What to do....

[evilmedic13]

Sounds like she won't be a long haul passenger for awhile. If she likes short rides take her on short rides, is it because of the bike or some medical/body issues?
  Those questions go a long way towards helping you out. The GT's are fun, but your Gixxer will walk away from my FJR unless the other has no clue, which I don't think is the case here. My wife loves the feej so much she actually helped me w/ the rebuild when she didn't have much time, once she got some extra time she was chomping at the bit to get it rolling. She even helped me install the SSbrake lines and bled the clutch after all that .
  Before you get a new/different "couples" bike make sure the bike would be the difference or has her passion for the ride changed w/ the family size? Just my .02, hope it all gets better(especially the IRS part). Congrats on continuing on after losing the little one, most couples aren't strong enough for that kinda test.

[zzr pilot]

I am very sorry for your loss.

You were asking how the bigger GT type bikes handle, check the pictures in this link for the answer!!!  Not to blow my own horn, but these things do handle and will more than "hang with a 600" on the street in the right hands.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,7882.0.html

[joema]

Maybe the cheapest thing would be keep the GSXR, but add a more comfortable passenger seat, plus peg lowering kit for the passenger. Do those exist for the GSXR?

[ridetherejk]

Sorry to hear about all the crap you and your wife have had to deal with. Sometimes life just sucks. As for your bike question, you have to ask both you and her, what will make US happy. I can't answer that and no one else can either. If you're not happy, she won't be either. I can tell you this, when my girlfriend had a stroke and couldn't ride her own bike, I was ready to sell my BMW GS for a LT or Goldwing. Whatever she wanted. However, she didn't want me to do that because she knew I loved to ride that thing. After talking it over with her, she knew I would rather ride a "moped" with her, then a GS without her. After we started looking, she decided she wanted to get a sidecar rig. For us, that is what worked. Just remember, if you're not happy, she won't be either. I hope life paves a smoother road for you and yours.  John

[cbsnbiker]

Here's my recommendation: sit down with your wife, and do some brainstorming:

• Would you do more riding if you had a different kind of bike?
• Would your wife go for more rides with you if she were more comfortable, or is her heart really not in it?
• If she would go for more rides if she were more comfortable, what would help her be more comfortable?
  • An aftermarket seat?
  • Something else? If so, what?
  • A new bike? If so, what kind of bike?
• What can the two of you afford?

Honest, heartfelt answers to these questions may help guide you towards the right decision.

[Bodhi]

I think it's perfect justification to get a second bike - so the squeeze can ride pillion for charity rides.

[Publius]

Just read through Wayland's story. My heartfelt condolences to you, from one who understands:  http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/b.asp?band_id=30324

My condolences to you also… Before our loss I had no idea how common these things happen.  After we lost our son people all around us started sharing their stories. I guess it is just too hard to talk about unless it is to someone who has been there. You can never really move on, but you have to move forward.





As far as the handling question, I don’t have to be the fastest guy out there and don’t plan on riding too fast with a passenger. One of the guys I ride with occasionally has a 305hp busa and can drag his knee, so I am not even going to try. It is all about doing the type of riding you like while staying within your skill level.  I see people on 1000s revving the engine and burning the tire but when they go to turn out of a parking lot they have to duck paddle to get out. There are a few good roads around here but mostly there are long sweepers. It’s Florida; most people don’t even need a kick stand because the tire is so flat in the center.  

The charity ride this Saturday starts at a dealership. Maybe we can sit on a couple different bikes and see what she thinks.  If anything, maybe I can talk her into paying the gixxer off early so we can get a bike for us. If I do that I will have to probably let her pick the bike. She is a Jake Zemke fan so she will probably try to talk me into a Honda. I ask her flat out if she liked riding and she said yes. She doesn’t really have many hobbies so I think she could get into it.