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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: themaffeo on October 22, 2005, 06:52:19 PM

Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: themaffeo on October 22, 2005, 06:52:19 PM
Ok, I am 163lb's.  

I went riding 2 up today with a chick who was about 120.

The weird thing was, the bike felt alot more stable with the extra weight - wind wasn't as much of a problem, and the bike really sat down through turns.  I whipped through the S curve in downtown SD at 100  - and it really felt like my bike was "stuck" to the ground...

Anyone else notice this? How can i get my everyday riding experinece to be the same? is there something i can do with the rear shock?  Do you get this feeling from larger bikes?
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: natedawg120 on October 22, 2005, 07:26:04 PM
You were going 100 with a passenger?  That is not very responsible at all, you are endangering yourself and moreso your passenger.  Sorry 'bout the nag, but I wouldn't think of going that fast with anyone on the back.
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: Crim on October 22, 2005, 07:42:31 PM
gain 120lbs.  :dunno:
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: natedawg120 on October 22, 2005, 07:45:19 PM
Quote from: Crimgain 120lbs.  :dunno:

:lol:  :lol: Yeah there really is no way to get the same feeling as when it is loaded down.  A shock won't help that.  You could caryy around a lot of dog food though.
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: themaffeo on October 22, 2005, 07:55:17 PM
Quote from: natedawg120Sorry 'bout the nag, but I wouldn't think of going that fast with anyone on the back.

No worries.. i agree with u.
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: themaffeo on October 22, 2005, 07:55:42 PM
Quote from: Crimgain 120lbs.  :dunno:

lol
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: Phaedrus on October 22, 2005, 08:00:40 PM
Have you ever driven a pickup truck, especially an older one? They handle much better with a load in the bed because the weight is on the rear wheels. Same with the bike; more weight on the rear drive wheel. If you are really tall, try putting more of your butt on the passenger seat and leaning forward to steer.


Kidding!  :lol:
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: natedawg120 on October 22, 2005, 08:32:51 PM
:lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: JamesG on October 23, 2005, 02:40:10 AM
+1 the nag about hauling ass with a passenger.

The extra weight on the rear compresses the (already pretty weak) shock, lowering the rear and increasing the trail on the front forks, making steering more stable.  More weight also resists crosswinds and buffeting better, which is why heavier bikes make better cruisers.

You may have the rear shock preload to tight. If its over "5" maybe try backing it off a notch or two. But I wouldn't go under "3" unless you wear children size cloths.

Also have you fiddled with the front fork internals any?
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: TarzanBoy on October 23, 2005, 05:11:47 AM
Quote from: natedawg120You were going 100 with a passenger?  That is not very responsible at all, you are endangering yourself and moreso your passenger.  Sorry 'bout the nag, but I wouldn't think of going that fast with anyone on the back.

You would if the chick were hot enough.
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: themaffeo on October 23, 2005, 10:37:57 AM
Quote from: JamesG
You may have the rear shock preload to tight. If its over "5" maybe try backing it off a notch or two. But I wouldn't go under "3" unless you wear children size cloths.

Also have you fiddled with the front fork internals any?

thnx for the advice, i'll mess with it and see if it makes a diff

and no.. i havent' done anyhting with the front fork's..
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: snowhownd on October 23, 2005, 06:47:26 PM
Quote from: TarzanBoy
Quote from: natedawg120You were going 100 with a passenger?  That is not very responsible at all, you are endangering yourself and moreso your passenger.  Sorry 'bout the nag, but I wouldn't think of going that fast with anyone on the back.

You would if the chick were hot enough.

To attempt to kill a hot chick??   :?  :dunno:
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: natedawg120 on October 23, 2005, 06:53:02 PM
Quote from: snowhownd
Quote from: TarzanBoy
Quote from: natedawg120You were going 100 with a passenger?  That is not very responsible at all, you are endangering yourself and moreso your passenger.  Sorry 'bout the nag, but I wouldn't think of going that fast with anyone on the back.

You would if the chick were hot enough.

To attempt to kill a hot chick??   :?  :dunno:

Yeah really, I would like for that hot chick to be around for later.  Its dangerous enough being on a bike in a world where cars are driven by ADD drivers.  So i'll stick to the speed limit.
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: scratch on October 24, 2005, 09:35:02 AM
Don't you know that a shock acts better when it is preloaded with a 120lbs passenger?
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: leo on October 24, 2005, 10:37:09 AM
Come on guys, he wasn't going 100. Remeber the speedo is guessing, more like he was probably going 85-90. :)
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: natedawg120 on October 27, 2005, 06:46:16 PM
Ok i am bored at work and found proof as to why i don't hot rod with a hot girl on the back.  Click the link, title is funny but what happens isn't.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/dumpgirlfriend.html
Title: Bike More Stable With Weight?
Post by: Jazzzzz on October 27, 2005, 09:05:30 PM
Quote from: natedawg120Ok i am bored at work and found proof as to why i don't hot rod with a hot girl on the back.  Click the link, title is funny but what happens isn't.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/dumpgirlfriend.html

ah, the gixxie video

she's a stunter and knew what she was getting into; there are followup pictures of her road rash out there, and a video of someone scrubbing it out for her while she cries.  there are also pictures of her posing in a string bikini next to her frost-pink GSXR 750 floating around out there too (don't get excited, she looks about as plastic as a Barbie doll, and is a butterface to boot)