Vaquero Weight Limitations

MPSS · 10-13-2014, 02:04 PM

Hi all, was reading the owners manual for my Vaquero and noted a weight limitation of 395lbs to include driver, passenger and any luggage? Doesnt seem to be a whole lot when me, the driver, is coming in just over 200lbs?

tonik · 10-13-2014, 08:50 PM

Yea, we Voyager owners scratch our head on that one too. Makes no sense.

Silent Sam · 10-13-2014, 09:02 PM

Might be a mfg'er's CYA to deny any responsibility, in case of a structural failure, or any mishap ! ?

robjob · 10-14-2014, 12:55 PM

Maybe someone who knows will chime in but is it anything to do with the spongy air shocks that come with it ??

Gypsy Dragon · 10-14-2014, 01:01 PM

It should have to do with a combination of the GVWR of the tires, the shock's load rating, and possibly the frame design or material. The frame part is speculation, but I'm pretty sure about the tires and shocks.

robjob · 10-14-2014, 01:30 PM

Just as a comparison, my 750 Shadow I traded last year for the Nomad had a load limit of 397lbs. 1700 Nomad - 395lbs. What the heck??

Gypsy Dragon · 10-14-2014, 06:37 PM

has anyone added up the GVWR of both tires, then subtracted the weight of the bike? I would do it, but my Vaq is 1000 miles away.

Silent Sam · 10-15-2014, 08:15 PM

Those "freebee", Weigh Stations in Oregon are just really handy...all states should have them...

MPSS · 10-15-2014, 08:17 PM

So, I went back to a downloaded pdf for the oweners manual. The front tire for the Vaquero is 130/90, 16mc, 67H. The 67 represents the weigt load for the tire/tyre(for our our UK friends), at 307 kgs or 677lbs.

the rear tire is 170/70, 16mc, 75H. The 75 represents the weight load at 387kgs or 853lbs. The H rating is speed, rated at a top speed of 130mph.

The bike weighs approx 850lbs, subtract the tire loads at 1530lbs, which gives me approx 680lbs of play, passenger, rider and luggage. I suspect other things come into play as well?

fudd · 10-15-2014, 09:39 PM

Like it when there is a math quiz! I am thinking that regardless of the individual tire weight ratings you should only consider the rating of the lighter (front) and doubling it? What is the percentage of weight carried per axle? My brain sez 50/50 but am open to the correct answer.

Silent Sam · 10-15-2014, 09:46 PM

...According to my "Bike-Jack" the empty weight of my bike is aprox 50/50....but add my 255 lbs...two hard bags full of "gear"...my Pack's -Or pack w/passenger- and a huge % of the total weight shift to the rear tire...

ponch · 10-16-2014, 12:27 AM

You have to figure what's the weakest link. Sure the tires can handle more, but what of the axles/bearings and shocks/springs? I think the Cross Country load capacity is 560. That's about as high as I've seen. My bike is 520, but weighs 570 wet. Sometimes I wonder what good is all the extra weight. That said, the Vaquero should do better than 395.

Snake Ranch · 10-16-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

You have to figure what's the weakest link. Sure the tires can handle more, but what of the axles/bearings and shocks/springs? I think the Cross Country load capacity is 560. That's about as high as I've seen. My bike is 520, but weighs 570 wet. Sometimes I wonder what good is all the extra weight. That said, the Vaquero should do better than 395.

The Vaquero does do better. I thing Kawasaki is just being very conservative on paper. I would like to know their engineering reasons for such a light weight rating though. When there was 950 pds rear and 450 front on my skoot I didn't experience any issues other than the concern that 950 pds was over the 835 pds rating for the rear tire. My thought was to find a tire with a higher load rating as the center of gravity does shift to the rear quite rapidly. The trunk is located behind the rear axle, the saddle bags are in line with the axle and my wife sets just in front of the axle. The back end really carries a big load. Being aware of the changes and changing your driving habits to meet the conditions might be a way to stay inside the safety envelope. I see that 395 pd rating as a suggestion or a recommendation Kawasaki is comfortable with.

Gypsy Dragon · 10-16-2014, 03:26 PM

The Pirelli Night Dragons have a reinforced sidewall version. Perhaps it has a better weight rating.

Minndave13 · 10-18-2014, 11:21 PM

I wonder if it really matters though. Look at most Goldwings- most of them are loaded down pretty heavily and pulling trailers. What are the weight restrictions on the voyager? Wouldn't one think they would be closer to the Goldwings? Also what are the Goldwings using for tires? I think most of the wingers are using the same tires we are using. Now I just talked to my father. He has had goldwings since 1984. He has always pulled trailers. Currently he has a 2010 Goldwing and a pretty big trailer he pulls almost everywhere he goes. He lives in Minnesota and travels every year to Portland Oregon. He averages about 20,000 miles a year on his Goldwing. The only time he has ever had a problem is once he picked up a nail.

10-13-2014, 02:04 PM	#1
MPSS Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Saskatoon Posts: 57	Vaquero Weight Limitations Hi all, was reading the owners manual for my Vaquero and noted a weight limitation of 395lbs to include driver, passenger and any luggage? Doesnt seem to be a whole lot when me, the driver, is coming in just over 200lbs? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-14-2014, 12:55 PM	#4
robjob Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Belleville, Ontario Posts: 347	Maybe someone who knows will chime in but is it anything to do with the spongy air shocks that come with it ?? __________________ Lovin my 2010 Nomad Rob Woodall Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers 088 Picton VBA # 02445
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10-14-2014, 01:01 PM	#5
Gypsy Dragon Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Round Rock, Tx. Posts: 493	It should have to do with a combination of the GVWR of the tires, the shock's load rating, and possibly the frame design or material. The frame part is speculation, but I'm pretty sure about the tires and shocks. __________________ 1997 KZ1000 Police 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 w/ 149k mi (sold) (un-sold!) 2013 Vaquero in Green (the fastest color) Thunder Mfg Prototype Hi Performance Kit Rev 2 109 cid Klockwerks Windshield Corbin Young Gun Throttle Mod Freedom Performance 2-1 Roarin Toyz Intake PCV with AutoTune Ivanized ECU Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-14-2014, 01:30 PM	#6
robjob Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Belleville, Ontario Posts: 347	Just as a comparison, my 750 Shadow I traded last year for the Nomad had a load limit of 397lbs. 1700 Nomad - 395lbs. What the heck?? __________________ Lovin my 2010 Nomad Rob Woodall Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers 088 Picton VBA # 02445
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10-14-2014, 06:37 PM	#7
Gypsy Dragon Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Round Rock, Tx. Posts: 493	has anyone added up the GVWR of both tires, then subtracted the weight of the bike? I would do it, but my Vaq is 1000 miles away. __________________ 1997 KZ1000 Police 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 w/ 149k mi (sold) (un-sold!) 2013 Vaquero in Green (the fastest color) Thunder Mfg Prototype Hi Performance Kit Rev 2 109 cid Klockwerks Windshield Corbin Young Gun Throttle Mod Freedom Performance 2-1 Roarin Toyz Intake PCV with AutoTune Ivanized ECU
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10-13-2014, 08:50 PM	#2
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	Yea, we Voyager owners scratch our head on that one too. Makes no sense.
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10-13-2014, 09:02 PM	#3
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	Might be a mfg'er's CYA to deny any responsibility, in case of a structural failure, or any mishap ! ?
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10-15-2014, 08:15 PM	#8
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	Those "freebee", Weigh Stations in Oregon are just really handy...all states should have them...
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10-15-2014, 08:17 PM	#9
MPSS Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Saskatoon Posts: 57	So, I went back to a downloaded pdf for the oweners manual. The front tire for the Vaquero is 130/90, 16mc, 67H. The 67 represents the weigt load for the tire/tyre(for our our UK friends), at 307 kgs or 677lbs. the rear tire is 170/70, 16mc, 75H. The 75 represents the weight load at 387kgs or 853lbs. The H rating is speed, rated at a top speed of 130mph. The bike weighs approx 850lbs, subtract the tire loads at 1530lbs, which gives me approx 680lbs of play, passenger, rider and luggage. I suspect other things come into play as well?
	0

10-15-2014, 09:39 PM	#10
fudd Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SE IL Posts: 183	Like it when there is a math quiz! I am thinking that regardless of the individual tire weight ratings you should only consider the rating of the lighter (front) and doubling it? What is the percentage of weight carried per axle? My brain sez 50/50 but am open to the correct answer.
	0

10-15-2014, 09:46 PM	#11
Silent Sam Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: On The Shakey Side Posts: 2,501	...According to my "Bike-Jack" the empty weight of my bike is aprox 50/50....but add my 255 lbs...two hard bags full of "gear"...my Pack's -Or pack w/passenger- and a huge % of the total weight shift to the rear tire...
	0

10-16-2014, 12:27 AM	#12
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,015	You have to figure what's the weakest link. Sure the tires can handle more, but what of the axles/bearings and shocks/springs? I think the Cross Country load capacity is 560. That's about as high as I've seen. My bike is 520, but weighs 570 wet. Sometimes I wonder what good is all the extra weight. That said, the Vaquero should do better than 395. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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10-16-2014, 03:26 PM	#14
Gypsy Dragon Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Round Rock, Tx. Posts: 493	The Pirelli Night Dragons have a reinforced sidewall version. Perhaps it has a better weight rating. __________________ 1997 KZ1000 Police 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 w/ 149k mi (sold) (un-sold!) 2013 Vaquero in Green (the fastest color) Thunder Mfg Prototype Hi Performance Kit Rev 2 109 cid Klockwerks Windshield Corbin Young Gun Throttle Mod Freedom Performance 2-1 Roarin Toyz Intake PCV with AutoTune Ivanized ECU
	0

10-18-2014, 11:21 PM	#15
Minndave13 Jr. Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Vancouver WA Posts: 4	I wonder if it really matters though. Look at most Goldwings- most of them are loaded down pretty heavily and pulling trailers. What are the weight restrictions on the voyager? Wouldn't one think they would be closer to the Goldwings? Also what are the Goldwings using for tires? I think most of the wingers are using the same tires we are using. Now I just talked to my father. He has had goldwings since 1984. He has always pulled trailers. Currently he has a 2010 Goldwing and a pretty big trailer he pulls almost everywhere he goes. He lives in Minnesota and travels every year to Portland Oregon. He averages about 20,000 miles a year on his Goldwing. The only time he has ever had a problem is once he picked up a nail.
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