Harley-Davidson Model WLA Weight (540lb)

Quick answer

Across the 1940, 1941 and 1942 model years, the Harley-Davidson Model WLA motorcycle has a listed dry weight of 539.9 lb (244.9 kg).

Dry weight539.9 lb (244.9 kg)
Model years covered
194019411942

Harley-Davidson Model WLA weight overview

WHAT THIS MEANS

This is firmly on the heavier side. The real penalty is not necessarily normal riding; it is low-speed work, awkward parking and moving the bike around manually. The comparison uses dry weight because a usable wet/running figure was not supplied, so the actual ready-to-ride motorcycle will be heavier.

Heavy Motorcycle

CATEGORY WEIGHT POSITION

How heavy is the Harley-Davidson Model WLA?

dry weight

Using a model-level dry weight comparison, the Harley-Davidson Model WLA is heavier than about 96.4% of 14 Harley-Davidson allround models with compatible weight data.

LighterTypicalHeavier
539.9 lb (244.9 kg)
14 Harley-Davidson allround modelsMedian: 384.7 lb (174.5 kg)
WEIGHT VISUAL

Dry weight

Dry weight539.9 lb (244.9 kg)
REAL-WORLD LOAD

Bike + rider total weight

These totals use the model’s representative dry weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.

150 lb rider689.9 lb (312.9 kg)bike + rider • bike is 78.3% of total mass
180 lb rider719.9 lb (326.5 kg)bike + rider • bike is 75% of total mass
210 lb rider749.9 lb (340.2 kg)bike + rider • bike is 72% of total mass

Harley-Davidson Model WLA weight & related specs

Model years covered 1940, 1941, 1942
Dry weight 539.9 lb (244.9 kg)
Engine displacement 740 cc

Weight changes by model year

The available comparable weight figures do not show a meaningful year-to-year change.

Useful weight calculations

Displacement per pound 1.37 cc / lb
Weight per 100 cc 73 lb / 100 cc

What the weight numbers tell you

Using a model-level dry weight comparison, the Harley-Davidson Model WLA is heavier than about 96.4% of 14 Harley-Davidson allround models with compatible weight data.

Harley-Davidson Model WLA weight FAQ

How heavy is the Harley-Davidson Model WLA?

Listed dry weight is 539.9 lb (244.9 kg). Because no usable wet/running figure was supplied, treat that as a lower starting point rather than the exact on-road weight.

Is the Harley-Davidson Model WLA heavy compared with other Harley-Davidson allround models?

Relatively speaking, it is on the heavier side. The model sits near the 96th weight percentile in its Harley-Davidson category, so it is heavier than most of the compatible comparison set.

Does the Harley-Davidson Model WLA weight change by model year?

Not in the usable weight data on this page. Across the covered 1940-1942 years, the supplied weight figure remains the same where comparable values are available.

How heavy is the Harley-Davidson Model WLA with an average-size rider?

A 180 lb rider brings the simple bike-plus-rider total to roughly 719.9 lb (326.5 kg) using the representative dry figure. Gear and luggage would add more.

Can I treat the Harley-Davidson Model WLA dry weight as curb weight?

No. Dry weight excludes at least some operating fluids, so the actual ready-to-ride motorcycle will weigh more.

How large is the Harley-Davidson Model WLA engine for its weight?

Engine displacement relative to bike weight is 1.37 cc per lb. It can help compare motorcycles from very different displacement classes without relying on cc alone.

Is the Harley-Davidson Model WLA above or below the typical Harley-Davidson allround weight?

The model sits about 155.2 lb (70.4 kg) heavier than the compatible median Harley-Davidson allround weight used on this page.

Will the Harley-Davidson Model WLA feel heavy at low speed?

It is heavy enough that smart parking matters. Avoid situations where you have to paddle it backward uphill or catch it after it leans too far.

Official information note

Motorcycle specifications can vary by model year, market, equipment and the exact dry/curb-weight definition. Calculated fuel-weight and ratio figures on this page are estimates derived from the supplied specifications. Confirm critical figures in the owner’s manual or on the official Harley-Davidson website.