why do touring bikes weigh so much?

901 Views 17 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Motorcycle Pete, Oct 13, 2009

cldryder

Discussion Starter · Oct 12, 2009

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a 1000cc. crotch rocket has a ton of expensive parts, makes 175+ hp., weighs in around 400 pounds with a load capacity similar to a sport tourer, and sells for $11k to $12k

(I used GSX-R 1000 specs for reference.)

why does a full up touring bike have to weigh and cost twice as much?

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tricky

· #2 · Oct 12, 2009

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Have you seen the size of the majority of GW riders

Everything has to be beefed up to allow for the loading of the kitchen sink.

jbb303

· #3 · Oct 12, 2009

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Durability, amenities and like tricky said, load capacity...

And besides, I wouldn't want to be on a 400 lb. GSXR with a big full coverage fairing and wind screen (like we have on our GWs) when a semi went by...:shock:

SB in SC

· #4 · Oct 12, 2009

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That's like asking why a Cadilliac weighs more than a Miata!:cheeky1:

More weight means more stability and more capacity. Although, on two wheels, it does make low speed handling a bear.

Marcus

· #5 · Oct 12, 2009

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Add the weight of shaft drive vs chain. radio, speakers, cruise control, CB, antennas, antenna mounts, air compressor, larger battery and charging system to accomodate all of the bells and whistles, larger more comfortable seat, floor boards instead of pegs, saddle bags, trunk, trunk mount, trailer hitch, and as has been said before, the fairing is very heavy.

That is all I can think of at the moment. It probably adds up to a pound or two.

AVA AUTO TECH

· #6 · Oct 12, 2009

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I think its to separate us from the zoom splats so we will get cheaper insurance rates. Okay, I'm just kidding.:action::action:

axelwik

· #7 · Oct 12, 2009

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My 650 V-Strom has a larger load capacity than a new GL1800, so the load capacity arguement doesn't hold water. (The 650 V-Strom has a 500-pound load capacity whereas the GL1800 only has a 405-pound capacity.)

For a bike that big, and marketed for two-up touring you'd think they would up the capacity a bit. Is it due to the frames cracking or Honda being over-conservative?

Jluvs2dive

· #8 · Oct 12, 2009

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Marcus wrote:

Add the weight of shaft drive vs chain. radio, speakers, cruise control, CB, antennas, antenna mounts, air compressor, larger battery and charging system to accomodate all of the bells and whistles, larger more comfortable seat, floor boards instead of pegs, saddle bags, trunk, trunk mount, trailer hitch, and as has been said before, the fairing is very heavy.

That is all I can think of at the moment. It probably adds up to a pound or two.

You forgot reverse. That alone adds a fair bit.

John

Nitrowing

· #9 · Oct 12, 2009

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It's a fair question. There was no excuse for the 1500 to cost so much before it was replaced by the 1800 - a design that had could have been lightened and refined over a decade while it's initial tooling costs had already been recouped.
Instead, Honda brought out an entirely new model - it's much lighter and faster.
If you gave me a lump of money, I could replace all the bolts with aluminium and titanium £350, LED lights £160, thin stainless pipes with alloy silencers £800, carbon/kevlar body panels £?000 and it would be as strong as original and shave a few kilos.
The weight of the engine can't really be shaved by much, nor can the wheels, the amount of copper in all that wiring, all that steel with the pretty chrome, silly big seat and pillion arm/back rests, heavy magnets in the speakers, huge battery to turn the huge engine over.

So, yes a lighter tourer could be made but only by a margin of 20kg / 50lbs. Lose the lights, chrome and comforts. You would have none of the charisma that the GoldWing carries either

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jbb303

· #10 · Oct 12, 2009

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Frame technology and lighter metal alloys were either not available or limited to the track back when the 1500 was designed and built. The 1500 had no real competition and Big Hon had no motivation to spend the money for a re-design.

That is until the BMW LT came out. The complete re-design of the 1500 and resulting 1800 was in response to the LT. And the 1800 is a few lbs. heavier then the LT but lighter then the 1500.

It's all about the almighty Yen...

Shiny_side_up

· #11 · Oct 13, 2009

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This thread is just begging for someone to come long and GLOAT about his ST. And he probably won't be very 'diplomatic' about it...

Cousin Jack

· #12 · Oct 13, 2009

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Shiny_side_up wrote:

This thread is just begging for someone to come long and GLOAT about his ST. And he probably won't be very 'diplomatic' about it...

Well, I think it would be totally inappropriate for someone to come into this thread, totally uninvited, and brag about his bike...... totally inappropriate........

even if his bike did cost $7k - $10K less than the current LeadSled.....

even if his bike did weigh nearly 250# less.......

even if his powerful, liquid-cooled 1261cc longitudinally mounted V-4 engine produces 125 bhp at 8000 rpm and 85 lb./ft. of torque at 6000 rpm for effortless acceleration and passing power.....

even if his bike handled like an angelic dream at under 10 miles per hour.....

even if his bike was capable of 140 miles an hour (even if his wife won't let him go that fast!)........

and even if he didn't miss the reverse, since he gets said wife to get off and push back against the headlights (in truth, doesn't happen much since he can turn it in a much tighter radius than LeadSleds........!)......

even if he averages nearly 50 mpg..........

even if he can't ride it for more than 150' without a sparkling smile splitting his face.....

Yeah.....

It would be totally inappropriate and undiplomatic for him to do so, even as charming and good looking as he is...........!!!!!!!

:cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1:

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Shiny_side_up

· #13 · Oct 13, 2009

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Am I good, or what? It took him just 9 minutes to feel the psychic energy of the thread calling...

papabee49

· #14 · Oct 13, 2009

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I think someone needs to contact CJ and see what his response to this would be....oh wait he already did, but I don't think he is telling us how he feels:cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1: are you CJ?

PAF1047

· #15 · Oct 13, 2009

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come on i won't be shy it is to make a person my size look smaller

ha ha ha

Pate

· #16 · Oct 13, 2009

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cldryder I think you got your question answered. Oh I forgot satalite radio.And just pure pleasure...

DaveO430

· #17 · Oct 13, 2009

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axelwik wrote:

My 650 V-Strom has a larger load capacity than a new GL1800, so the load capacity arguement doesn't hold water. (The 650 V-Strom has a 500-pound load capacity whereas the GL1800 only has a 405-pound capacity.)

For a bike that big, and marketed for two-up touring you'd think they would up the capacity a bit. Is it due to the frames cracking or Honda being over-conservative?

They can't up the capacity with the tires that are available for the bike. Another reason so many have entered the darkside.

Motorcycle Pete

· #18 · Oct 13, 2009

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Cousin Jack wrote:

Shiny_side_up wrote:

This thread is just begging for someone to come long and GLOAT about his ST. And he probably won't be very 'diplomatic' about it...

Click to expand...

Well, I think it would be totally inappropriate for someone to come into this thread, totally uninvited, and brag about his bike...... totally inappropriate........

Mel, you are completely evil (in a kind-hearted way, of course! :cheeky1

Pete (Silverfox) implied that I fall over at low speed because I have too much between my thighs, and I DON'T think he's talking about my manhood? :cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1: Thanks Pete, I NEEDED that! Of course, I retorted- "Remember how I could only put one foot down, before? Well, since we put a new mono-shock on the ST1100, I can only fantasize that I can SEE the ground, from up there!"

Perhaps "your results may differ", but...it was lovely to be on the GL1800 (and no, I'm STILL not going to re-mortgage my house, unless Wexy can get me the "smokin' deal of the century" :cooldevil

It IS nice to be so close to the ground, and yet have some really nice clearance.

Don't worry, Mel...you can smoke em still....and yes, our ST's are far more fun at 120mph than theirs. Watch out for mine, though...it's famous for losing parts, up above 120....:action:

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