Why is the bike so heavy?

Discussion in '8th Generation 2014-Present' started by GatorGreg, Sep 16, 2016.

  1. Gator

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    Yeah most lubes collect dirt. I have tried a ton of them. DuPont Chainsaver is what I have used for a long time now. Does not attract dirt after it dries and the Teflon in it makes the chain about silent. The tiny HP gain is nice but the giant savings in rotational mass is WAY worth it if you like the twisties or track. Very apparent when flicking the bike around. I need some nice light weight wheels too!
     
  2. Mohawk

    Mohawk New Member

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    Currently just shy of 52K miles. I've owned it since 30k miles, its had a brand new 530 DiD chain kit on it when I bought it, so only changed the chain once, though I did put a 16t front sprocket on it when I got it. Then converted to 525 chain when I did the rear wheel to center nut conversion with 16t front steel & 42 or 43t rear alloy JT or AFAM sprockets. I have a 45t rear to try next. AFAM alloy sprocket definately lasts much longer than the JT ones, I have close to 6K on the current one, but then I rip it up most of the time. The guys on the trackday the other month were impressed when they asked how many miles & I said it had just turned 50K :) And was still being pinned hard on track at 12,500rpm, they also said it was the best sounding bike on track :)
     
  3. Gator

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    I'm sure it was the best sound. The only thing I have heard that sounds as good is a RSV4 with a full Akra system screaming at 14k. The R1's sound nice too.
     
  4. rebs

    rebs New Member

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    I have also wondered why the VFR tips the scales so heavily. I came from a BMW F800GT and it was actually much lighter at 470lbs wet, of course nothing like my S1000RR which, with its track plastics and no lights comes in around 430 wet. Despite that, the VFR tips in as easily as my F800GT but also holds a corner MUCH better without a steering dampner! I sold my F800GT because of a lack of wind management causing turbulence regardless of windshield and for the vibrations, especially at highway speeds. The VFR is smooth as silk and much more fun, especially once you're above 6300 rpm when is acts and sounds like a real sport bike! I will say, however, that the VFR was much more solid and stable feeling than either the F800GT or the Ninja 1000 sport tour I trialed it against.

    Of course, I keep my S1000RR for the track and in comparison, as easily as it is to ride the VFR, it comes nowhere close to my S1000RR in handling or capability.
     
  5. Gator

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    V 4's weigh more than inline 4 engines is one of the thing that contributes to the weight. Got my CBR 1000 down to 420 lbs wet.
     
  6. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    I agree with everything your buddy says about chains except the part about chain wax not doing anything. It creates the necessary barrier between the two metals, chain and sprocket. A barrier is needed, whether petroleum or paraffin. This keeps the two metals from galling each other to death. That's the biggest killer of sprockets next to being to loose of chain adjustment.

    Yes O,X or what ever rubber rings they are hold the factory grease in and contaminates out. The grease inside is there for lubrication but mainly to stop galling between pins and rollers which is what cause chain wear. The wax doesn't collect grit like the petroleum lube does. So the O rings seal longer.

    I've been using the wax for over 15 years now with nothing but longer chain life compared to the petroleum lube. I contend it to the lack of grit wearing out the rubber rings. Plus I just have to take a dry rag and wipe it off when it does get enough fine dirt collected on the out side. I use Tsubaki Sigma XVS or XVG chains. They are the best Tsubaki makes and last a long time.
     
  7. JIMLARCH

    JIMLARCH New Member

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    I've got a 2005 gsxr1000 as well as a 4th gen. 750. The engine weight surprisingly is not much more on the v4. The difference lies in everything else. A sportbike has everything reduced weight wise. The design makes a sportbike strong, but not the parts. Everything is lighter and less able to take an impact. Bend the front forks on a sportbike and they are rubbish. The Vfr tubes can be straightened within limits. The bodywork on my face is paper thin, not sturdy like the Vfr. Punch the gas tank on my Vfr and you'll hurt your hand, not the tank. Do the same to the gixxer and you will dent the tank.

    I ride with some sportbike riders who are obsessed with how light they can make their bikes. Me, I love the solid feel of my Vfr, and for 90% of my riding, prefer it to my 360 lb. dry gsxr1000.
     
  8. Gator

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    Jim did you take into consideration your weighing a 750cc or 800ccengine against a 1000cc engine? Not only is it a larger engine it's still weighs less than the V4's.
     
  9. JIMLARCH

    JIMLARCH New Member

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    I don't disagree. The gsxr1000 motor weighs I believe 134 lbs. The v4 is around 140. I originally checked theirs weights a couple of years ago when I bought spare motors. I found a v4 fits and rests better in the trunk of a sedan than a gsxr1000 motor lol.

    Engines are considerably lighter than 30 odd years ago. The engine on my old cb900f was 205 lbs.
     
  10. Gator

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    Lol Jim. Is there a difference in gear vs chain driven cam engines? If I remember correctly the Suzuki motors were lighter than Honda and Kawasaki.
     
  11. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    This has me wondering what the weight fluctuation has been over the past 30 years for the Interceptor. I know it dropped a little from 6th to 8th, but does anyone know the wet weight for all the generations?
     
  12. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    Good question, for some the VFR is spot on, for others it needs tweaked. If one was to take say a Tuono for a spin, one would probably understand. But then it just depends on what one is looking for too.
     
  13. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    1st gen engine dry weight is 81.5 kg/180lb
    2nd gen engine dry weight is 77.3kg / 170.4 lb
    3rd is 79kg / 174 lbs
    4th is 76.5 kg / 169 lbs
    5th gen engine dry weight spec is 74 kg/163 lb
    6th gen is 72.4kg or 160 lb
    ST1100 is 93kg/205lb
    CBR954 is 61.2kg /134 lbs

    I think the CBR and VFR comparison is interesting, capacity is not too different, but the IL4 is a LOT lighter. Try shaving 13kg off the VFR.

    There is not much different between the 5th and 6th gen aside from the cam drive, so on the face of it chain drive looks lighter than gears.
     
  14. Gator

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    Terry do you have the weight of the Cbr 1000 2004 to 2007 and the newer 08 on motors? Thanks.
     
  15. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    The 04 is 65.8kg, 08 is 62.5 kg
     
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