How Much Does a Motorcycle Weigh? | Weight Ranges Compared
How much does a motorcycle weigh? Just add the weight of its parts — from its engine to its handlebars, all the way to the very last spoke in its tires. And every feature that is packed onto it means packing on its corresponding weight. However, every pound added on would adversely affect performance and maneuverability. So while the weight of a motorcycle helps stabilize it, too much of it will literally weigh it down.
Generally speaking, with everything else being equal, a lighter motorcycle is better than a heavier one. To provide a better understanding and context for comparison, I have here a breakdown of different types of motorcycles and their corresponding weight.
Table of Contents
Different Types of Motorcycles and Their Average Weight
So how much does a motorcycle weigh? It depends on what kind it is. Here are some of the most popular types of motorbikes and their average weight.
Dirt Bike
A dirt bike should be one of your top choices if you are looking for a lightweight motorbike. The dirt bike is another lightweight motorbike and it weighs between 100 and 250 pounds. They are some of the lightest bikes on the market, and they are great for kids and teenagers. Dirt bikes that are designed especially for adults weigh up to 250 pounds.
Moped
Moped bikes are perhaps the lightest types of motorbikes. This is a super lightweight bike type that is ideal for learners. They weigh about 160 pounds to 180 pounds. With such a lightweight design, you can take a moped bike to virtually anywhere. The bike is also very easy to lift, which means you can easily load it at the back of a truck or lift it off the mud if it gets stuck. They are also very easy to handle.
Scooters
A standard version of a scooter usually weighs about 200 to 300 pounds. Scooters are super lightweight bikes. These bikes are very easy to control, which is why they are best for new riders and beginners. You do not need so much muscle to control them. However, some scooters are heavier, as they tend to weigh above that average weight. Some of them weigh up to 500 pounds. The heavier versions are great for dealing with dumper roads.
Sportbikes
Sportbikes are average bikes in terms of weight. Their weight is in the middle range, as they weigh between 300 and 500 pounds. However, the weight of sportbikes is usually determined by the engine it carries. Some sport bikes also come with little storage, which you can free up to lighten the weight of the bike, allowing you to handle the road nicely.
Café Racer (Scramblers)
Café racers are one of the most common types of bikes, and many know them as scramblers. These bikes are like a small tank but they are weightier than a vintage motorbike. The average weight of a scrambler is from 400 pounds to 500 pounds and usually are quite affordable.
However, the weight of the ride also depends on the add-ons you do on it. If you pimp your ride or add more accessories, it will weigh more. To keep it light, you should free up some of those add-ons, especially the less useful ones.
Adventure Bikes
Adventure bikes are also very popular, and they are the favorite of many tourists. These bikes are a little bit weighty, and they weigh a bit over 500 to 650 pounds. Adventure bikes are great travel bikes, as they are designed for long-distance journeys. You can use them on almost any terrain and they deliver excellent performance. They are also designed to keep you comfortable on all your adventure trips.
Cruiser
There are different types of cruisers, and they also come in different weights. However, the average weight of a cruiser motorcycle is from 450 to 500 pounds. This is perhaps a bit heavy to handle, but the added weight of this bike type provides it more balance on the ground. Interestingly, some types of cruisers weigh up to 700 pounds. Some models from Harley Davidson weigh up to that amount.
Chopper
Choppers are "chopped up" versions of cruiser motorcycles in the sense that they're customized versions, like bob-jobs. They're pretty stylized and are designed for visual effect rather than speed or comfort. When shopping for a motorbike, if your target is a lightweight bike, you should steer clear of chopper bikes.
These bikes are pretty weighty, even heavier than cruisers and adventure bikes. The average weight of chopper bikes range from 650 to 720 pounds, and that is heavy. Older versions of this bike even weigh more, as they feature complex constructions and styles.
Touring Bikes
Touring bikes are the dream bikes of many. These adventurous motorbikes are designed for the road. As the name implies, touring bikes are designed for touring and exploring new places. They come with almost everything you will need in a bike. For the numerous accessories and features they come with, they are considered to be one of the heaviest types of motorcycles in the world.
These bikes weigh as high as 800 to 1,000 pounds on average. They usually come with different compartments to store some items while touring. Their fuel storage is also usually large enough to contain a sufficient amount of fuel for any journey.
Bagger motorcycles are a sub-classification of touring bikes that can weight from 700 to 850 pounds. It usually comes with some rear saddlebags or storage, which also contributes to its weight. They are super comfortable and optimized for different road types.
Motorcycle Weight Chart
You’ll find a summary of all the forgoing info in this chart:
MOTORCYCLE TYPE | wEIGHT RANGE |
|---|---|
Dirt Bike | 100-250 lbs |
moped | 160-180 lbs |
Scooter | 200-500 lbs |
Sportbike | 300-500 Lbs |
Cafe Racer | 400-500 lbs |
Adventure | 500-650 Lbs |
Cruiser | 450-700 Lbs |
Chopper | 650-720 Lbs |
Touring | 800-1000 lbs |
Why Weight Is Important
Different motorbikes are suitable for different styles of riding. To have a better understanding of why weight is important, think about a heavy motorbike and a lightweight motorbike and you take them out for an extreme riding adventure. The lightweight and the heavy bike, which do you think will perform better?
Different types of motorcycles have different weights for a reason. If the weight of the motorcycle is not perfect for the type of riding, it will not work well. The weight of a bike works differently based on where and how it is supposed to function. This is why it is very important to consider your intended use for a bike before purchasing one.
If the weight of the bike does not correspond to the environment it is supposed to fit in, its balance, ease of handling, and stability can be compromised. Weight is very important when it comes to motorcycles.
There are different riding styles and road surfaces, and you need to buy a bike with a corresponding weight to fit. Interestingly, riders have found a few means to reduce the weight of their bikes nowadays. However, you need to be careful while doing this to maintain the performance of the bike.
Things That Add Weight to a Bike
A motorcycle comprises different components and parts. Those components are the major weight contributors. Here are some of the things that add to the weight of a motorbike.
Engine
By far, the engine is the heaviest component of a motorcycle. Usually, motorbikes with more powerful engines are weightier than bikes with smaller engines. Naked bikes, dirt bikes, and scooters usually come with a smaller engine, which is why they are the lightest bikes on the market.
Other heavy-duty bikes such as cruisers, choppers, sportbikes, and adventure bikes come with high-performance engines, which are heavier. The engine is one of the elements that contribute to the weightiness of these bikes.
Panniers
Panniers are another element that contributes to the weight of a motorbike. Some bikes, such as touring motorcycles, come with panniers from stock. You can also find panniers on some adventure motorcycles. These components can add to the weight of a bike. Some manufacturers use steel to make panniers, and they can weigh up to 10 pounds.
Having two of these panniers on a bike is an additional 20 pounds, and that is the weight when they are empty. When you add items to the panniers, chances are you will double or even triple the weight, which will add to the overall weight of the bike.
Fairings
Besides naked bikes, most motorbikes come with fairings. The fairing is the hard plastic shell that defines the look of the motorbike. Naked bikes are lighter because they do not come with any fairings. Older motorbikes sometimes come with steel or aluminum fairings, which are heavy materials that can increase the overall weight of a bike.
However, modern bikes usually come with carbon fiber or hard plastic fairings, which are super lightweight materials. While they can still add to the weight of the bike, they are not as heavy as steel or aluminum components.
Build Materials
The materials used to construct the motorbike will also have an impact on its overall weight. Older motorbikes are composed of materials such as steel, which are heavier and tend to increase the overall weight of the bike.
The average motorcycle weight of the more recent models is considerably less. Manufacturers design them leveraging better technology and lighter materials. They are made with materials such as hard plastics and aluminum, which contribute less to the overall weight of the bike.
Tips for Reducing the Weight of a Bike
Weight is a key factor in the performance of a motorbike. While you cannot make a bike that floats, you can make one that is portable with high performance. Modifying your bike a little will cost you some money, but this will leave you with a happy and high-performance bike afterward. Here are some useful tips to help make your bike lighter.
Shorten Your Seat
If you ride alone, there is no need to have a long seat. To reduce the weight of your bike, you should opt for a single-seat treatment. Shortening your seat could have a notable effect on your bike; it could help reduce the weight, even if it is by little.
Lighter Wheels
Wheels are one of the most important components of a motorbike, as your bike cannot move an inch without wheels. While they are very important, they can sometimes be the reason why your motorbike behaves badly. If you want to ride a lighter motorcycle, we recommend you change the wheels for lighter ones.
Replace the Rims
Some motorbikes come with rims made from heavy metals. This is because some manufacturers believe rims made from metal are much stronger. However, that is a common misconception. Heavy rims have no impact on the good running condition of a bike. If your motorbike is very heavy, we recommend you replace the rims with lighter ones.
Remove or Replace the Fenders
The fender of a bike is the part that covers the front and rear wheels to hold down debris and dirt when the tire is rotating. If the road in the vicinity you want to use the bike on is good, you can reduce the length of the rear and front fenders. You can also replace them with lighter options. If the road is very beautiful, you can decide to take them off completely.
Remove the Toolbox
If a toolbox container is attached to your motorbike, you might want to consider removing it. However, you need to consider if the tools are necessary on every ride. If they are not, go for a ride without a toolbox container or remove the one you already have on your bike. You can do all the tightening and screwing you need to do before setting out.
Final Thoughts
Weight is one of the most important aspects of a bike. You will often find many asking “how heavy is a motorcycle?” There is no one answer to that question. There are different types of bikes designed for different purposes, and the average bike weight will depend on the bike type.
Now that you know the average motorcycle weight as well the importance of weight, you can consider some of the weight on your bike for better performance.
