"Fat guy on a little bike!" 300 pounds on a 550?

[9am53]

Hi all, I ride an '83 550 spectre and as the title says I am 6'5" 300 pounds. I have no probs cruising around town and going on cruises on the weekends in the summer, but next summer (2010) I plan on cruising out to Alberta from where I live in Ontario Canada (something like 2000 miles). I have started planning for my trip by watching the Long Way Down and Long Way Round series' and I plan on reading the Jupiters Travels book. Ted Simon rode around the world on a 500 cc Triumph, so I am wondering if my 550 will carry me across the country. I plan on taking 5 or 6 days so I can enjoy the trip. Am I being ludicrous in thinking that my bike can handle my weight and the weight of almost a weeks worth of supplies across the country? I mean it is 25 years old!

I recently found a new job that will be able to supply me with a more suitable bike if the answer is no...I just have kind of become a fan of smaller displacement; the gas and insurance is cheap...and I feel I belong to a "I'm not insecure, so I don't need huge bike" club. Would a 750 be too small still? I was considering switching to a V45 magna if I can find one...it has plenty of power for a 750 methinks.

Anyways, I'm not sure if this is the right place to drop this thread, but thanks for any help!

[Luke of Airron]

Dude, in the same boat you are. 6' 4" 300 lbs. heh. I was on a GZ250 for a year and a half, went 3000 miles or more. Now im on a 700. you should be fine. have fun.

[9am53]

thanks chief, wildo

[ratvespa]

I don't think it's a problem at all, check out the iron butt rally's, people do long rides on 50cc scooters.
IBA - World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders

the biggest concern I have is comfort and range. I rode my 91 650 honda hawk from san diego to vegas and back in 1 day, it had more than enough pep to keep up with everything, the biggest problem I had is the bike is very small, I think it's built for midgets. Also the range was horrible on it, only held 2.5 gallons and got pretty bad gas millage. so I had to stop and every gas station along the way

[oldcoldankles]

My 1983 KZ550 has been ridden from here to Saskatchewan and return twice and once to the Cariboo. With 30,000 km on it now, I would have no hesitation riding it to Ontario after complete servicing including the drive shaft, wheel bearings, valve adjustment, new clutch cable, and new tires. Best of luck to you with your trip.

[Stormdragon]

I'd just up the spring rate in the front forks, and replace the rear sponges with something suitable and ride, ride, ride.

[9am53]

Cool, thanks guys...I ws just worried because the recommended max weight that the bike can handle is 375 pounds I think. If I had supplies for 5 days I think I might exceed that weight. I get about 260 kms per tank, and I would take a small jerry can of gas with me so I am not too concerned about fuel economy. I would have the bike serviced and ready to go, so it's just the load handling of the bike that I'm really worried about. THanks again!

[antiq]

A complete service and some good shocks you should be just fine.