Best Combination 1-Up AND 2-Up bike?

[SWriverstone]

Ok...now THINK CAREFULLY! This is not a "Best bike for 2-up riding" poll.

Imagine a scenario in which you will buy a bike that will be used exactly 50% of the time for solo riding, and 50% of the time for 2-up riding.

So the bike must offer fun/performance/comfort/etc. for BOTH modes of riding. And think about the pillion—I suspect most STNers are tempted to  choose based on how the bike rides solo since that's what most of us do most of the time...DON'T DO THAT! Remember, in our hypothetical scenario, 2-up comfort is JUST AS IMPORTANT...not an afterthought. So keep pillion comfort and roominess in mind.

Scott

[Sport-Touring]

[scottzilla]

You know me-simple!
The answer is: Whichever bike your passenger likes best.  The passenger accomodations are the determining factor.

Thanks you using bold type so we don't miss any important words.

[chornbe]

Ok...now THINK CAREFULLY! This is not a "Best bike for 2-up riding" poll.

Imagine a scenario in which you will buy a bike that will be used exactly 50% of the time for solo riding, and 50% of the time for 2-up riding.

So the bike must offer fun/performance/comfort/etc. for BOTH modes of riding. And think about the pillion—I suspect most STNers are tempted to  choose based on how the bike rides solo since that's what most of us do most of the time...DON'T DO THAT! Remember, in our hypothetical scenario, 2-up comfort is JUST AS IMPORTANT...not an afterthought. So keep pillion comfort and roominess in mind.

Scott

I'd suggest a 50/50 split between the Strom-1k and the FJR, based on your available choices.

However, Jamie is a rather thin woman, and will likely be able to find some comfort on many bikes, where as... ahem... perhaps more matronly ladies may be more limited.

*edit*

I guess, since the FJR and C14 are so similar, that's actually a 33/33/33 split between the three.

[Skee]

Whichever bike you and your passenger like best.  

There, I fixed it for you.  

[bonnieboomer]

Pillion was very fond of the 1200GS until a C14 with heated Corbins followed me home one day.

I prefer riding with her on the C14, possibly because of the extra weight [the bike, not her] compared to the BMW.

Mr. Pollster: why no R1200RT? That's a tougher call wrt the C14, since I'm hooked on electric windscreens. And no way is the C14 an FJR clone!

bonnieboomer

[Yankee Dog]

Buell Ulysses.  The missus finds it as comfy as my old R1150RT, and the bags are the biggest in the businees.  I find it handles much better, lighter and has more umpf.  although adimittedly it could use about 20 more of those umpfs.  

Yankee Dog

[SWriverstone]

Maybe a better way to pose the question is...which bike offers tons of passenger room and comfort...but still feels the most flickable for solo riding?

Scott

[Cablebandit]

Meh, why bother?  Once the new kid is here, no more riding for you.  

Might as well sell the Strom and buy a Toyota Swagger Wagon.



That being said, I'm voting C14 or FJR.  We both know people who ride them like maniacs and tour with the misses as well on them.

[Scratch33]

Once the new kid is here, no more riding for you.  

Go to your room.  NOW.

[Rincewind]

The new Triumph Sprint GT looks like it will split the middle pretty well, and has some good pillion-comfort advancements over the last generation Sprint.

[Cablebandit]

Good point.  The new Sprint may be a good candidate.  The old one sucked as far as I'm concerned.  The underseat exhaust cooked your legs and ass after about 15 minutes.  Also the passenger section appeared to be an afterthought.  I think the new GT has addressed both of these shortcomings.

[chornbe]

Maybe a better way to pose the question is...which bike offers tons of passenger room and comfort...but still feels the most flickable for solo riding?

Scott

Uly XT. Hands down.

[Snowbird]

Futura. No contest.... even after other manufacturers have had nine years to come up with something better.

[birdrunner]

ZX14, CBR1100, ZZR1200, Busa etc etc  as long as you get an aftermarket seat, and upgrade the suspension.


What can I say,  my pillion likes to go FAST.

[KLRchickie]

Her Own Bike.....

'Nuff Said

[Snowbird]

Persistent rumors indicate a new V-4 Futura may be coming.

[chornbe]

Her Own Bike.....

'Nuff Said

I like this answer.

I'm battling the 2-up comfort thing as we speak.

[birdrunner]

Her Own Bike.....

'Nuff Said

What happens when, no matter how much experience she (he) has, your riding styles are not compatible.    

Waiting for your partner to catch up gets old after a while.  I've been in several groups where I'm riding faster 2-up than other members of the group.  ( Not normal,  but it does happen)

[KLRchickie]

  Zed doesn't mind waiting for me.  I'm not a slowpoke or a speed demon - he knows the sort of roads I'll keep up on, & the ones he'll wait for a few minutes after enjoying the twisties at his own pace.  I'm afraid I have no advice for folks who can't find the compromise to enjoy riding together. 

We have *both* hated the very few times I have ridden on the back - it only happens when a bike breaks or maybe if one needs to be dropped off/picked up somewhere.  Just no fun for us.

[birdrunner]

  Zed doesn't mind waiting for me.  I'm not a slowpoke or a speed demon - he knows the sort of roads I'll keep up on, & the ones he'll wait for a few minutes after enjoying the twisties at his own pace.  I'm afraid I have no advice for folks who can't find the compromise to enjoy riding together. 

We have *both* hated the very few times I have ridden on the back - it only happens when a bike breaks or maybe if one needs to be dropped off/picked up somewhere.  Just no fun for us.

If Colleen ends up riding at your type of pace, I'd be VERY happy.  It may be a mute point as she's in no hurry to retake her course.

Fortunately the XX has been resprung to accomodate our "Middle Aged" weight.  which makes a HUGE difference in the enjoyment level.

[KLRchickie]

Fortunately the XX has been resprung to accomodate our "Middle Aged" weight.  which makes a HUGE difference in the enjoyment level.

I am positive that makes a *huge* difference.  Suspension setup is key for one, let alone two!  Most of our bikes have had some mods to get them set up right.  The two things for me that make the back of a bike NOT the place to be are that I don't care for the constant view of the back of Zed's helmet & I like to be in control  (Control freak?  Who, me?)

At the end of the day though - it is all about enjoying yourselves

[birdrunner]

I was hoping you'd say, "What middle aged weight".

Damn reality is cruel.

[KLRchickie]

I was hoping you'd say, "What middle aged weight".

Damn reality is cruel.

 
You've met me - you think I'd be that nice?!

[birdrunner]

stranger things have happened








somewhere










somehow





uh,  oh forget it.

[BigBird]

This is a NO BRAINER.   Answer is a Traxxionized GL1800A.  

I don't understand why folks are so willing to give up passenger (and rider) comfort and luxury and luggage space for what???   One of these machines will hang with pretty much any sport tourer solo or 2 up.  They are a little larger BUT so what?  

[bassjones]

This is a NO BRAINER.   Answer is a Traxxionized GL1800A.  

I don't understand why folks are so willing to give up passenger (and rider) comfort and luxury and luggage space for what???   One of these machines will hang with pretty much any sport tourer solo or 2 up.  They are a little larger BUT so what?  

I found the operator accommodations very cramped. Keep in mind I'm 6'6" tall, but my knees were up against the fairing, and I could not get comfortable on it. Now the Connie, on the other hand was plenty roomy and will likely be my next bike.

[aj7840]

The last new bike was decided by how she liked the ride
The bikes tried to replace the R1100RS and her comments
ST1200/1300 - she said  I don't like the seat, and "it's too big"
FJR - its OK,
FZ1 - too high up, why can't you keep the front wheel down
the was no Connie 14 at the time
BMW R12RT its OK, more room than the FJR
BMW K12GT its very good, doesn't seem to be working to carry us both
Goldwing - it's too big
BMW LT - it's too big
Harley's - not in her life time

Wife prefers to ride with me if it's more than 30 minutes to where we are going, otherwise she will take the Ducati

[coucours grad]

ST1300 was the only one the wife could get comfortable on that I would drive.


   Except the Aprilia Futura.......But I was looking for a new bike.

[da28]

I wanna try a Ducati MTS 1200

[CanadianBird]

CBR1100XX BlackBird. Penske remote on the rear, Ohlins, RaceTec front, Corbin GFL with back rest for wife. Three Givi hard bags for stuff. Comfort, speed, good looking.

[GRN]

The new Triumph Sprint GT looks like it will split the middle pretty well, and has some good pillion-comfort advancements over the last generation Sprint.

The ST set a pretty low bar in that regard... my wife, who is no stranger to long days on pillion, referred to it as "that fucking thing" forever more after our one 200 mile, 2 up run on my '06.

Of everything I have had, my '04 ST13 (not included in poll???) was probably the best for a balance of both, the current GSX1250 is pretty good too.

[Prozac]

Our Uly fits that bill.  Most comfortable stock seat I have ever had the pleasure to sit on and set up perfectly for both 1 and 2-up riding.  First bike that the wife has told me she was upset that the ride was already over after putting in her first 300 mile day.