Wanted: Guys with opinions on best bike for two-up riding?

[Red39]

......2 up riding. Need a bike which would be good for weekend trips away but would also cope with 2 weeks touring in South Island (without my ass going completely numb). So.......before I make a monumental mistake and buy that ZX9 on Trade Me which I covet sooo much:love: please advise. Answers on a postcard to.....

[MSTRS]

Bandit or similar

[Subike]

Any thing built after WW2
any 4 cylinder touring bike over 750cc
any 3 cylinder touring bike over 750cc
any 2 cylinder touring bike over 750cc

Our roads are good enough to ride whatever you like ,
Fuel stops are frequent enough to not be a concern,

Why 750CC min?, pillion and gear adds weight, most 750;s and up are designed for this

the range is huge and is only limited by your wallet, the fit, and the style you like.

as for you num bum, gel pads are wonderful

[CookMySock]

If your pillion isn't used to motorcycle touring, that will be your biggest hurdle. Cue break every hour, 3-4 hours max every day, and pretty grim mouth after 4 days.

Anything with a really wide seat, and upright bars / seating. Bandit, Comet, etc.

[Red39]

Any thing built after WW2
any 4 cylinder touring bike over 750cc
any 3 cylinder touring bike over 750cc
any 2 cylinder touring bike over 750cc

Our roads are good enough to ride whatever you like ,
Fuel stops are frequent enough to not be a concern,

Why 750CC min?, pillion and gear adds weight, most 750;s and up are designed for this

the range is huge and is only limited by your wallet, the fit, and the style you like.

as for you num bum, gel pads are wonderful

Thanks Subike, very informative - maybe I just need to eat more cream buns - then I wouldn't need the gel pads:lol:

[Tigadee]

Bandit 1200 (semi-faired) or CB1300 (naked). :2thumbsup

[Ragingrob]

......2 up riding. Need a bike which would be good for weekend trips away but would also cope with 2 weeks touring in South Island (without my ass going completely numb). So.......before I make a monumental mistake and buy that ZX9 on Trade Me which I covet sooo much:love: please advise. Answers on a postcard to.....

The zx9 is a pretty great bike for 2up, plenty of power and a sizeable bike so you barely even notice that somebody's on the back. Still quite a sporty position though and from memory the pillion is a good step up on the raised seat behind you, big and comfy though.

A pillion would probably prefer a bandit/rf900 or similar I'd say.

[5150]

My personal choices would be:

RF900 for faired sports tourer (very underrated bike)

CB919 Hornet for naked weekend worrior and reasonable tourer. Both very comfortable 2 up touring bikes with plenty of power and good reliable engines. Also parts are plenty.

[Red39]

The zx9 is a pretty great bike for 2up, plenty of power and a sizeable bike so you barely even notice that somebody's on the back. Still quite a sporty position though and from memory the pillion is a good step up on the raised seat behind you, big and comfy though.

A pillion would probably prefer a bandit/rf900 or similar I'd say.

Ahem, I'm gonna be the pillion (for the forseeable future):facepalm: - but I just love the look of those bikes :drool:- might not be the most comfortable though eh.....

[Paul in NZ]

FFS - Vicki and I have regularly toured all of NZ on our 1980 Moto Guzzi LeMans that has a seat like a concrete block and the rugged reliability of the French Infantry. (no - its actually kinda reliable really - it certainly runs further than you can actually ride it)

Point is, no matter what you buy you WILL get a sore arse and you WILL NOT have enough space to carry everything you think you might need. Motorcycle touring is about triumphing over inconvenience and adversity. Funnily enough the more of that you have the more fun you might have. Buy an A100 - pack a credit card and enjoy

[Mystic13]

BMW F800, belt drive = quiet. I have one for sale with Givi side box's and top box..

When i say for sale I mean reading your post reminded me I should sell the bike. Done 50 something km's, 2006 one owner. Cheap. And very comfortable pillion seat. If interested let me know and I'll tell you the good, bad and ugly of the bike.

If you're partner/wife has pillioned before get them to check some bikes out with you.

The top box at the back is great for the pillion to feel more comfortable. My wife would fall asleep on longer trips. And we mostly did long trips. She'd sit there all day long except for when she slept. We'd time food stops with gas stops.

Another favorite was hot pool stops on the side of the road in streams etc. Whip off the bike gear, soak for an hour then on our way toastie warm.

The bike has heated grips.

As for gear we always travelled light. I think that's a good thing to learn. And carry spare plastic bags for those things you end up buying along the way. I like to have a good size front fairing for wind protection but not so much it makes the bike too heavy. So the 3/4 fairing look.

750 - 900 you get a much lighter bike. Some folks love the 270 - 300+ KG tourers. I never liked them.

Our next tourer will still be around that smaller size. The problem is finding a bike that ticks all the boxes. A shaft drive 900 would be good. I've been talking with her about using my CBR600 as our next tourer and we'd need to change the seat and do some other work to make it work.

If your partner sleeps on the back then you have two choices. A few guys will keep riding with their partner asleep. I couldn't get used to that so I'd wake her up and if need be do a stop. It's the funniest thing having this dead weight from a pillion just drop against your back usually with a small helmet knock.

Get an intercom that works, it adds to the experience of the ride in a positive way.

My wife would ride all weather through some storms, into the depths of night. She's a great pillion. Her only requirements were to stay warm, and getting food stops when needed. Our funniest ride was a short ride to Warkworth where we decided because the weather was good we'd go a little further, then further again from the next stop. 3pm at Kaitaia we decided we might as well wander to Cape Reinga. We arrived back at McDonalds Whangarei dressed in leathers at midnight needing to stuff newspaper down our leathers, me throwing on a rain coat before heading back to Auckland. I love that she loves bikes and is just crazy enough to enjoy this stuff. We only had a top box and minimal gear for a short ride that day.

[winston]

I have been looking for a new bike recelntly. Had a scorpio as a learner but as i ride from welly to taupo every weekend i wanted something better. i tried the suzuki 650, but didnt like it, so I now have a bmw 650 which is actually an 800. I made the mistake of bying the suzuki without riding enough bikes. So I rode lots of bigger bikes before i decided on the bmw. I keep finding that i come back to the smaller bikes around 200 kg, even though i am a big guy i like the smaller bikes.Maybe think about trying a few, go for lots of rieds, they got sick of me at bike shop, but in the end they sold me a good bike. my advice is try heaps of bikes first.:niceone:

[Ragingrob]

Ahem, I'm gonna be the pillion (for the forseeable future):facepalm: - but I just love the look of those bikes :drool:- might not be the most comfortable though eh.....

Go take one for a test drive and see how you feel on the back then! They are great bike, nice big engine with power through the range and I would constantly get over 300km on a tank of gas... cruising at 110kph you're only sitting at 2,500rpm or so :niceone:

I took a girl on the back from Auckland to Coromandel and back, stopped for 5mins in Kopu each way, no complaints about being uncomfortable or anything.

[Red39]

Go take one for a test drive and see how you feel on the back then! They are great bike, nice big engine with power through the range and I would constantly get over 300km on a tank of gas... cruising at 110kph you're only sitting at 2,500rpm or so :niceone:

I took a girl on the back from Auckland to Coromandel and back, stopped for 5mins in Kopu each way, no complaints about being uncomfortable or anything.

Thanks Rob......you've made it sound so good I think you've sealed my fate :-) will try and get over to red baron next week and have a look at what's there. You're a veritable mine of information ;)

[cowboyz]

I did a 1700km 2up trip round the north island and then put slicks on it and won the pmcc clubmans summer series on a ZX9R. I love my 9. Its super comfortable. Its big enough to tour on and small enough to throw around. Loads of power that can be used but also has to be respected. 180,000km on mine and its still going strong (well once I fix the brakes which are only fucked cause the bike left me behind in Higgins at manfeild) but the motor is still strong as. Anyone looking at buying a 9 for road riding or 2up riding I say go for it!

[p.dath]

Have you thought about hiring a bike you like to see what they are like?

[george formby]

Consider one of the bigger dual sports, can't get moved for them at the mo. Comfortable, tons of luggage options, more than quick enough & they handle just about any road with aplomb. As long as we stretch our legs at fuel stops, 300k's or so, the Chancellor & I can ride all day, she is actually more comfortable than I am & happy to give me a buttock rub when required.

[rastuscat]

Bandit 1200 (semi-faired) or CB1300 (naked). :2thumbsup

It's too cold to ride a bike naked just now.

[carburator]

with all my gear for living and camping out.
now im a small guy ( ok beanpole with fur attached. read 6'2 80kgs )
and the bandit is not a little bike but handles rather well except when you drop it
and thats where a bumper jack is handy to get the swine upright..

also had a yamaha xjr1200 ( naked ) US version wished id never sold that.
it crossed the states and canada three times and into europe..

like a lot of the guys have said , upright and farings make a huge difference.
you still get a numb butt, and in my case leg lock ( pins and plates ) but nz
is a small place with lots of stops

had a zx9 out for a blat, nothing wrong with them at all infact in a bike world
these days for performance and priceing we are rather spoiled..

[Red39]

Consider one of the bigger dual sports, can't get moved for them at the mo. Comfortable, tons of luggage options, more than quick enough & they handle just about any road with aplomb. As long as we stretch our legs at fuel stops, 300k's or so, the Chancellor & I can ride all day, she is actually more comfortable than I am & happy to give me a buttock rub when required.

Kinky GF. Not sure I wanted to know about your on road sexual exploits ;)

[george formby]

Kinky GF. Not sure I wanted to know about your on road sexual exploits ;)

That was in the context of the thread, our other shenanigans I keep under my hat as it were. Last time was coming back from Paeroa on the southern motorway in heavy traffic, a slight lifting out of the seat by me & a good bum rub: attracts a lot of attention.
Might even be a law against it.:(

[Big Dave]

Touring ability and passenger comfort are two of the reasons not to buy a sports bike.

[Red39]

Have you thought about hiring a bike you like to see what they are like?

Now that would make perfect sense BUT....

My Life: The result of a failure to plan

Now would be a good time to rectify that :)

[Red39]

That was in the context of the thread, our other shenanigans I keep under my hat as it were. Last time was coming back from Paeroa on the southern motorway in heavy traffic, a slight lifting out of the seat by me & a good bum rub: attracts a lot of attention.
Might even be a law against it.:(

Must be a big hat GF;)

[george formby]

Ooh, quick. What can i say, 10 gallon hat.:niceone:

[Gremlin]

Red... many bikes would generally suit your needs, until you start looking at the small details. It is good timing however, as my boss is going through the same thing right now.

He has a blackbird and a CB900. He finds the CB900 doesn't have enough wind protection and is a bit too light with the wrong weight bias, that when you stick luggage and a pillion on, it makes it a bit too arse heavy. However, we're really nitpicking, so bear this in mind. We suspect the Pilot Road 3's might be flexing too much, so they're being switched, and the luggage boxes may be affecting handling, so a different profile of box will be trialled. The CB900 is also a little more cramped than a larger tourer.

The Blackbird sorts all the issues of the Hornet, however, has a more aggressive riding position, and we suspect that then makes it a bit more difficult to handle around town, and he isn't the largest bloke.

We've come to the conclusion that a smaller lighter bike isn't that suitable, as the weight of the pillion and luggage is a larger percentage of the total weight, affecting handling more, but then he doesn't want a heavy bike that's difficult to move around town... The design intent of the bike might also want to be looked at, to see how suitable it is, but then you also have to factor in what other uses you want the bike for.

Ultimately, you have to draw up a list of the factors, such as:
- weather protection
- rider and passenger comfort
- riding position (includes ergonomics of seat-peg, seat-ground etc)
- bike weight (includes things like having to come to a stop at an angle, when you had to suddenly stop at an intersection)
- bike weight carrying capacity
- tank range
- luggage options
- ability to drop bike but still continue trip (can happen when you have all the extra weight on the bike)

The perfect bike is the one that matches your needs most closely, and as you can see, we've had a lot of fun over the last few days continually throwing thoughts into the mix and micro-analysing each aspect.

As for me, I just ride the goddamn bike, but since I'm not buying another, I'm more than happy to help him figure out which bike he wants (plus ride a few :clap:)

[Maha]

All of the list below comes complimentary of a Triumph Sprint. That's what the bike is built for.
I had an 02' and it was perfect for all the reason below, though I never dropped it.
Mine had a pillion ejecter seat.

Ultimately, you have to draw up a list of the factors, such as:
- weather protection
- rider and passenger comfort
- riding position (includes ergonomics of seat-peg, seat-ground etc)
- bike weight (includes things like having to come to a stop at an angle, when you had to suddenly stop at an intersection)
- bike weight carrying capacity
- tank range
- luggage options
- ability to drop bike but still continue trip (can happen when you have all the extra weight on the bike)

[Red39]

Ooh, quick. What can i say, 10 gallon hat.:niceone:

Maybe you should keep it under your "helmet". Much safer !!

[Zapf]

CB919 Hornet for naked weekend worrior and reasonable tourer. Both very comfortable 2 up touring bikes with plenty of power and good reliable engines. Also parts are plenty.

I am (attempting) building up a sporty & touring CB900 Hornet. I can keep you guys up to date ... if a CB900 is your thing.

[unstuck]

Toyota hiace van.:devil2::bleh:

[Red39]

Red... many bikes would generally suit your needs, until you start looking at the small details. It is good timing however, as my boss is going through the same thing right now.

As for me, I just ride the goddamn bike, but since I'm not buying another, I'm more than happy to help him figure out which bike he wants (plus ride a few :clap:)

Jeez Gremlin. You're like the best friend a gurl with a bike question could have. Lol. Wanna come test ride some for me too!! Will study your cost benefit/ power to weight ratio report in bed tonight. Cheers. You're pure dead brilliant ;)

[Road kill]

Buy a Harley Davidson ultra classic,Set the electronic cruise control,turn up the ZZ Top,fold arms lean back an relax while the riders of lesser bikes get on with their hating.:cool:

[cheshirecat]

The bike you want will come to you. It will be the right bike for the moment

[Red39]

Buy a Harley Davidson ultra classic,Set the electronic cruise control,turn up the ZZ Top,fold arms lean back an relax while the riders of lesser bikes get on with their hating.:cool:

Would rather gouge my eyes out with a teaspoon, finely slice them then lightly saute in garlic and butter and eat them than get on a Harley!

[unstuck]

The bike you want will come to you. It will be the right bike for the moment

Thats the zen'est thing I have heard all day.:2thumbsup

[Virago]

Would rather gouge my eyes out with a teaspoon, finely slice them then lightly saute in garlic and butter and eat them than get on a Harley!

So why ask for opinions? Looks like you have more than enough already...:msn-wink:

[Maha]

Would rather gouge my eyes out with a teaspoon, finely slice them then lightly saute in garlic and butter and eat them than get on a Harley!

How much are you looking to spend? (minus the garlic) I guess that will play a part in what you buy.

[FJRider]

The bike you want will come to you. It will be the right bike for the moment

You may not want it at that time though ...

You may even hate it for the whole time you own it. But ... after you sell the heap of shit that it was ... you wished you still had it. This feeling is made worse when you find out the "idiot" that bought it ... sorted the issues that you couldn't .... (Usually simply and cheaply)

And you find five examples of the same model on Trademe ... asking for a lot more $$$ and in worse condition than your's was.

[Ender EnZed]

The Blackbird sorts all the issues of the Hornet, however, has a more aggressive riding position, and we suspect that then makes it a bit more difficult to handle around town, and he isn't the largest bloke.

Thought about raising the bars?

[Road kill]

Would rather gouge my eyes out with a teaspoon, finely slice them then lightly saute in garlic and butter and eat them than get on a Harley!

No taste huh,,,that's ok you probably don't like ZZ Top either:weird:

[Gremlin]

Thought about raising the bars?
Yup, and got a special kit on the way that is more than just bar risers. The problem is we suspect that it doesn't provide enough of a fix, with the position still hunched over the bike (bearing in mind this was the hyperbike before busas, zx14 etc, that could uh... get along, so it was never designed to be an upright bike, so you also have to fix the screen etc). We'll see once the kit arrives...

[neels]

my answer to the same question was a Ducati ST, great fun when I'm by myself and comfy enough to ride all day, and mrs is happy with the rear seating arrangements. Factory panniers work good too.

[Red39]

No taste huh,,,that's ok you probably don't like ZZ Top either:weird:

Damn it....you know me so well....are you stalking me? :)

[Madness]

ZZR1100-D (from '93 onwards) is IMHO the best bang for your sub-$5k buck, I'd own another in a heartbeat.

[geoffm]

My BMW K100 was an excellent 2 up bike that could do some seroius miles in comfort. It also had the best panniers I have ever used.
Do get panniers - had luggage makes bike holidays esp 2 up) so much nicer.
Geoff

[MIXONE]

My BMW K100 was an excellent 2 up bike that could do some seroius miles in comfort. It also had the best panniers I have ever used.
Do get panniers - had luggage makes bike holidays esp 2 up) so much nicer.
Geoff

My 25 year old K75 still does the job,:niceone:

[Wannabiker]

Ducati ST or Multistrada... or something from the BMW range like R1100s

[Red39]

How much are you looking to spend? (minus the garlic) I guess that will play a part in what you buy.

Maha, probably max about 7k less $6.97 for Lurpak butter and $0.99 for garlic (only the best for frying eyeballs).....TBH I could get a turd on wheels and I'd be happy.... I just love being out riding. And since I'm originally from overseas, the more stops we have the more sights I get to see. Even though I've travelled to the very top, bottom out east and west there's so much more to see when you're on a bike and so many unexplored roads I haven't been down. Tis one big adventure :)

[nadroj]

Enjoy the ride whatever you get saddled up with! The Suzuki Bandit 1200/1250 semi faired is a good all around hunk...

[Voltaire]

I toured the SI on a 500/4 two up, and Europe on a 50 hp 750 BMW....strange how the same places now need 100HP and 1000cc to see. Hmm the day looks rather pinkish thru my glasses today...:wacko:
If I was flying in to NZ I'd just buy a $1500 K series BMW :yawn: ride it, bung it on TM for $1 reserve and fly out.

[flyingcrocodile46]

I toured the SI on a 500/4 two up, and Europe on a 50 hp 750 BMW....strange how the same places now need 100HP and 1000cc to see. Hmm the day looks rather pinkish thru my glasses today...:wacko:
If I was flying in to NZ I'd just buy a $1500 K series BMW :yawn: ride it, bung it on TM for $1 reserve and fly out.

Isn't that a little to practical an approach for todays world?;)

[Red39]

Enjoy the ride whatever you get saddled up with! The Suzuki Bandit 1200/1250 semi faired is a good all around hunk...

Thanks nadroj :) excellent advice....and thx for pm the other day....was really helpful.

[mossy1200]

MT01 is the ultra touring bike.

[nadroj]

Thanks nadroj :) excellent advice....and thx for pm the other day....was really helpful.

We will see if you can find your way to the Naki!
:scooter:

[GrayWolf]

......2 up riding. Need a bike which would be good for weekend trips away but would also cope with 2 weeks touring in South Island (without my ass going completely numb). So.......before I make a monumental mistake and buy that ZX9 on Trade Me which I covet sooo much:love: please advise. Answers on a postcard to.....

Depends on your budget and or 'ego' (must have the latest and 'greatest)..

Serious mile munchers of 'old school' FJ11/1200, RF900, CB1000F, XJ900 or 900 diversion, XJ750, GT750 shaft kwacka, Suzuki GSX1100E or F, CB1300, ZXR11/1200, XJR11/12/1300, 750 Zephyr (1100 is very thirsty), GPz900, ZX10 (late 1980's), BMW 1100/1150 boxer's or 750 brick(often quoted as the ;peach' motor on the flying brick range), BMW any 100/1100 RT/LT bricks, Yamaha TR1 (XV100 motor, road bike frame).

Somewhat newer
GPz1100 (de tuned ZZR1100 motor), ZZR1100, Blackbird, ZZR1200, FJR1300, V-Strom, BMW GS11/1150/1200.

[Laava]

4 pages and we are still on topic and no-one has tossed their toys yet? That has got to be a miracle! Lady comes along asking the boys for their opinions and people respond like grownups? Bring back Skid/bastard or whatever it's name was!
Oh and good luck with the bike hon, you prolly can't go far wrong on trade me!
My opinion? I tour on a DL and love it!

[pritch]

The OP got the thread title a bit wrong. Guys? She shoulda asked the passengers most of whom will be ladies.

Pillion comfort is waaay down the list of design priorities for a sprot bike. So while you might like a CBR, ZX, etc, it would be borderline delusional to think of it as comfortable for a pillion. Knees up round their ears, on a seat the size of a postage stamp. Comfortable? Yeah right!

When I had a regular passenger the Hornet 919 won first prize in the pillion comfort stakes. Better seat than a sports bike, more leg room than a CB1300. And she did get to try virtually the whole Honda range.

I was a bit worried about the length of the seat on the Triumph but I'm told by a tester that it's OK.
( Provided the pillion has not got an oversize derriere?)

[GrayWolf]

The OP got the thread title a bit wrong. Guys? He shoulda asked the passengers most of whom will be ladies.

Pillion comfort is waaay down the list of design priorities for a sprot bike. So while you might like a CBR, ZX, etc, it would be borderline delusional to think of it as comfortable for a pillion. Knees up round their ears, on a seat the size of a postage stamp. Comfortable? Yeah right!

When I had a regular passenger the Hornet 919 won first prize in the pillion comfort stakes. Better seat than a sports bike, more leg room than a CB1300. And she did get to try virtually the whole Honda range.

I was a bit worried about the length of the seat on the Triumph but I'm told by a tester that it's OK.
( Provided the pillion has not got an oversize derriere?)

Absolutely agree Pritch,
the Pillion often SWMBO, has a critical input for a touring bike. From my own experience I KNOW the bikes I've owned that prerequisite was, she HAD to be comfortable; filled the requirements. Strangely the ZZR1100 is far more comfortable than the FJ1200 according to her, (the seat doesnt have that 'tip toward the front) Depends on what the OP likes riding, I found two of the cruisers I owned were the MOST comfortable for her,, The XV1100 Virago, looks like a tarts boudioure, but the pillion accomodation is plush, and a Moto Guzzi California 1100, again a big wide full sized pillion seat...

... Now as she has her own bike, I can look after MY requirements.. hence an MT-01.