How Much Do They Really Weigh?

[Tom Liberatore]

I've been looking at small bikes lately and recently checked out a Ninja 300, R-3, and a Honda CBR 300. Although the published weights of these 3 bikes are within 25lbs of each other, I found the Honda to feel much lighter than the other two, to me it felt 40-50 lbs lighter. Has anyone actually weighed any of these bikes to see how close the actual weight is to what the factory claims?

 

[ScottRNelson]

The motorcycle magazines do it. You could search for a few of them online, check out their tests of these motorcycles, then see what weights they came up with. Pick one that doesn't just include the manufacturer's claim.

 

[bpw]

Honda is really good at making bikes feel light even when they aren't. Weight distribution and geometry have as big an effect on how "heavy" a bike feels as the actual weight.

Despite being almost a 100 lbs heavier my ST1100 felt way lighter than my Triumph Sprint.

 

[Tom Liberatore]

Honda is really good at making bikes feel light even when they aren't. Weight distribution and geometry have as big an effect on how "heavy" a bike feels as the actual weight.

Despite being almost a 100 lbs heavier my ST1100 felt way lighter than my Triumph Sprint.

Thanks, that makes sense, the difference in feel is pretty dramatic. I have looked online for independent weight specs but have not found any yet, lots of "first ride" articles.

 

[Gary856]

Although the published weights of these 3 bikes are within 25lbs of each other, I found the Honda to feel much lighter than the other two, to me it felt 40-50 lbs lighter.

How did you "feel" them - straddled the bikes and rocked them side to side, pushed them around the showroom, or actually rode them? The "feel" can be affected by bar height, seat height/width, floor material, tire pressure, etc.

It's odd that something as simple as true weight isn't readily available. I've always wanted to weigh my bikes but haven't done it. It would be cool to have a once a year weigh-your-bike setup where riders gather, outside places like Cycle Gear, Alice's or the Junction, etc.

 

[Aware]

Just look for wet weight. Should be a decent comparison.

Honda are masters at mass centralization. It makes a huge difference to basic feel (perceived lightness) and handling.

 

[Aware]

These are the numbers I found for wet weight. So yeah, pretty similar.


Honda CBR300 = 357
Yamaha R3 =368
Ninja 300 = 385

 

[Tom Liberatore]

I just sat on them and pushed them around like you said, I did wonder about tire pressure but the weight I was feeling seemed more on top.
I used to weigh my bikes at a little used CHP weigh station on the Willits grade, not super accurate but probably within 20 pounds or so.

 

[EricD]

As others have said, geometry, frame, weight placement all make huge differences.

Despite being heavy, my RSV4 has always felt lighter than a lot of other superbikes because of how well it's setup.

 

[Blankpage]

Just look for wet weight. Should be a decent comparison.

Honda are masters at mass centralization. It makes a huge difference to basic feel (perceived lightness) and handling.

If it wasn’t for the decals on the side you’d hardly know one manufacturer from another within the different bike categories they compete. I’m not so sure I’d buy the theory that Honda does anything noticeably different than anyone else.
All the major organs are roughly in the same location within an inch or so.

 

[davidji]

It makes sense that the Honda felt and is lighter, being a single, vs a pair of twins.

I've been interested in the Honda lately (life in the slow lane?). Actually in the CB300F, but close enough.

I don't know the fuel capacity of the 3 bikes you compared, but be careful comparing wet weights, since they penalize the bike with greater fuel capacity.

 

[Kestrel]

The new Honda CB300R (announced in other countries, not in the USA yet..) uses the CBR300R engine (~31hp, 20ft/lbs), but they slimmed it down to 315lbs wet. The 125cc version is 277lbs.

 

[Butch]

Some may recall this title "How Much Do They Really Weigh?" from a DirtBike magazine article in the seventies... It was pretty funny. They brought a scale into the dealership and weiged the Squatty Hummingbird. Super Hunky might have been involved.

 

[Aware]

If it wasn’t for the decals on the side you’d hardly know one manufacturer from another within the different bike categories they compete. I’m not so sure I’d buy the theory that Honda does anything noticeably different than anyone else.
All the major organs are roughly in the same location within an inch or so.

Theory? Honda waxes lyrical about mess centralization. As any adult can tell you, an inch of placement can make a huge difference.

 

[Rumbo Sur]

I've been looking at small bikes lately and recently checked out a Ninja 300, R-3, and a Honda CBR 300. Although the published weights of these 3 bikes are within 25lbs of each other, I found the Honda to feel much lighter than the other two, to me it felt 40-50 lbs lighter. Has anyone actually weighed any of these bikes to see how close the actual weight is to what the factory claims?

Several things could have affected your perception of the Honda's lighter feel.
Often, bikes on showroom floor have low pressure in tires. Bike can feel sluggish.

Also, perhaps the other bikes had fuel in the tanks?
Then there is the battery. Some dealers remove batteries and keep them on Tenders until sold.

Most magazine tests now quote "Curb Weight", which is basically same as Wet weight. Tank is usually at least half full.

Bottom line, don't judge a bike until you ride it.
Over weight bikes only real stop the show on OFF ROAD bikes. On road, you may be able to adapt and improve suspension to compensate?
Good luck!

 

[Blankpage]

Theory? Honda waxes lyrical about mess centralization. As any adult can tell you, an inch of placement can make a huge difference.

An inch makes a Huge difference if we’re talking cylinder bore, steering head offset, sliding forks up the triple clamps, or maybe wheelbase but other than that there aren’t many places where a 1 inch movement of weight can make a Huge difference. What am I missing?

 

[bpw]

An inch makes a Huge difference if we’re talking cylinder bore, steering head offset, sliding forks up the triple clamps, or maybe wheelbase but other than that there aren’t many places where a 1 inch movement of weight can make a Huge difference. What am I missing?

On the super-sports you are probably right, but on the heavyweight touring bikes Hondas use of v4 and boxer type engines gets the weight a lot lower. My ST1100 also had the air filter where the "gas tank" was to get the weight if gas down low. I never really understood the magic, but that 600+ lbs. bike was more nimble in a parking lot than just about any other bike I have ridden.

On the cbr300, I suspect the missing cylinder makes the difference compared to the ninja.

 

[Aware]

An inch makes a Huge difference if we’re talking cylinder bore, steering head offset, sliding forks up the triple clamps, or maybe wheelbase but other than that there aren’t many places where a 1 inch movement of weight can make a Huge difference. What am I missing?

Facts vs opinion.

 

[Blankpage]

Facts vs opinion.

Exactly, thats my point.

 

[clutchslip]

These are the numbers I found for wet weight. So yeah, pretty similar.


Honda CBR300 = 357
Yamaha R3 =368
Ninja 300 = 385

28 lbs is a big difference for small displacement bikes.

If it wasn’t for the decals on the side you’d hardly know one manufacturer from another within the different bike categories they compete. I’m not so sure I’d buy the theory that Honda does anything noticeably different than anyone else.
All the major organs are roughly in the same location within an inch or so.

Well, Honda was the first to lower the gas in the tank with the CBR. It put the bulk of fuel weight into/closer to the frame. Others have followed suit. One inch change in center of gravity is pretty big, actually. Even one inch change in rear wheel distance is pretty big, too. Try changing it some time.