Weight of bikes...

[Mystic13]

Looking for some advice about choosing bikes, My question is about the weight of bikes.

As a rider you can generally ride a bike that is 3 (or is it 4?) times heavier than you, correct? So as a small person (about 5'3" and roughly 45kgs) I think I'd be fairly limited to what I can ride according to that 'rule'. How important is that really? Do people generally try a bike to see how it handles without any regard to whether they can pick it up if it falls over or what?

Opinions and ideas?
Cheers

The rule is not important and a myth.

Your better getting a well balanced bike.

There is a lady on here about your size who rides a Hayabusa. She also assists coaching out at RRRS. She's a damned good rider. On the odd occasion she drops the bike she has no problems picking it up and discourages any outside help. She has been known to lift it up and tip it over the other way in anger and have to lift it again.

On that note I'd say you'd be okay for anything up to at least that size. So that would be 1300cc and about 240kg.

Your size has little to do with riding the bike well and fast. My wife is around your size and she just looks for bikes with lower seats.

[The Stranger:Me]

As a rider you can generally ride a bike that is 3 (or is it 4?) times heavier than you, correct?

Riding it is NOT the problem. Stops, starts, pushing it backward up an incline, very low speed stuff may very well be.
That time when your footing is not quite right on a light bike is not an issue, on a heavy bike it's an insurance claim.
It is down to technique, experience, competence and confidence i.e. you are the only one who can decide.
That said, if you have to ask, I would suggest you are better to err on the lighter side for this purchase.

[dpex]

Looking for some advice about choosing bikes, this isnt going to be the kind of thread "What bike should I get?" where everyone just tells me to test ride, because I have gathered that from other threads. My question is about the weight of bikes.

As a rider you can generally ride a bike that is 3 (or is it 4?) times heavier than you, correct? So as a small person (about 5'3" and roughly 45kgs) I think I'd be fairly limited to what I can ride according to that 'rule'. How important is that really? Do people generally try a bike to see how it handles without any regard to whether they can pick it up if it falls over or what?

Opinions and ideas?
Cheers

'It' normally falls over while traveling at some speed. In that case you'd be far more concerned with being able to pick yourself up. But, if it's a worry, then buy a Honda in pretty colours. That way you'll be sure some large truck-driver, with a secret agenda, will help you up with your bike.

[gatch]

I reckon that just like anything else in life, if it feels good, DO IT !

If you aren't comfortable while sitting on it pushing it/low speed etc, change something so it suits you or get something else.

No worries ow, good luck.

[Headbanger]

My bike weighs 300kg, I'd love to see the technique a 45kg person would use to put her back on her rubber.

I'm thinking that technique would involve a real sized person to lend a hand.

[2wheeldrifter]

As I said before.. get into this position, And you won't need to know HOW to pick up your bike, guys will come running up behind you to help... trust me

[Motu]

Your better getting a well balanced bike.

I have a personal theory that only applies to me....it won't work for anyone else.I need to be balanced myself....by being balanced I can balance my bike.Leaning forward with weight on my arms or sitting with my feet forward puts me off balance....I don't like that.

By putting better bars on my bike that made me sit balanced,I am much more in control.And it is also much easier to get on and off,and manoeuvre around pushing.

[Gremlin]

the 3 times your weight is a guideline.

Best is to try moving any bike you are interested in, in a tricky situation. Perhaps sloping gravel (which you could have to do on the side of the road at some point?).

There are other things you have to be aware of, that taller people don't. You can't stop your bike with one wheel on each side of a deep gutter, because you won't be able to put a foot down, and so on.

[gatch]

My bike weighs 300kg, I'd love to see the technique a 45kg person would use to put her back on her rubber.

I'm thinking that technique would involve a real sized person to lend a hand.

Since the person is not actually lifting all 300kg it is doable, it would require a degree of strength probably not possessed by the average 45 kg person, but still doable.

[Thani-B]

As I said before.. get into this position, And you won't need to know HOW to pick up your bike, guys will come running up behind you to help... trust me

Lol but that wont help me much when Im stranded in the middle of nowhere and there is no one else around.

And yea I will just have to shop around and try lots of bikes to see if I am able to manoeuver them around ok. And then just hope that I am able to pick it up if I drop it/if it falls, or that someone else is there that can help me.

[Little Miss Trouble]

And yea I will just have to shop around and try lots of bikes to see if I am able to manoeuver them around ok. And then just hope that I am able to pick it up if I drop it/if it falls, or that someone else is there that can help me.

Keep in mind that you don't have to always do said manoeuvering while seated on the bike. Sure, it doesn't look as cool to get off and push, but its still better than a slow motion drop coz your foot slipped on gravel or something.

Like others have said, its quite amazing the strength you find you have when your angry & embarrassed that you dropped the bitch in the first place!

[MarkH]

Lol but that wont help me much when Im stranded in the middle of nowhere and there is no one else around.

If you are going to be looking like that then the middle of nowhere is no problem - give me a call and I'll come out and help you pick up your bike!

Why don't you mention what sort of bike you are looking at - the other shorties here can probably give some good advice on various bikes.

[gwigs]

Im 5ft 6in and weigh 60kg soaking wet ..bike weighs 250kg..and yeah I can pick her up and I can chuck her up on the main stand.Basically I can and do ride her..... and I love riding... that all that counts

[Thani-B]

If you are going to be looking like that then the middle of nowhere is no problem - give me a call and I'll come out and help you pick up your bike!

Why don't you mention what sort of bike you are looking at - the other shorties here can probably give some good advice on various bikes.

Lol I'll keep that in mind. And Im not exactly sure what bike I want yet. Like the look of the GSXR's and others that are kind of similar. But it depends on what I can find when my funds say I have enough to buy a new bike. Hoping for a win on Wednesday night...

[cambridgedan]

ive never head that one before, im not experienced so dont quote me but i dont think that weight would effect it at all, well maby a bit but unless you are a pro superbike rider or somthink you proberly wont notice it