How to deal with the weight?

[Rugged Path]

Most of the time it is not the bike that makes you feel the weight of it all, but all the gear strapped to it.

Past 60 and I do like some creature comforts, I do like a change of clothes, prefer to cook than eat takeaways, like to keep dry and seem to carry too many tools and spare bits.
When my bike has keeled over, luckily help is at hand to help lift it up with me as I am always on tiptoe.


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[Two wheels good]

Attach a hockey puck to the side stand. Only a partial soln. I know but very helpful.

 

[King Rat]

My back is killing me today - tramadol has eased it.

I need to do more exercises on the kind of movement it takes - normal physio doesn't seem to work those muscles. Stomach crunches and something to strengthen my lower back, I am going to ask the gym instructor chappie next session. meanwhile, preparations for the Orkney trip continue.

 

[Puffin]

How about a sidecar no need for the center sidestand stand then

 

[King Rat]

How about a sidecar no need for the center sidestand stand then

Go and wash your mouth out with ascorbic acid! After that flagellate yourself with stinging nettles.

 

[ThreeDawg]

Buy an NC700, sounds like the GS is too big for you.

 

[King Rat]

Buy an NC700, sounds like the GS is too big for you.

It wasn't, but it is proving a long road to get back o it - while moving no problem. parking, pushing about and heaving it off the stand - yes it is a fight. I am doing exercises to get stronger again, I managed 537 miles yesterday and the day before: Uttoxeter to Hayes (Landan), then Hayes to Horsham, then Horsham to Shaftsbury, bivvied for the night. Then Shaftsbury to home through torrential rain yesterday. So I am making progress again. Load was reduced with just hammock and sleeping bag, camera gear for the jobs... no tank bag or top bag. There is no easy way out, I have got to build muscle again, simples. So exercises, and practise pushing the thing about - I have been spoiled with the 160kg 650!

 

[tykel]

Being tired also makes a huge difference when riding my GS (or any motorcycle actually). Damn near dropped it when I've accumulated some sleep deficit - no problem whatsoever when feeling fresh.

Cambers and slopes always make the centre stand an absolute pain, even for my twenty-something self!

 

[Andi_archer]

How about a sidecar no need for the center sidestand stand then

Alternately an electric push bike I hear they go quite fast these days so you can still wear you biking gear

 

[King Rat]

Alternately an electric push bike I hear they go quite fast these days so you can still wear you biking gear

Or a 'Paddington' suit, with marmalade sandwiches.

 

[davegs]

Do they still make Monkey bikes?.

 

[Andi_archer]

A Rat on the back of a Monkey.....never

 

[Warlord]

Use this

https://www.advmotorrad.com/dustriders-motorcycle-hoist or this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVqbGMrxpWo

Now that I like the look of.... when I smashed my ribs, the only way I got my bike on it's wheels was with the help of my riding buddy.

If I'd been on my own.... NO CHANCE

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Spooky, reading this thread.

15 minutes ago after leaving the doctors, I overbalanced, I couldn't hold the bike, laid it down gently. I thought my thigh muscle was going to pop. Fortunately I was able to pick it up. No damage done...................... although my right hip has different thoughts.

 

[Slipperyeel]

Some interesting comments here. I love the 1150 - its looks, the ride and the mechanics. But for a number of my own reasons I've switched over to a TC...

My immediate observations are:

1. It's significantly lighter
2. The general geometry is different - for example, with the 1150 loaded, I struggled to get it off the centre stand at fuel stops. None of that with the TC**
3. Just wheeling it around is a doddle compared with the 1150 - I just mean that at those little moments you have to take the weight of it, the 1150 would demand a little more concentration and muscle.

So, I'm inclined to agree that it might be worth looking at lighter models of bike, including the 1200.

** one tip I must pass on, courtesy of Steptoe. At fuel stops fully loaded then fully fueled, I'd have some fun getting the 1150 off the centre stand - that geometry thing again. Well, a few years back Steptoe suggested 'why don't I just ride it off the stand?!'. That was the bloody solution! Not sure why I didn't try it before, but yes, problem solved. Thank you Steptoe


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[Deleted account 200123001]

Simon... Does your bike have abs?
If so removing that lump from under the tank saves about 4kg if I recall. Have you replaced both shocks to lower it? If memory serves that I found the GS easier to get on the centre stand than the gsa when I had both concurrently.
The cat and end can both weigh quite a bit. There are limited ways to lighten a gs but those 3 I bet would save 10kg.

To be really extreme you could ditch the GS nose, screen lights etc and fit the r headlight and clocks etc and a generic screen. Saving a fair bit of high up weight.

I'm sure John Wilkinson got his hp1100 down to 200kg's
Albeit that was an extreme.

 

[ThreeDawg]

Simon... Does your bike have abs?
If so removing that lump from under the tank saves about 4kg if I recall.

Abs is what he's lacking - needs to work on 'em!

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

Go and wash your mouth out with ascorbic acid! After that flagellate yourself with stinging nettles.

How very dare you!
Having done just this...you don't know what your missing!.

 

[T5ABY]

Mine has a hockey puck, surprised how many I have seen with one.

 

[T5ABY]

Erm, don't use the centre stand?

I have always thought they are one of the most balanced bikes with a centre stand, just removing an empty top box makes it move from resting on the rear wheel to the front wheel. I still find, 19 years later and in my mid 50s that I can effortlessly put it on the centre stand. I used to have a Triumph sprint that was a nightmare to get on the centre stand and was a hernia waiting to happen.