Bike weight vs Rider weight

[NakedBiker]

Recently switched to a lighter bike and noticed how much nimbler it felt turning and in the corners.

So it got me thinking, if lighter = better handling, does the rider losing weight also make the bike handle better or is it solely down to bike weight?

i.e. Would the difference be the same if the rider lost 10kg of body weight compared to the bike losing 10kg instead?
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NakedBiker

[RhynoCZ]

There's more to it just than weight.

The frame geometry, tyres and how far the wheels are apart, the suspension system... all that is the deciding factor.

Lighter rider = faster bike.
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[stevo as b4]

Think it also depends on the rider to bike weight ratio too.

On a heavy big stable bike it's not going to notice an extra 10-20kg of rider weight or a reduction of that weight and there's some theory to heavier bikes handling bumpy roads better and the suspension working more effectively too. Its so much a can of worms though as a big heavy 240kg bike might have very sophisticated high quality suspension and a 100kg bike might have really budget basic stuff.

Im about 75kg and that's a big percentage of my bikes 95kg weight, so it's bound to affect the bikes handling more than if my bike was 200kg. There's a possibility that a light rider might be too light to make a heavy bike handle well too, and that there's an ideal ratio of rider to bike weight for every standard spec machine.

I'd suspect that Dani Pedrosa is too small and light to make a Kawasaki GTR1400 handle at its best or at least to get the best out of the bike?

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

With a middleweight bike the rider is about one third of the combined weight of bike and rider. I'm not sure at what point in a rider's diet he/she would see an improvement in handling but you'd feel fitter and more mobile.

It was said that little Dani Pedrosa was a hugely strong and gifted rider hampered by a lack of body weight when trying to wrestle a MotoGP bike.

I quite fancy a lightweight bike for short trips. I've found myself trickling the R1 along narrow country lanes enjoying the view thinking, "This is the wrong bike." On the other hand, it copes well, and deals with the A-road blast back home too, which a much smaller bike wouldn't do with the same alacrity.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Ha! I took a long time to post that, and now see Dani Pedrosa got a mention already.

[grr666]

It's easier to diet than strip weight from a bike IMO.
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[Polarbear]

Being a big (fat) lump I've always liked big heavy bikes that don't mind lugging my fat arse around.

The smallest bike (other than our Fazer 600 hack) I have owned in years was a stripple.

Loved the bike and it handled my weight well but I never would have kept it over a Goldwing or my Trophy or even a big adventure bike like the Tiger Explorer I had.

So, It's a huge combination of things. Bike physical size, your size, bike engine size, suspension, tyres, set up etc. etc.

One thing I did learn with the Stripple, when you have quality suspension with a myriad of settings, get it set up for you by someone who knows what they are doing. It makes on hell of a difference.
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[MarJay]

[Kentol750]

Grr666 is right. Less pies, more horses. It's simple, gsxr1000 tested with a 10stone guy on it doesn't handle the same with 15 stone on it.
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Some bikes.

[Jewlio Rides Again LLB]

Bikes have adjustable suspension to negate rider weight. Look at McPint, he's a fairly big lad and he can make them bikes shift.
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[MCN]

Physics. Mass. Moments. Inertia.
E=MC2

Power to weight is a big part of the equation.
Divide the Rider weight and bike weight by the BHP/KW.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[stevo as b4]

[chickenstrip]

Unless you're a huge person on a tiny bike, or a tiny person on a huge bike, I don't think it matters all that much as far as riding on the road is concerned. There are so many other factors to slow you down, it becomes a bit immaterial, especially as, as others have said, most road bikes have adjustable suspension settings to cope with a fairly wide range of load.

Competition is another matter.
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[MarJay]

[MarJay]

[chickenstrip]

[MarJay]

[chickenstrip]

I thought you wanted a Z1000SX? So not a problem for you really.



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THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[MarJay]

[chickenstrip]

So if you move closer to work so that you don't have to commute any distance, you can continue to get upset about not being able to ride the BMW

If it's that much of a problem, it will probably get sorted on future models, or they'll lose sales.
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THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Jewlio Rides Again LLB]

[MarJay]

[thx1138]

My 12 stone on my Beta 300cc 2 stroke, no complaints

friends that weigh 15 or 16 stone, all upgraded the suspension.

the 200cc vanvan, seems to handle just the same with or without a pillion

[chickenstrip]

[stevo as b4]

Aren't those V4 Tuono things supposed to be really evil bikes that make Suzuki TLS's look sensible and stable and boring?
Im sure I've read that people find the KTM 1290 less of an animal and at least useable, but that those V4 Aprilia's are unridable a rapid way to hospital without the electronic safety blanket turned up to 11?