How much weight is too much?

jwg383 · 04-13-2011, 09:31 AM

Hi everyone,
I'm a new member, that just bought a 2010 Nomad. I love the bike so far!
I got this bike for my wife and I to ride, and my question is: how much weight can the bike safely handle? I'm a big guy.6'7" 280# and my wife isn't a stick. I'm concerned because the manual says 397 pounds and we will be well over that. Can anybody share some advice/experience on this matter? Thanks.

usranger74 · 04-13-2011, 11:09 AM

I will let others chime in on wt. But, let me be the first to welcome you. Welcome from Nebraska.

Blueraven · 04-13-2011, 11:14 AM

Welcome, from Hamilton, Ontario Canada

sly · 04-13-2011, 11:18 AM

Bienvenue from Quebec

bigdave · 04-13-2011, 11:31 AM

I dont know about the 2010 but on my 2007 i have had both wife and i ( im 6'2" 270) plus had both saddle bags full and a tail pack on back completely full, bike handled it with no problem

jwg383 · 04-13-2011, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

Bigdave, I'm right there with ya man! From what your saying I should be ok! Thanks everybody!

**ray2** · 04-13-2011, 01:59 PM

Welcome from Minnesota

**cnc** · 04-13-2011, 02:24 PM

They will handle more weight than what the manual says. I have been on some pretty long trips. Saddle bags loaded, my wife and a big sissy bar bag. I pump up the shocks a bit more than usual, increased the rear tire pressure by 3-4 lbs and try to keep the heavier stuff in the saddle bags. Handling is not much different except at low speed parking lot maneuvering, but you soon get used to that.

jwg383 · 04-13-2011, 03:20 PM

Cnc that's good to know! I suspected that the bike could handle it. I'm sure that Kawasaki put that 397 pound limit in the manual to cover their butts.
I just wanted to hear it from some people in the know.

ponch · 04-15-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwg383

Cnc that's good to know! I suspected that the bike could handle it. I'm sure that Kawasaki put that 397 pound limit in the manual to cover their butts.
I just wanted to hear it from some people in the know.

I had about 575 on mine. Not a problem, but make sure you have the shocks pumped up. You will know you have a load on it though.

flightdoc · 04-15-2011, 02:20 PM

I agree with CNC. I have a 2005. We load all the heaviest stuff in the side bages, which we have to lean on to close, and we both have an overnight suitcase that I stack on the luggage rack and we've traveled as far as Nova Scotia and she handles well. Like CNC stated, slow speeds it's a bit light in the front.

vin

drno · 04-15-2011, 02:58 PM

2009 Nomad, Two up, weight of person's: 410.00 Gear about 30lbs. 440lbs. Bike handled and rode no problem. Good power. Good fuel consumptiom. I set the rear shocks to setting #4 and run about 28psi in each shock.

ponch · 04-15-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drno

2009 Nomad, Two up, weight of person's: 410.00 Gear about 30lbs. 440lbs. Bike handled and rode no problem. Good power. Good fuel consumptiom. I set the rear shocks to setting #4 and run about 28psi in each shock.

I used to run the 1600 with 30lbs and setting II.

drno · 04-16-2011, 10:08 AM

My wife likes it stiff.....lol

**Cajunrider** · 04-16-2011, 11:55 AM

On my '07, I've carried well over 400 with my wife and I and bags and trunk loaded, and pulling a trailer probably weighing in at 300 lbs gross with 25 lbs tounge weight. I air up the shocks to 32 psi and have not had a problem. Welcome from SE Louisiana.

04-13-2011, 09:31 AM	#1
jwg383 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 95	How much weight is too much? Hi everyone, I'm a new member, that just bought a 2010 Nomad. I love the bike so far! I got this bike for my wife and I to ride, and my question is: how much weight can the bike safely handle? I'm a big guy.6'7" 280# and my wife isn't a stick. I'm concerned because the manual says 397 pounds and we will be well over that. Can anybody share some advice/experience on this matter? Thanks. __________________ Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-13-2011, 11:09 AM	#2
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	How much weight is too much? I will let others chime in on wt. But, let me be the first to welcome you. Welcome from Nebraska. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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04-13-2011, 11:14 AM	#3
Blueraven Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 805	How much weight is too much? Welcome, from Hamilton, Ontario Canada __________________ Rhys Westmoreland VBA# 01622 (Kawanow) 1969 Suzuki 250 1973 Honda CB750 K3 (Sold Dec 11, 2011) 2003 1500 Nomad FI "REBA" PC III Commander (Died April 2011) PC III Commander (Installed new one April 2016) Vance and Hines, Mustang Seat BadBoy Air Horn Front LED Fog Lights 2011 Maggie Valley,NC 2014 NE US/Eastern Canada Rally,Lincoln NH
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04-13-2011, 11:31 AM	#5
bigdave Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burnsville, NC Posts: 1,589	How much weight is too much? I dont know about the 2010 but on my 2007 i have had both wife and i ( im 6'2" 270) plus had both saddle bags full and a tail pack on back completely full, bike handled it with no problem __________________ David "BigDave" Hall Burnsville NC VBA #477 2007 Red and Silver Nomad (traded 4/10/2014) 2013 Blue and Black Voyager Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-13-2011, 11:45 AM	#6
jwg383 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 95	How much weight is too much? Thanks for the welcome everyone! Bigdave, I'm right there with ya man! From what your saying I should be ok! Thanks everybody! __________________
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04-13-2011, 11:18 AM	#4
sly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St.-Eustache, Québec, Canada Posts: 2,837	How much weight is too much? Bienvenue from Quebec __________________ Sylvain "Sly" Lafrance St. Eustache, Quebec, Canada eh!! 2004 Blue & Silver (the fastest colors) Gone but not forgotten 2012 Ebony Black Kawasaski Concours 14
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04-13-2011, 01:59 PM	#7
ray2 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 939	How much weight is too much? Welcome from Minnesota __________________ Ray Minnesota 2010-1700-Nomad VBA#01525
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04-13-2011, 02:24 PM	#8
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	How much weight is too much? They will handle more weight than what the manual says. I have been on some pretty long trips. Saddle bags loaded, my wife and a big sissy bar bag. I pump up the shocks a bit more than usual, increased the rear tire pressure by 3-4 lbs and try to keep the heavier stuff in the saddle bags. Handling is not much different except at low speed parking lot maneuvering, but you soon get used to that. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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04-13-2011, 03:20 PM	#9
jwg383 Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mississippi Posts: 95	How much weight is too much? Cnc that's good to know! I suspected that the bike could handle it. I'm sure that Kawasaki put that 397 pound limit in the manual to cover their butts. I just wanted to hear it from some people in the know. __________________
	0

04-15-2011, 02:20 PM	#11
flightdoc Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Barrington, New Hampshire Posts: 1,285	How much weight is too much? I agree with CNC. I have a 2005. We load all the heaviest stuff in the side bages, which we have to lean on to close, and we both have an overnight suitcase that I stack on the luggage rack and we've traveled as far as Nova Scotia and she handles well. Like CNC stated, slow speeds it's a bit light in the front. vin
	0

04-15-2011, 02:58 PM	#12
drno Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lethbridge, Alberta Posts: 294	How much weight is too much? 2009 Nomad, Two up, weight of person's: 410.00 Gear about 30lbs. 440lbs. Bike handled and rode no problem. Good power. Good fuel consumptiom. I set the rear shocks to setting #4 and run about 28psi in each shock. __________________ Made ya Look
	0

04-16-2011, 10:08 AM	#14
drno Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lethbridge, Alberta Posts: 294	How much weight is too much? My wife likes it stiff.....lol __________________ Made ya Look
	0

04-16-2011, 11:55 AM	#15
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	How much weight is too much? On my '07, I've carried well over 400 with my wife and I and bags and trunk loaded, and pulling a trailer probably weighing in at 300 lbs gross with 25 lbs tounge weight. I air up the shocks to 32 psi and have not had a problem. Welcome from SE Louisiana. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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