If you currently own a motorcycle or plan on buying one, it’s important to know its weight.
You probably already know that not all motorcycles are the same with respect to size and weight and there are many factors involved that can affect their overall weight.
The weight of a motorcycle itself and how much weight it can hold is must-know information and must be considered before purchasing a motorcycle.
Motorcycles are often called motorbikes, dirtbikes, street bikes, scooters, mopeds, and various other names.
Keep reading to learn about motorcycle weights along with some other important information.
How much does a motorcycle weigh?
As mentioned, motorcycles can vary in weight. But on average, you can expect a motorbike to weigh between 350-450 pounds or 158-204 kilograms. Some motorcycles will weigh more or less based on a few different factors but these numbers are considered to be normal or average weights.
Factors that affect motorcycle weight
Now that you know a motorcycle can weigh between 350-450 pounds, let’s look at some of the factors that can affect its weight.
Type of motorcycle
The type of motorcycle plays the biggest role in determining the weight of the bike.
There are many different types of motorcycles and each type can either weigh more or less than others.
For example, a moped is the lightest type of motorcycle which normally weighs between 150-200 pounds.
A sportbike will generally weigh above 300 pounds and a Harley Davidson Cruiser can weigh over 700 pounds.
So depending on the type of motorcycle, the weight can vary greatly.
Materials used
The weight of a motorcycle can vary based on the materials that were used during its construction.
Older motorcycles tend to be heavier than bikes made with newer lightweight materials.
Bikes made with steel components will be heavier than bikes using plastics and other lightweight materials.
Engine size
The size of the engine also plays a role in the overall weight of a motorcycle.
Smaller bikes will use smaller and lightweight engines compared to larger bikes.
The size of a motorcycle engine is referred to as cc or cubic centimeters which is the volume of cylinders in the engine.
Larger engines normally weigh more than smaller engines but that doesn’t mean the overall weight of the bike will be more as other variables needed to be taken into consideration.
You can get either a lightweight or a heavy bike at many different cc levels.
Fuel
The amount of fuel in the bike will affect its overall weight. More fuel equals more weight.
The size of the gas tank can vary between bikes meaning the amount of gas it can carry can vary as well.
The average-sized gas tank on a motorbike is 6 gallons but can range from 2-10 gallons.
The weight of gas is just over 6 pounds per gallon, so depending on the size of the tank, the weight can vary from 12-60 pounds.
Added accessories
Most motorcycle riders love to add accessories and gear to their bike.
Things like saddlebags, seat covers, mirrors, windshields, tie-downs, phone and GPS mounts, all add extra weight to your bike.
Battery
Depending on the motorcycle you have, the type and size of the battery may differ and can affect the weight of the bike.
A standard-size battery for a motorcycle can weigh around 8 pounds.
But if you are using a lithium battery, they only weigh around 2 pounds which is ¼ of the weight.
Cargo
Something that is often overlooked is the weight of cargo being carried on the bike.
Of course, the weight of cargo can greatly vary depending on the items you put on the bike.
Saddlebags are often used for storage and it’s important to know how much weight you are putting in them as this will affect the overall weight of the bike.
Too much cargo and uneven weight distribution can have serious safety concerns.
Aftermarket parts
Aftermarket parts like exhaust, tires, and brakes can change the weight of the motorcycle when compared to its weight from the factory.
Keep this in mind when changing out original parts for aftermarket parts as they are often different sizes and weights.
11 Examples of motorcycle weight
The following is a list of different motorcycle types along with their weight.
Mopeds
Mopeds are very small and lightweight motorcycles with small engines. Mopeds are not fast-driving bikes and typically don’t go much faster than a bicycle.
The weight of a moped can vary from 150-250 pounds with 180 pounds being the average weight.
The Kymko Like 50i moped weighs 247 pounds.
Motor scooters
Motor scooters are often confused with mopeds as there are some similarities.
As far as weight is concerned, a motor scooter weighs around 200-300 pounds with larger models weighing more.
Motor scooters generally weigh more than a moped.
The 2020 Yamaha SMAX scooter weighs 328 pounds.
Standard motorcycle
The standard motorcycle is very common and can be used for a variety of purposes.
It is considered to be an all-around multi-purpose bike that can be accessorized to suit your needs easily.
These bikes have an average weight of around 350-400 pounds.
The Yamaha SR400 weighs 348 pounds.
The Suzuki GW250 weighs 375 pounds.
| Motorcycle Type | Weight |
|---|---|
| Mopeds | 150-200 lbs |
| Motor Scooters | 200-300 lbs |
| Standard Motorcycle | 400 lbs |
| Cruiser | 500-700 lbs |
| Dirtbike | 220 lbs |
| Dual Sport | 300-400 lbs |
| Sports bike | 300-500 lbs |
| Touring Motorcycle | 500-950 lbs |
Cruiser
A cruiser bike is designed so a rider can be positioned in an upright position to drive long distances on an open road.
They are not meant for racing or off-road but for cruising on open roads.
Cruiser motorcycles weigh more than a standard bike and can vary between 500-700 pounds.
It’s possible to find lightweight cruisers like the Yamaha V Star 250 Raven which only weighs 326 pounds.
The Harley-Davidson XL 883L Superlow weighs 536 pounds.
Dirt bike
Dirt bikes are designed for off-road driving including trails and paths, rough terrain, and motocross competition.
They are not meant to use on main roads and highways as they are not equipped for safe highway driving.
The average dirt bike will weigh around 220 pounds with larger bikes weighing more.
The Honda CRF 250F weighs 265 pounds.
The Kawasaki KX 250 weighs 237 pounds.
Dual sport motorcycles
Dual sport motorcycles are fairly common and designed to be used both on and off-road.
They are street legal and safe to drive on roads and highways but can be used for off-road conditions as well.
The dual-sport motorcycles weigh between 300-400 pounds.
The Honda XR650L weighs 346 pounds.
| Motorcycle | Weight |
|---|---|
| Kymko Like 50i | 247 lbs |
| Yamaha SMAX | 328 lbs |
| Yamaha SR400 | 348 lbs |
| Suzuki GW250 | 375 lbs |
| Harley-Davidson XL 883L Superlow | 536 lbs |
| Yamaha V Star 250 Raven | 326 lbs |
| Honda CRF 250F | 265 lbs |
| Kawasaki KX 250 | 237 lbs |
| Honda XR650L | 346 lbs |
| Kawasaki Ninja 300 | 383 lbs |
| Harley Davidson Ultra Limited | 917 lbs |
Sports bike
A sports bike is designed for speed and handling and is often used for competition racing.
These are high-performance bikes with very fast acceleration and top speeds.
They are not designed for comfort or long-distance driving.
Sports bikes can vary between 300-500 pounds.
The Kawasaki Ninja 300 weighs 383 pounds.
Touring motorcycles
Touring motorcycles are specifically designed for touring on open roads covering longer distances.
Many motorbikes can be considered to be touring bikes, but specific models have been designed for touring purposes that are better suited for drivers than other types of motorbikes.
Touring motorcycles are normally the heaviest type of bike and can weigh up to 950 pounds.
The Harley Davidson Ultra Limited weighs 917 pounds.