Hey Nick, I’ve got a few thousand miles on my C from travelling through the Rocky Mountains from Edmonton to Vancouver and return. I’ve done that trip twice and this coming summer will be the third time.
I weigh 300+ pounds (I say that sheepishly) and with my gear, I’m loaded quite extensively.
Suspension wise, I have had no issues with the stock set up. Having said that, I might do an upgrade come tire time but it wouldn’t be a necessity.
My only comment would be that I’m top heavy and it’s very precarious on the side stand.
Without stating facts, I think the C is rated around 500 lbs.

Glenn

To edit this...
I don’t pack a lot of tools with me. I have a set of hex Wrenches and a small adjustable wrench, along with a multi screw driver. I don’t have an air compressor or any tire repair stuff. I don’t go off the beaten path to warrant such items. Also, I’m at the mercy of there being a gas station within CTX range.

Glenn

http://www.ctx700forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=75674&stc=1&d=1523042544


http://www.ctx700forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=75682&stc=1&d=1523042810

 

Hey Nick, I’ve got a few thousand miles on my C from travelling through the Rocky Mountains from Edmonton to Vancouver and return. I’ve done that trip twice and this coming summer will be the third time.
I weigh 300+ pounds (I say that sheepishly) and with my gear, I’m loaded quite extensively.
Suspension wise, I have had no issues with the stock set up. Having said that, I might do an upgrade come tire time but it wouldn’t be a necessity.
My only comment would be that I’m top heavy and it’s very precarious on the side stand.
Without stating facts, I think the C is rated around 500 lbs.

Glenn

To edit this...
I don’t pack a lot of tools with me. I have a set of hex Wrenches and a small adjustable wrench, along with a multi screw driver. I don’t have an air compressor or any tire repair stuff. I don’t go off the beaten path to warrant such items. Also, I’m at the mercy of there being a gas station within CTX range.
Glenn
http://www.ctx700forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=75674&stc=1&d=1523042544
http://www.ctx700forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=75682&stc=1&d=1523042810

I see you're using the bag as backrest, this is clever. Is your seat stock? You manage long trips on it OK?
#MeToo suspicious to side stand when bike is loaded top heavy. I have a center stand, but I need some piece of wood to roll front wheel on it to before mounting bike on a center stand.
What's your rear shock setting? To the max?

 

Nick,

I took,my bike from NC->CA->NC last April and May. I was out for 44 days and covered ~9400 miles. I have the Shad 36 liter side cases and a 50 liter trunk. I also carried a waterproof duffel with all my camping equipment and a cooler on the seat behind me. I'm 6'1" appx 215 plus another 25 or so for protective gear. My duffel weighed 38 pounds. Each side case appx 20 pounds and the top case prob around 15 pounds. The cooler was always packed light for travel, never more than 5 pounds. I Enclosed a pic below for visual. I think that's around 350 pounds. I never noticed any suspension issues. None. In fact, I felt the bike was totally adequate for the trip. There were 3 areas I thought could have been better, but none of them are deal breakers.

1. Daily chain maintenance. I've since bought an auto oiler.
2. Cruise control. My next bike will definitely have cruise. Coming home from Mount Rushmore, I did 3-600 mile days back to back to back. My right hand and wrist were aching by the time I got home.
3. There were a few windy days driving across the plains in New Mexico and then again in Wymoming and South Dakota that I would have welcomed a little more weight on the interstate.

 

Nick,

I took,my bike from NC->CA->NC last April and May. I was out for 44 days and covered ~9400 miles. I have the Shad 36 liter side cases and a 50 liter trunk. I also carried a waterproof duffel with all my camping equipment and a cooler on the seat behind me. I'm 6'1" appx 215 plus another 25 or so for protective gear. My duffel weighed 38 pounds. Each side case appx 20 pounds and the top case prob around 15 pounds. The cooler was always packed light for travel, never more than 5 pounds. I Enclosed a pic below for visual. I think that's around 350 pounds. I never noticed any suspension issues. None. In fact, I felt the bike was totally adequate for the trip. There were 3 areas I thought could have been better, but none of them are deal breakers.

1. Daily chain maintenance. I've since bought an auto oiler.
2. Cruise control. My next bike will definitely have cruise. Coming home from Mount Rushmore, I did 3-600 mile days back to back to back. My right hand and wrist were aching by the time I got home.
3. There were a few windy days driving across the plains in New Mexico and then again in Wyoming and South Dakota that I would have welcomed a little more weight on the interstate.

I see you too using a bag as backrest. Smart... What's that seat cover you have? Alaskan leather? Seat is stock right? How do you manage long trips on it? I don't have an oiler, but having a center stand I could carry BluRay wax spray to maintain chain I guess...
BTW, #MeeToo have MRA screen spoiler, works so good!

 

Maximum weight capacity for the CTX700 is 388 lbs. That includes rider, and all accessories including saddlebags, rear boxes, gear, etc. You definitely need to increase the shocks preload to the maximum. I've never had a problem with the shock when fully loaded over long distances. I actually think it rides better. I definitely recommend buying a custom seat. The OEM was okay for about 2 hours but you really need to be able to do 6 hours in the saddle if you plan to ride longer distances. I prefer the OEM rear rack over any of the others when travelling. Its highly adaptable and there are times when I will remove the rear box and add the backrest and mount a polypropylene knife cutting board to it as a rear platform. This makes a perfect platform for carrying a small cooler. I too also carry a large duffle bag for my clothes, hygiene items, and normally extra set of ATGATT gear. I always carry two since temps fluctuate between hot and cold depending on local and time of day. Mesh just doesn't work very well, even with a thermal lining, when it gets down into the 30/40's. I usually carry a 3 man Coleman 3 season tent with full rainfly or 3 man Eureka Mountain Pass tent with full rainfly. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The Coleman is better in cold weather and the Eureka is better in warm weather. Both are stable in high winds when guyed and both will stay dry even in torrential rains. I like the military sleep system. When its cold, I usually carry the full set but when it gets warm, I may only carry the main sleeping bag and a Woobie poncho liner. The Woobie is an excellent carry item for touring since it has so many uses.

 

Easy answer, as stated. Don’t exceed payload in manual. So that’s how much it can handle. >