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Will my weight loss make a noticeable difference in handling?
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March 1, 2010 at 3:10 pm #3729WeaponZeroParticipant
Those of you who keep in touch with me outside of this forum know that I’ve been on a quest to lose weight and, since the summer, I’ve dropped a total of 60 lbs having gone from 335 to 275. 20 lbs of that weight loss has happened since the winter started, since the last time I rode my bike before putting it away before this crappy winter we’ve had.
I’m wondering whether or not the 20 lbs I’ve lost will make for a noticeable difference in the way my bike handles since the last time I rode.
It’s been rough and I’m amazed I was able to get through the holiday season without gaining anything back because I know I wasn’t exactly anal about following my diet plan throughout the month of December. My goal is to slim down enough to where I can fit into a one-piece suit for doing track days. I don’t know how dense my bones are or how much muscle I’ll have in comparison to fat when I reach my target, so I’m not setting a goal weight, but rather a goal size.
But for right now, my lingering question is: In the 2-3 more weeks we have before we see some suitable riding weather, I could drop up to another 5 lbs or so. Will my bike handle noticeably better having lost 20-25 lbs since the last time I rode?
March 1, 2010 at 3:43 pm #24694MunchParticipantThe difference will likely be noticeable to you. Maybe on the quick get up goes and that’s it..I would think. Not to mention the total upbeat spirit you will have with getting on it with so much different.
Congrats on the loss though! One of the hardest things to do and maintain, well done!
March 1, 2010 at 6:55 pm #24698eternal05ParticipantThat’s an impressive achievement, and one that you should be proud of! Good luck following through on the remainder of your goals.
As far as your weight affecting handling, I would think so, though it’s always an area of debate among riders (and cyclists). While I think Munch may have a point that you’ll feel quicker off the line, I’d imagine that the biggest difference will be when you are doing more aggressive riding. I predict that you’ll find that bike turn-in, especially change of direction from one side to the other, gets quicker and more responsive. Let us know if you notice anything though; I’m really curious now!
March 2, 2010 at 6:26 am #24735owlieParticipantCongratulations! That is fantastic news.
My suggestion would be to treat the first couple hundred miles like it was your first time to ride a new bike. You’re probably going to want to take it easy for the first few days anyway since it has been up for the winter, but do some extra PLP and take it easy in the corners. I honestly don’t know how much that kind of weight loss might affect your center of gravity, and all the fun stuff that comes along with it…
March 2, 2010 at 10:56 pm #24749bigguybbrParticipantIt seemed to make a big difference to me. I dropped 60lbs and my bike (’09 FZ6R) is definitely quicker off the line. There is also a bit of a difference in how quickly I pop back up out of a heavy lean.
I really noticed on my girlfriend’s bike (a little Suzuki s40 or savage ls650, same thing) that it was a little quicker and more highway worthy without hauling an extra tub of blubber around, as it seemed to gain a few extra mph. Then again I still look a little silly at 6’5″ on that with my knees up above the tank.
I’m sure it will make a difference in my fuel efficiency and I look forward to that on some of my long trips I have planned for the summer.
So how did you lose the weight? My gf kicked my butt into joining weight watchers with her and it really did work well for us.
March 3, 2010 at 12:55 am #24740WeaponZeroParticipantI’ve been living off of a diet plan I call the Protein Trifecta, which basically consists of egg whites/egg beaters, fish, and lean white-meat poultry. I cook them a variety of different ways, from chicken parmesan to chicken burritos, etc. I use only low fat/fat free ingredients such as kraft fat free shredded cheeses. My fruit and vegetable intake comes in the form of between-meal snacks. I drink lots of water. I also have gotten used to eating smaller portions.
For a while I was only dieting, not doing any exercise, and I saw results. But I wanted to speed things up so around the beginning of December I bought some Body By Jake workout toys (the Tower 200 and the Shadowboxer Knockout Body system) and they have sped things up TREMENDOUSLY.
March 3, 2010 at 2:34 am #24741JulesParticipantWell done on losing all that weight. I know what it’s like. I lost 56lbs over three months in 2004. Incredibly hard work. Unfortunately I’ve put about 15lbs back on since then. But I remember finding everything easier after I lost that weight. Bending down, tying shoelaces, getting in and out of the car, sports, everything. I bet you feel the difference on the bike too. Be interested to hear about it, might spur me on to lose the extra 15 I’m carrying now.
I lost mine doing atkins, and whenever I feel things getting out of control, like over Christmas, I find a couple of weeks of little or no carbs takes about 10 lbs off.
Good luck!
March 4, 2010 at 12:30 am #24728bigguybbrParticipantHa ha I totally forgot how much it sucked when your gut is in the way of tying your shoes! It’s funny though for those who do weight watchers, they actually have activity points (like exercise points that you can use towards extra food for the day) for riding a motorcycle. Gave me a good excuse to take the looooooong way home from work on the bike
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