Heavier riders vs. lighter riders

[BigSteve]

What's the theory behind heavier riders vs. smaller weighing riders when it concerns the Katana? Are there any pros and cons? (handling, speed, stability, etc) Does being a "BigGuy" help?

[victor]

i think being a bigger guy will help. because the bike is heavy as fhk when ur not moving. damn.

[hellcamp]

Heard the saying "the bigger they are the harder they fall"

Personally I don't think it matters. Just a matter of time till you get used to the weight of the bike. Now the weight of the passenger...hell that makes a WORLD of a difference. I mean... imagine being seen with a fat slob instead of a hot chick

[revkat]

Passenger weight is a big thing. But I think that it helps if you are a big guy. You can't tell me that a 95lb boy can run it as well as a well fit 200lb athelete.

Just my thought,
Ryan

[md86]

Sure he can if he knows what he's doing . It ain't about size when it comes to bike control , it's about skillz , yo . As far as speed , I BELIEVE I read somewhere that every 7 pounds lost is like gaining 1hp , so a 150lb guy versus a 200 pounder is gonna have near a 7hp advantage going by that theory . But being SHORT will make things tougher at stops and such . But once you're in motion , size don't matter .

[The CyberPoet]

There are pro's and con's to everything.
The bigger you are, the more likely it is that your suspension will need a special setting to work when the bike is new, and the faster your stock suspension components will fail from use.

On the other hand, the heavier you are, the more pressure there is on the contact patch of your tires, and the less distance off the center of the bike you need to move to get the same cg-shift effect, giving you some advantage in handling.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[WildKat]

Ive seen "big" guys get on a bike and rail it like it they are motogp professionals...same can be said for your "smaller" riders too..and every size in between. If you've got the skills, you can make that bike sing no matter what size you are.

[Anonymous]

Ive seen "big" guys get on a bike and rail it like it they are motogp professionals...same can be said for your "smaller" riders too..and every size in between. If you've got the skills, you can make that bike sing no matter what size you are.

:

[skasner]

i'm an 'average' size guy at 5'9.5" and 145lbs and i have no problem getting the Kat to do what i want it to... with or without my 5'4" 115lb fiance on the back.

the only time i have to work hard is when i'm trying to back out of a parking spot w/ a passenger on the back using my feet. solution... "wait until i get backed out before you hop on honey"

[Ninja750]

At 6 feet tall, I've been a smaller 180 lb guy and I am currently a hefty 250 lb guy. For me, my weight simply allows me to toss the bike differently. When I was smaller I had to shift my body and use muscle more for handling, and now no where near as much to toss the bike around. Setup does have to be accounted for with more weight though.

[BigSteve]

At 6 feet tall, I've been a smaller 180 lb guy and I am currently a hefty 250 lb guy. For me, my weight simply allows me to toss the bike differently. When I was smaller I had to shift my body and use muscle more for handling, and now no where near as much to toss the bike around. Setup does have to be accounted for with more weight though.

I'm in the hefty range
What do you mean by setup? Suspension or...?

[Slim]

Sure he can if he knows what he's doing .

you tell 'im Matty !

[Ninja750]

Yes, I am referring to suspension when I say setup.