maximum safe weight load

[Hef]

I read a thread concerning weight factor/rubbing issue on car tire use. Some of you were brave (or foolish) enough to list your and your passenger's weight. One in particular with his rider would exceed the recommended load weight limit for the Valk. Several years ago, we rode with a couple who probably weighed a combined 550 lbs since the guy weighed in at 365 lbs and his wife was quite large. He owned a 1985 GL1200 Goldwing. He installed special shocks to carry the load. However, on two different occasions, the rear wheel broke in the axle housing area which resulted in a wheel replacement. Fortunately it happened at speeds which did not cause him to go down but could have just as well happened at interstate  speed which would be BAD NEWS! After the second broken wheel he sold the bike and bought a trike which would support their weight.  Since my gal is quite small, weight is not a problem for me but I am curious as to whether some of our heavier friends have conserns about overloading the Valk?

[R J]

NO concern here.   Won't say the SO's weight but we is up there a ways.

I have progressive rear shocks set on 3.   NO bottom out.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

We go together about 450lbs. and usually load the bike up pretty good. I'm running 13in 440HDs at six.  If we hit a severe bumb we can still bottom them out. I use to worry about total weight but not anymore. 

[Jabba]

You reference me I think. 

I have never worried about it.  I have been over some rough terrain too.  We used to bottom out a lot.  I have enough shock, and tire to handle it now. 

I think the limiting factor is shock, and tire.  One of the reasons I like the car tire.  Think about it.   the total vehicle weight is what... 1400 lbs?  ANY modern wheel SHOULD be able to take that.

I probably have 10,000 miles with the wife behind me.  Maybe more.  I dunno.

Jabba   

[Daniel Meyer]

If you break a valk wheel or axle it's because you crashed into something.

You'll have handling issues before mechanical ones if you vastly overload it.

It takes a lot to overload it.

[Hef]

I see there is not much worry about breaking a wheel on the Valk and if Daniel Meyer says the only way to break a Valk wheel is to crash it, I accept that. The Goldwing owner I referenced who had wheels break twice was the only time in all my years of riding that I had seen this happen. I also realize that the era was 1985 and hopefully wheels have improved since then. I didn't mention it, but the Goldwing was purchased new and had warranty but Honda would not honor it because my friend admitted he had exceeded the Honda recommended GVW. Prior to seeing the broken wheel my only concern for overloading was handling. Purpose of the original post was to see how concerned other riders were about load weight. Anyway, ride on and enjoy the wind!
Hef

[Daniel Meyer]

I don't remember the 85 GW wheel...but my bud James rides an 81 and those wheels are subject to fatigue...they are not a decent cast, rivited "spoke" plates, mulit-piece wheel etc...We've been expecting problems out of those wheels for a long time. They are weak enough that they are *one* of the sources of high-speed instability on that bike.

If the 85 is similiar that may be the answer as to why his were breaking...

[SPOFF]

The bearings are probably the weak link in the Valk rear wheel, but given the diameter of the axle, it should be good for at least one ton. I seriously doubt you could ride the Valkyie with that much weight aboard.

[sugerbear]

jabba, i'm right there with ya. combined weight two up is about 500 lbs.

still have the stock I/S shocks at 43,000 miles. what shocks are you using?

looking to replace mine this winter.

thanks

[Jabba]

jabba, i'm right there with ya. combined weight two up is about 500 lbs.

still have the stock I/S shocks at 43,000 miles. what shocks are you using?

looking to replace mine this winter.

thanks

Works Performance.

I like them.  Custon built for us.  and how we ride, at a better price than progressive 440's.  Which I have on my standard.  Plus they are fully rebuildable.  and have options.

Cliff turned me onto them.  I looked at the years ago when I bought the progressive 440's, but they were MORE then than the 440's and I saved a nickel.  Now... I like them WAY better, especially for the IS and 2-up.

Jabba

[Cliff]

jabba, i'm right there with ya. combined weight two up is about 500 lbs.

still have the stock I/S shocks at 43,000 miles. what shocks are you using?

looking to replace mine this winter.

thanks

Works Performance.

I like them.  Custon built for us.  and how we ride, at a better price than progressive 440's.  Which I have on my standard.  Plus they are fully rebuildable.  and have options.

Cliff turned me onto them.  I looked at the years ago when I bought the progressive 440's, but they were MORE then than the 440's and I saved a nickel.  Now... I like them WAY better, especially for the IS and 2-up.

Jabba

We still like our works shocks, our combined weight w/o load is about 430lbs , (I am not allowed to break that down.)

[MP]

jabba, i'm right there with ya. combined weight two up is about 500 lbs.

still have the stock I/S shocks at 43,000 miles. what shocks are you using?

looking to replace mine this winter.

thanks

Works Performance.

I like them.  Custon built for us.  and how we ride, at a better price than progressive 440's.  Which I have on my standard.  Plus they are fully rebuildable.  and have options.

Cliff turned me onto them.  I looked at the years ago when I bought the progressive 440's, but they were MORE then than the 440's and I saved a nickel.  Now... I like them WAY better, especially for the IS and 2-up.

Jabba

We still like our works shocks, our combined weight w/o load is about 430lbs , (I am not allowed to break that down.)

    

[sugerbear]

thanks Jabba

and   on not breaking it down

but...............I'm the fat guy!!