This will be individual to each rider, but having come close to dropping my 2018 Speedmaster a couple of times while shunting it around the garage (it happens), I don't think I'd want anything heavier than its 250kg. The weight distribution is low, which helps - but weight has been a factor in my bike decisions. I didn't buy a Honda CB1100 - 250kg, not so low - or a Guzzi California - 350kg - for this reason. I think the SM is about perfect for me, but others are happy with much heavier bikes. I tend to think light is good - what do you think? Beerman
Personally, I like my bikes to come in at under 200 kgs they’re easy to wheel in and out of the garage, user friendly in traffic, flickable and usually quite fast. But I don’t really do a lot of distance and don’t carry a pillion, so I do understand the need for a heavier bike, just not for me.
Beerman how big are YOU? I'm only relatively small and notice the difference between my old thou and my 765 hence the reason for buying it and agree it makes a big difference.
Hang on BB. Bike on top maybe not comfy but female smothercating me with titties and bits, WELL, I might be able to put up with that
I had a 05 Bonnie T100 which was too heavy for me at 225KG, my Street Twin is 198 KG dry, which is still a little too heavy as well, but manageable as it’s got a low seat height. I used to be ok with heavy bikes when I was younger, but being only 5ft6 with a 29 “ leg doesn’t help. I don’t know why Triumph’s are so heavy, well engineered I know, but a 15-20 KG reduction would help me.
Love the weight of my speedy after looking hard at a Thunderbird. My choice was ankles and knees are less than great. I had a close call wheeling it back to position ready to lift on the paddock stand and watched as it wavered, to look down and see the side stand had flicked up. The sick feeling I never want to repeat.
I think most triumph models except some of the sportier ones and some cruisers are too top heavy. Triumph designers have never heard of a low centre of gravity, imho. I've had 4 tiger models over the years. Every one of them was a bitch to hold upright once they " start to go ". Which is barely off upright. I've jumped off two of them and had to let them fall rather than risk another back injury trying to hold them up.
I think we sometimes forget the old big twin bikes weighed in at about 190kg and a Honda 750 Four at 240kg. Much of the additional ‘modern’ weight comes from starter motors, bigger batteries and disc brakes over drums before you add cylinders, fairings etc. There is maybe also a deliberate design/price element in the ratio of sprung to unsprung weight. For comfort it helps to have a heavy lump that resists each twitch of the suspension. It why bigger cars ride better than small ones without trick suspension systems that don’t come cheap. In the US they have different ideas of starter bikes but in the UK have we not tended to graduate upwards as much by weight as power as experience grows? With our 2nd childhood we then go into reverse and downsize!
I'm 5ft 9" when I'm trying to impress....so not tall. The Speedmaster suits me well, but I think that 250kg is plenty. It's only when it starts to go that you realise how heavy that is - every review of a big, heavy bike I've ever read says that 'the weight comes right off as soon as you start moving' - provided that is forward! If I had one of those huge garages some people have that house a few cars and several bikes it might be easier - but I don't, and manoeuvring in a tight space can be tricky! Beerman
I have been thinking about this since i want to sell the T160 and get the new Speedmaster...my T160 is kept in a building in the garden and needs a little lifting of the back end to get it in...which is no problem but add a good few kgs more and it will be...may have to think about building something in a a more accessible place as i am not getting any younger.
I noticed at the NEC this year that bikes seem to be getting taller. I’m 5’7” with a 30” inside leg and there are loads of new bikes I just wouldn’t consider, the new Z900 is sadly one of them, why does a retro bike need a seat height the same as an adventure bike, I don’t get it.
Too heavy when you can't hold the fecker up when you have to stop suddenly. Since my auto-immune system collapsed three years ago come Friday (rheumatoid arthritis) I've had problems holding up taller top heavy bikes once they start to fall at low speeds, e.g my Tiger 800 has been over more than a couple of times when my left hip gives way when I haven't planned the stop. I'm seriously thinking of the Street Triple R. The narrow frame and light weight make it easy to plant either foot in an emergancy, brace my knee and keep the bike upright. I'll have to bite the bullet and sell my Tiger, 1050 Sprint and one of my BonnieSE or Street Twin to finance the change.
I found that a bike is too heavy when it affected my confidence to ride, particularly in the twisties. I used to have a 2006 Tiger 955i and it's stated weight was 215-220 kgs, BUT that was it's declared weight from the factory. Ready for the road it weighed 245 kgs fully oiled and full petrol tank. It also carried it's weight high. When I added it's panniers and top-box for a holiday trip in the Alps it was a right mare - no fun at all. I now have a Yamaha 2017 MT-07 Tracer. She weighs 193 kgs fully oiled and petrol tank 90% full plus she carries her weight lower. And she, for me, is an absolute delight. Top speed 240 kph, loads of torque in every gear, fuel consumption 3.7ltrs per 100 kms, and highly chuckable. No problem manouvering her in tight spaces. Plus a brilliant engine with loads of character and with the TEC exhaust she sounds brilliant. Noisy enough on low to medium revs (5000rpm) but then turn into a snarling bastid !!!!!! The change in bike has given me at least another 5 yrs of riding ..............
Just because a bike gets dropped doesn't mean it's too heavy, more often than not it's just carelessness by the rider. A bike is too heavy if you don't have confidence in yourself and/or if you think it is.
I’ve managed to drop two bikes in the last five years, both were at junctions where I’ve stalled, the bike was on lock ready to make a turn and I lost the balance of the bike. It does knock your confidence when you drop one. One got away with a minor scratch to a pannier and the other one £600 in damage. Lesson is to really concentrate at slow speeds especially manoeuvring.
I agree with HughJ it is all about confidence and concentration when riding and moving them about, my LT is 350kg and the speedmaster is 245kg which means thinking about where you park and particular attention to the surface you are on. Follow these simple rules and you should be fine. Wessa
I prefer a heavy bike! to me they seem more planted on the road..that might change as I get older though
