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From what I've read, motorcycle manufacturers figure the GVWR before the frame is even welded together. Factors like dry weight/curb weight are obviously figured in, along with suspension, tires, and brakes. But if the suspension, tires, and brakes are upgraded does that mean the bike can haul more weight safely?
I'm not looking to haul around a village from Taiwan or anything, just was curious if I could bump up that rating a little bit.
Yeah, I've thought about that too. But if the frame is rated for say........ 840# GVWR, then it should be able to handle an extra 75 pounds over that with no problems.
FWIW, this isn't a early 70's stamped steel frame in question. Fully tubular early 80's frame.
I'm not an engineer, nor do I pretend to be, but I can tell you about driving big trucks. When I roll through weigh stations, they don't look at spring rates/frame gussets/brake material/etc. What they check for in regard to weight is whether your over the load rating for the axles. That's the "soft spot" supporting the load.
I work with the shipping department at my company, so I understand what you're saying Red. I never thought of the correlation between semis and bikes though........
In the factory specs for the bike, it lists the rear weight capacity as about 450# (going from memory here) and the Avon tyres that I could use are rated for a little over 500# (also from memory). Perhaps that 450# was for the original 1980 tire? Looks like I definitely have some more searching around to do though.
Red, when you are talking about the weight rating on the "axles" on a vehicle, the weak link is the bearings. The bearings are what determine the weight rating of an axle assembly. I imagine it would be the same on a bike.
Red, when you are talking about the weight rating on the "axles" on a vehicle, the weak link is the bearings. The bearings are what determine the weight rating of an axle assembly. I imagine it would be the same on a bike.
Makes sense, better bearings will withstand a larger load on the axles. And Rich I think the Japanses generally understate the limits. Hell I loaded Jill and I and a weekends worth of luggage on the 450 and exceeded the GVWR by at least 50 lbs with no ill handling or issues. And I had factory bearings from the 80's and crappy tires, not saying you should but I think if you have fresh bearings and better tires a few extra pounds shouldn't cause you too much grief.
Lingo or Red: either of you guys know what happens for a permit load? Do they inspect the truck / trailer before issuing an overweight permit?
Mike, I've been finding some info online to that affect. Basically stating that the GVWR isn't a rock hard line to adhere to. It was mentioned that if a bike that was loaded over its rating and was in an accident, there could be a liability issue. But the manufacturers put a little bit of leeway into their rating too, so a frame obviously doesn't snap in half as soon as it's slightly over loaded.
I think I'll end up making sure that any components I swap out are rated for higher than the originals.
I don't know Rich. I am on the parts end and have run into applications (automotive/industrial) where the axle was the same dimensionally but the assembly was rated for different weights depending on the bearings.
The bearing load is determined by a few things. bearing size and the number of bearings are the two largest factors from my understanding.
Red, when you are talking about the weight rating on the "axles" on a vehicle, the weak link is the bearings. The bearings are what determine the weight rating of an axle assembly.
Yes, they do inspect the vehicle/trailer before issuing the permit. But the vehicle still has to be rated/capable of hauling that load. This I'm a little fuzzy on, but the permit itself is basically for that load to travel on the roadway. The roads are rated for certain weights as well. The permit allows you to travel only those roads that'll hold it, or limited use of roads that are lesser rated.
Yeah, I've thought about that too. But if the frame is rated for say........ 840# GVWR, then it should be able to handle an extra 75 pounds over that with no problems.
FWIW, this isn't a early 70's stamped steel frame in question. Fully tubular early 80's frame.
Maybe on a Super or Mega,over 200,000lbs..
But on a permitted load you have to stop at every open scale house on route,obey curfues,etc...
I've pull oversized but have yet to do heavy.
The company that I drive for does pull heavy on occasion,just a matter of using more axles.
Just to throw a different angle at things, the country can change the GVWR as well for exactly the same vehicle. My X-Trail has tow rating of 2200lbs in canada (1000 kg) and in Europe and Australia it is 44000 lbs (2000 kg) and there is no differnce in the build, the GVWR is increased accordingly for those countries as well. Here they want you to buy the more expensive X-Terra to get a higher rating where in OZ and UK they don't expect that. Also you can buy a class II hitch, and here I had to settle on a Class I with a shitty little 1 1/4" receiver and 1000 KG towing limit. It blows, not that I am going to go towing much more than 2200 but the truck is engineered with the higher limit so it sucks they cut it here to sell more expensive vehicles.
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