Most individuals have this misconception that motorcycles are too heavy to handle and require bulging muscle power to ride them.
No doubt you must have substantial overall strength to handle them; however, not all motorcycles demand constant gyming. The market is saturated with a wide variety of motorcycles with different weight references.
If you are planning to buy a motorcycle for yourself but are confused about the weight parameter, you have come to the right place!
Here is all you need to know about motorcycles and their weight.
Factors That Determine A Motorcycle’s Weight
Multiple factors influence a motorcycle’s weight, such as engine capacity, extra equipment, etc. Here is a detailed insight into these factors.
Engine CCs
One of the indicators of a motorcycle’s size and weight is its engine cc. CC means the measure of the motorcycle’s engine capacity and performance. Bikes with a lower engine cc have a lower weight in contrast to bikes with veritable higher cc.
It is considered that a bike with lower cc provides less performance. However, this perception has become quite medieval with the emergence of better technology and competition in the market.
Hence, if you wish to buy a lightweight bike and the low engine cc performance is causing you doubt, you have nothing to worry about.
Before buying a bike, look at the bigger picture that exists beyond the engine’s capacity.
Extra Equipment
Bikes come with additional utility equipment that might add up to their weight. Saddlebags and carrier boxes add the bike’s bulk.
Also, motorcycles with a large windshield are heavier than ones with smaller (plastic or fiberglass-made) windshields.
Though the difference in weight is not that profound, it is enough to bring about a difference.
Types of bikes
Different types of bikes are used for different intended purposes. All bikes come with different designs and features that have variable over the motorcycle’s weight.
A street bike weighs more than an off-road or dirt bike. Bikes that are used in challenging terrains to weigh much less for better control and convenience.
Street bikes have been endowed with extra weight to ensure balance on the road. Also, they come with diverse features that make their weight hefty. Touring bikes are also heavier since they are meant for long-distance touring.
In comparison, three-wheeled bikes, which were initially used for long-distance touring, two-wheeled touring bikes are still lighter.
How to Cut Down Motorcycle’s Weight?
There are several impressive ways by which you can cleverly cut down your motorcycle’s weight. Here is all you need to know about them.
Battery up-gradation
Even with the improvement in technology, most motorcycles even today come with lead-acid batteries. Those batteries have a heavy configuration. However, lithium-ion batteries, which are an alternative to lead-acid batteries, are much lighter.
No doubt, these lithium-ion batteries can a taxing expense, but the results are remarkable. You will observe a veritable decrease in your bike’s weight when you resort to a lithium-ion battery.
Removing the Comfort Features
The comfort and utility features in a bike are no less than a necessity, but they add immense weight to your bike. If you wish to lighten your burden, it will be beneficial to remove the additional onboard comfort features like saddlebags, windscreen, and backrest.
When you remove these features, you also receive enhanced gas mileage that makes it a justified trade-off.
Dry weight vs. Wet weight
Most of the time, the motorcycle’s weight is labeled as dry or wet weight. The distinction between the two is based on the bike’s fluids.
A dry motorcycle weight refers to the weight that is calculated when the bike has no fuel, coolant, brake fluid, oil, or any other fluid. In other words, it is the weight measured in the absence of any liquid in the bike.
On the other hand, the wet weight refers to the measured weight post the bike has been filled with fuel, oil, coolant, and other necessary liquids.
The fluids add up to 45 to 50 pounds or 20 kilograms to the motorcycle’s weight. Hence always purchase the bike after analyzing its wet weight since the wet will be the applicable weight measure when the bike is being used.
In case you cannot find an authenticated wet weight measure, you can always look for the dry weight and add 14 pounds to it. This way, you can get a rough idea about the wet weight.
Weight Spectrum
For understanding the weight spectrum of motorcycles, engine cc will have to be considered again—motorcycle engine capacity range between 250 cc to 1200 cc (or above). On analyzing the engine’s capacity, you can easily determine an estimated value of weight that the motorcycle has.
No doubt, you will find bikes that are both light and heavy at all CC levels, yet a common measurement standard is in existence that can give you a rough idea about the weight condition.
Engine Capacity Weight (Average)
| Engine Capacity | Weight (Average) |
|---|---|
| 250cc | 350 pounds |
| 300cc | 350 pounds |
| 500cc | 410 pounds |
| 600cc | 400-450 pounds |
| 800cc | 430 pounds |
| 1000 to 1100cc | 400 to 500 pounds |
| 1200cc | 600 pounds |
| 1300cc | 650 pounds |
Endnotes
Some consider the weight parameter a trivial determiner for purchasing a bike. However, in truth, your entire riding experience is in a way determined by it.
Several aspects must be taken into consideration before choosing the bike with the right weight for you. If you are an adventurous soul, make sure that your bike weight is less.
On the other hand, if you wish for a cruiser that is fit for your on-road adventures, you will have to prepare yourself for a heavy weighing bike.
However, for more finesse, you can even resort to sports bikes. They provide great speed, style and are much lighter. Between cruiser and sports bike, balance is the most important parameter. Hence even heavyweight can ensure a better ride.
In the end, make the right decision for yourself and your loved ones and enjoy the ride.