Trying to save weight on your bike?

nytsmaC
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nytsmaC
Edited Date/Time 11/11/2015 5:08pm
I just bought a 25lb shipping scale to use for weighing parts and it's pretty interesting what you find if you check weights. It's obviously a waste of money to buy expensive products designed to save weight when you are adding it back on and then some by buying the wrong products on other parts of the bike.

How many guys buy titanium footpegs but run Renthal Twinwalls?

Pro Taper Countour KX-Hi's with bar pad are 5oz lighter than Renthal Twinwall RC-Hi's.

$200+ Titanium Raptor footpegs only weigh 1.5oz less than the stock steel ones.

A $9 stubby gas cap vent weights 1.5oz less than the stock long rubber hose that runs to the steering stem. Saves the same amount of weight about 2' higher up on the bike for 5% the cost.

The shitty plastic glide plate and mounting hardware from my husky weighs 1.5lbs without any mud stuck in it.

I've acquired a CR250 with mucho dinero spent on everything imaginable lightweight that you can buy for it, I should have it here soon. It will be interesting to see what saves how much weight as opposed to the cost. How many guys have spent $900 on titanium axles but have a set of billet triple clamps that are 1-2lb heavier than the stock cast units? Same with aftermarket wheel sets, billet covers and plugs, etc.
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mxrider641
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mxrider641 8/13/2013 7:48am
8/13/2013 7:48am
You have far too much time on your hands...but it would be interesting to see the weight vs cost for many items.
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 8/13/2013 7:54am
8/13/2013 7:54am
mxrider641 wrote:
You have far too much time on your hands...but it would be interesting to see the weight vs cost for many items.
I've been working 70 hours a week lately, night shift gives me way too much time to think about shit like this. Not enough time to ride!
frita
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frita 8/13/2013 8:04am
8/13/2013 8:04am
I think a lot of people need to look at themselves rather then the bike... Kenny Motherfuckin Powers...
newmann
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newmann 8/13/2013 8:24am
8/13/2013 8:24am
frita wrote:
I think a lot of people need to look at themselves rather then the bike... Kenny Motherfuckin Powers...
I know people who piss away thousands of dollars at the bar or on other useless shit. Ti carbon and mag...well, that's just cool stuff and you at least have a little something to show for what you pissed away. Wink

Besides, who the hell are you, Chad Fuckin' Reed?Laughing

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IWreckALot
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IWreckALot 8/13/2013 8:36am
8/13/2013 8:36am
frita wrote:
I think a lot of people need to look at themselves rather then the bike... Kenny Motherfuckin Powers...
Ha. I start thinking I want to change parts on my mountain bike to save weight but I have about 30 lbs I should lose before I start working on the bike.
seth505
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seth505 8/13/2013 8:39am
8/13/2013 8:39am
It's a game of weight and strenght though, not only weight savings. So sometimes people use something like triple clamps that are heavier, yet stronger but save weight in other spots. Definitely a frustrating game to play so I avoid it all together for the most part haha
newmann
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newmann 8/13/2013 8:40am
8/13/2013 8:40am
First time I hopped on my 01 YZ250F all I could think was, damn this thing feels heavy compared to my 125. That's where it started. Of course, I was also weighing in around 165 pounds myself back then. Funny you mention Pro Taper bars, check! Stock levers, got rid of the compression release , stock plastic throttle tube, billet magnesium triples....yes mag, Factory R&D stem and nut and all ti hardware up top. Even has a ti front brake rotor attached to the GYT R magnesium hubs. Nothing added that weighed more than stock. Knocked over twenty pounds off of it and you could definitely tell it. Needs a cosmetic resto one day soon maybe.




burn1986
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burn1986 8/13/2013 8:51am
8/13/2013 8:51am
nytsmaC wrote:
I just bought a 25lb shipping scale to use for weighing parts and it's pretty interesting what you find if you check weights. It's obviously a...
I just bought a 25lb shipping scale to use for weighing parts and it's pretty interesting what you find if you check weights. It's obviously a waste of money to buy expensive products designed to save weight when you are adding it back on and then some by buying the wrong products on other parts of the bike.

How many guys buy titanium footpegs but run Renthal Twinwalls?

Pro Taper Countour KX-Hi's with bar pad are 5oz lighter than Renthal Twinwall RC-Hi's.

$200+ Titanium Raptor footpegs only weigh 1.5oz less than the stock steel ones.

A $9 stubby gas cap vent weights 1.5oz less than the stock long rubber hose that runs to the steering stem. Saves the same amount of weight about 2' higher up on the bike for 5% the cost.

The shitty plastic glide plate and mounting hardware from my husky weighs 1.5lbs without any mud stuck in it.

I've acquired a CR250 with mucho dinero spent on everything imaginable lightweight that you can buy for it, I should have it here soon. It will be interesting to see what saves how much weight as opposed to the cost. How many guys have spent $900 on titanium axles but have a set of billet triple clamps that are 1-2lb heavier than the stock cast units? Same with aftermarket wheel sets, billet covers and plugs, etc.
I'm assuming you mean Husky CR250. The thing about adding lighter parts is that you can add these parts over time, even if they're pricey, and then after about a year or so, you have a super light bike. Its all the little stuff that adds up to create a light bike. Coolness
Mitch_Berger
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Mitch_Berger 8/13/2013 8:52am
8/13/2013 8:52am
newmann wrote:
First time I hopped on my 01 YZ250F all I could think was, damn this thing feels heavy compared to my 125. That's where it started...
First time I hopped on my 01 YZ250F all I could think was, damn this thing feels heavy compared to my 125. That's where it started. Of course, I was also weighing in around 165 pounds myself back then. Funny you mention Pro Taper bars, check! Stock levers, got rid of the compression release , stock plastic throttle tube, billet magnesium triples....yes mag, Factory R&D stem and nut and all ti hardware up top. Even has a ti front brake rotor attached to the GYT R magnesium hubs. Nothing added that weighed more than stock. Knocked over twenty pounds off of it and you could definitely tell it. Needs a cosmetic resto one day soon maybe.




If you drop the push cable for the throttle that saves another .45 pounds. I think the lawyers required these push cables. Never have had a problem on a 4 stroke without this cable since 1997. Nice looking Yamaha you have.
newmann
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newmann 8/13/2013 9:05am
8/13/2013 9:05am
This is going to be my 159 pound (or less) CR125 vintage racer. Addressing lots of little details on this one.

Bauer
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Bauer 8/13/2013 9:08am
8/13/2013 9:08am
Quickest and cheapest way to drop weight on your bike is to run "Think!" seat foam. You save 0.8 to 1.2 lb, depending on what kind of bike you have. Run their crossbar foam and save another 1/4 lb! Nearly every factory bike in the pits is using their seat foam...

Think! Technology
TX24
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TX24 8/13/2013 9:18am
8/13/2013 9:18am
If you have a bike with a button, turntech batteries can save 1-2 lbs. Saving weight above your bikes center of gravity feels like losing more.

I always wondered why one can't add weight down low and on the sides to make a bike feel lighter, like a tennis racquet.
newmann
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newmann 8/13/2013 9:22am
8/13/2013 9:22am
Don't "think" they make any for the vintage bikes but I have already found a supplier for a super lightweight closed cell foam that can be purchased in sheets of different thicknesses. Should be able to knock down a couple pounds minimum on one of these big ass seat foams. Stuff weighs next to nothing. Good stuff from the Think people though. Taking the weight off of the highest point on the bike is a good thing.

Torco1
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Torco1 8/13/2013 9:28am
8/13/2013 9:28am
I give myself an enema every morning before I ride. I'm able to flush out about 5 lbs of corn and peanuts alone when I do that.
neverwasfastenuf 8/13/2013 9:34am
8/13/2013 9:34am
Anybody on here use the Think seat foam?

If so:

How well does it hold up?

How does it compare to your stock foam?

Newmann:

How much does the foam you're getting cost for a modern bike?

Let us know how it holds up and how it compares in firmness.
adamdf
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adamdf 8/13/2013 9:39am
8/13/2013 9:39am
nytsmaC wrote:
I just bought a 25lb shipping scale to use for weighing parts and it's pretty interesting what you find if you check weights. It's obviously a...
I just bought a 25lb shipping scale to use for weighing parts and it's pretty interesting what you find if you check weights. It's obviously a waste of money to buy expensive products designed to save weight when you are adding it back on and then some by buying the wrong products on other parts of the bike.

How many guys buy titanium footpegs but run Renthal Twinwalls?

Pro Taper Countour KX-Hi's with bar pad are 5oz lighter than Renthal Twinwall RC-Hi's.

$200+ Titanium Raptor footpegs only weigh 1.5oz less than the stock steel ones.

A $9 stubby gas cap vent weights 1.5oz less than the stock long rubber hose that runs to the steering stem. Saves the same amount of weight about 2' higher up on the bike for 5% the cost.

The shitty plastic glide plate and mounting hardware from my husky weighs 1.5lbs without any mud stuck in it.

I've acquired a CR250 with mucho dinero spent on everything imaginable lightweight that you can buy for it, I should have it here soon. It will be interesting to see what saves how much weight as opposed to the cost. How many guys have spent $900 on titanium axles but have a set of billet triple clamps that are 1-2lb heavier than the stock cast units? Same with aftermarket wheel sets, billet covers and plugs, etc.
Honestly? While I can appreciate it, I don't see the point in getting obsessed with it, bikes are way light these days and I can't picture shaving a couple pounds (after spending how many $$$??) adding to the grin on my face when I strap on my helmet.

However you do make a very interesting point about subtracting weight in one area only to add it in another, I bet theres many people guilty of that.
mt798
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mt798 8/13/2013 9:40am
8/13/2013 9:40am
Torco1 wrote:
I give myself an enema every morning before I ride. I'm able to flush out about 5 lbs of corn and peanuts alone when I do...
I give myself an enema every morning before I ride. I'm able to flush out about 5 lbs of corn and peanuts alone when I do that.
Gross Dude, I'm fuckin eating lunch!!!!!!!!!!!
Outsider
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Outsider 8/13/2013 9:41am
8/13/2013 9:41am
First lap of practice adds 20lbs. of mud... try working out.

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50dippin
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50dippin 8/13/2013 9:42am
8/13/2013 9:42am
I'm want to know why mx tire companies haven't tried Kevlar beaded tires, it would save pounds off each tire and is very popular in the bicycle world. May be a bit pricey tho.
newmann
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newmann 8/13/2013 9:46am
8/13/2013 9:46am
neverwasfastenuf wrote:
Anybody on here use the Think seat foam? If so: How well does it hold up? How does it compare to your stock foam? [b]Newmann: [/b]...
Anybody on here use the Think seat foam?

If so:

How well does it hold up?

How does it compare to your stock foam?

Newmann:

How much does the foam you're getting cost for a modern bike?

Let us know how it holds up and how it compares in firmness.
What I'm getting comes in a 1 inch or 2 inch thick sheet and will have to be hand cut and formed to shape. Hoping that my body work skills will come in handy making it look good...Laughing

Has a nice firm feel to it so it should be good. Can't see where it would sack out after a while.
Brent
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Brent 8/13/2013 12:05pm
8/13/2013 12:05pm
SEAT FOAM??? How about...









Ever notice the trickest bikes belong to the fattest riders?
onthepipe
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onthepipe 8/13/2013 12:22pm
8/13/2013 12:22pm
Torco1 wrote:
I give myself an enema every morning before I ride. I'm able to flush out about 5 lbs of corn and peanuts alone when I do...
I give myself an enema every morning before I ride. I'm able to flush out about 5 lbs of corn and peanuts alone when I do that.
mt798 wrote:
Gross Dude, I'm fuckin eating lunch!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL!! Laughing
newmann
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newmann 8/13/2013 12:28pm
8/13/2013 12:28pm
Brent wrote:
[i]SEAT FOAM??? [/i] How about... [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/08/13/28987/s1200_images_1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/08/13/28988/s1200_images.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/08/13/28991/s1200_images_2.jpg[/img] Ever notice the trickest bikes belong to the fattest riders?
SEAT FOAM??? How about...









Ever notice the trickest bikes belong to the fattest riders?
I knew it wouldn't take long before "you people "started showing up. Laughing
jtomasik
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jtomasik 8/13/2013 12:35pm
8/13/2013 12:35pm
Go from this:




To this:

GrapeApe
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GrapeApe 8/13/2013 12:37pm
8/13/2013 12:37pm
newmann wrote:
I knew it wouldn't take long before "you people "started showing up. Laughing
It's not even a valid argument "they" make. Sure, there is a point where spending thousands to save grams is a little ridiculous. But shaving 10 pounds off a bike is more noticeable than shaving 10 pounds off the rider.
1
DrSweden
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DrSweden 8/13/2013 12:37pm
8/13/2013 12:37pm
Love this topic! I had a vision with the previous CRF250 I owned, got inspired by this article

http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/6881b181-8519-419d-ae75-05e7b46…

I think TeamGreen was involved.

I didn't have the budget, but with some Ebay serach ended with a cheap Ti-kit bolt kit (maybe 0,5 lbs), Ti-pegs (0,5 lbs), Ti-shock spring 1,5 lbs, full Ti-FMF-system 3 lbs, light sneakers (can't remember the brand), Talon front rotor 0,25 lbs, Polisport plastics 0,5 lbs(?) stock graphics, AND ALWAYS RUN WITH LITTLE FUEL. I felt it was lighter, but maybe 7 lbs isn't noticeable? But it felt good.

Crazy thing, seems people actually add weight to their bikes, but feel they don't just because they bough a 1k aftermarket system that didn't compensate added weight with thick tubes, new graphics, a twinwall etc.

I was thinking converting my YZ125 to some moped weight, but that bike is pretty crazy standing on the showroom floor with Ti-pegs, Ti-spring. Maybe I will end up building some Carbon stuff, seems pretty simple building a subframe, tank and plastics on paper, but that's just a though most likely will newer be put into practice.
DocMarten
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DocMarten 8/13/2013 12:52pm
8/13/2013 12:52pm
i think weight savers are cool..but if you're just a local racer and or rider

filling up your gas tank 1/4-1/2 way saves alot of weight Wink
Brent
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Brent 8/13/2013 1:20pm
8/13/2013 1:20pm
jtomasik wrote:
Go from this: [img]http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/PhotoGallerys/09_CRF450R_04.jpg[/img] To this: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/users/505/photos/25805/s780_130557330_1270528233.jpg?1294242477[/img]
Go from this:




To this:

Damn that AF is pretty.
Sandberm
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Sandberm 8/13/2013 1:25pm
8/13/2013 1:25pm
I used to never start a 5-6 lap moto with my gas tank more then half full. Whats one gallon of gas, 7 lbs.?
newmann
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newmann 8/13/2013 1:29pm
8/13/2013 1:29pm Edited Date/Time 8/13/2013 1:31pm
GrapeApe wrote:
It's not even a valid argument "they" make. Sure, there is a point where spending thousands to save grams is a little ridiculous. But shaving 10...
It's not even a valid argument "they" make. Sure, there is a point where spending thousands to save grams is a little ridiculous. But shaving 10 pounds off a bike is more noticeable than shaving 10 pounds off the rider.
No one thinks anything of it when someone pisses away upwards of 2 grand on a heavy ass spare set of blinging wheels or overweight beefy triple clamps or a thousand dollar pipe or even bulky five pound levers that fold 8 ways, but just one mention of "lightweight" and it all goes downhill from there.

Some of the biggest weight savings I found were the cheapest. Tires can vary up to 5 lbs a set and considering they get changed somewhat often that's pretty much a freebie. Dr. D wetsump conversion saved almost 4 pounds for under $100.00.

What feels weird is going from a stock set of wheels and tires to a set that weighs 8 lbs less.

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