Motorcycle Weight

[JeffOlson]

Do you prefer lighter bikes or heavier bikes?

I definitely prefer lighter bikes if I have to paddle around at low speeds, say in a garage or on a lawn. My Norge was a bit much, especially paddling it out back of the farmhouse and parking it on the gravel/dirt/lawn. But I much prefer heavier bikes while cruising on the highway. Even my Norge seemed a bit light on the highway, with truck-induced wind storms tossing it about.

What is your happy medium for bikes?

I know I personally feel better weighing a bit less than I used to. I like being lighter on my feet and able to move about better. But I don't like weighing so little that a strong wind could knock me over. My happy personal medium is "stout and sturdy."

[elvisboy77]

I love sub-500 lb bikes, and Guzzi has had quite a few of them.  The center of gravity, steering angle etc also come into low speed maneuverability.... .and while weight has a lot to do with cross wind stability, so does cross sectional area, i.e. Saddlebags and the like make it worse.

[Lannis]

I love sub-500 lb bikes, ......

I do too.   It's all I'm buying in future ...

[Triple Jim]

Another light motorcycle guy here.  My Mille is at the upper end of what's acceptable to me.  The little Ninja 250 is a blast to ride, and handles highways just fine.  It barely weighs over 300 lbs.  It took me almost 40 years of riding to find out that big and high horsepower doesn't make it better.

[Kev m]

I had a 700# RK that felt lighter than a < 600# BMW Oilhead.

My Breva 1100 was a hair lighter than my Jackal, but felt heavier.

My Ascot VT 500 felt too tiny, not sure what it weighed.

So it's not JUST about weight. Center of Gravity plays a HUGE part.

And as others have said, I like some weight on the interstate. I like it carried low in crosswinds.

So I can enjoy anything from 400-800#, and maybe generally prefer something in the 400-500# range if tall, or 500-600# range if short.

Was that wishy washy enough for ya?


EDIT - my current garage ranges from 400-600# and it seems pretty ideal, though if I was doing a lot of 2-up or freeway I could go up a little more.

[Guzzistajohn]

I do enjoy my lighter Tonti LeMans bikes, although I'm not sure what their exact weight is and don't really care.

According to specs the Tiger weighs in @ 474 add camping and traveling gear, I know it'll top 500. It seems just as balanced and easy to maneuver the little LeMans'.

But I don't have a need to go heavier/bigger the little scooters I have are working just fine for me.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Do you prefer lighter bikes or heavier bikes?

I definitely prefer lighter bikes if I have to paddle around at low speeds, say in a garage or on a lawn. My Norge was a bit much, especially paddling it out back of the farmhouse and parking it on the gravel/dirt/lawn. But I much prefer heavier bikes while cruising on the highway. Even my Norge seemed a bit light on the highway, with truck-induced wind storms tossing it about.

What is your happy medium for bikes?

It depends.

Dual-sporting: as light as possible. (ATK is ~280 lbs.)
Mostly backroad: 350 lbs. (Morini 350K2)
Mostly highway: ~ 550 lbs. (fully dressed '71 Ambassador)

[LongRanger]

For the type of riding I enjoy (no freeways), lighter is better.

[canuguzzi]

Properly designed, lighter bikes work for the highways too. While a heavier bike might not be affected by the wind as much, often the heavier bikes have stuff hanging all over them that negates any benefit there.

Weight also doesn't help with suspension, it is a matter of how the suspension is tuned. Additional weight for a more compliant ride is counter productive.

For all around, 400-500 pounds, not more. Even with a ST fairing, if properly designed, on a lighter bike wind isn't a problem.

[Carlo DeSantis]

I've been trading down in weight over the past several years.  My K1100LT was the heaviest bike I ever owned at close to 700# wet/loaded, and it was the first to go.  More recently my EV with Rifle windshield and 3-piece HB luggage (600#?) went to a new home.

My garage currently has a naked '75 T3 (500#?) and a '11 BMW R1200R with small screen and hard bags (530#).  And there's that Eldo project waiting to be reborn . . .

I'm really happy with this weight range and doubt I would ever get anything heavier.  I really wanted a Norge instead of the R12R, but weight was the deciding factor for me.

Best,

Carlo

[Rox]

If the suspension is set up properly I don't mind a heavy bike. I've thrown Triumph Rockets into corners like a sportbike. Not so much with a Goldwing but those can be ridden hard and fast too.  Only issue is anything under 10mph when you really feel the weight.
Guzzis I think hold their weight well. Even the Calis.

[ajwood]

The Yamaha Vmax is a good example of slow speed clumsy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YJDz7fJlCQ  .
Wheelbase and rake matter on slow speed. Demo-ing a bike at a dealer with factory fresh tires on cement won't reveal what tacky tires do at street and parking lot speeds.

I don't recall dangerous vortices/ x-wind problems on my V7 so much as when I wasn't getting out on it enough. Lots of practice and I'm constantly adding lean and steer to correct sub-consciously.

[rocker59]

500 lbs.

I prefer less, but will go a little more.

550 lbs is the heaviest listed weight of any bike I've owned.  I've had two that weighed that.  (Quota and Bassa)

Everything else has been less.

The bikes I've had that were just under 500 lbs and putting down about 80 rwhp have been my favorites.  (Triumph Sprint, Guzzi Sport 1100, Guzzi Nero Corsa)

[tazio]

376lbs.
Weight of my '66 Triumph Bonneville.

Not one pound more.
Not one pound less.

[canuguzzi]

The Yamaha Vmax is a good example of slow speed clumsy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YJDz7fJlCQ  .
Wheelbase and rake matter on slow speed. Demo-ing a bike at a dealer with factory fresh tires on cement won't reveal what tacky tires do at street and parking lot speeds.

I don't recall dangerous vortices/ x-wind problems on my V7 so much as when I wasn't getting out on it enough. Lots of practice and I'm constantly adding lean and steer to correct sub-consciously.

Demoing a bike entails taking it out on the road, highway, surface streets. No good test ride, no sale.

[nunzio]

My Eldo is the heaviest bike I've ever owned...550ish Lbs.

I am looking a F6B though.....Alan

[jas67]

400-550# is my preferred weight range (for the bike, not me), under #500 is best.

[Gliderjohn]

As an adult I have owned a 77 Suzuki 400GS, a T-3 and and Norge 8V. With tuned after market suspension for it's day the Suzuki was blast in the Ozarks. The T-3 is the best all arounder but one can find it's limits sometimes too early in "technical sections". I consider the Norge to be a really good highway bike. It is also a good handling and fun bike in twistys (but not hairpins) but may make you sweat a bit from exersion. They are all good.
GliderJohn

[canuguzzi]

Sometimes when bikes get heavier, riders tend to muscle them more than needed, resorting to a lot of body movement and upper body force to get the bike to turn.

Take the Norge. At slow speeds it wants to fall in and that can be used in very tight turns. Use the engine and the bikes propensity to fall in and a Norge can do crazy things with very tight turns that make a rider on a much lighter sport bike look in awe.

Plenty if riders only check tires pressures once in a while and on the heavier bikes low pressures can really make them a chore to move around when speeds get slower.

Watch one of those police bike competitions and when you seen what is done with the behemoth BMWs and the ST1300 which is in the same class as the Norge you'll wonder what you're doing wrong. Few riders on sub 400 pound bikes can match the turns they seem to do with ease.

[SmithSwede]

Light is right!

The more I ride, the more I like light.

I'm not joking.    Overall weight is a big deal to me. 

I too very much enjoy riding Ninja 250 just about anywhere.  Adore my V7 Stone in large part due to low weight. 

And I've had the porker "super bikes" I am supposed to like more.  Like Yamaha FJR.  Not my cup of tea.   If I was going to ride 3,000 miles starting tomorrow, I want my V7, not an FJR.

Having said all that, this is highly subjective.  Lot's of people like big ol' heavy bikes.   Good for them. 

But make mine small and light.   

[jas67]

Light is right!
...
I too very much enjoy riding Ninja 250 just about anywhere.  Adore my V7 Stone in large part due to low weight. 

 :1:

I had a Breva 1100 (basically a Norge with less plastic) for 3 years, and have had V7's for a little more than 4 years.     The big Breva was a more stable bike for highway work.   The V7 more fun in ever other way, even though the Breva was a good bit faster (esp. on up hills).

[Lcarlson]

Although other bikes have come and gone since I bought my R1150R new 13 years ago, it remains. It weighs in at 525 lbs wet, carried low, and is easy enough to manage in garage/parking lot maneuvers, but is long-legged on the Interstate. The boxer motor provides torquey, tractable power, and premium aftermarket suspension (new Ohlins front, newish Hyperpro in back) deliver precise, supple ride and handling. Much as I love the big, plush ride and surprisingly nimble handling of my new Cali 1400, the old Beemer is probably about as good an all-around practical street bike as you could find. So, if I could only have one bike, I find low 500 lbs to be the best compromise.

[lost]

It's not all about weight. As we age comfort becomes far more important. The heavier bikes tend to be more comfortable so for long rides they are better. Around town light is more fun but either will do once you are familiar with the bike. I have downsized as i have gotten more decrepit in the hopes I will be able to get the bike upright in the event it falls over. All the more reason to own multiple bikes. At least that's my justification.
Current rides: Norge, Yamaha FZ1, Honda 305 dream.

[ponti_33609]

Not much from what others have said.  I went from a listed ~480 lb v11 sport to ~400 lb v7.  Huge difference around town.  Much more nimble, easier to maneuver.  The 80 pounds has made a huge difference for me.  This being said do I feel wind more when I ride around highway speed.....for sure.   

[Gootsz]

i just ride my Custom for awhile then the Griso feels like a dirt bike.

Actually as i age i would appreciate a lighter but powerful bike.

Say 400-450.

micky

[Lcarlson]

<< i just ride my Custom for awhile then the Griso feels like a dirt bike.>>

Exactly....

[not-fishing]

Forget the bike, for me it's the rider.  Presently I'm a "comfortable 230 lbs nekkid"  add riding gear and clothes other than skivvies and I bet I'm pushing 275lbs.

440 lb V + 275 lb chubby = 715 lb GVW

540 lb Griso + 190 lb chubby who lost the chub = 730 lb GVW

I'm still on my crusade to lose the next 40 lbs. 

It's not all about weight. As we age comfort becomes far more important. The heavier riders tend to be more comfortable so for long rides they are better. Around town lighter riders is more fun but either will do once you are familiar with the bike.

It's not the Arrow it's the Indain

[JeffOlson]

Forget the bike, for me it's the rider.  Presently I'm a "comfortable 230 lbs nekkid"  add riding gear and clothes other than skivvies and I bet I'm pushing 275lbs.

440 lb V + 275 lb chubby = 715 lb GVW

540 lb Griso + 190 lb chubby who lost the chub = 730 lb GVW

I'm still on my crusade to lose the next 40 lbs. 

It's not the Arrow it's the Indain

That's a really good point about rider weight and gear weight adding up! (I used to be "sturdier," but my wife, God bless her, put me on a diet and started me exercising. I'm down a good 40 pounds and hope to drop another 20 or so...)

I'm thinking that 500 pounds, give or take 10%, is probably a good all-around weight for a bike. Not too heavy, and not too light. Still, my wife's Vespa Sprint 150 weighs less than 300 pounds dripping wet and is incredibly fun and maneuverable.

[Penderic]

You can save some weight if you replace the heavy parts with lighter plastic versions ....

...and that includes oversized human bits too!

[wymple]

According to Bikez, my old Cal II weighs 608 lbs, which surprises me. I would have thought it was closer to 525 or thereabouts. My GS 850 Suzuki is about 580, and feels far more top heavy. Once moving, both are fine at any speed.