The basic answer to the question of “How much do motorcycles weigh?” is that it varies from bike to bike.
There’s no one answer to it. Each motorcycle has its own weight, and while there is a general range, it really depends on the style and size of the bike.
So, let’s take a closer look at motorcycle weights and what you can expect.
How Much Do Motorcycles Weigh: Dry Weight vs. Wet Weight
What really is the weight of a motorcycle? There are a couple of types. First, you have the dry weight. This is the weight that manufacturers commonly put out there. This weight is the weight of the motorcycle with absolutely no fluids in it—hence, dry weight.
This weight is well-known to be rather optimistic, meaning the bike you receive from the dealership might be slightly heavier than what the manufacturer discloses in their sales information.
The second is the wet weight. This is the weight of the motorcycle once it has all of the various fluids in it—brake fluid, oil, gasoline, etc. This weight will be closest to what your motorcycle weighs when you’re actually riding it.
Some manufacturers publish a wet weight for all of their bikes, and other manufacturers don’t.
If you want to calculate your wet weight, take the dry weight of your motorcycle and then determine the weight of fluids you’ll add to your bike. Then add those two numbers together.
Weight Contributors
There are various things that contribute to the weight of your motorcycle. Everything that’s on your bike matters, but here are some of the big ones.
Equipment
Any equipment on your bike adds to the weight. Everything from the headlight and turn signals to the seat and any luggage or fairings. Keep this in mind if you add additional equipment. You’ll be adding weight to your ride.
Frame
The motorcycle’s frame is obviously a large contributing factor to your bike’s weight. Frames are made of various types of material from basic steel to high-tech carbon fiber.
Each material has different weights associated with it. It’s important to know that when thinking about weight. An aluminum frame, for instance, is a lot lighter than a steel frame.
You won’t be able to swap out our frame completely, but you can alter the frame if you’re customizing to impact the weight of the bike.
Engine
Engines are another big part of a motorcycle’s weight. Larger engines weigh more. So if you have a motorcycle with an engine that has a high displacement, then you should expect a higher weight. For instance, a 1,000cc engine will weigh a lot more than a 250cc engine.
It’s also important to note that the material the engine is made from matters. Often manufacturers will use aluminum or some other type of lightweight material to get the overall weight of the bike down.
Fluids
Yep, as I noted above, every ounce of fluid you put in your motorcycle matters when it comes to weight, from gasoline to coolant. Each has its own weight and each will impact the weight of your motorcycle.
These are usually not something you can overcome with customization. Your bike needs gasoline, brake fluid, or coolant. So, if you’re trying to reduce weight, you should look elsewhere.
The Average Weight of a Motorcycle
Calculating the average weight of a motorcycle is hard. There are many different kinds of bikes and all of them come with their own weight. Luckily, NADA Guides put together a list of average motorcycle weights based on engine displacement.
Here’s that list:
- Size: 250cc; Weight: Average 350 pounds
- Size: 300cc; Weight: Average 350 pounds
- Size: 500cc; Weight: Average 410 pounds
- Size: 600cc; Weight: 400-450 pounds
- Size: 800cc/900cc; Weight: Average 430 pounds
- Size: 1000/1100cc; Weight: 400-500 pounds
- Size: 1200cc; Weight: 500-600 pounds
- Size: 1300cc; Weight: 500-650 pounds
This isn’t all-encompassing. NADA’s data is just the averages. I have ridden large touring motorcycles that weigh more than 650 pounds. I have ridden small displacement bikes that weigh far less than 350 pounds. Still, the information above is a good place to start.
Ways to Reduce the Weight of Your Motorcycle
If you’re interested in reducing the weight of your motorcycle, there are things you can do. First up, consider getting different luggage for your bike. If you have hard saddlebags or a top case, you can easily remove them most of the time. Additionally, exhaust systems can be found that are usually much lighter weight than the stock.
There are plenty of other areas where you can reduce weight. Take a good hard look at your motorcycle and you’ll likely notice some things tat can be removed or replaced. Chances are, there’s a few things that you could do to make your ride a little less portly.
