What bike for carrying a pillion?

[Jammez]

Hi Folks

I'm looking to get a second bike specifically for commuting on as the RSV R is horrible in the traffic!

My other half is keen to come on the back too so anyone got any recommendations based on the following:

Not looking for a huge bike - I'm not a powerfully built company director so don't want something as big as say a Pan.
Must feel comfy & not too exposed for my other half. She wont like being perched up on a tiny rear seat
Don't like BMW's, nothing scientific, their bikes never really seem to appeal
Decent bit of luggage space
Could be new or second hand, not too fussed about the budget


Any good suggestions?

Cheers

James

[Pothole]

My OH loves the pillion on my Tiger Sport.

[SystemParanoia]

panigale

[Jammez]

Panigale would be my first choice, I just don't like red!

[tvrolet]

Indian Roadmaster...with the optional passenger armrests of course.

[Jazoli]

V strom 650 or 1000

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

Multistrada 1200. Will keep you entertained when you're on your own too. My OH loved going on the back (we did a 350 mile day on it any she was fine). It might fit into your definition of huge… it's not a lardy thing though, and you can get low seats I think.

[Rubin215]

How about telling us your budget, what mileage you will be doing and what else you are using the bike for?

If it's only a two-up commute, a super-scooter fits the bill very well.

[lazybike]

I'm looking for something similar, Yamaha Tracer seems to fit the bill..

[bogie]

tvrolet said:

Indian Roadmaster...with the optional passenger armrests of course.

We had one of those for a couple of weeks and did the Route66 trip, 2700 miles later and my other half was the only pillion on the tour that wasnt getting off at regular intervals half crippled

Handled well too for a big tourer....

[Gunk]

Bandit 1200S or a CBF1000, both a bit old school but they'll take plenty of luggage and are both very pillion friendly.

[Rubin215]

Gunk said:

Bandit 1200S or a CBF1000, both a bit old school but they'll take plenty of luggage and are both very pillion friendly.

Yup, had both and you barely notice a pillion with either.
If anything, having Mrs 215 on the Bandit made me slightly less likely to lose my license...

[ash reynolds]

Jazoli said:

V strom 650 or 1000

I was going to say this...

[Mastodon2]

Honda Goldwing.

[NITO]

Aprilia Caponord ETV1000.



Same bulletproof v-Twin Rotax engine as your RSV but slightly detuned to 100bhp, supremely comfortable, handles very well and good two up. You'll probably want at least a 32" inside leg to handle the sub 2mph stuff without struggling.

Ps...
Luggage space not an issue, lots of panniers available, mine sports 120L of Hepco Becker items...

[catso]

First,

Jammez said:

I'm looking to get a second bike specifically for commuting on as the RSV R is horrible in the traffic!

Then,

Jammez said:

Panigale would be my first choice, I just don't like red!

Not sure a Panigale would be a step-up on the commuting ladder?

[SystemParanoia]

catso said:

First,

Jammez said:

I'm looking to get a second bike specifically for commuting on as the RSV R is horrible in the traffic!

Then,

Jammez said:

Panigale would be my first choice, I just don't like red!

Not sure a Panigale would be a step-up on the commuting ladder?

you're not ignoring practicalities and reasoning yourself into it anyway

[cbmotorsport]

Sounds like you need a VFR to me.

[graham22]

Had the same requirements, I have S1000R which is OK with a passenger but not room for luggage too, bought a FZ1 Fazer as an alternative to a VFR (which was the obvious choice).

Did look at lots of different options (CBF1000, Tiger 800/1050, Blackbird, Hayabusa, Sprints, SV1000s) but Fazers kept coming in as good value/low miles etc plus they had a more level seat(s) compared to the above.

Someone mentioned Tiger Sport - this would be the choice if my (2nd hand) budget was £7500.

Edited by graham22 on Monday 26th June 13:17

[Ho Lee Kau]

My better half was always comfy on the back of my CBR600F4i.