Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: Dragsterhund on February 24, 2009, 02:48:29 PM

Title: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: Dragsterhund on February 24, 2009, 02:48:29 PM
I want to weigh my 748. Can this be done with two bathroom scales, one under each wheel?
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: needtorque on February 24, 2009, 02:56:42 PM
i have a feeling the wieght would not come out right.  i think each scale would have more than half the weight registering but maybe I am wrong.
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: stopintime on February 24, 2009, 03:01:38 PM
Yes, it can.

I just spoke to a scale guru (salesman) today. He mentioned that most battery scales will start up with a cold "brain" which will be more accurate after a few measuring cycles. Keep it warm and let it measure up to ten times, the last will be more accurate. A cheap bathroom scale might very well be "quite a few" pounds off, so don't trust your readings too much. The best scale, whatever for, they carry cost about $ 200,000  :o
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: ScottRNelson on February 24, 2009, 04:09:19 PM
You can weigh your motorcycle using one bathroom scale and be accurate to within a couple of pounds if you have a decent scale.  I've weighed my two bikes this way.  I made sure that the bike was level when I weighed it, so the tire not on the scale was on a 2x4 of roughly the same height.

I came up with 495 wet for my ST2 and 461 wet for my 888.  I used a Tanita digital scale that calibrates itself every time it is turned on, so it is quite accurate, within the 0.5 pound range it displays, at least.

Unfortunately, my scale won't go beyond 300 pounds, so I couldn't find out the weight distribution with me on either of the bikes.
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: herm on February 24, 2009, 04:16:04 PM
pull on to a scale at a weight station
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: JetTest on February 24, 2009, 04:45:02 PM
Or a local scrap/recycler. They should have a scale your bike will fit on.
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: Buckethead on February 24, 2009, 04:52:01 PM
Quote from: JetTest on February 24, 2009, 04:45:02 PM
Or a local scrap/recycler. They should have a scale your bike will fit on.

Just make sure to magnet sweep/broom sweep it before hand.
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: aaronb on February 24, 2009, 07:28:15 PM
Quote from: herm on February 24, 2009, 04:16:04 PM
pull on to a scale at a weight station

a scale designed for weighing a 50 ton semi might not be the most accurate on a 400lb motorcycle

i would just stick to the bathroom scale
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: WTSDS on February 25, 2009, 04:47:05 AM
>>Unfortunately, my scale won't go beyond 300 pounds, so I couldn't find out the weight distribution with me on either of the bikes.

Er, I'd be careful there, one wheel on a 2x4, one on a scales, tippy toe on the floor........

It's hard enough trying to measure sag levels on your own with both wheels on a firm footing

I've dropped more 'bikes in the shed than on the road
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: herm on February 25, 2009, 06:36:10 AM
Quote from: aaronb on February 24, 2009, 07:28:15 PM
a scale designed for weighing a 50 ton semi might not be the most accurate on a 400lb motorcycle

i would just stick to the bathroom scale

ok,...........take it to the local land fill. their scales should easily be able to do the job
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: Norm on February 25, 2009, 06:46:37 AM
Scrap yard, easy, free (usually) and certified.
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: TiAvenger on February 25, 2009, 07:06:21 AM
horse scale.
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: Drjones on February 25, 2009, 07:17:26 AM
Quote from: needtorque on February 24, 2009, 02:56:42 PM
i have a feeling the wieght would not come out right.  i think each scale would have more than half the weight registering but maybe I am wrong.

They'll read different because of the CG not being perfectly centered between the wheels, but the sum of the two scales will be the total weight of the bike.
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: mookieo2 on February 25, 2009, 11:08:24 AM
You could take apart the bike and weigh it piece by piece then just add it all up.  ;D
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: mossimo on February 25, 2009, 11:08:31 AM
Weigh station (be sure to dismount and get off the scale for an accurate reading  ;D) or the recycling center has pretty accurate scales.  
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: Monsterlover on February 25, 2009, 04:35:29 PM
+1 to the bathroom scale method.  That's what I used on the 900ss.  It worked.
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: rgramjet on February 25, 2009, 04:57:14 PM
Your bike will never be lighter than when you weigh it at the scrapyard....expecially the copper scale!!  :-)
Title: Re: How do you weigh a motorcycle?
Post by: JetTest on February 25, 2009, 07:00:43 PM
Recycler scale, at least where I live, is certified by the state.