Is a used motorcycle from a 300+ lb person likely to have problems due to the load the bike has taken?

Question

Hi - I'm considering getting a used 1983 Honda Shadow VT750C cruiser-style motorbike (I currently have an '83 VT500C, and love it, but want a bigger bike). The current owner is 300+lbs, and I am a bit concerned that such a weight may have put excess strain on parts, such as the frame, the suspension, and the wheels. He says he rides it every day. Should I be worried, or should the bike be unaffected by that? I know I could take it in to a mechanic for inspection first, but the bike is located in a different city, and I don't want to make the trip if the bike is likely to have problems.

Answer 1

You might need to replace the springs and shocks, as well as the fork springs. You might not though. A shop will be able to tell you. You should have the whole bike looked at by a Honda mechanic either way.  

Answer 2

What's the difference between him riding it and and a 175 lb guy and his 125 lb girlfriend riding two up? I really wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 3

First, I would check to see if the shocks & springs have ever been replaced.  Considering the bike is 25years old, you might want to do that regardless of how large the previous owner was.  

I a not sure, but the total capacity of this bike (rider & passenger, or rider & luggage) is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 450lbs total.  Far more the owner weighs.  

I would be more concerned about how new the shocks are rather than how big the guy is.  Look at it this way; If he was a small guy and told you he and his wife rode it every day, would you have considered the effects of the weight?

Answer 4

300lbs isn't bad unless he did a lot of travel with it loaded down with camping equip etc. I would ask for maintenance records to be sure he serviced it correctly. Other than that, you should not have any problems other than normal for that bike.

Answer 5

I owned once. I rode two up many times, that means over 300 lbs. I weigh 215 alone. I wouldn't worry about the frame or wheels, this is nothing. Check the fork tubes and shocks for leaking seals if the suspension worries you. more importantly the clutch for slippage. No way should the frame be cracked, welds cracked, or anything like that. Just check the frame area where the welds are, if paint has chipped off is there rust? Paint will chip off welds, just check all the weld points and see if there is any consistency throughout the frame for this problem. The riders weight alone would have not caused this though. Don't confuse a guy for being over weight as a slob or someone who doesn't care, slobs come in all weight classes. That means skinny guys can abuse bikes just as bad.....  

Answer 6

it may want to track towards the donut shop on every trip... other than that, you'll be fine