Ooh, la la, sometimes when seeing a bunch of middle-aged male Teletubbies on the road, you can’t stop and worry for them if it is safe and will they cause some serious traffic jams.
Riding a motorcycle is for everyone, small guys, big guys, fat guys or even midgets. However, when accidents happen, a fat guy’s weight has a bigger impact during a crash than a lighter person. Your chances of dying and severe injuries are just higher the more you weigh.
Nothing against fat people as I personally support the fat acceptance movement but for the safety of all motorists on the road, let’s delve deeper into this interesting topic
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Can Big Guys Ride Motorcycles?
As mentioned above, motorcycles are suitable for people of all sizes. Nothing should stop you from buying or riding a motorcycle.
But if you are a bigger size guy, do not be a cheapskate when it comes to gears. Get yourself enough gear to be safe on the road including a good helmet, jacket, pants, and boots.
You should also get good quality knee, shoulder and elbow pads. Even though it may impact performance like acceleration or changing direction, big guys ideally should be going for heavier motorcycles in the market for stability purposes.
Big riders do tend to get bigger bikes. Honda Goldwings, Harley Touring bikes and Big BMW’s are some good examples. These bigger bikes with extra engine size and physical size make it more comfortable to ride for those with (many) extra pounds to carry.[Source]
Which Motorcycle Is Best For Fat Guys?
Fat guys should go for motorcycles like the Honda Rebel 500 which is easy to handle and have enough power to handle tall and big size guys.
If you are short and fat, you can consider a heavier motorcycle like the Indian Scout Sixty with a low 649mm seat height, meaning most riders will be able to get both feet on the ground easily.
If you are looking for a cruiser and something japanese, than the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic will be another great option. However, due to its smaller engine, it may not have as much power or torque.
Is There A Weight Limit On A Motorcycle?
The weight limit of most motorcycles may differ but there is a formula that can be used. Most motorcycles will have a weight limit of between 350 and 450 pounds.
The carrying capacity is determined by subtracting the biker’s weight from its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
What Happens If You Exceed The Weight Limit On A Motorcycle?
When you exceed the weight limit on a motorcycle, it can affect the performance of speed acceleration due to the excess weight.
The time taken to deaccelerate will also change which can be dangerous if you need to brake suddenly. Ideally, the weight should be focused on the centre of the motorcycle.
If you have excess weight all the way to the back, it can cause instability and if the weight is all the way to the front, it can lift the rear when you brake.
If you have the excess weight too high, it may be difficult to pick up. Any excess weight too low may cause steering issues on the road.
Where you put the weight on your motorcycle will also depend on the purpose whether it is for adventure, Motorcross, or road bike.
Beyond his work as a mechanic, Mark is also the proud owner and author of SouthSeasCycles, a blog site dedicated to all things motorcycle. With this platform, Mark has been able to share his knowledge and expertise with fellow motorcycle enthusiasts around the world.
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