How Heavy is a Motorcycle

If you are a biker, you’re likely interested in all elements of the bike, but do you know how much a motorcycle weighs?  Bikes don’t look, perform and weigh the same. It is essential to know the exact weight of the bike you have. Most people ignore it and don’t know how to respond if asked about it. As much as you know other details, it is vital to know about weight.

How much does a racing motorcycle weigh ? Though standard motorcycles are motorcycles that are not specialized for a specific function, so they have modest performance in all respects, but very versatile. The standard motorcycle weighs around 700 pounds, but the weight depends on the brand of the bike, the engine size, and the style.

Why is Weight Important?

Bikes are ideal for different riding styles. Because these styles differ in many ways, the motorcycles have a vital difference. Having a lightweight bagger bike and a heavy dirt bike will not work perfectly. They will not work well for the riding style they are made for. Weight affects stability, balance, and ease of handling the bike.

How Much Does a Motorcycle Weight- Average Data

Weight varies depending on the type of motorcycle you have. May you know that they weigh differently but do you know the exact weight of each bike? Below are different motorcycles with their average weight.

1. Moped– Moped is one of the lightest bikes that you can carry up with ease. It weighs about 160 to 180 pounds allowing you to carry it anywhere.
2. Scooter– It weighs about 200 to 300 pounds and is considered an improved version of a moped.  There is also another version which weighs up to 500 pounds.
3. Scrambler or café racer weighs 400 to 500 pounds though other new models consider more depending on add-ons.
4. Cruiser– this type of bike weighs between 400 to 500 pounds while others weigh up to 700 pounds.
5. Bagger– it averagely weighs 700 to 850 pounds. It is the heaviest bike available because it has some rear storage.
6. Sportbike– it is a mid-range bike as it weighs 300 to 500 pounds. It has little storage, and its weight depends on its size.
7. Touring– it ranges between 800 to 1000 pounds. It is among the heaviest bikes in the market.
8. Dirt bike is among the lightest motorcycles you can have. It ranges between 100 and 250 pounds.
9. Adventure bike looks like a dirt bike but weighs about 500 to 650 pounds.
10. Chopper– the bike weighs from 650 to 720 pounds, and it is among the heaviest motorcycles available.

Why does weight Vary so Much?

There several reasons why motorcycles weigh differently- some bikes benefit from low weight while others from heavyweight. Every bike has its purpose. For instance, a dirt bike has a lean and agile drive over dirt roads fluently. This works well when the bike is lightweight.

A touring bike has loads of storage space, heated grips, a radio, a big windscreen, among others. All these accessories come with weight. Every object has its weight and adds up when you have all the available luxury on your motorcycle.

How to Measure Motorcycle Weight

Bike mass is measured in 3 ways, i.e., dry, wet, and gross vehicle weight rating known as GVWR.

1. 
   

   Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

 The GVWR is the maximum safe mass of the bike stated by the manufacturer. It includes a mass of the motorcycle itself and other accessories. The weight is written on the VIN plate.  The difference between the wet and GVWR is how much a bike can safely carry the passenger, rider, and fuel and all the accessories and cargo. You should know the weight of the motorcycle because you and your passenger might be too much for the bike.

2. Dry

It is not a standardized measurement and may differ from one manufacturer to another. You may find differences between the dry weight and the one published by the media or press due to different testing methods. Some brands exclude gasoline, while others exclude coolant, brake fluid, and engine oil too. Other brands include a battery in dry measurement, which is usually not included in the media outlets.

3. Wet

In wet, it includes engine oil, coolant, and battery, fuel, and brake fluid. Also, there is no standardized measurement for testing.  Council Directive 93/93/EEC in Europe states wet weight is a mass in running order. It includes all the equipment like the windscreen, toolkit, and 90% fuel capacity fitted in the bike.

Essential Components that Add Weight to a Motorcycle

There are few things you need to consider as they add a lot of weight to a bike. They include:

1. The engine

The engine is known as the heaviest part of the motorcycle. Motorcycles with heavier engines tend to have a higher weight compared to smaller ones. Most engines range from 125cc to 1600cc. You will find small engines on scooters, dirt bikes, and naked bikes while large engines on choppers, sport bikes, adventure bikes, and cruisers.

2. The material used in making the bike

The material used is a vital element in determining the weight of the motorcycle. In the past, bikes were made from steel. Steel is sturdy and reliable but also very heavy. Café racers constructed from old motorcycles are heavier than the modern café racers with a vintage look. They are made from plastic and light metals, making the bike lightweight, cheaper, and less resistant.

3. Panniers

Panniers also add a lot of weight to the bike. Some motorcycles have panniers from stock. Panniers are common in adventure bikes. Old school panniers are made from steel, and each weighs about 10 pounds. When the panniers are full of stuff, they weigh more.

4. The fairing

The modern motorcycle is made of plastic fairing, which adds less weight to the bike. On an older motorcycle, the fairing is made of sheet metal, adding more weight to the motorcycle. To reduce weight, you can consider replacing the sheet fairing with plastic fairing.

Things like extra oil or fuel, a spare helmet, and a chain can also add some weight.

How to Reduce Weight

• The simplest way to reduce motorcycle weight is by replacing the wheels. They add more weight to the bike, so go for lighter wheels to reduce weight.
• Shorten the seat- it may seem a small change, but it does make a difference, and it is also easy to do.
• Removing the toolbox- if your motorcycle comes attached with a toolbox container, you may want to remove it. If the tools are not necessary, you can choose to ride without them to reduce some pounds.
• Replacing rim- when replacing the wheels, you can also consider replacing the rims. Rims add much weight to the motorcycle, especially the manufacturer’s models.
• Exhaust system- you can replace the exhaust system because they tend to add unnecessary pounds. They are well-built and durable but weigh less.
• Fender- you can either shorten or replace the front and rear with lightweight ones.

Wrapping Up

Weight is one of the critical elements to consider when purchasing a motorcycle. It determines how the bike performs for a specific riding style or road.  Too much or too little weight may be an issue at times, so you need to choose carefully. Now that you know how different motorcycles weigh, how to measure, why it is essential, and reduce some weight in different ways.