etc. are rarely 6'10" professional power lifters, and that is because of the CofG and weight distribution.
It's the feel and "manageability" of the weight as much as the actual number on the spec. sheet that is important. There is a reason why those riding HUGE Goldwings etc. are rarely 6'10" professional power lifters, and that is because of the CofG and weight distribution.
Interesting thread. My MT10 weighs about 210kg from the factory, although i've taken about 11kg of weight out of it from losing charcoal canisters, AIS, EXUP, CAT and a Ti system along with various other bits . I haven't actually noticed a difference however as I didnt do it all at once. Next step is lighter wheels which I hope will make a decent difference. That said, i've ridden a GS and it definitely feels much lighter than its on-paper figure would suggest. Wouldnt want to try and pick one up off the floor mind....
Nope no real limit, I would have a go at riding anything. I hired an Indian Roadmaster for 2500 miles trip across the USA. they are 403Kg wet, so over 1/2 metric ton with 2 people on board.
It really could have done with a reverse gear for parking, I tended to let my other half get off before I parked it up and you are always conscious of inclines as even a slight negative incline to reverse up is difficult.
Otherwise, like any 2 wheeled vehicle, once you are above walking pace the weight disappears and it handles just great. Sure you are not going to be flicking it from side to side down a B road, but its nowhere near as unwieldy as you imagine.
I have a V-Rod thats probably about 300kg wet, all the weight is down low, even the fuel tank is under the seat just a few inches off the floor. I dont notice the weight.
I find adventure bikes with full tanks are the worst, say a 1250GS is 270Kg wet, high seat and CoG...they feel more unwieldy to me than a Goldwing.
It really could have done with a reverse gear for parking, I tended to let my other half get off before I parked it up and you are always conscious of inclines as even a slight negative incline to reverse up is difficult.
Otherwise, like any 2 wheeled vehicle, once you are above walking pace the weight disappears and it handles just great. Sure you are not going to be flicking it from side to side down a B road, but its nowhere near as unwieldy as you imagine.
I have a V-Rod thats probably about 300kg wet, all the weight is down low, even the fuel tank is under the seat just a few inches off the floor. I dont notice the weight.
I find adventure bikes with full tanks are the worst, say a 1250GS is 270Kg wet, high seat and CoG...they feel more unwieldy to me than a Goldwing.
Plenty of videos on youtube of female riders picking up full dress tourers. Weight is nothing to worry about if you have the correct technique...and sometimes those big crash bars help 
https://youtu.be/Ql2LU1SRtIY
https://youtu.be/Ql2LU1SRtIY
Another key point for me is seat height and how easy it is to get my feet on the ground. If I can flat foot both feet then I'm much happier than only tip toeing one or both feet. I had to work harder to manage the weight on a BMW S1000XR, despite it being almost 30kg lighter than my H2 SX, because, on the Kawasaki, I can get both feet almost flat on the ground, while the XR is only balls of the feet.
Crudeoink said:
Interesting thread.
Agreed.Black K-K1 made a valid point about weight distribution.
elroy500 and myself have discussed manual handing issues due to inclines and garage access. It's more by luck than judgment that I've not dropped a bike since returning to motorcycling.
It's an interesting issue, I have self edited, it's a complicated issue and more than about just weight. I intended to get further training, it's on the to do list.
Balancing clutch and throttle control was difficult to master when I started out and it's been an issue since returning after driving cars for years.
black-k1 said:
Another key point for me is seat height and how easy it is to get my feet on the ground. If I can flat foot both feet then I'm much happier than only tip toeing one or both feet. I had to work harder to manage the weight on a BMW S1000XR, despite it being almost 30kg lighter than my H2 SX, because, on the Kawasaki, I can get both feet almost flat on the ground, while the XR is only balls of the feet.
I am happier if I can flat foot. I tried an Adventure bike for size at a dealer last week. I couldn't flat foot both sides, it was balls both sides. Due to the small roads and inclines I ride on I am happier if I can flat foot both sides. I've ridden a Z750 Turbo, seems they're 513lb but the seat is low and it has a 'sit in' riding position.
Interesting thread because I'm hoping to get back into bike ownership soon because I'll have a garage when I move. 
But I'm not a powerfully built company director, I'm a skinny pensioner so I don't want a heavy bike.
The heaviest bike I've had was a 1980 Kawasaki Z650C2 at 220kg wet and when I dropped that on some gravel even in my 20s I would have struggled to pick up anything heavier. Which is probably why I much preferred RD Yamahas - that and the fact they didn't have hinges in the frame!
Hopefully I'll be able to do some research soon.
But I'm not a powerfully built company director, I'm a skinny pensioner so I don't want a heavy bike.
The heaviest bike I've had was a 1980 Kawasaki Z650C2 at 220kg wet and when I dropped that on some gravel even in my 20s I would have struggled to pick up anything heavier. Which is probably why I much preferred RD Yamahas - that and the fact they didn't have hinges in the frame!
Hopefully I'll be able to do some research soon.
I dropped my VFR recently and I haven't stopped 
I've seen some Daytona boots 'MAX' in the name, have a hidden 'French President' style hidden heel lift and I'm wondering whether the little bit of extra height might assist me with reversing when necessary. I plan to ride down to MotoLegends nr Guildford to try them on my bike.
I've seen some Daytona boots 'MAX' in the name, have a hidden 'French President' style hidden heel lift and I'm wondering whether the little bit of extra height might assist me with reversing when necessary. I plan to ride down to MotoLegends nr Guildford to try them on my bike.
bolidemichael said:
I dropped my VFR recently and I haven't stopped
I've seen some Daytona boots 'MAX' in the name, have a hidden 'French President' style hidden heel lift and I'm wondering whether the little bit of extra height might assist me with reversing when necessary. I plan to ride down to MotoLegends nr Guildford to try them on my bike.
If you cant get your feet flat on the ground for maneuvering it does really help confidence, especially on loose surfaces. My other half has the Daytona boots with the heel lift, they look like regular boots but give over 2" of extra height, really helps her getting on/off the bike.I've seen some Daytona boots 'MAX' in the name, have a hidden 'French President' style hidden heel lift and I'm wondering whether the little bit of extra height might assist me with reversing when necessary. I plan to ride down to MotoLegends nr Guildford to try them on my bike.
Edited by bogie on Saturday 23 October 13:58
Jazoli said:
It doesn't really bother me as I'm quite strong and well built, I have never dropped a bike because its too heavy, I have ridden 1800 Goldwings and full dress Harleys and have had no issues with them although I wouldn't want to end up underneath one, really tall bikes are more of an issue when they have panniers and a topbox, there's been a couple of times I've nearly given myself a hernia trying to swing my leg over and catching my boot on the luggage.
Sugar. I’ve never even thought about this but now I’m having nightmares about swinging my leg over luggage. Shudder! My ZRX1100 weighed 246kg fully fueled.
I have now got that down to just under 230kg. I‘m a scrawny 67kg myself and it feels pretty manageable and once it’s rolling pretty agile and capable. It rolled off the sidestand once and was easy to pick up.
My Ducati 999 weighs 215kg fully fueled. So not much difference to the ZRX really.
I have now got that down to just under 230kg. I‘m a scrawny 67kg myself and it feels pretty manageable and once it’s rolling pretty agile and capable. It rolled off the sidestand once and was easy to pick up.
My Ducati 999 weighs 215kg fully fueled. So not much difference to the ZRX really.
Have a Ducati Monster 696 at 180 odd KG, a GSXR600 at 196, and have had a Versy's 650 at 205 KG, so light bikes up till now.
Recently bought a Gen 1 Hayabusa weighing 262 KG wet, honestly the Busa is fine, as someone mentioned being able to flat foot the bike is a big factor, i'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam, the Versy's had a 33" seat and TBH despite being fairly light it was a struggle.
I've dropped the Gixxer twice (i'm a fairly new rider), and i've mainly put it down to not being able to flat foot it (as well as being a novice), the Hayabusa feels a lot more stable, low seat at 31.5", the weight has not been an issue, it carries it's weight low down like a cruiser, i can manual handle it no problem, only difference is i need to ride it up my steep (ish) drive instead of pushing it up like the others. Have had to watch my speed going into corners on A/B roads but no scares yet.
It's just a lovely big bike to ride so can easily forgive any disadvantages the weight gives.
Recently bought a Gen 1 Hayabusa weighing 262 KG wet, honestly the Busa is fine, as someone mentioned being able to flat foot the bike is a big factor, i'm 5'7" with a 30" inseam, the Versy's had a 33" seat and TBH despite being fairly light it was a struggle.
I've dropped the Gixxer twice (i'm a fairly new rider), and i've mainly put it down to not being able to flat foot it (as well as being a novice), the Hayabusa feels a lot more stable, low seat at 31.5", the weight has not been an issue, it carries it's weight low down like a cruiser, i can manual handle it no problem, only difference is i need to ride it up my steep (ish) drive instead of pushing it up like the others. Have had to watch my speed going into corners on A/B roads but no scares yet.
It's just a lovely big bike to ride so can easily forgive any disadvantages the weight gives.
I traded in my FZ1s for a MT09 3 years ago as the FZ1s just felt too heavy when moving it about in the garage. The MT09 felt like a bicycle at first , so light and both feet flat on the floor.
I find too many bikes now seem to have a tall seat height compared to bikes I have owned in the past, I even find my son's KTM390 a bit awkward, I can only just swing my leg over without hitting the rear seat and when at a stand still I am on my tip toes.
The width of some seats seem to be designed to spread your legs so that combined with a tall seat height I feel unconfident on sloping or loose surfaces.
I find too many bikes now seem to have a tall seat height compared to bikes I have owned in the past, I even find my son's KTM390 a bit awkward, I can only just swing my leg over without hitting the rear seat and when at a stand still I am on my tip toes.
The width of some seats seem to be designed to spread your legs so that combined with a tall seat height I feel unconfident on sloping or loose surfaces.
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