How much weight can a 87VR handle

[Ga Dawg]

Has anyone heard of a weight restriction on a 87VR. My son is still playing football (O Line) and keeps getting bigger. Together we are at 540 LBS. What can the bike handle. I am very strong and can handle the weight of the bike with the added passenger weight. I am just concerned about the bike and frame and coming apart at a bad time! What do ya'll think. I know, loose weight big guy but I still eat like I did when I played football. Oh the battle of the bulge.

[BOO]

There is a weight limit for the bike, I'm not sure what it is off hand but I have seen couples that weigh way more than that on these bikes.

I think the biggest fear might be the tires, they also have weight limits.

Buy him his own bike and then you are fine.

BOO

[skydoc_17]

Hey Scott,

According to the Yamaha Service Manual (page 8-2) the max load for rider, passenger and anything else you can stuff in the trunk and side bags is 386 pounds. I ride regulary in the 420 pound range with no ill effects on my 87'VR. I adjust the air ride and swing arm dampener to level the bike and stiffen the swingarm movement to keep the bike under control with the extra weight. You might want to leave a little extra room for stopping because of the extra weight.

Earl

[GeorgeS]

Bike: with fuel and oil = 785 lb.

 

Maximum Load = ------ 386 lb.

 

Saddle bags, and trunk, are about 28lb. each

 

Anyway, I just checked the book thats what it says. Check your rear tire for Max, load

and figure that about 80 percent of the weight is on the rear. ( at least during accelleration ) I might be off some on the 80 percent.

 

I carry about 35 in each bag and trunk, plus a 25 lb pack on the rear seat on trips.

 

I weight exactly 200, plus about 15 lb for rideing gear. So I am running about

 

320Lb. full load on trips. ( No Passenger )

 

( be sure to weight yourself, with full rideing Gear )

 

Yes: You are overloaded, at least, by the book.

Edited April 6, 2009 by GeorgeS

[MiCarl]

Almost everyone riding a Venture 2 up will be overloaded.

 

I figure we go at least 450 (not counting Mrs. purse). The progressive springs I believe are on it seem to be a big help. Similar sized couples with stock suspension seem to have bottoming issues. We actually ride with the rear air pressure set to medium and the front to low without any trouble.

 

The book calls for a tire that has a fairly low load range (I don't have the book in front of me, but a D404 meets the spec). I think a higher load rated tire is in order for 2 up riding, and at the inflation pressure recommended by the tire manufacturer, not the Yamaha recommended pressure.

[5bikes]

Stock tire load capacity rating 71=760 lbs, I've gone to 77 rating = 908#'s

1/2 bike= 380# (could be more), stuff in trunk & saddle bags=75, me 160 (some of my weight on front), wife 200 (be careful here, clothes, purse, and kitchen sink), extras added to bike=20, total =835. A 71 rated tire won't get it. Even at max. tire inflation.

Kenda Kruz, Metzler 880 for example are 77's.

I had a 4 passenger plane, but would only fly 3 people, I'm very conscience of weight. Weight is a motorcycle's enemy too.

[Dano]

Don't forget to add on for the BBQ and DQ run!!

[GeorgeS]

Remember, the Max load for the bike, is NOT the Max Load for the Tire.

 

Its the reccomended Safe Loading for the entire bike, many other safty factors are involved, other then the Tire Max.

 

Anything over 385 for a 1st gen, and your Overloaded !!

 

Yes! I know everybody does it. But there is a sensible limit.

[5bikes]

the weakest link? For 40+ years it has always been the tires to me.

Ever see a Mexican pickup truck over loaded? Very common here on the border. The suspension is bottomed out and the tires buldged out? Which goes first? Metal or rubber?

(And he's got power steering to boot!)

[jasonm.]

I have an unbiased magazine from way back. A bone stock 1st gen 1300VR with all fluids full of gas = 803#.The limit to load is generally the tire and suspension. BUT, don't forget the wheel bearings take all the load. Yes, wheel bearings do fail. Ask the owners of old GoldWings. Lucky for us the Venture uses a roller bearing on the left which is better than the GoldWings of way back's ball type bearings.

Edited April 6, 2009 by jasonm.

[MiCarl]

Remember, the Max load for the bike, is NOT the Max Load for the Tire.

 

Its the reccomended Safe Loading for the entire bike, many other safty factors are involved, other then the Tire Max.

 

Anything over 385 for a 1st gen, and your Overloaded !!

 

Yes! I know everybody does it. But there is a sensible limit.

 

The 385lb. rating will be for extreme conditions. This means a hard stop, from high speed, down a steep grade, hitting a pothole, in the rain with a 100mph tailwind. Stay on straight, flat, good pavement at 25MPH and you can probably get away with exceeding the capacity.

 

The reason I mentioned tires is twofold:

 

1- They are the component most prone to sudden catastrophic failure.

2- They are an easy and inexpensive upgrade.

 

I mentioned the springs because it is clear from people we ride with that when you get into the 400+ pound range the stock spring is just too soft for comfort and handling, even under non-extreme riding conditions. Springs are also a pretty easy upgrade.

 

By the way, the load rating for a tire isn't the whole story either. There is also the speed rating. So, a 77H tire is rated to handle 908 lbs., at 130mph, at maximum inflation pressure (for 10 minutes). A 77S tire would only be good for 908 lbs. at 112mph. Again, at 25mph both tires would probably safely carry a load above 908 lbs.