Weight Limits

by Anita Woelfel
(Chesterfield, MO )

I have a 2003 Honda shadow 600 VLX. The weight limit is something like 334 lbs including gear and attachments. My question is - How bad is it if I go over it?

I weigh 174 and I'd like to take a passenger who weighs approx. 230. That alone is 70 lbs over the weight limit, not including the engine guards and sissy bar I'd like to get.

If it would just further reduce my acceleration power and increase my stopping distance, I can deal with that. My concern is will it crush the suspension, pop the rear tire, or work my engine to death?

Should I inflate the rear tire to the weight suggested for over 200 lbs, and adjust the suspension as called out in the owner's manual for a passenger and go for it, just to see what happens?

Has any one ever tried going over their weight limit? If so, what happened? Maybe my honey and I should go jogging before we go riding.