why are touring bikes so damn heavy??

[user 213]

Very nice, but not quite the power to weight ratio I had in mind.

No, not nearly -- but, light weight has its advantages: a very delightful and responsive (handling-wise) car. No barn-burner, tho.

Think TVR Vs 350Z. The former is scary in the rain, the latter much more controlable at high speeds.

TVR...? Where do you get those? Are they even sold in America?

How about (sticking with the same company) an S2000 -- lots of lighter-weight (hard to get a really light vehicle, anymore) modest-power goodness...

No new TVRs any more here. Turbo Miata will make the S2000 look like the economy car it is. Not the factory one though. I used to drive a 300 rwhp Miata.

 

[MCRIDER007]

a 1000cc. sport bike can have mucho trick parts, make close to 200 hp, cost $12,000, and weigh in at around 400 pounds.

I think the real question is "Why are touring bike riders so damn heavy"? I would like to see a 300 pound rider try to ride a 400 pound sport bike on a all day ride and keep up with someone on a 650 pound FJR.

But to actually answer your question, there are advantages to riding a heavy bike, especially in the wind, and it certainly keeps the production costs down. Would you be willing to pay 20K for an FJR that only weighs 600 pounds?

 

[2wheeldrift]

Weight does have its advantages. Ride through a pool of water on the road at speed & the FJR just slices through it. Now before you try the same thing on a crotch rocket,just make sure all your insurances are all paid up.

 

[carlson_mn]

Interesing topic. My '04 ABS is only 553lbs dry. Not sure if that includes the standard side bags? Anyways, subtract about 20lbs with my Muzzy system = 533lbs, which is more inline with the lightweight exhausts sport bikes have. That's only 130lbs more than the race replica bikes dry weight (new models with ABS are about 400dry, even 600s now). Factor in all the additional size and amenities and lets see what happens if you start with an R1's approx. 400lbs

Lets just guess here... and yes just totally guessing but lets see how these items add up.

shaft drive system +20lbs,

Much longer, bigger, stronger frame +25lbs

electric windshield mechanism +15lbs including front fairing frame to support everything

Bigger engine +30lbs at least= more oil, more coolant, bigger components

Bigger tranny to handle 100ft lbs torque +10lbs

Handle bar risers compared to clip ons +5lbs

larger windshield +3lbs

remote shock pre-load lines and mechanism +2lbs

much bigger seats +3lbs

Bigger steel gas tank compared to plastic on sport bikes +10lbs

Longer front forks +5lbs

Glove box and associated components +5lbs

Bigger dash and double the displays +5lbs

Center stand +10lbs

Rear grab handles and rack +5lbs

All that guessing happend to add up to 153lbs just by chance and that equals my 553lb stock dry weight compared to a 400lbs crotch rocket.. Certainly not exact, but it seems like everything just kind of adds up and basically, the FJR uses all of the weight saving techniques of a sport bike, but it's just bigger and has more.

 

[BIODSL]

a 1000cc. sport bike can have mucho trick parts, make close to 200 hp, cost $12,000, and weigh in at around 400 pounds.
I can't understand why sport tourers (or even touring bikes) need to weigh 200 - 300 pounds more. every pound saved could be another pound of carrying capacity.

perhaps someone here can enlighten me.

https://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspducat...dex.jsp?lang=en

I'm already saving for mine. We vote with our pocketbook. Prove we're willing to pay for a lightweight, high power sport-tourer.

 

[user 213]

https://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspducat...dex.jsp?lang=en
I'm already saving for mine. We vote with our pocketbook. Prove we're willing to pay for a lightweight, high power sport-tourer.

The Duc was a little tight, front to back, for me, but should fit you well BioBoy. Looked pretty kick *** in Seattle. Still, chain drive and desmo valves to adjust. :derisive: The Super T looks pretty nice. (gotta go type some more letters to Momma Yamaha now)

 

[painman]

You just don't see sport bikes doing 800 - 1000 mile days. And even on the shorter rides you will see sport bikes pull over so the rider can streach one's legs because of the riding position incurred. But the sport bikes do have their purpose and that is a very entertaining one at that. Like always said, the FJR is the best of both worlds and is still a blast to ride! :yahoo: PM. <><

 

[Bounce]

Didn't someone start this same ***** over on ST.N?

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

a 1000cc. sport bike can have mucho trick parts, make close to 200 hp, cost $12,000, and weigh in at around 400 pounds.I can't understand why sport tourers (or even touring bikes) need to weigh 200 - 300 pounds more. every pound saved could be another pound of carrying capacity.

perhaps someone here can enlighten me.

https://www.multistrada.ducati.com/jspducat...dex.jsp?lang=en

I'm already saving for mine. We vote with our pocketbook. Prove we're willing to pay for a lightweight, high power sport-tourer.

The 1200cc Multistrada sure looks enticing...

One wonders, though, about the operation (tractability) of a twin-cylinder engine with 125HP/liter? Might be a handful, literally?

Compare (extrapolate) with, say, a (similar spec) 650cc engine with 80+ HP; or, say, a 50HP 400cc Suz. DRZ400...?

I'm just sayin', there may be a horsepower/liter envelope beyond which controlling (modulating) the power becomes tedious?/problematic?

IOW, be careful what you wish for -- I once had a V-Max with Super-Trapps and found out what too-much-power was (for me).

The Ducati's weight sure looks promising, tho...

Edit (3/5): Just read 'SockMonkey's link (in the Super Tenere thread on the Forum) to the Ducati MTS1200 test and (now) realize that the Multistrada has 4 power settings that address my concerns.

The old-guys say: "Why would I want those high-power modes?" The young-turks say: "Why would I want those low-power modes?"