Weight Limits
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Joined: May 2022
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From: West Texas
Weight Limits
I just bought my first HD and its a Road King FLHP. I love it and aside from the slip on exhaust and backrest, it is bone stock M8 114. I am curious about weight limits. I know there are some that say follow the manual and there are some who say it can handle a lot more. That being said, I want to hear real life experiences about the topic. I weigh about 390-400 and my wife is prolly 220-250. Ideally I'd love to travel the state and country with her on the back riding two-up. Feasible? Dangerous? What is your opinion?
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I believe post #9 in your other thread is the best answer youre going to get.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-hd-owner.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-hd-owner.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: new caney, tx
I've definitely seen some big dudes on bikes. All the upgrades you can done are fairly cheap and easy to do. Something I don't think was brought up in the other thread is comfort. There's only so much room. I guess the tour pack could be moved back an inch or so but then your pushing more weight to the back thus lightening the front. However with the combined weight im sure the tires would be firmly planted
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Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Inland NW
I believe post #9 in your other thread is the best answer youre going to get.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-hd-owner.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-hd-owner.html
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Her weight will be over the rear tire. Yours a little aft of midpoint.
The rear tire will be heavily loaded. Maximum tire pressure will likely work best. It still may be prone to wiggling. May even get hot on an interstate. It will also probably wear down quickly.
So, for you two, a dark side rear car tire might work better. The load rating will certainly be better.
Im surprised you havent been bottoming out, particularly the rear suspension. Progressive Suspension can probably provide shocks with adequate spring rates. Others likely can too. As for damping, Im not so sure.
The front would benefit from heavier springs and damping, and a higher load rated tire, but not as much as the rear.
Your combined weights will put an increased impact load on the rear shock mounts when you bottom out. I doubt it will happen, but I would watch for fractures around their mounts.
You might wear the drive belt more quickly because of the load.
The rear tire will be heavily loaded. Maximum tire pressure will likely work best. It still may be prone to wiggling. May even get hot on an interstate. It will also probably wear down quickly.
So, for you two, a dark side rear car tire might work better. The load rating will certainly be better.
Im surprised you havent been bottoming out, particularly the rear suspension. Progressive Suspension can probably provide shocks with adequate spring rates. Others likely can too. As for damping, Im not so sure.
The front would benefit from heavier springs and damping, and a higher load rated tire, but not as much as the rear.
Your combined weights will put an increased impact load on the rear shock mounts when you bottom out. I doubt it will happen, but I would watch for fractures around their mounts.
You might wear the drive belt more quickly because of the load.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Me thinks safety is the X factor here when considering weight limits on any vehicle. There's a required weight limit set by the factory on your bike and going over these limits constantly will effect safety, not to mention wear-n-tear of the bike components. Safety for the brakes to stop properly, the suspension to do it's job, the handling of the bike, and as important, excess weight generates more heat on the tires.
My '13 King has a weight limit (GVWR) lower than the fairing bikes at 1360 lbs just for reference. The curb weight is about 825 lbs wet.
My '13 King has a weight limit (GVWR) lower than the fairing bikes at 1360 lbs just for reference. The curb weight is about 825 lbs wet.
Last edited by RKZen; May 30, 2022 at 09:03 AM. Reason: typo and add'l