Did your body weight have any impact on your bike decision?

1173 Views 21 Replies 17 Participants Last post by RedStal95, May 19, 2006

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Discussion Starter · May 18, 2006

I was wondering if any of you feel that your body weight had any impact on your decision to choose the bike you did. I guess this question is geared more towards the experienced rider who has gone through a couple, three bikes already. Do you think weighing over 200lbs has a significant affect on the bikes handling, torque, hp.. etc.. especially on a 600cc bike vs. a liter bike?

I'm about 6'1 and pushing 235...

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zx11_12

· #9 · May 19, 2006

I'm 6'0" and used to weight 360. I rode a ZX-12R because I figured a lightweight bike made no sense when I was so heavy and I needed every bit of horsepower and torque I could get. Now I weight 235 and I got a CBR1KRR. I know I'm still heavier than the average sportbike rider, but I felt I could take advantage of a lighter, more nimble bike. Between the bike being 100lbs lighter than the Ninja, and me being 130 lbs lighter, it feels just as fast if not faster then the ZX-12R.
However, too much power is never enough. I can't quit thinking about how fast a ZX-14 would be, especially since I lost weight. I'm thinking I may have to get me one.

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zx11_12

· #14 · May 19, 2006

Cajun,
You are forgettting torque. Torque is actually what causes acceleration, not HP. And the big bikes have it in spades over the smaller ones. And 1 lb/hp is actually quite a lot when it comes to acceleartion. Compare the quarter mile times between a 'Busa and a 600cc supersport.
Then there is the issue of suspension. A light 600cc bike not only has softer springs simply because it's lighter and doesn't need them as stiff, but it is assumed that the rider will be lighter than the rider(and/or passenger) of a 'Busa or ZX-12R. Look at the GVWR of the bikes. Those stiffer springs are needed to at least try to get the suspension set up correctly for someone as heavy as I was at the time.

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zx11_12

· #20 · May 19, 2006

cajunTLR said:
I see what your saying about the torque. But what I was saying in my reference to the Viper is that, even if it's a 600 and you are on a super sonic machine. They are ridiculously (spelling) fast. I mean your 235 now, 8 lbs heavier then I was but I didn't think that I needed a faster bike to get me going.

I don't know I guess I would just rather have a bike that is more flickable then one that takes some laboring. But I really don't know about that suspension thing.

I've been riding biger bikes since my second bike, so that has something to do with it too. And as far as flickable, if you consider the bikes I've owned over the years, then the CBR1000RR is by far the most flickable thing I've ridden. I suppose it's relative.

Just for fun, here is a list of the bikes I've owned in order:
'85 Kawasaki LTD 454
'83 Honda V65 Magna
'87 Kawasaki ZL1000 Eliminator
'87 Honda Hurricane 1000
'90 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11
'82 Honda Goldwing
'00 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
'99 Honda Valkyrie
'79 Honda CBX (still have this one)
'05 Honda CBR1000RR (still have this one)
'05 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 (wife's bike. Still have this one too)

Looking real hard at the ZX14. Maybe next spring when I see what Suzuki does to retaliate.

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Did your body weight make you want a larger bike?

I am over 200 lbs and chose a liter bike

I am over 200 lbs and a 600 fits me fine

I am under 200 lbs and it had no affect on my decision

Did your body weight have any impact on your bike decision?

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