Ripping the scales | The ten Heaviest Bikes of 2022

The current launch of BMW’s new R 18 cruiser-based ‘full costume’ tourer, the Transcontinental, which, like many bikes of this kind comes outfitted with every little thing as much as the kitchen sink and thus may be measured utilizing the equal of family home equipment as the worth.

Huge weight and heft are typically the foe of the typical biker, making bikes extra torpid off the mark and wallow by the bends, however typically the chunk is simply a part of the beefy efficiency figures.

With 125cc or much less bikes so mild you possibly can nearly raise them up and carry them your self, this rundown appears on the extra portly, ‘big-boned’ bikes that’s happy with its curves.

With Euro5 sounding the loss of life knell for heavy elder statesmen because the Yamaha FJR1300 and Moto Guzzi 1400 California, we predict the outcomes make for attention-grabbing studying. So right here, in ascending order, is the Prime 10 heaviest manufacturing motorbike at the moment on sale, based on their claimed kerb weights…

10. Suzuki GSX-1300R Hayabusa [Weight: 264kg] 

Vastly anticipated and all-new for 2021 Suzuki’s 1340cc hyperbike is many issues: with 187bhp it’s phenomenally highly effective and delivers a straightline rush like nothing else. 

It’s additionally striking-looking and, now with a full suite of rider electronics and TFT sprint impressively outfitted as effectively. 

Nevertheless, at a whopping 264kg fuelled and with Kawasaki’s rival ZZR1400 and its even heavier touring model the 1400GTR (315kg) no extra, it’s additionally the heaviest of the present breed of excessive tech sports activities tourers…

9. Yamaha Niken GT [Weight: 267kg] 

Sure, it could be solely 900cc (attributable to its MT-09 underpinnings) however attributable to its additional wheel and radical, leaning suspension system (plus additionally the small proven fact that the FJR1300 – 292kg – is now no extra), the funky, leaning three-wheeler Niken, particularly in panniered and tall screened ‘GT’ kind, can be at the moment Yamaha’s heaviest manufacturing bike, which might be a part of the explanation why it hasn’t caught on. 

Sure, there are different heavyweight three-wheelers or trikes round, most notably Harley’s Freewheeler and TriGlide (which is a whopping 564kg) however they don’t lean so aren’t actually bikes so aren’t included right here. Complaints on a put up card to…

8. Energica Ego [Weight: 282kg]

These new-fangled electrical bikes are heavy, proper? It’s all right down to these massive, hefty batteries they need to lug round. However which is the heaviest? 

That honour goes, to not Harley’s headline-grabbing Livewire (which is 251kg) however to Italian model Energica and its superbike-style Ego. The Ego could also be blisteringly quick, definitely when it comes to 0-60 acceleration and likewise a good handler and effectively outfitted with TFT, modes, Brembos and extra. 

But it surely’s additionally back-breakingly heavy. The brand new, even pricier RS model, by the best way, is barely lighter – however not by a lot…

7. Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer DCT [Weight: 287kg]

Journey bikes may be heavy, too, proper? A completely laden R1250GSA may be greater than a handful, for instance, Kawasaki’s 4 cylinder Versys 1000 is not any light-weight both, particularly in Grand Tourer trim (it’s 257kg) whereas Harley’s new Pan America is not any flyweight both, chiming in at 258kg. 

However the heaviest is the one most individuals have forgotten about. Based mostly on Honda’s short-lived, V4, shaft-drive VFR1200F, which itself was universally criticised for being too heavy, the ‘journey fashion’ (‘cos it’s probably not meant to go off street) Crosstourer is heavier nonetheless, particularly in novel, semi-automatic DCT kind. 

It’s not a nasty bike, however the weight is a significant motive why it’s by no means been as common as hoped…

6. Triumph Rocket 3 GT [Weight: 305kg]

Triumph’s authentic Rocket III three-cylinder cruiser, as launched in 2004 with 2294cc and weighing a whopping 367kg was an absolute monster which is why the all-new model launched final 12 months, weighing over 60kg much less however nonetheless with 165bhp, spectacular electronics and much more spectacular dealing with, is sort of miraculous – nevertheless it’s nonetheless a hefty bike. 

A really hefty one. Triumph solely publish dry weight figures, with the heavier GT model quoted at 291kg. Including fluids normally provides round 14kgs so our determine is a little bit of an estimate.

That mentioned, it’s really impressively mild when you think about the distinctive efficiency, presence and expertise it brings…

5. Honda GL1800 Gold Wing DCT [Weight: 390kg] 

Sure in fact the Gold Wing figures on this listing. Honda’s massive flat 4 then later flat six tourer has all the time been a heavyweight, particularly in later GL1500 full-dresser kind which proved so profitable it dominated its class. 

As an alternative the actual shock is how low the most recent model comes down the rankings – and that’s all as a result of large weight discount achieved with the present instance when launched in 2018. 

Strikes to a light-weight aluminium twin spar chassis, excessive tech suspension and electronics and extra not solely introduced the massive Wing bang updated it reduce a large 48kg. 

The most recent model stays an exceptional tourer with an area age specification, however the highest specced of all (and thus the heaviest) is the Gold Wing Tour DCT with full baggage pack and semi-automatic transmission. It’s not low cost, both, at over £30K…

4. BMW R 18 Transcontinental [Weight: 398kg]

The monster US-style BMW R 18 Transcontinental full-dresser is a brand new entry coming proper in at Quantity 4

In fact, the brand new R 18 Transcontinental is spectacular in some ways: the R 18 cruiser on which its based mostly already impressed for its monster air/oil cooled 1800cc boxer engine and slick heritage/cruiser fashion and end./

Its sister bike, the R 18 B impresses for its added bagger display screen and laborious circumstances, 10.5in TFT sprint, Marshall audio system and extra and the Transcontinental is the last word in being a real US-style ‘full dresser’ with prime field, excessive display screen, fairing lowers, heel-toe change, the works. 

All of that additionally, in fact, provides to its weight, which is why its fourth in our listing – considerably greater than BMW’s personal, six cylinder K1600GT,  (which is 348kg).

3. Indian Roadmaster Restricted [Weight: 412kg]

It’s honest to say revived US model Indian has executed a good job of competing with Harley-Davidson since, beneath new Polaris possession, it got here out with its first all-new bikes in 2014 however a lot of its definition of being ‘higher’ has been right down to being ‘greater’. 

Based mostly across the large ‘Thunderstroke’ 1811cc V-twin, Indian’s massive twins embrace the Chief cruiser, Chieftain bagger and, largest of the lot, the Roadmaster full-dresser. And, boy, is it massive! There’s loads to love – luxurious consolation, a great deal of baggage house, baggage of grunt and a slick, built-in, TFT dash-controlled ‘infotainment’ system. 

However all of that additionally prices when it comes to value (probably the most primary model begins at over £26K) and weight, with the highest spec Restricted weighing in at effectively over 400 kilos…

2. Harley-Davidson CVO Restricted [Weight: 428kg]

Sure, a ‘massive outdated’ Harley full dresser is vying for heaviest bike of all – nevertheless it’s not the one you may count on. 

So, whereas the most recent model of the traditional ElectraGlide, the now £27K, 1868cc, TFT-equipped UltraLimited weighs in at 416kg, that’s not the tip of the story. You possibly can additionally go together with the most recent Street Glide Restricted, with greater frame-mounted fairing, bigger entrance wheel and so forth which is heavier nonetheless at 423kg. 

Whereas the heaviest of the lot can be the most costly, the highest spec, hand-made, luxuriously-equipped CVO Restricted which has all of the goodies HD can consider, particular paint, again rests, extra highly effective engine and so forth which all provides as much as 428kg and a value of £37,495. Gulp. 

Simply suppose, that’s nearly as heavy (and £15K cheaper) than a Caterham 7 170 automobile (which additionally nearly has the identical energy and prime pace). Add a pillion and it’s really heavier!

1. Boss Hoss V8 [Weight: 500+kg]

And eventually… final however under no circumstances least (relying on the way you take a look at it) comes the heaviest, and possibly most contentious of all. The Corvette V8 powered Boss Hoss is definitely the heaviest bike in manufacturing (and possibly additionally the silliest and ugliest). 

The contentious bit is ‘in manufacturing’. A sometimes American oddball first produced in 1993 full with 355bhp, the Boss Hoss is just not formally introduced into the UK and would most likely fall foul of one million rules if it have been. 

However as we write it’s nonetheless being produced in Tennessee (in each bike and trike kind), it’s potential to import one into the UK (though certainly you’ve bought higher issues to do together with your cash) and there are used examples on the street over right here. 

Our recommendation, although, is: simply don’t