New bike is HEAVY

**hec** · 27th March 2007, 07:54

Some bikes carry their weight well e.g. cruisers others especially older bikes like my XJ900 and clearly the CX400 did not have compact modern engines so tend to carry their weight high up on skinny wheels so when stationary or moving very slowly always wanting to take a dive. Plus side is when these tall skinny heavy things are moving they are easy and comfortable to ride. But at 200kg plus you cannot muscle them back into shape as you probably could with your GN - it just takes some time to get used to. So care needed when manovering across a camber/incline like a drive [embarasment factor 8], if you are manovering it by pushing dont touch the front brake unless the front wheel is dead straight (doubly important if there is little rake on the front forks) [factor 8] or get on it to manover it, consider using your uphill foot down when stopping at a heavily cambered road junction etc.. [factor 8]
Unfortunately always at least a factor 8.

**peasea** · 27th March 2007, 08:04

Originally Posted by eviltwin

yeah mine is bigger than yours, roughly 220kg...but i've been lugging it around so long now it just feels so light and whippy, i poke it around corners quick as a flash mate, and one day soon, you too will feel just as comfortable with yours.

Well, mine's bigger than yours, so there! I too have been lugging mine around for so long it feels "light and whippy" and I can also "poke it round corners quick as a flash". My HD on the other hand isn't so nimble.

Just keep practising and keep a cool head; you'll come right and laugh about little 'incidents' in years to come. (With your grandkids on your knee.)

**KoroJ** · 27th March 2007, 08:16

The Pan European is 300Kg dry and top heavy.

Add a full tank (29Ltrs) fill the panniers & topbox with another 30Kg and add a 100Kg pillion and try some slow speed manouvres/U-turns or parking when you've got the seat right up and you're feet are just touching the ground.

Needless to say, I've had a few moments and stepped off it more than once. Fortunately Mr Honda added a couple of extremely sturdy, well positioned side wings for the bike to balance on without touching a pannier or mirror.

I guess we all put up with some inconveniences for a great ride and these are some of the trade-offs we have to consider when choosing our bikes.

**Pwalo** · 27th March 2007, 08:25

Now that's a real man's bike Steam, made out of that steel stuff. No alloy there.

In a couple of weeks time the 250 will seem like a toy!

**Pumba** · 27th March 2007, 08:29

Sure its heavy but it is an old bike so what else would you expect.

Great bike the CX, and from the photo it looks in pretty good condition.

**Quartermile** · 27th March 2007, 11:09

Yea MidnightMikes is like 200 when full of petrol and thats only a 250

**Nitzer** · 27th March 2007, 12:07

Nice bike Steam, congrats.

I'm sure you'll get used to the weight, I used to have a CBX750 and I thought that bugger was bloody heavy at first but you'll get used to it.

So you gonna customise your new bike at all.....like a bren gun mounted on the rear or someting?

**kiwifruit** · 27th March 2007, 12:11

Congrats on the new beast, looking 4rd to seeing the mods

Yes, they are heavy, but you will get used to it. Seen the odd cx do really well at the hill climb at the cold kiwi

**Roj** · 27th March 2007, 12:14

Originally Posted by Steam

I got my full license last week and I upgraded from a GN250 at 130kg, to a CX400 at 220kg, blaady hell that's a difference!

Tiz but a light one, My CB dryweight is 245kg, but probably has a better power to wieght ratio than the CX400.

The extra weight does take some getting used to but you will find it doesn't get pushed around in the wind, just take it easy and get that practise you mentioned

**Colapop** · 27th March 2007, 12:20

You fullas got it hard, man. The RF is only little! Why I can pick it up and carry it whenever I need to move it around... *pop* and then I woke up....

**avgas** · 27th March 2007, 12:33

Originally Posted by Steam

When I told the bikers waiting for the Picton ferry how I was struggling with the new weight, they laughed and pointed to their 350kg bikes, and the humungous Harley with bags of gear and two people on it. So it's not that heavy, just a change.

Never heard of 'Dead-Weight'?

oh thats mean, i dont dislike harleys that much

**Pommie Boy** · 27th March 2007, 12:45

Holy heck, I thought my VTR was heavy at 197 (well, that's what I think it is anyway). I've nearly dropped mine a couple of times too, and at a pathetic 70kgs I've got bugger all chance of picking it up if I do (it's all muscle though, honest

)

**Steam** · 27th March 2007, 14:36

Originally Posted by Nitzer

So you gonna customise your new bike at all.....like a bren gun mounted on the rear or someting?

Oh I love this one so much I'm not thinking of mucking it up yet with paint or ammo boxes or whatever. Maybe after I upgrade again in a year or so. There's still a lot to do on the SR250 though, speaking of which it's off to Mitre 10 for hose clamps and more black spraypaint and V to keep me going.

The CX's are actually increasing in value, so maybe I'll leave it stock and preserve a future classic.

**Jimmy B** · 27th March 2007, 15:15

In rode Jimmy on his imaginary 400kg "Amazonas" 1600 complete with VW beatle engine and transmission

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/amazonas_1600_2001.php

**Steam** · 27th March 2007, 18:56

Originally Posted by Jimmy B

In rode Jimmy on his imaginary 400kg "Amazonas" 1600 complete with VW beatle engine and transmission
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/amazonas_1600_2001.php

Wow all that metal and still only 65 HP / 47 kW. What on earth were they thinking???