Total Motorcycle Community Forums

New riders, do you consider the weight of a motorcycle before you purchase one?

I remember when I started out, I set a limit of 500lbs on my first bike, for no real reason other than "500lbs is heavy" and "how do I hold it up when I come to a stop?"... Of course, I've learned a lot since then, but in those days, well, Total Motorcycle wasn't around to help me out.

Mike

My MC is 560 lbs and when (not if) i lay it down its tough to get out
from under. I always am looking for a little newer and definitely lighter.

Happy Holidays,
Pete

If I can remember back to 2005, no, I'd say weight wasn't on the top of my mind. It was just luck I happened to gravitate towards a first bike of reasonable weight - 450lbs dry.

From observing, I'd say weight is about the last things noobs consider. I have an ongoing discussion with my stepdaughter, who got her endorsement but didn't ride very much, and is now back to beginner level through lack of practice. She wants a Sportster. I know lots of people think that's an OK starter bike, but they're 550 lbs and top heavy, and she's petite. I keep telling her OK for a 2nd bike, but start out with something lighter and lower CoG. Savage/S40 or Vulcan 500 would be fine for her.

pchast wrote:My MC is 560 lbs and when (not if) i lay it down its tough to get out
from under. I always am looking for a little newer and definitely lighter.

Happy Holidays,
Pete

With those 80's middle-sized bikes it was almost a 1lb a cc! Luckily, it dropped off after the 550cc's (or those 1000/1100cc would have been a real beast!)

With a newer bike you'll really notice handling differences (I went from a 82 Yamaha 650R to a 2007 Suzuki DL650 and what a difference).

Mike

jstark47 wrote:If I can remember back to 2005, no, I'd say weight wasn't on the top of my mind. It was just luck I happened to gravitate towards a first bike of reasonable weight - 450lbs dry.

From observing, I'd say weight is about the last things noobs consider. I have an ongoing discussion with my stepdaughter, who got her endorsement but didn't ride very much, and is now back to beginner level through lack of practice. She wants a Sportster. I know lots of people think that's an OK starter bike, but they're 550 lbs and top heavy, and she's petite. I keep telling her OK for a 2nd bike, but start out with something lighter and lower CoG. Savage/S40 or Vulcan 500 would be fine for her.

I would agree that you have it right with your suggestions. The sportster would make a good 2nd bike, but tank range is tiny (something to keep in mind). Lighter and lower CoG is a great idea. What did she learn or or rode before?

Mike

totalmotorcycle wrote:What did she learn or or rode before?

She got her endorsement via a MSF class, I think it was fall a year ago. Her then-boyfriend bought a used late-model GSX-R600 (!!! ). She did some rides around side streets with it, doubt she ever did more than 10-15 miles total. Didn't have any incidents thank goodness, but never got any real experience either. She and that boyfriend separated in March and she moved back to NJ where she's now living with us.

She's started collecting Harley t-shirts, etc, and goes to Harley dealerships and drools over the bikes. At the moment her finances won't let her buy the Sporty she wants. Last summer I offered to buy her a used 250 cruiser of her choice (there were many on craigslist to choose from), it would be her bike, titled to her, she could ride it for a season then use it as trade-in on a Sportster. She turned me down.

(Hard-headed, like a certain other female relative of hers who also lives in my house.....)

I did consider weight when was starting out...still do. I knew then I didn't want a heavy bike; I wanted light and easy to handle, and something forgiving, so I went with a Rebel.

Even now, I don't want a heavy bike. I could handle one, but I like light and flickable, I guess...

I definitely considered weight when I bought my first bike (Ninja 500) and probably always will. I currently ride a Triumph Sprint and it is a heavy bike to back up on my gravel driveway. I'm short so I have to get off the bike to do it. I have to say I don't want anything heavier.

Old riders consider the weight of a bike too and the older they get the more they consider it.

gsJack wrote:Old riders consider the weight of a bike too and the older they get the more they consider it.

Which is why I've always wondered why they call HD baggers "geezer glides"? Those things weigh 800+ pounds!! When, decades hence, I'm finally forced to admit I'm "old" , I'll be on something like a DRZ400SM. Feather light (compared to what I ride now), torquey, and not much to break when I drop it.

roxynoodle wrote:I currently ride a Triumph Sprint and it is a heavy bike to back up on my gravel driveway. I'm short so I have to get off the bike to do it. I have to say I don't want anything heavier.

Yeah. Duck-walking a big/tall bike backward without solid pavement underfoot is a good way to drop it. Almost done it several times, and I'm almost 6'1". Welcome to TMW, by the way!