what determines a bike's carrying capacity?

[mason79]

i've notice similar sized, vintage bikes, with hundreds of pounds in difference on ratings, anyone knows what the science is in the manufacturer's decision to rate?

and why the xs1100 can carry so much?
who knows this thread may die unnoticed

[TopCatGr58]

It's that good old Yamaha OVER Engineering!

Hey Mason,

I would imagine a variety of factors from frame size/strength, wheel/tire size, engine and braking capacity among others!

We know that the XS11 is a heavy machine, was built to be a cruiser/sport/touring combo machine, and I reckon the level of strength in the frame/engine/braking components is what allows the XS11 to have a higher capacity than similar sized, but possibly lesser engineered equivalent bikes of other brands!?

T.C.

I just couldn't let a good thread idea die!

[mason79]

thanks, life support was in order, maybe a thorough thrashing revealed it's limitations, and then they recommend a smaller percentage of that, to midegate liability, glad our machines xsel in every area!

[fredintoon]

So where is that number?

I can't find it in Clymer's.
In theory, it's the tires. Add the max load at max recommended pressure of both tires. Take away the bike's weight. What's left is the carrying capacity. And that'll vary because a tank bag full of gear biases the thing one way and a chubby girlfriend on the pillion biases it another. So does buckhorn bars vs clip-ons.
In practice, the bike (any bike) will run out of places to strap things onto before you hit a weight limit.

[Pat Kelly]

Find the GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) on the plaque where the VIN is.
On my E the GVW is 1,100 lbs (I think). The bike with fairing, bags, trunk, and a full tank of gas is 685 lbs. I weigh 250. That leaves 165 lbs for clothes, tent, sleepingbag, tools, toiletpaper, CD player, helmet, kitchen sink. Add a passenger and all their cra..... stuff and problems arise.
Like others have said, the GVW (maximum weight of vehicle and load) is engineered into the bike. Stouter suspension allows the vehicle to carry that weight easier but dosen't increase the GVW

[DiverRay]

The '78 had TWO ratings. One for the Standard, no frills machine, and another for the FULL DRESS bike. The difference was the full dress had the front springs, and rear shock/springs replaced. As a full dress, I think it was rated at 1250lbs, but I'll have to look at my book to be sure. I know my '78 was 820lbs on a truck scale, without a rider!!

[Dragonrider]

what determines a bike's carrying capacity?

What determines it's capacity is how much stuff you stack on it!



(come on, we're guys...we never read the labels anyway!)

[BlkMage]

Kinda along the same lines, anyone know much about towing with the XS? If anyone follows the Reno Air Races, my father is the head mechanic for the Midnight Miss racing T-6. I was kinda wondering if it would be possible to rig up a custom setup where the sissy bar or luggage rack bolt to and tow this airplane instead (over 4000 pounds empty) .

[mro]

4000 pounds empty

Might be a problem starting and stopping


mro
btw, was there a Midnight Miss one and two?

[79XS11F]

The gross weight rating is in the manual. Subtract the eight of the bike from that and you have the total load that the manufacture feels is safe. Subtract your weight as well and you are left with the amount of weight that you can "safely" load on to the bike. adding stiffer springs, different tires etc will not increase the rating .. just makes it handle that weight better.
Rob

[BlkMage]

Re: 4000 pounds empty

Originally posted by mro
Might be a problem starting and stopping


mro
btw, was there a Midnight Miss one and two?

Yea, back when Dennis (the pilot) used to race T-6s. He didn't race for a few years and now he's back with the 3rd T-6 to carry the name.

[fredintoon]

Too much stuff!

"What determines it's capacity is how much stuff you stack on it!"
Hi Daniel,
seeing that photo of your poor overloaded Valk makes me realize how smart you were to fit a car tire on the rear.

[Dragonrider]

Re: Too much stuff!

Originally posted by fredintoon
Hi Daniel,
seeing that photo of your poor overloaded Valk makes me realize how smart you were to fit a car tire on the rear. [/B]

Heh...overloaded? Sheesh. She hasn't even broken a sweat yet.