Gross Vehicle weight
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 641
Likes: 30
From: Clovis, CA
Gross Vehicle weight
Ok, this might be a bit picky. But I'm going to ask it anyway.
The wife and I are touring in November. I just put a tour pack on my 2014 road king. It wasn't until I went to lift the detachable pack off the bike I realize just how heavy that thing is. So I began to do the math and realized that the wife and I take up a bit more of the available gross vehicle weight than we should. So strorage is going to be a bit limited by weight. The obvious thing to do is to spend the next few months with weight watchers, but where's the fun in that.
How many of you have actually weighed your bike loaded for a trip with the two of you on board? Any of you ever ride over the gross vehicle weight? If so, what have you done suspension wise to help with the load? If you've done nothing, what are the negative handling aspects of overloading the bike?
And while this may be a bit funny to you more slim individuals, I already know I'm a fat a$$. No need to point out the obvious.
Mike
The wife and I are touring in November. I just put a tour pack on my 2014 road king. It wasn't until I went to lift the detachable pack off the bike I realize just how heavy that thing is. So I began to do the math and realized that the wife and I take up a bit more of the available gross vehicle weight than we should. So strorage is going to be a bit limited by weight. The obvious thing to do is to spend the next few months with weight watchers, but where's the fun in that.
How many of you have actually weighed your bike loaded for a trip with the two of you on board? Any of you ever ride over the gross vehicle weight? If so, what have you done suspension wise to help with the load? If you've done nothing, what are the negative handling aspects of overloading the bike?
And while this may be a bit funny to you more slim individuals, I already know I'm a fat a$$. No need to point out the obvious.
Mike
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the biggest factor would be the tires.
and while I have not rolled across scales on my bike loaded, I do weigh my saddlebags so that I am balanced side to side.
Weighed my tbag etc.
keep the weight balanced and as low as possible.
mike
and while I have not rolled across scales on my bike loaded, I do weigh my saddlebags so that I am balanced side to side.
Weighed my tbag etc.
keep the weight balanced and as low as possible.
mike
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 803
Likes: 3
From: In the wind.....
I've never paid attention to weight other than what I mount on top of the tour pal. I don't want that thing bouncing too much because I over loaded it.
As for saddle bags. We use the HD soft luggage, if it fits it ships. If I can't get the lid closed we repack or remove something.
Years ago did a trip with a friend and his rather large (now ex) wife. She had him pack everything including the kitchen sink. Because of the weight the back tire cupped and had to be replace as soon as we returned home. New tire, continental something or other, installed a few days before trip lasted about 3000 miles.
As for saddle bags. We use the HD soft luggage, if it fits it ships. If I can't get the lid closed we repack or remove something.
Years ago did a trip with a friend and his rather large (now ex) wife. She had him pack everything including the kitchen sink. Because of the weight the back tire cupped and had to be replace as soon as we returned home. New tire, continental something or other, installed a few days before trip lasted about 3000 miles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
im in the same boat,my 07 did 50,000 miles most were way over gvw. with the larger rear tire and new frame on the post 09 bikes i wouldn't worrie, max inflation on tires and shocks. imo the week link is the shocks I blew one of the stock shocks on my 07 at 30,000.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
If you've got the OEM size tires with the correct load rating the tires will never be an issue, rear is rated to 1019lbs and the front 639lbs - much more than the 1360lb GVWR.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 641
Likes: 30
From: Clovis, CA
Ok, so after some further research, the GVWR of a road king is 1360. At a wet weight of 816 that leaves 544 Pounds of payload available. I added a tour pack at 38 lbs. that leaves 506 for the wife and I and bags. Not gonna say how big we are 'cause it's quite disconcerting, but just let say we'll be packing pretty light!
