340 lbs is heavy to a beginner!

VTXorcist · 07-24-2009, 10:20 AM

Just wanted to comment about my wife's initial reaction to the GZ. She'd been riding 2-up on my VTX1300 for the past 3 years, and she's gotten used to larger cruisers. She thought the GZ looked "tiny" when she saw it and I was honestly afraid we were going to end up having to get her a 600 to start on (which would've been dangerous and expensive). However, after a lot of discussion we ended up getting the GZ.

The other day, she tried to walk the bike around our parking lot for a little bit, just to get a feel for it. Boy, was she surprised at how heavy 340 lbs can be! Now, she's very happy she'll be starting on the GZ. I think the fact that I always come home with an ear-to-ear grin after taking it for a cruise helps, too!

mrlmd1 · 07-24-2009, 11:32 AM

Mine is 302 lbs. - a '99.

VTXorcist · 07-24-2009, 01:06 PM

Sorry, meant wet weight. Mine's 302 dry and a '99 as well.

Easy Rider · 07-24-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTXorcist

Sorry, meant wet weight. Mine's 302 dry and a '99 as well.

Never mind HIM. :shocked:

We tend to take a detour into Nit Picking Land occasionally !! :roll:

And, yes, I do it too. :biggrin:

mrlmd1 · 07-24-2009, 04:45 PM

Just playing around and trying to figure out why it's so heavy.
Gas weighs about 6 lbs./gal x 3.2gal = about 19 lbs. full tank.
Oil weighs about 7 lbs./gal., oil capacity is 1400cc, that's about 2.45 lbs. ( trust me, or figure it out yourself).
So maybe wet, it would be about 320-322lbs.
What else do you have on there ? Windshield? Bags?
Tell your wife not to complain so much, it's only 320 lbs. - much lighter than she thought.
Ha, ha. :roll:

Water Warrior 2 · 07-24-2009, 04:52 PM

320 is light until it is laying on your leg. Don't ask me how I know. And YES, it will leave a mark. :lol:

VTXorcist · 07-24-2009, 07:16 PM

Heh I was guesstimating 340 lbs wet since I know water weighs about 9 lbs/gallon. I didn't realize gas was so much lighter. 320-322 sounds closer to the mark from mrlmd1's analysis.

alantf · 07-25-2009, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

320 is light until it is laying on your leg. Don't ask me how I know. And YES, it will leave a mark. :lol:

That's what "engine protectors" are for! I wouldn't ride without one. In England they're known as "crash bars". It certainly saved my leg a couple of months ago when a car sideswiped me, & the bike went over. The crash bar got badly bent, but my leg was undamaged :2tup:

Water Warrior 2 · 07-26-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alantf

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

320 is light until it is laying on your leg. Don't ask me how I know. And YES, it will leave a mark. :lol:

That's what "engine protectors" are for! I wouldn't ride without one. In England they're known as "crash bars". It certainly saved my leg a couple of months ago when a car sideswiped me, & the bike went over. The crash bar got badly bent, but my leg was undamaged :2tup:

Sacrificial bars are better than a sacrificial leg. Same rule applies to helmets and all the rest of that stuff I wear. Some of us old guys just do not heal all that well.

mrlmd1 · 07-26-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Sacrificial bars are better than a sacrificial leg. Same rule applies to helmets and all the rest of that stuff I wear. Some of us old guys just do not heal all that well.

Maybe the idea is not to have to heal at all.

07-24-2009, 10:20 AM	#1
VTXorcist Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 114	340 lbs is heavy to a beginner! Just wanted to comment about my wife's initial reaction to the GZ. She'd been riding 2-up on my VTX1300 for the past 3 years, and she's gotten used to larger cruisers. She thought the GZ looked "tiny" when she saw it and I was honestly afraid we were going to end up having to get her a 600 to start on (which would've been dangerous and expensive). However, after a lot of discussion we ended up getting the GZ. The other day, she tried to walk the bike around our parking lot for a little bit, just to get a feel for it. Boy, was she surprised at how heavy 340 lbs can be! Now, she's very happy she'll be starting on the GZ. I think the fact that I always come home with an ear-to-ear grin after taking it for a cruise helps, too! __________________ Orange is the fastest color. Red is a close second. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-24-2009, 11:32 AM	#2
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: 340 lbs is heavy to a beginner! Mine is 302 lbs. - a '99.
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07-24-2009, 01:06 PM	#3
VTXorcist Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 114	Re: 340 lbs is heavy to a beginner! Sorry, meant wet weight. Mine's 302 dry and a '99 as well. __________________ Orange is the fastest color. Red is a close second. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-24-2009, 04:45 PM	#5
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: 340 lbs is heavy to a beginner! Just playing around and trying to figure out why it's so heavy. Gas weighs about 6 lbs./gal x 3.2gal = about 19 lbs. full tank. Oil weighs about 7 lbs./gal., oil capacity is 1400cc, that's about 2.45 lbs. ( trust me, or figure it out yourself). So maybe wet, it would be about 320-322lbs. What else do you have on there ? Windshield? Bags? Tell your wife not to complain so much, it's only 320 lbs. - much lighter than she thought. Ha, ha. :roll: Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-24-2009, 04:52 PM	#6
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: 340 lbs is heavy to a beginner! 320 is light until it is laying on your leg. Don't ask me how I know. And YES, it will leave a mark. :lol:
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07-24-2009, 07:16 PM	#7
VTXorcist Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 114	Re: 340 lbs is heavy to a beginner! Heh I was guesstimating 340 lbs wet since I know water weighs about 9 lbs/gallon. I didn't realize gas was so much lighter. 320-322 sounds closer to the mark from mrlmd1's analysis. __________________ Orange is the fastest color. Red is a close second.
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