True weight capacity of 1999 Touring?

[pastmast95]

I have a 1999 Tourer and best I can find the rider, passenger, luggage capacity is 400 lbs! Now I'm 6' 2" and weigh in at 320 lbs. my woman is 6' 4" and weighs in at 180 lbs so we alone are over 500 lbs! Are we a time bomb waiting to happen? How do they figure the weight capacity? Do they figure two 120 lb Japanese riders? Any ideas?

[98valk]

tire and suspension springs capacity are what usually determines total capacity.
check the tires for highest capacity and
u can upgrade rear shocks and fork springs.


carrying capacity of an I/S with the trunk and larger tank is 419lbs vs the tourer 357lbs, using the same tires.  just by changing to the I/S shocks which have heavier springs.

[gordonv]

Just like you, my co-rider and myself put the IS over the limit. Forget about her purse, and anything else in the bags that I bring for comfort (rain/warm gear), and we are well over the max.

Have never noticed a problem, or had an issue.

[Bighead]

Just ride the damn thing man 

[pastmast95]

Thanks for the replies! The Valkyrie is the only bike that I don't look like a monkey on a roller skate! Even on a big Harley I look Big! That's why I love our Valkyries! I just now started riding A passenger!. I just want to be safe! In the past I rode solo. But this women likes to ride!!!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks for the replies! The Valkyrie is the only bike that I don't look like a monkey on a roller skate! Even on a big Harley I look Big! That's why I love our Valkyries! I just now started riding A passenger!. I just want to be safe! In the past I rode solo. But this women likes to ride!!!

I say if you aren't bottoming out on dips you are good.

[ridingron]

...  But this women likes to ride!!!   

Get her a bike of her own!!

[gordonv]

But this women likes to ride!!!

Sounds like a keeper to me!  

[DirtyDan]

Valk standard

1200 pounds on a truck scale. Me gear bike EVERYTHING

I would not worry too much

[StrikingViking]

carrying capacity of an I/S with the trunk and larger tank is 419lbs vs the tourer 357lbs, using the same tires.  just by changing to the I/S shocks which have heavier springs.

Where are you getting these numbers from?  I have a '98 Tourer, and on the Specs page at the back of my owner's manual the "Maximum Weight Capacity" reads 397 lbs (not 357).  If the Interstate Max Weight is only 22 lbs more at 419 lbs... well that seems off to me.  I would think that with the beefed up rear shocks and front forks that the Interstate should be able to carry significantly more than the Tourer...

Anyone with an Interstate care to check the back of their owner's manual and verify the Max Weight Capacity for me?  I'm very curious as the combined weight of me and my wife in our riding gear is easily 450 lbs... and that's without carrying any gear.  Packed for a trip we're closing in on 500 lbs.  Seems silly if even the mighty Interstate wasn't cut out for at least 475 lbs.

[Blackduck]

My Aussie 01 has a sticker on the fuel tank, the weight of luggage must be added to the weight of rider and passenger and must not exceed 430lbs. Maximum luggage weight is not to exceed 60lbs.

Mind you the other sticker says large fork mounted windscreens may affect handling, funny Honda offered large screens and what about Interstates?.

Have done many miles with well over those weight  limits and never had any problems.
Cheers Steve

[98valk]

carrying capacity of an I/S with the trunk and larger tank is 419lbs vs the tourer 357lbs, using the same tires.  just by changing to the I/S shocks which have heavier springs.

Where are you getting these numbers from?  I have a '98 Tourer, and on the Specs page at the back of my owner's manual the "Maximum Weight Capacity" reads 397 lbs (not 357).  If the Interstate Max Weight is only 22 lbs more at 419 lbs... well that seems off to me.  I would think that with the beefed up rear shocks and front forks that the Interstate should be able to carry significantly more than the Tourer...

Anyone with an Interstate care to check the back of their owner's manual and verify the Max Weight Capacity for me?  I'm very curious as the combined weight of me and my wife in our riding gear is easily 450 lbs... and that's without carrying any gear.  Packed for a trip we're closing in on 500 lbs.  Seems silly if even the mighty Interstate wasn't cut out for at least 475 lbs.

motorcycle consumer news articles.
all valkyries use the same forks and springs. only I/S has higher rated shocks.
this is what they list
tourer GVWR 1123lbs, carry capacity  357lbs
I/S     GVWR 1252lbs,  carry capacity  419lbs
std     GVWR 1133lbs,  carry capacity  412lbs

remember they are using info provided to them at time of writing.
use what your owners manual states.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Buddy of mine - ex competition powerlifter - was probably in excess of 400lbs when he bought his '99 Standard. His wife went over 200lbs. Big, strong farm people.

Apart from tires and shock bushings wearing a bit faster than a lightly loaded Valkyrie, they never had an issue in the 70k+ miles they rode til I lost contact with them. He may have upgraded the suspension to heavier springs front and rear, however.

[gordonv]

99 CF (IS model) owner manual.

Full weight, driver, passenger, cargo & accessories, not to exceed 414 lbs.

[StrikingViking]

Thanks for the input everyone.... interesting how weight capabilities of the Interstate are not consistent  (419 / 430 / 414 lbs)... most likely has to do with the slight differences in geographical regions (i.e. Cali / the rest of the USA / Canada / Ozzie, etc), would be my guess.  One thing seems evident, regardless... and that is that beyond beefing up the shocks to allow for the extra carrying capacity needed for the rear trunk and a few other doo-dads, Honda was basically shooting for the same target rider/passenger weight.

[longrider]

Install a pair if IS shocks.  Set them on 5 and don't look back.  The IS shocks have more weight carrying capacity.   Works well for me at 6'4 and 250 and the wife 150