real world question

i am seriously looking at a VFR. my concern is when the wife is with me if the bike will handle the weight. the wife and i with stuff packed for a few nights up north will be a total of between 500 and 525 pounds on the bike. i am not worried about just around town bombing but more the time if we decide to go to our place out of town that is around 200 miles one way. thanks for any and all input that you all give me.


dave

 

The Owners Manual says 400 Lbs max. You could probably get away with more than that but I don't know about 125 more pounds. At least try riding around town first to see what its like.

Action

 

we used to have a HD and with both of us on it the thing would bottom out hard at time. that was just with us. when i get the new bike it will be just me 95% of the time. i just want to ask and be safe when we get it. thanks all


dave

 

No offence but 238KGs and you will be struggling. The Viffer is a sport tourer and if you are big guy's you are going to be very uncomfortable on the bike and the bike will not handle well.

the only bike that comes to mind to handle that kind of weight would be the BMW LT and still give you good performance and long distance ability.

 

St1300

My recommendation is the ST1300:sportbikesmile:, Just my 2cents. Good luck

 

myself i am 5'11" and 215#. and as stated before i will be solo 95% of the time.

dave

 

Check this out Dave



I don't think you will have any problem.

 

It doesn't sound to me like you'll be riding much with wife and baggage. When you do simply change your front and rear suspension settings and make them about as stiff as you can. It will still feel soft.

The biggest thing about riding two-up is the passenger's riding habits. Don't let her use your back as a brake. Teach her to use the hand rails when you brake, or the gas tank. And teach her that when you brake she should lean slightly back to give the rear more grip. One thing you don't need is 100+ pounds leaning on you when you brake for a turn or stoplight!

No sane person I ever knew rides two-up and goes all out on a bike. That's simply stupid, and risking another person's safety. Two-up means put your mind in touring mode... RELAX!

Stan