Best Bikes for Riding 2up?
Discussion
Have no idea if this thread has been started or not (probably has). Anyway, my OH has recently started coming out on the back of my bike with me on rides, not long ones maybe 40 mins max to go out and get some food etc, but she is hesitant to come on longer rides with me as she finds it quite uncomfortable. Example of this would be last weekend my dad was racing at castle combe (not sure if anyone from here went), I thought we could go up on the bike to watch 1:30 hr ride from us, but she didn't want too as she would find it uncomfortable.
She is eager to go on the back more and I also find it fun but my current bike (SV650S) seems to be uncomfortable for her (back n arms). I ride as smooth as possible with her on the back, but it doesn't seem to work. So does anyone know of the best bikes for this kinda stuff ?
Obvs you will have your bigger touring bikes etc which is where my issue comes in. I love sports bike's (currently on an A2 but will do my full licence next year when Im 21). im not sure if there is a good pillion bike that is a good mix between sporty and comfy? or will I have to get 2 bikes. Like a Touring bike for her and me, and then like a ZX10-R for me when Im riding solo
Any ideas ??
She is eager to go on the back more and I also find it fun but my current bike (SV650S) seems to be uncomfortable for her (back n arms). I ride as smooth as possible with her on the back, but it doesn't seem to work. So does anyone know of the best bikes for this kinda stuff ?
Obvs you will have your bigger touring bikes etc which is where my issue comes in. I love sports bike's (currently on an A2 but will do my full licence next year when Im 21). im not sure if there is a good pillion bike that is a good mix between sporty and comfy? or will I have to get 2 bikes. Like a Touring bike for her and me, and then like a ZX10-R for me when Im riding solo
Any ideas ??
Have you considered the likes of a Z1000 or similar,
May be totally down to the seat, etc, would you consider a naked such as the above or a full on tourer such as a SX1000 or Pan, etc?
Might be worth a ride to a few dealers and blag a test ride on various to see which one she is more comfortable on.
Do you have comm’s? If not might be worth a try to, at least you will have feedback from her quicker although mot always a good thing
May be totally down to the seat, etc, would you consider a naked such as the above or a full on tourer such as a SX1000 or Pan, etc?
Might be worth a ride to a few dealers and blag a test ride on various to see which one she is more comfortable on.
Do you have comm’s? If not might be worth a try to, at least you will have feedback from her quicker although mot always a good thing
r1flyguy1 said:
Have you considered the likes of a Z1000 or similar,
May be totally down to the seat, etc, would you consider a naked such as the above or a full on tourer such as a SX1000 or Pan, etc?
Might be worth a ride to a few dealers and blag a test ride on various to see which one she is more comfortable on.
Do you have comm’s? If not might be worth a try to, at least you will have feedback from her quicker although mot always a good thing
hahaha, Im completely open but would prefer a more sports-like bike if you get what I mean. Seen someone mentioned the Yamaha V Max. that thing looks pretty cool, has a backrest n that. And yes comms is I thing I defo need, not only with her but when I go out on group rides with mates etc. Atm we communicate (me n her) via a series of thumbs up and leg taps May be totally down to the seat, etc, would you consider a naked such as the above or a full on tourer such as a SX1000 or Pan, etc?
Might be worth a ride to a few dealers and blag a test ride on various to see which one she is more comfortable on.
Do you have comm’s? If not might be worth a try to, at least you will have feedback from her quicker although mot always a good thing
Z1000 looks good. what about a Ducati Diavel, or am I being stupid
I have a S1000R and my missus struggles with anything over an hour on the back of that.
She finds the ergonomics fine, but her backside does get uncomfortable after a while.
I did have a test ride of an R1250R a while ago and she found that a load more comfortable. We were only out for about an hour and a half or so together, but she was absolutely fine for the whole time. If you don't like naked bikes the R1250RS may also be worth a look at as well.
She finds the ergonomics fine, but her backside does get uncomfortable after a while.
I did have a test ride of an R1250R a while ago and she found that a load more comfortable. We were only out for about an hour and a half or so together, but she was absolutely fine for the whole time. If you don't like naked bikes the R1250RS may also be worth a look at as well.
Jazoli said:
Should be fun trying to insure one at 21!
Something like a Vstrom 650 would be a great pillion bike, they are cheap so you will have plenty left over for a sportsbike of your own
oh yeah, I forgot about insurance...… fSomething like a Vstrom 650 would be a great pillion bike, they are cheap so you will have plenty left over for a sportsbike of your own
k. I think getting 2 would probably be a better idea. But if I could also get a sporty comfy one as well as an out and out sports bike then id be a very happy man haha. airsafari87 said:
I have a S1000R and my missus struggles with anything over an hour on the back of that.
She finds the ergonomics fine, but her backside does get uncomfortable after a while.
I did have a test ride of an R1250R a while ago and she found that a load more comfortable. We were only out for about an hour and a half or so together, but she was absolutely fine for the whole time. If you don't like naked bikes the R1250RS may also be worth a look at as well.
I like naked bikes. Prefer a naked bike to a ADV/tall touring bike thing. doesn't have to be rapid either just something nice and comfy that makes a nice noise and aint slow haha. I don't ask for much She finds the ergonomics fine, but her backside does get uncomfortable after a while.
I did have a test ride of an R1250R a while ago and she found that a load more comfortable. We were only out for about an hour and a half or so together, but she was absolutely fine for the whole time. If you don't like naked bikes the R1250RS may also be worth a look at as well.
Djtemeka said:
Best Bikes for Riding 2up?
Leave her at home..at least you can ride “properly” again and your sandwich will be ready when you get home
Ding dong.
hahaha. I look at it as 'sharing the fun'. the ultimate goal is for her to get her own bike and ride with me but im still working on that Leave her at home..at least you can ride “properly” again and your sandwich will be ready when you get home
Ding dong.
Velox56 said:
I like naked bikes. Prefer a naked bike to a ADV/tall touring bike thing. doesn't have to be rapid either just something nice and comfy that makes a nice noise and aint slow haha. I don't ask for much
I would have a closer look at the R1250R then, or even the earlier R1200R depending on your budget as it seems to pretty much fill your criteria.The way I viewed it after my test ride was this. If we were to say the S1000R was 10/10 for speed, handling etc ... but only 3/10 for pillion comfort, then the R1250R/R1200 will be somewhere between a 7/10 to 8/10 for everything when compared back to back.
Everyone, he's on an A2 so all this talk of Pans and ZZRs is a bit pointless, he wants to be looking at a CB500X or Tracer 700 or something.
A lot of this depends on how you both fit on various bikes, however, some of the issues I've had with my bikes I've detailed below.
Get an Airhawk for a pillion seat, this will help on the comfort front, plus ensure that your pillion can reach the pegs and grabrails. My wife also finds having a topbox much more reassuring that she won't fall off the bike. We've been two up on a lot of bikes (I'm 35 so they're all reasonably modern):
2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 Fazer - good option, as it's comfy, fast enough, economical, and the brakes and suspension can still cope with two up work. We've been to France and Germany on it.
2007 Honda CBF1000 - this needed the seat modifying as the angles dug into her legs giving weird pressure points. Comfy thereafter, but the suspension and brakes on this bike aren't up to the spirited riding the engine is capable of, even one up, so two up you have to reign yourself in a bit. Still took it to Italy and the Isle of Man though
2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000. Comfy big seat, but far back and very high up which affects the handing when it's winding. A fantastically capable motorcycle utterly betrayed by its appalling build quality. Still managed France and a fair bit of the UK on it
BMW F650GS - single cylinder. I had two of these which says something. Very comfy for pillion and rider and suspension and brakes cope. Slow compared to most stuff.
Kawasaki ER-5 - you won't be looking for one of these as most will have rusted away or been crashed by now.
We've test ridden a few bikes from a Kawasaki ER-6 (hopeless two up - seat, brakes suspension all not up to it), Aprilia Shiver 750 (loved it but dealers wouldn't take the Honda in exchange, would potentially look at one of these), Ducati Monster 821 (heartbreakingly, she couldn't reach the grabrails and felt insecure - a fabulous road rocket).
A lot of this depends on how you both fit on various bikes, however, some of the issues I've had with my bikes I've detailed below.
Get an Airhawk for a pillion seat, this will help on the comfort front, plus ensure that your pillion can reach the pegs and grabrails. My wife also finds having a topbox much more reassuring that she won't fall off the bike. We've been two up on a lot of bikes (I'm 35 so they're all reasonably modern):
2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 Fazer - good option, as it's comfy, fast enough, economical, and the brakes and suspension can still cope with two up work. We've been to France and Germany on it.
2007 Honda CBF1000 - this needed the seat modifying as the angles dug into her legs giving weird pressure points. Comfy thereafter, but the suspension and brakes on this bike aren't up to the spirited riding the engine is capable of, even one up, so two up you have to reign yourself in a bit. Still took it to Italy and the Isle of Man though
2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000. Comfy big seat, but far back and very high up which affects the handing when it's winding. A fantastically capable motorcycle utterly betrayed by its appalling build quality. Still managed France and a fair bit of the UK on it
BMW F650GS - single cylinder. I had two of these which says something. Very comfy for pillion and rider and suspension and brakes cope. Slow compared to most stuff.
Kawasaki ER-5 - you won't be looking for one of these as most will have rusted away or been crashed by now.
We've test ridden a few bikes from a Kawasaki ER-6 (hopeless two up - seat, brakes suspension all not up to it), Aprilia Shiver 750 (loved it but dealers wouldn't take the Honda in exchange, would potentially look at one of these), Ducati Monster 821 (heartbreakingly, she couldn't reach the grabrails and felt insecure - a fabulous road rocket).
Edited by Stuart Fordyce on Monday 2nd September 14:06
Stuart Fordyce said:
Everyone, he's on an A2 so all this talk of Pans and ZZRs is a bit pointless, he wants to be looking at a CB500X or Tracer 700 or something.
A lot of this depends on how you both fit on various bikes, however, some of the issues I've had with my bikes I've detailed below.
Get an Airhawk for a pillion seat, this will help on the comfort front, plus ensure that your pillion can reach the pegs and grabrails. My wife also finds having a topbox much more reassuring that she won't fall off the bike. We've been two up on a lot of bikes (I'm 35 so they're all reasonably modern):
2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 Fazer - good option, as it's comfy, fast enough, economical, and the brakes and suspension can still cope with two up work. We've been to France and Germany on it.
2007 Honda CBF1000 - this needed the seat modifying as the angles dug into her legs giving weird pressure points. Comfy thereafter, but the suspension and brakes on this bike aren't up to the spirited riding the engine is capable of, even one up, so two up you have to reign yourself in a bit. Still took it to Italy and the Isle of Man though
2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000. Comfy big seat, but far back and very high up which affects the handing when it's winding. A fantastically capable motorcycle utterly betrayed by its appalling build quality. Still managed France and a fair bit of the UK on it
BMW F650GS - single cylinder. I had two of these which says something. Very comfy for pillion and rider and suspension and brakes cope. Slow compared to most stuff.
Kawasaki ER-5 - you won't be looking for one of these as most will have rusted away or been crashed by now.
We've test ridden a few bikes from a Kawasaki ER-6 (hopeless two up - seat, brakes suspension all not up to it), Aprilia Shiver 750 (loved it but dealers wouldn't take the Honda in exchange, would potentially look at one of these), Ducati Monster 821 (heartbreakingly, she couldn't reach the grabrails and felt insecure - a fabulous road rocket).
I will look into these thanks. A lot of this depends on how you both fit on various bikes, however, some of the issues I've had with my bikes I've detailed below.
Get an Airhawk for a pillion seat, this will help on the comfort front, plus ensure that your pillion can reach the pegs and grabrails. My wife also finds having a topbox much more reassuring that she won't fall off the bike. We've been two up on a lot of bikes (I'm 35 so they're all reasonably modern):
2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 Fazer - good option, as it's comfy, fast enough, economical, and the brakes and suspension can still cope with two up work. We've been to France and Germany on it.
2007 Honda CBF1000 - this needed the seat modifying as the angles dug into her legs giving weird pressure points. Comfy thereafter, but the suspension and brakes on this bike aren't up to the spirited riding the engine is capable of, even one up, so two up you have to reign yourself in a bit. Still took it to Italy and the Isle of Man though
2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000. Comfy big seat, but far back and very high up which affects the handing when it's winding. A fantastically capable motorcycle utterly betrayed by its appalling build quality. Still managed France and a fair bit of the UK on it
BMW F650GS - single cylinder. I had two of these which says something. Very comfy for pillion and rider and suspension and brakes cope. Slow compared to most stuff.
Kawasaki ER-5 - you won't be looking for one of these as most will have rusted away or been crashed by now.
We've test ridden a few bikes from a Kawasaki ER-6 (hopeless two up - seat, brakes suspension all not up to it), Aprilia Shiver 750 (loved it but dealers wouldn't take the Honda in exchange, would potentially look at one of these), Ducati Monster 821 (heartbreakingly, she couldn't reach the grabrails and felt insecure - a fabulous road rocket).
Edited by Stuart Fordyce on Monday 2nd September 14:06
Im on A2 at the moment but I will probably most likely be making the switch on my full licence so any bikes will be fine to look into.
airsafari87 said:
Velox56 said:
I like naked bikes. Prefer a naked bike to a ADV/tall touring bike thing. doesn't have to be rapid either just something nice and comfy that makes a nice noise and aint slow haha. I don't ask for much
I would have a closer look at the R1250R then, or even the earlier R1200R depending on your budget as it seems to pretty much fill your criteria.The way I viewed it after my test ride was this. If we were to say the S1000R was 10/10 for speed, handling etc ... but only 3/10 for pillion comfort, then the R1250R/R1200 will be somewhere between a 7/10 to 8/10 for everything when compared back to back.
Putting aside the A2 bit I’m a bit confused.
You prefer sportsbike type bikes, but love nakeds, then namecheck a couple of cruisers.
As for the Hayabusa comment, then I think you’re dreaming. They aren’t the bike that people think they are. They may once have been the most powerful / fastest bike made (or something like that), but that was a long time ago and a 20 year old design is missing out on a lot of modern tech. They’re also not really the sort of bike a new rider to that sort of power should jump to, even if it’s not as mental as it used to be, it’s still got a lot of poke.
Your first step needs to be to definitely get your full unrestricted licence and then start looking. Until you’re committed to passing that then you’re just window shopping and anyone can drop any bike into a list and it’ll look good. Budget matters too, as does deciding whether you can or can’t run two bikes, as that will make a huge difference on the pillion biased bike.
You prefer sportsbike type bikes, but love nakeds, then namecheck a couple of cruisers.
As for the Hayabusa comment, then I think you’re dreaming. They aren’t the bike that people think they are. They may once have been the most powerful / fastest bike made (or something like that), but that was a long time ago and a 20 year old design is missing out on a lot of modern tech. They’re also not really the sort of bike a new rider to that sort of power should jump to, even if it’s not as mental as it used to be, it’s still got a lot of poke.
Your first step needs to be to definitely get your full unrestricted licence and then start looking. Until you’re committed to passing that then you’re just window shopping and anyone can drop any bike into a list and it’ll look good. Budget matters too, as does deciding whether you can or can’t run two bikes, as that will make a huge difference on the pillion biased bike.
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