Weight reduction vs HP

[chads920]

I have lusted after more power and when Honda brought out the new 1800 (2018) I noticed that they reduced the overall weight of that machine. I thought well that may be the answer .. less weight more HP then I considered the cost and my bank account and came to the conclusion that I would not be the proud owner of a new bike. I did come up with a possible solution though.. reduct the weight of my ride, its a trike and heavy to start with, so.. my wife and I made a life alternating decision, we changed our diet and have lost a combined 40 lbs. I can testify that its the least expensive way to gain HP. Part of our workup to Spring ..

[dingdong]

Good for you. All three of you will benefit from that solution. Now if I can just get the wife to agree to the same. LOL. Crash.... there went the lamp across my skull.

[themainviking]

My wife solved this problem all by herself. She had a stroke five years ago, and can no longer mount the motorcycle. This reduced the weight considerably, and thereby increased the HP. Not a method that I was looking for, nor one I would recommend, but it did do the trick. I ride less also, because it is a bit more lonely an endeavor.

[Alan_Hepburn]

If she is generally mobile, but just can't climb on to the back of the bike you might try a sidecar - my wife had a hard time climbing on after her knee replacement, and once on she was very hesitant about riding in fear of damaging that replacement, so we changed to a sidecar and she absolutely loves it!

[minimac]

Another way to reduce weight is to divorce the witch. But, if you think your wallet would take too big a hit with the new bike, you should see the hit you take getting the divorce! Like the old Johnnie Taylor song, it's cheaper to keep her!
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=it ... &FORM=VIRE

[chads920]

The sidecar option seems like a good one having had the opportunity to see some of the units when attending the 38 wing ding. We chose the trike as at the time that was what we were familiar with and it made getting on and off easier for the wife. No regrets as we are traveling together again. At near 70 (this Nov) we both have realized significant benefit from the weight lose, our riding gear fits again, we have more mobility and feel better over all. Dropping the over consumption of Carbohydrates and walking more didn't require a quantum shift and cost $$$$.

[themainviking]

If she is generally mobile, but just can't climb on to the back of the bike you might try a sidecar - my wife had a hard time climbing on after her knee replacement, and once on she was very hesitant about riding in fear of damaging that replacement, so we changed to a sidecar and she absolutely loves it!

Nope. Her maximum sit time is about 20 minutes, and then she has to get off and walk around for 10 to 15. We tried it several times over the last five years and always the same. We cannot get anywhere due to her pain threshold. She made the decision that she would just give up on the riding. Her love is golf anyway, and she can do that from a golf cart. Five minute ride, five minute walk, repeat.

[minimac]

I want to apologize if my previous post in this thread seemed insensitive to the guys that were mentioning their wives' physical issues. That wasn't my intention, and it was meant as a "tongue in cheek" comment to inject a little humor-as well as truth. Sometimes what seems harmless at the time can be construed as something entirely different than what was intended.

[themainviking]

I want to apologize if my previous post in this thread seemed insensitive to the guys that were mentioning their wives' physical issues. That wasn't my intention, and it was meant as a "tongue in cheek" comment to inject a little humor-as well as truth. Sometimes what seems harmless at the time can be construed as something entirely different than what was intended.

Nice of you to say this, however, I, for one, took no umbrage. I kinda thought it was tongue in cheek and took it as that. And sometimes I do think it would be cheaper to "kill the witch" than to take a chance on divorcing her. I could keep all my stuff, placed in storage, and waiting for me to get out of prison. Three meals a day and a place to sleep (roof over my head) and my full pension going into a bank account. Be well over a million dollars in the bank when I got out.

And we must remember - we are all immortal - until we are not.

[Stew]

I have lusted after more power and when Honda brought out the new 1800 (2018) I noticed that they reduced the overall weight of that machine. I thought well that may be the answer .. less weight more HP then I considered the cost and my bank account and came to the conclusion that I would not be the proud owner of a new bike. I did come up with a possible solution though.. reduct the weight of my ride, its a trike and heavy to start with, so.. my wife and I made a life alternating decision, we changed our diet and have lost a combined 40 lbs. I can testify that its the least expensive way to gain HP. Part of our workup to Spring ..

Good for you! Even better than improved power to weight ratio is improved health. Before I joined this forum, about six months ago, I decided I was getting old enough that I should start paying better attention to my weight as well. Living in the US and being a male already puts me at greater health risk for certain things, I certainly don't need to be adding to it!

I thought to myself that 10 years in the future, 5 years in the future, heck even one year from now I will be glad I started when I did. It doesn't take much change and it won't happen overnight but my clothes already fit way better and I feel better about myself.

[minimac]

..... And sometimes I do think it would be cheaper to "kill the witch" than to take a chance on divorcing her. I could keep all my stuff, placed in storage, and waiting for me to get out of prison. Three meals a day and a place to sleep (roof over my head) and my full pension going into a bank account. Be well over a million dollars in the bank when I got out.....

You forgot about all the sex you could stand!

[GramKate]

My husband never mentioned that he thought our GL1800 lost HP when I was a passenger, but I suppose it could have. Either way, it's no longer an issue, because I no longer ride on the back of the GoldWing. It isn't because I can't get on/off the motorcycle or no longer want to ride, it's because I got tired of looking at the back of his helmet. So in July 2010 I got my permit, learned to ride, took the Motorcycle Safety Course and now ride a beautiful Red 2012 Honda Aero 750. I enjoy motorcycle trips so much more now. My only regret is that I didn't do it years sooner.
We added wireless mics to our helmets so that we can still communicate on any ride.

[minimac]

^ That's great! Mrs. Mini felt the same about riding with me until I bought her her own. Sometimes we still ride two up and sometimes each on our own, but she's much more amiable to going when I suggest we go for a ride, and seems to enjoy it much more.

[themainviking]

So in July 2010 I got my permit, learned to ride, took the Motorcycle Safety Course and now ride a beautiful Red 2012 Honda Aero 750. I enjoy motorcycle trips so much more now. My only regret is that I didn't do it years sooner.

Right friggin' on. My wife took the safety/get a m/c license course, got her license and promptly stated that she did not wish to ride alone. The course made the determination for her. She was exceedingly not comfortable controlling her own destiny. To each, their own.

[GramKate]

I prefer having my lift in my own hands, with a big assist from God. I would rather ride my motorcycle than do anything else.