i have a monster now, but the little lady misses riding with me (we tried two up on my monster, that SUCKED) she has given me the thumbsup to get a second motorcycle so that we can ride together in comfort.
Any ideas what is a good bike for two up rides? Not so much a super touring bike since we wont go for marathon runs, just something good enough to go for a good days ride together in comfort, maybe something with some hard bags on the side. And for me, i wouldnt mind it if it was a little sporty....
I was thinking maybe a BMW? Maybe a honda of somesort......and god please dont say a goldwing.....
If you wanna stay in the Duc family, check out the ST line.
Quote from: Rameses on August 20, 2008, 10:23:27 PM
If you wanna stay in the Duc family, check out the ST line.
+1 A couple I rode with last weekend had one and they loved it. She logged prolly 1000 miles on the backseat over the weekend and was all smiles last I saw her.
Quote from: SaltLick on August 20, 2008, 10:02:08 PM
i have a monster now, but the little lady misses riding with me (we tried two up on my monster, that SUCKED) she has given me the thumbsup to get a second motorcycle so that we can ride together in comfort.
Any ideas what is a good bike for two up rides? Not so much a super touring bike since we wont go for marathon runs, just something good enough to go for a good days ride together in comfort, maybe something with some hard bags on the side. And for me, i wouldnt mind it if it was a little sporty....
I was thinking maybe a BMW? Maybe a honda of somesort......and god please dont say a goldwing.....
i am just going through the same thing, except she said it has to be a cruiser. i've been checking out the honda shadows, looks like a great bike for the price.
What didn't you like about the Monster? The only reason I ask is I'm buying the DP gel seat for me and hopefully it will help the GF.
the seat should help, it's just the seating position for my wife; she gets tired quick. but of course i have clipons and i lean foward a bit.
I have the same problem, have my eyes on a used ST4 and after riding the bike must now make plans for the nesseccary finances.
The ST is a monster with clothes and a more relaxed riding position [thumbsup]
hayabusa ;D
The DP gel seat is totally egocentric and only works on 3 hours +
I would suggest the Sport Classic GT 1000
Looks way cooler than the ST, but I have no long distance experience with two people anyway...yet
I love my Honda Shadow for taking the lady out on...I took her on the Duc once, smashed my nuts at every stop, turned around, switched bikes....I'm taking the passenger pegs off soon.
FJR
1 up, 2 up fast, slow, twisties, interstate... Makes no matter, just gobbles it all up and comes looking for more.
And it has a 26,000 mile valve adj interval.
I love my Monster for trashing around town and taking off for the odd ride, but for 2 up and any sort of distance, you can't beat the FJR.
Try a Multi Strada [thumbsup]
So, I don't know how everyone rides two up but something I took away from the ride on back of Freddie Spencer's bike during the class is I have my GF have her hands on the tank and during the stops she doesn't slide into me.
Maybe it's a self preservation thing ;D we both benefit form me not slamming my boys into the tank [thumbsup]
Quote from: Carman on August 21, 2008, 07:06:57 AM
So, I don't know how everyone rides two up but something I took away from the ride on back of Freddie Spencer's bike during the class is I have my GF have her hands on the tank and during the stops she doesn't slide into me.
Maybe it's a self preservation thing ;D we both benefit form me not slamming my boys into the tank [thumbsup]
Genius! I don't need the cup anymore!
Buell Ulysses XT. Say what you will about Buells, this bike has been very good so far. Handles very nice, good power, lots of storage in the hard luggage, and it eats up the miles. My wife and I have done 500+ mile days with no problem. She told me that she almost fell asleep on the back during one ride. It is that comfortable, passenger wise. Definitely has a personality all it's own, but so does my Monster.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/vortiron/08_Buell_XB12XT_Front_Left_3-4.jpg)
get a sbk.... take her for a ride.
the monster will magically become comfortable
Quote from: Carman on August 20, 2008, 10:39:54 PM
What didn't you like about the Monster? The only reason I ask is I'm buying the DP gel seat for me and hopefully it will help the GF.
I got the DP gel seat and my wife finds it very comfortable - the longest ride we have done so far is 200 miles.
Quote from: bobspapa on August 21, 2008, 07:42:31 AM
get a sbk.... take her for a ride.
the monster will magically become comfortable
get a mono and throw her on. she'll be begging for the monster
Honda shadow-nice bike/price etc etc.
Quote from: invisible monster on August 21, 2008, 07:30:16 AM
Buell Ulysses XT. Say what you will about Buells, this bike has been very good so far. Handles very nice, good power, lots of storage in the hard luggage, and it eats up the miles. My wife and I have done 500+ mile days with no problem. She told me that she almost fell asleep on the back during one ride. It is that comfortable, passenger wise. Definitely has a personality all it's own, but so does my Monster.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/vortiron/08_Buell_XB12XT_Front_Left_3-4.jpg)
That's a good looking bike.
I too am looking for a 3rd bike, more of a tour bike for the wifie. My heart is set ont the BMW R1200RT. I think this is the bike for me, but my only concern is it came out in '05. I think it's due for a revamp and I don't want to buy now when '09 is around the corner.
But that Buell is a good looking bike...
Aprilia RST1000
Concours 14
Quote from: ICON on August 21, 2008, 10:53:50 AM
That's a good looking bike.
I too am looking for a 3rd bike, more of a tour bike for the wifie. My heart is set ont the BMW R1200RT. I think this is the bike for me, but my only concern is it came out in '05. I think it's due for a revamp and I don't want to buy now when '09 is around the corner.
The guy I just bought my Hyper from also has a Beemer R1200RT. I think he said it's an '06. He absolutely loves it and said he's looking at trading it in on a new one.
[wine] Triumph Sprint ST is a great bike for 2 up. Sporty for you Comfortable for the wife. And that 3 cylinder engine is super. Good luck on your choice.
Gramps [popcorn]
Multistrada or ST if you are tall enough to flat foot it. I have a Multi and find it very good two-up, with the Givi case/backrest the passenger would be in heaven. I put a few hundred on a softail two-up this summer and the Multi is way better. Go to a dealership and look at some bikes, have the salesman roll the bike out and get on it and then let the wife/girlfriend get on. You'll know right away if it is what you want.
thanks guys, im seriously looking at getting the Buell Ulysses XT, been reading alot of good reviews on it. Will have to take the wife down to sit on it and see what she thinks. Thanks for all the replies.
Last summer I was in the same situation... my gf was keen to do more riding and a few weekend trips but we were severely limited by the Monster. I ended up with an '07 ST3s after a brief and very disappointing stint with an '05 BMW K1200GT. My girlfriend is totally thrilled with the ST. Comfy pillion seat and great wind protection. She's fallen asleep back there on longer highway trips. I love it for riding solo as it's deceptively fast and agile while still comfortable. I've had it totally loaded 2-up and with gear and still bombed through the twisties at a near-sportbike pace. It's been on the track and, while it's by no means a true sport bike, it did admirably. I strongly recommend you give an ST a try before you make a decision.. it's a terrific sport tourer and great all-rounder. And it's a Ducati.
[thumbsup]
Quoteim seriously looking at getting the Buell Ulysses XT
There is a lot of good Ulysses info on BadWeb (look in Big Bad and Dirty) and Adventure Rider (under Beasts) if you haven't already found them. You could also shoot me a PM with any specific questions. Just for fun, here's a pic of my wife and me on Teton Scenic Byway this year on the way back home from SBK in Salt Lake.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/vortiron/resizebuell.jpg)
Quote from: ArguZ on August 21, 2008, 02:45:26 AM
I would suggest the Sport Classic GT 1000
[thumbsup] I agree on this one. I test rode this one at motocorsa last summer.... very comfy two up... and still fun to ride. Makes all the Harley guys jealous too. I would have gotten one, and kept my monster, but instead I got the 848 and the SV... now it may be a long time before I get the third bike.... so I bought the wifey a Ninja 250... now we don't have to ride two up. Of couse she still has to get comfortable riding on her own.
Oh... and as a point of reference... the Monster is way more happy two up than the 848. [bang]
neighbor has a FJR....it's a nice bike!
I've always thought that the old Aprilia Futura were pretty sweet. I know they don't make them any more though
maybe the honda VFR?
Quote from: ArguZ on August 21, 2008, 02:45:26 AM
I would suggest the Sport Classic GT 1000
Looks way cooler than the ST,
What are you smoking? That must be some good sh!t.
BTW, my wife has logged over 470 miles of mountain twisty fun on the back of my ST2 with the stock seat, dragging hard parts, and scrubbing the rubber off the tires. ;D
Yea, What he said. ;D
LA
For more info on the ST's, also check this thread: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=9486.0
Moto Guzzi California Vintage
http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/Nuovi_modelli/californiavint/specifiche.asp?modello=californiavint&%20pagina=spec
Check this month's Cycle World
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/dbrancaccio/SL2b0YQd4PI/AAAAAAAAAeA/y1n6XMT4YWQ/s800/Guzzi.JPG)
(not to mention the fear generated in the minds of the cagers as you overtake [evil])
I'm picturing Eric Estrada [laugh]
If you're going 2 up, go 2 up in style:
K1200LT
(http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/images/bikes/k1200lt/overview_photos/night_black.gif)
If that's too big for you, try a slightly smaller BMW:
760Li
(http://resource.bmwusa.com/Image_01142b7f-7385-4064-b10b-b698c599f561_@758x335.arox)
In all seriousness, the SS was a fairly decent 2 up bike. Judy claims to have been more comfortable on the back of that than the GS (alot to do with pillion altitude.)
Do look at the ST's.
The Multi is a lot more comfortable than the ST.
BMW R1200GS or 1200GS Adventure.. awesome engine, very easy to ride, extremely comfy, can do a real huge amount of miles per tank if you're easy on the throttle and the aluminum luggage is simply huge!
The smaller bro - 800GS is equally good, weighs less, goes just as fast and is cheaper is also great for pillion comfort.
Pluses on the 1200GS - no chain to oil, uses mineral oil, cheap servicing, you have to do something really really stupid to drop the bike, looks hard, resale value is always better than japanese equivalents.
The BMW R1200RT is another great pillion bike.
You CAN do anything with these bikes. I'd highly recommend one.