Factory Bike weight savings

skyrebel88
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skyrebel88
Edited Date/Time 12/17/2020 12:23am
I got to watching a few too many inside factory bike videos tonight and was wondering how much mass does everyone think a team can shave off on a stock bike by hollowing out And cross drilling the heads of bolts and washers if they wEre to go through an entire bike and do that.
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MotofactioN
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MotofactioN 12/15/2020 6:27pm
12/15/2020 6:27pm
Put the pipe down bud.
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The Moto Log
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The Moto Log 12/15/2020 6:32pm
12/15/2020 6:32pm
MotofactioN wrote:
Put the pipe down bud.
I think it's a legit question. I saw some guys over in the For Sale section save about a pound just by putting together a light weight seat. When you figure all the Ti/carbon/mag parts they use, id say maybe 10lb?
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dbx33
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dbx33 12/15/2020 6:33pm
12/15/2020 6:33pm Edited Date/Time 12/15/2020 6:33pm
if you wanted to you could totally make a raceable bike that weights 210lbs w a full tank of gas no problem at all, getting crazy probably hit 199lbs full tank as well... Look at the difference between a Motogp bike and a WSB...
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JeremyK
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JeremyK 12/15/2020 6:34pm
12/15/2020 6:34pm
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Monk
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Monk 12/15/2020 6:51pm
12/15/2020 6:51pm
skyrebel88 wrote:
I got to watching a few too many inside factory bike videos tonight and was wondering how much mass does everyone think a team can shave...
I got to watching a few too many inside factory bike videos tonight and was wondering how much mass does everyone think a team can shave off on a stock bike by hollowing out And cross drilling the heads of bolts and washers if they wEre to go through an entire bike and do that.
Just by drilling stock washers and such? Maybe a half pound at most...

Throw a lighter Ti pipe setup, axles, lightweight tubes and tires, battery, pegs, Ti bolts and fasteners, Ti springs, triple clamps, etc...easily another 10-15lbs...
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EngIceDave
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EngIceDave 12/15/2020 7:01pm
12/15/2020 7:01pm
I know of teams weighing decal sets to get a baseline (removing the backing and stuff, to be accurate) and then trim around all the logos in the set, like on the rear fender, then weeding out the unneeded portion of the decal.

We're talking grams in savings, but some do it.
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Mavetism
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Mavetism 12/15/2020 7:24pm
12/15/2020 7:24pm Edited Date/Time 12/15/2020 7:25pm
I think Jason Anderson is still riding without a seat?
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BikePilot
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BikePilot 12/15/2020 7:43pm
12/15/2020 7:43pm
I think there’s room to save a lot of weight. I built my kid a 16lbs mountain bike. Lightest available off the rack on his size was 23lbs. Every component was weighed and generally lightest available without compromising function was used. Different application, but that was all in replacing steel with aluminum, carbon, or Ti. There has to be at least 3x the heavy steel bits on a moto, so rough guess 21lbs could come off pretty easily (though not cheaply).
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Talisker
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Talisker 12/15/2020 11:06pm
12/15/2020 11:06pm
I would guess around the 8 to 10 lbs mark. Barcia said in a DMXS interview that his Gas Gas was way lighter and he could definitely feel it.
Luxon MX
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Luxon MX 12/16/2020 8:42am
12/16/2020 8:42am
It's not all about weight. Yes, weight is extremely important, but so is performance and reliability. It's all about finishing the race first, and that takes a balance of everything. I know that a blue factory 450 is about 10 lbs less than stock.
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UpTiTe 12/16/2020 9:04am
12/16/2020 9:04am
The KTMs are right at the limit, Kawi, Honda and Yamaha are 10-12 pounds heavier and Suzuki is 15 pounds heavier.
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bigk218
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bigk218 12/16/2020 9:21am
12/16/2020 9:21am
Meanwhile Kawasaki throws all the weight savings out the window by running that auxiliary oil tank/cooler thing.
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FGR01
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FGR01 12/16/2020 9:27am
12/16/2020 9:27am
EngIceDave wrote:
I know of teams weighing decal sets to get a baseline (removing the backing and stuff, to be accurate) and then trim around all the logos...
I know of teams weighing decal sets to get a baseline (removing the backing and stuff, to be accurate) and then trim around all the logos in the set, like on the rear fender, then weeding out the unneeded portion of the decal.

We're talking grams in savings, but some do it.
Factory HRC: Trimming stickers to save grams.

Also Factory HRC: Let's put a pound of heavy ass red powder coat on the valve cover.
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llaliberte22 12/16/2020 10:44am
12/16/2020 10:44am Edited Date/Time 12/16/2020 11:17am
FGR01 wrote:
Factory HRC: Trimming stickers to save grams.

Also Factory HRC: Let's put a pound of heavy ass red powder coat on the valve cover.
The powder coat is about what? 50 grams? Could also very well be cerakote which is way less heavy. Also stock valve cover still has paint on it.

Meanwhile you can save easily 300 grams if not a pound on graphics so they still win.

What makes me laugh more is the tons of sensor and data acquisition devices.
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rhargrave431
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rhargrave431 12/16/2020 11:18am
12/16/2020 11:18am
I remember in 09 or 10, JGR built a super light bike they had on display. Ill see if I can find it
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Munson'd
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Munson'd 12/16/2020 11:49am
12/16/2020 11:49am
You’d save some pounds in that thing from all the vomit coming out of you.
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kieran_macca 12/16/2020 11:54am
12/16/2020 11:54am
rhargrave431 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/12/16/466121/s1200_s780_138808780_1294535249.jpg[/img]

I'm a huge fan of carbon fibre and weight saving but my god that is hard to look at.
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Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 12/16/2020 12:06pm
12/16/2020 12:06pm
On my own bike.
Stock 3040 grams
Ti brackets, Ti bolts, think foam 1784 grams
2.76 lbs weight reduction, add the carbon fiber base and may be nudging 3 lbs

The main thing is watching what you add, for example carbon fiber guards and skid plates are light weight but not lighter than no guard at all.

Also contrary to what I was told billet clamps are 50g lighter than cast. Surprised me!



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LungButter
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LungButter 12/16/2020 12:23pm
12/16/2020 12:23pm
When I was a kid I remember reading an article about Factory Mechanics taking a hole saw to the bottom of the seat to remove plastic and save weight. Now we have carbon fiber seats and ultralight foam.

The times they are a changin.....
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skypig
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skypig 12/16/2020 2:45pm
12/16/2020 2:45pm
I think the point made about compromise is important to remember.
Once things progress to the search for the lowest number starts items such as brake discs can “suffer”.

Replacing steel with Ti usually only compromises the budget. (Although some pros can “feel” Ti Swingarm bolts?)
mxtech1
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mxtech1 12/16/2020 5:45pm
12/16/2020 5:45pm
Many moons ago, top teams were developing bikes to squeeze every last bit of power they could out of their engines and they always wanted more! Making the bike light was just as important when peak power was limited.

Today, 450s easily make as much power as the riders desire. Weight is still important, and I’m sure all of the top teams are right at the minimum, but it’s not as critical as it used to be in achieving a competitive advantage on the track.
silver753
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silver753 12/16/2020 7:38pm
12/16/2020 7:38pm
EngIceDave wrote:
I know of teams weighing decal sets to get a baseline (removing the backing and stuff, to be accurate) and then trim around all the logos...
I know of teams weighing decal sets to get a baseline (removing the backing and stuff, to be accurate) and then trim around all the logos in the set, like on the rear fender, then weeding out the unneeded portion of the decal.

We're talking grams in savings, but some do it.
FGR01 wrote:
Factory HRC: Trimming stickers to save grams.

Also Factory HRC: Let's put a pound of heavy ass red powder coat on the valve cover.
Most likely cerakote, which is extremely thin and weighs next to nothing. Have you felt a full set of graphics, trim kit and precuts? Someone on here I'm sure can post the weight, but I would guess1.5 pounds?
Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 12/16/2020 10:46pm
12/16/2020 10:46pm
other things to look out for are also tires. Some of the popular brands can have a tire that weighs 2-3 lbs more than a comparable tire. including tubes ie standard vs heavy duty
Taddy
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Taddy 12/16/2020 11:04pm
12/16/2020 11:04pm
i have the Factory Kawi from Ferrandis MXGP. its weighs 5 kilograms less than a original bike with another exhaust, wheels and tripleclamp (i weighed it).
So i think its up to 6 kg less than a original bike.
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kiwifan
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kiwifan 12/17/2020 12:22am
12/17/2020 12:22am
I doubt the factory teams care to much about weight, more likely changes to increase reliability (Kawasaki's oil coolers is great example, others could be stronger fasteners, safety stuff), smoother power delivery (i.e. mapping..which may need additional sensors), better suspension, changes to help cornering (e.g. clamps, links, engine hangers)....all of these may have a side effect of weight savings or not
RussellSimpson 4/21/2025 11:32am
4/21/2025 11:32am

I just weighed my 2023 KX450SR on my super accurate $29 Walmart bathroom scale.. using the front wheel first and then the back wheel next method and I was surprised when I added the two weights together..my bike with an empty tank of gas all the other fluids full..weighed only 232 lb..which I'm fairly confident is, I'd say prolly 99% accurate..I'm happy with thàt number for sure!! 💯IMG 20250329 184945448.jpg?VersionId=225Le7VzFE1F1MbdjfWePxuoUrrAXkg

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JazzyJJ
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JazzyJJ 4/21/2025 11:39am
4/21/2025 11:39am
RussellSimpson wrote:
I just weighed my 2023 KX450SR on my super accurate $29 Walmart bathroom scale.. using the front wheel first and then the back wheel next method...

I just weighed my 2023 KX450SR on my super accurate $29 Walmart bathroom scale.. using the front wheel first and then the back wheel next method and I was surprised when I added the two weights together..my bike with an empty tank of gas all the other fluids full..weighed only 232 lb..which I'm fairly confident is, I'd say prolly 99% accurate..I'm happy with thàt number for sure!! 💯IMG 20250329 184945448.jpg?VersionId=225Le7VzFE1F1MbdjfWePxuoUrrAXkg

So you put one wheel on the scale and the other on the ground? Then reversed and added them together? Seems like a very inacurate way to go about it. 

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RussellSimpson 4/21/2025 11:43am
4/21/2025 11:43am
RussellSimpson wrote:
I just weighed my 2023 KX450SR on my super accurate $29 Walmart bathroom scale.. using the front wheel first and then the back wheel next method...

I just weighed my 2023 KX450SR on my super accurate $29 Walmart bathroom scale.. using the front wheel first and then the back wheel next method and I was surprised when I added the two weights together..my bike with an empty tank of gas all the other fluids full..weighed only 232 lb..which I'm fairly confident is, I'd say prolly 99% accurate..I'm happy with thàt number for sure!! 💯IMG 20250329 184945448.jpg?VersionId=225Le7VzFE1F1MbdjfWePxuoUrrAXkg

JazzyJJ wrote:
So you put one wheel on the scale and the other on the ground? Then reversed and added them together? Seems like a very inacurate way...

So you put one wheel on the scale and the other on the ground? Then reversed and added them together? Seems like a very inacurate way to go about it. 

Well I actually put the front wheel on the scale first with the rear wheel on a piece of plywood to make sure that both tires were even with the scale height then I did the same thing with the rear wheel with the front tire rode up on a piece of plywood to make sure they're at the same height and that method is a very accurate method actually

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