CB's max weight

[j3gq_imp]

When designers calculate the weight limitation printed in the user manual, there are many considerations. Capacity of the brakes and suspension, stability, CoG, etc. And last not least certification requirements of that bike in this country. They won't tell you why, it is what it is.

When the biker considers weight limitations - I bet few of us spend much time on it - he does not run a lot of extra risk compared to the risk of being out on the street on a bike. Our 1100 is not a fragile, overpowered stallion with bad brakes. 5% overweight on seat or rack won't break the frame, or the luggage rack, bend the wheels, create much hazard to transversal stability, or extend your braking distance significantly. Nor will 5 pounds extra on the back rack, behind the seat, make the CB1100 jolt into a wheely at each other traffic light. So what then is the concern ?

Here is my question. Have you had any bad experiences with your bike heavily loaded up ? did the rack attachment bolts bend ? did she feel too light on the front wheel ? Anything else ? Your answers may help us get a feeling for the subject. And as always ... a reasonable guess is always better than no data at all.

[LongRanger_imp]

Not CB1100 specific, but when I’ve severely overloaded my bikes in the past, the handling has become sketchy (less traction on the front tire), braking distances have lengthened, and the engine has felt more strained. Generally, the load rating of the tires and axles determine the max permitted weight. I’ve not experienced bent components.

[j3gq_imp]

Not CB1100 specific, but when I’ve severely overloaded my bikes in the past, the handling has become sketchy (less traction on the front tire), braking distances have lengthened, and the engine has felt more strained. Generally, the load rating of the tires and axles determine the max permitted weight. I’ve not experienced bent components.

Thanks for the response.
I am sure of this with "severely overloading", but I guess this is almost impossible without pillion, right ? Riding alone, street behavior between max_weight and max plus 5 kg should hardly change. My wife's and my weight combined add up to exactly the CB's weight capacity, now add cloth, helmets, etc, and we are about 5, 6, 7 ... over the limit. No adverse effects, I only feel her presence when moving slowly.

So that's why I am looking for other inputs, I don't have a feeling for when it gets critical.

[Alfgaxatico_imp]

Unfortunately ; the motorcycles; my ex-africa twin adventure sports dct 2018; and this CB1100 ex 2015; They are adjusted for pilots of 80 kg ... the suspensions (who says no; let me prove it ...) and in the Africa Twin I changed the suspension and springs to my weight (125 kg / 1.90 m) and my wife ( 64 kg). this is vital. the load limit; 180 kg, on both motorcycles, I understand a tolerance of 10% ... that is; with adjusted suspensions; at 200 kg .... I say 10% for being negative; since it would give even a 20% margin. But the correct behavior is to change suspensions ... it's a shame that they are adjusted for medium - men (sarcasm)

[the Ferret]

Wow I'm finally a medium

[Roper_imp]

I break spokes when I overload my bicycle with too much gear. While the extra weight is the biggest factor, it's also the extra stress from accelerating and braking on the rear wheel and directional changes and braking on the front wheel. My motorcycle has cast wheels, so not much of a worry

[Tev62]

I had a 2016 Africa Twin and had to change out the rear spring, the rate was far too low for its max loading. I traded up for a Tiger 1200 in the end as I thought the Africa Twin was a bit weak two up and a really uncomfortable bike. It got me to look at carrying capacities of bikes before I bought the Triumph. This table is a bit misleading as some of these bikes have panniers/top box as standard. The second table is making an allowance for those and re-ordering the list for fairness.

Carrying Capacity as the bike is supplied

Triumph Tiger 1200XR 230
BMW K1600 Bagger 224
Triumph Tiger 1200XCa 224
Triumph Tiger 1200XCx 223
Kawasaki Versys 1000 220
BMW R1200RT 219
BMW GSA 217
BMW S1000XR 216
BMW GS 216
Yamaha FJR1300A 215
Yamaha XT1200Z 212
BMW K1600GTL 210
BMW K1600GT 206
BMW F800GT 206
BMW Grand America 196
Honda Africa Twin 195
Honda Goldwing 2018 192
Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager (USA) 180
Yamaha Tracer 900 GT (2018) 167

If I added panniers and top box to all bikes without them in the above list the table gets altered.

BMW K1600 Bagger 217
BMW R1200RT 212
BMW K1600GTL 210
Triumph Tiger 1200XR 209
Triumph Tiger 1200XCa 203
Triumph Tiger 1200XCx 202
Kawasaki Versys 1000 199
BMW K1600GT 199
BMW GSA 196
BMW Grand America 196
BMW S1000XR 195
BMW GS 195
Yamaha FJR1300A 194
Honda Goldwing 2018 192
Yamaha XT1200Z 191
BMW F800GT 185
Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager (USA) 180
Honda Africa Twin 174
Yamaha Tracer 900 GT (2018) 160

I have made an assumption on the weight of top box and panniers and applied the same weight to all and I know the Tracer 900GT can only have panniers OR top box so that is not really a realistic value in the 2nd table but you get the gist. 21KG allowed for top box/panniers, 7Kg for top box only.

[the Ferret]

Those have to be KG and not pounds

[GoldOxide_imp]

Year-after-year, two up, 365 lbs + helmets + jackets + boots + clothes on either the Honda '14 CB1100 or '19 CRF1000 on crappy tarmac urban centers, or 175 km/h freeways: Never had a handling issue.

Don't get me wrong - handling is not as good as a solo rider, but an issue was never experienced.

Above all: It was joy.

= = =

P.S. The '18 NC750X would bottom out under the same said conditions, a few times.

[bflint]

Simlar to Mr GoldOxide. Pack my 2014 CB1100DX up each summer for cross country trips (average about 4000-6000 miles each trip on all kinds of roads).
Differences from riding naked:
1. Windscreen can cause some minor shimmy over 100mph in cross winds.
2. Extra weight can magnify weight shift when doing sudden steering changes (like that stupid squirrel in the middle of the road). Takes a bit of extra concentration to get back on the "riding/cornering line". Somebody in the forum suggested clutching gas tank with my knees at high speeds to stabilize a bike ... it works for me ... have to do that on occasion.
3. Handles about the same in the s-turn mountain roads as I pass other vehicles.
4. Harder to get on center stand, but I always do.
**
My body type is 6 ft tall and 234 1bs.
**
The thing is, everyone has to ride at their own comfort level