Lightweight person, lightweight bike?

[Grashopper]

Had this discussion with my neighbour today. Would a light weight person be better off with a light weight bike or with a heavier bike in terms of stability, especially, but not only, when it gets a bit gusty. I was thinking that it is probably better for a light weight person to have a heavier bike, to be not as vulnerable against the wind, but he said that if a heavier bike gets moved around by a wind gust than it would be more difficult to maneuver it back. Made sense to me, too.

Any comments, experiences etc?

[Ender EnZed]

Wind generally isn't as much of an issue as low speed maneuvering where less weight is always better than more.

The size and shape matter as well as weight of course, but once you're comfortable riding it in the wind it'll always be easier than reversing a heavy bike up a slope.

[Tagger]

the problem with wind is that people start gripping their handlebars way too hard, in wind you should make yourself as light as possible as aposed to heavy. you will start floating all kinds of directions but your bike will stay a lot more stable. If you can handle your bike, it doesn't mather how heavy you are ...

[FJRider]

Had this discussion with my neighbour today. Would a light weight person be better off with a light weight bike or with a heavier bike in terms of stability, especially, but not only, when it gets a bit gusty. I was thinking that it is probably better for a light weight person to have a heavier bike, to be not as vulnerable against the wind, but he said that if a heavier bike gets moved around by a wind gust than it would be more difficult to maneuver it back. Made sense to me, too.

Any comments, experiences etc?

No ... a lightweight bike will always put a lightweight rider at a disadvantage, as usually the extra weight comes with extra horsepower to push through the wind.

Don't go huge/heavy too fast ... build up to it in stages .... and you will enjoy the extra HP/weight.

[sinfull]

Don't eat onions and wind won't be a problem !

[Grashopper]

Wind generally isn't as much of an issue as low speed maneuvering where less weight is always better than more.
Didn't think of the slow speed handling, but yeah, that would need a few more skills on a heavier bike.


The size and shape matter as well as weight of course, but once you're comfortable riding it in the wind it'll always be easier than reversing a heavy bike up a slope. Good thought, and short legs don't really help either.


the problem with wind is that people start gripping their handlebars way too hard, in wind you should make yourself as light as possible as aposed to heavy. you will start floating all kinds of directions but your bike will stay a lot more stable. If you can handle your bike, it doesn't mather how heavy you are ... I usually lean forward as much as possible, try to relax and hope that the next truck won't blow me off the road. My throttle has to be kept at a deathgrip on a highway unfortunately to keep at highway speeds. The throttle resistance somehow increases quite a bit between 80 and 110 and if I relax the throttle hand it goes straight back to 80.


No ... a lightweight bike will always put a lightweight rider at a disadvantage, as usually the extra weight comes with extra horsepower to push through the wind. Hm, good point. I always try to slow down slightly when I see a truck coming and then accelerate slightly through the turbulences to use the forward momentum to increase my stability. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.


Don't go huge/heavy too fast ... build up to it in stages .... and you will enjoy the extra HP/weight.
Not yet interested in going huge/heavy/(too powerful). Just something easier to ride at highway speeds would be nice for now. But ask me again in a few months :)

[McFatty1000]

I'd be your typical light person on a lightish bike. Main reason is ability and confidence which I'm building up before going to a bigger bike (Also, funding and restricted license)

I've only had a real problem with the wind once and I think most bikes would have been a little uncomfortable in it, and versus the low speed stuff/being able to move it comfortably myself, it makes a lot of sense for me to be starting out like this

Having said that, also quite keen to move up to something close to an r6 when I'm able

[arcane12]

I used to move over to the left hand wheel tracks whiched helped a bit with trucks.

The bigger bike does help - going form the Scorpio to the 650 I felt it helped. It's also a confidance thing - the more you tense up and worry about it the worse it is. Someone told me that once, and I mentally took it as 'HTFU', gave it a go, and what do you know, it wasn't as bad anymore.

So basically as suggested try to relax a bit, and not to worry too much. Good luck! :)

[SMOKEU]

A heavier bike is probably better, but not too heavy that it becomes difficult to handle.

[Devil]

Low speed manouvering? My gigantic BMW R1200GSA is easier to ride at super low speed and perform U-turns on than every other bike i've ridden, period. Light doesn't mean easy. Heavy doesn't mean hard.

As for reversing up a hill - thats just poor planning.

For the wind issue - yer better off just loosening up like has been mentioned.

[kave]

At 60kg and 5'5", I have ridden some reasonably light bikes (yammie SRX250, suzy SG350) and some much heavier bikes (suzy GSXR 1100m). I really don't think weight is too important, but as a smaller rider I find seat height does make a huge difference. I am happy on my suzy GSX1200 now, even though it isn't a light bike the low seat height makes it really easy to manage. Once you are reasonably experienced heavy winds won't bother you, it doesn't matter if your bike is 130kg or 300kg.

[ducatilover]

It all comes down to a few factors which are mainly the rider.
How you ride, what you personally feel comfortable on
Your abilities to cope with wind

I'm 5ft 6 or7ish and 60kg on a big day, I have owned bikes with, and without fairing, light and reasonably heavy.
I have only had problems when not used to riding in wind, I thought my first GN sucked in the wind, but I'm fine in wind on my current GN.
My ZZR600 is rock solid in the wind, with and without fairings (it's now 30kg lighter and still solid in the wind) I think it's due to it's moderate steering angle.
I was okay in the wind with my VT250, 139kg bike. My CB400 was good in the wind...

I think it really comes down to your ability to deal with the wind.
But admittedly my GN does get knocked around more than the Kawasaki

[Maha]

You just have to be comfortable with the bike, light/heavy? does not matter, if you are comfortable on it, there shouldn't be problem.

Personal height V Bike size....can mean a struggle with everything, except the riding bit.

Anne is on the shorter side but is very comfortable on a Goldwing...could never own one, because of the Height/Size thing.

[FJRider]

Not yet interested in going huge/heavy/(too powerful). Just something easier to ride at highway speeds would be nice for now. But ask me again in a few months :)

Even a 400-500 cc bike ... you will notice the extra weight/HP. And within a few weeks ... you will wonder how you managed on a 250.

[McFatty1000]

Even a 400-500 cc bike ... you will notice the extra weight/HP. And within a few weeks ... you will wonder how you managed on a 250.

Ha, I think that even just compared to the cb250 and the fzr250...

[Marmoot]

Don't overthink it. Just learn and develop a skill that suits the bike.

With skill anything is possible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrMQ3QwyPo

[bogan]

Try riding a few, you'll figure out what is best. Personally, I find lighter more nimble and fun; and have an abhorrence for those whales desecrating the great name of the VFR. If you just want something than can handle highway speeds well, VTR250 is a good option, or Hornet 250, or even something a little bigger will be a good upgrade, and a very manageable progressions in weight and power to deal with.

[Grashopper]

Try riding a few, you'll figure out what is best. Personally, I find lighter more nimble and fun; and have an abhorrence for those whales desecrating the great name of the VFR. If you just want something than can handle highway speeds well, VTR250 is a good option, or Hornet 250, or even something a little bigger will be a good upgrade, and a very manageable progressions in weight and power to deal with.
Makes sense what you say.
Both bikes are on my current list for a possible next bike:) As well as the 250 Inazuma and the Duke200. The Duke is really light though. Sat on one of them at Boyds and it felt even lighter than the GN. Not sure if that would be a good thing. Of course this list will probably change a bit in the next few months until I can buy a 'new' bike, but it is fun to think about which bike to get next.




With skill anything is possible

Wow! Pretty cool.
I've also seen those Japanese police motorbike videos. It's really amazing how they handle those big bikes.

[ducatilover]

Try riding a few, you'll figure out what is best. Personally, I find lighter more nimble and fun; and have an abhorrence for those whales desecrating the great name of the VFR. If you just want something than can handle highway speeds well, VTR250 is a good option, or Hornet 250, or even something a little bigger will be a good upgrade, and a very manageable progressions in weight and power to deal with.

Blashphemy! Viffers are the pefect bike, minus supercharger.

[Oblivion]

I moved from a GN just like you straight onto a GPz550. And the one thing that I like about a heavier bike is that I find filtering much less fiddly. On the GN, I was correcting myself a bit while trying go straight while riding the clutch, but with the GPz its not near as fiddly as the bike feels much more planted. In wind it has less tedency to sprawl across the road, but it still does move, just be light on the handle bars and dont grip like a madman. ;)

On a side note, Heavier bikes are great for cruising, lighter bikes are massive fun in the twisties. Not saying you can't take a bigger bike through the twisties though. :banana:

[Grashopper]

Even a 400-500 cc bike ... you will notice the extra weight/HP. And within a few weeks ... you will wonder how you managed on a 250.

Ha, I think that even just compared to the cb250 and the fzr250...

The wonders of starting on a GN, so many step-ups to look forward to :)



Personal height V Bike size....can mean a struggle with everything, except the riding bit.

Anne is on the shorter side but is very comfortable on a Goldwing...could never own one, because of the Height/Size thing.

I suppose it is quite helpful if you can get your feet to touch the ground :D

[nzspokes]

Went from a Honda CBX250 to a 1200 Bandit with a short interlude on a Kawa 400. 250 sucked in the wind, Bandit is rock solid.

Mind you I may well weigh more than the bike......

[bogan]

Blashphemy! Viffers are the pefect bike, minus supercharger.

VFRs come in two flavours, though if you've managed to purge the latter one from your mind, that is most commendable!

Viffer
http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/attachments/street-track/16498d1215634851-rc30-rc45-rc-30-001-custom.jpg

Whale
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Honda_VFR1200F_with_Dress-up_Parts_and_Accessories.jpg/640px-Honda_VFR1200F_with_Dress-up_Parts_and_Accessories.jpg

[Tigadee]

I was thinking that it is probably better for a light weight person to have a heavier bike, to be not as vulnerable against the wind, but he said that if a heavier bike gets moved around by a wind gust than it would be more difficult to maneuver it back. Made sense to me, too.

A cruiser like a 650cc with decent weight and low seat height could be for you. The low seat not only gives you more confidence, but will also help you steady the bike easier than a tall bike [i.e. more spring in your bent knees and feet flat on ground than straightened knees on tippy toes].

Being more bottom heavy is definitely better than top heavy [so I found with my 110kgs on the Scorpio in gusty winds] but only so far. After that, it's more mental than physical.

[ducatilover]

VFRs come in two flavours, though if you've managed to purge the latter one from your mind, that is most commendable!

Viffer


Whale


:eek5::(:crazy: I seem to hate that new...thing so much I forgot all 'bout it :sweatdrop
I am a huge fan of the 800 though, in white, with white wheels om nom nom nom