Pillion on a harley

**sunhuntin** · 2nd June 2009, 09:41

Originally Posted by Snails pace

Thanks for all the replies guys. I might have to go check out a few. My only concern is I'm not a bike washer. Change oils etc no problem i enjoy that, but getting a bucket and rag is a different story. Have yet to see a dirty Harley. Is it written into the contract that one must polish the chrome

Many thanks again.

get ya mrs to clean it!

my ex had two deckers... it was my "job" [self imposed] to polish them up after every ride. and i did, without fail. he had an old panhead in the basement which hadnt seen the light of day for many years. i nagged him into getting it out and spent a week cleaning it [fucking cold it was too... damn concrete floors] but that pan came out looking brand new by the time i was done. his other bike was a custom painted shovel... fuck that was a sexy bike and my favourite of the two. its amazing how you are willing to lose sleep if it means going out riding till 3am or so, lol.

as for sissy bar... it all depends on the size of your pillion. im on the large side, and wouldnt feel safe with a small sissy bar. i liked the deckers cos the tour paks made me feel more secure and i didnt have to lean forward onto the rider to try and keep my weight off the back.

go to supercheap and get a tin of brite shine... its in a fluro yellow tin and is a wadding material with cleaner. lasts forever if you keep the lid on it... even used bits can be reused until they turn black, lol. that stuff can clean anything including melted boots from exhaust pipes and chain grease from the rear wheel.

**Horse** · 2nd June 2009, 17:51

Originally Posted by Snails pace

Have yet to see a dirty Harley. Is it written into the contract that one must polish the chrome

Ask anyone who's seen mine. I'd rather ride it than wash it.

The hidden secret of chrome is that from a distance all you see is the shiny and you don't realise how filthy the bike really is.

And for pillion comfort, my Ultra Classic. Check my profile. But you said you don't want a bagger - fair enough, but you should test ride one anyway, you might be surprised.

**Headbanger** · 2nd June 2009, 18:44

I wash mine at least yearly, No way in hell I'd want the Mrs to do it, Nor would she, She has plenty on her plate already. Washing my shit ain't her problem.

As for pillions, Never had an issue, The bikes themselves don't even notice the second person, never had a sissy bar on the bike though I do have one on the shelf, I asked Mrs Headbanger if she wanted it fitted and she wasn't concerned.

**rosie631** · 2nd June 2009, 18:55

I have an FXD and it's bloody uncomfortable on the back. But then the seat's not really ideal for a pillion. I would say it's all to do with what seat you put on. And the sissy bar would help. Don't have one of those either. But then I'm not really interested in pillioning anymore. Putting a single seat with removeable pillion pad on as soon as I can afford it.

**scumdog** · 2nd June 2009, 18:55

Originally Posted by Snails pace

Thanks for all the replies guys. I might have to go check out a few. My only concern is I'm not a bike washer. Change oils etc no problem i enjoy that, but getting a bucket and rag is a different story. Have yet to see a dirty Harley. Is it written into the contract that one must polish the chrome

Many thanks again.

Get an FXDX with matte-black engine/trans etc.

Easy to wash and a squirt on silicone spray make it look new again.

**Headbanger** · 2nd June 2009, 21:26

Originally Posted by rosie631

I have an FXD and it's bloody uncomfortable on the back. But then the seat's not really ideal for a pillion. .

Looking at the bike pic on your profile I'd agree, that isn't a pillion seat, That's a contoured piece of foam someone may sit on if they want to kill their arse while sliding off the bike.

**cc rider** · 3rd June 2009, 01:30

Originally Posted by peasea

It depends on two things really, the size/weight of your pillion and what you're prepared to do to the bike you buy if things don't work out.

I agree with PC here. There are variables.

I've been riding pillion on the same Shovel, for, forever.
It's a '79 FX Lowrider, Progressive Suspension shocks, sissy bar - cause I tend to sleep on the back of it(only place I can). Gives a really good vibration, too. Contour seat - I don't get blown around.
Only other HDs I ride on are customs. Too $$$ that road. So I've been of no use have I.
Haha, forgot to say - travelled all over on it, only household transport 'til recent, comfy, ass intact

You'll just have to take heaps of bikes out for test rides. Damn!

Goodluck.

**rosie631** · 3rd June 2009, 08:11

Originally Posted by Headbanger

Looking at the bike pic on your profile I'd agree, that isn't a pillion seat, That's a contoured piece of foam someone may sit on if they want to kill their arse while sliding off the bike.

Heh heh, can't argue with you there.

**brentmc** · 3rd June 2009, 20:04

Ive had one or two old tractors over the past years and me being the smaller framed bloke of only 115kg

one thing i can tell you is the softail (fxst) i had was no good in the shockee area, i now have a dyna (fxdwg) and i wouldn't look back now.

**peasea** · 3rd June 2009, 20:36

Originally Posted by brentmc

Ive had one or two old tractors over the past years and me being the smaller framed bloke of only 115kg

one thing i can tell you is the softail (fxst) i had was no good in the shockee area, i now have a dyna (fxdwg) and i wouldn't look back now.

Doesn't it have mirrors?

**6ft5** · 3rd June 2009, 22:41

I know you don't like the look of the Road King but I think you should try one. Mine has a Mustang seat and a sissy bar. Pillion riding is a dream, the person on the back finds it really a pleasure and isn't waiting to come off. Have not had a problem with the ground clearance.

Suggest you have a go, you will be really surprised !

**Snails pace** · 4th June 2009, 07:15

Originally Posted by 6ft5

I know you don't like the look of the Road King but I think you should try one. Mine has a Mustang seat and a sissy bar. Pillion riding is a dream, the person on the back finds it really a pleasure and isn't waiting to come off. Have not had a problem with the ground clearance.

Suggest you have a go, you will be really surprised !

I might just do that. They just give me a sense of clutter. I prefer clean lines, not naked so much, just clean lines. But until I ride a few!! The super glide sport is really pulling my chain at the mo. But until I have ridden one who can say.

**crazyhorse** · 4th June 2009, 07:21

Originally Posted by Snails pace

Am tossing round the idea of getting a harley to compliment my v strom. Question is, in your opinion, what models are the best for a pillion? You can forget the road king and electraglide as they do not pull my chain. Quite like the look of the FXST softail, FXDWG dyna wide glide and FXDXT super glide sport. Any thoughts appreciated on the above models or any others similar. thanks

Attach a sidecar....... LOL

**sunhuntin** · 4th June 2009, 07:56

Originally Posted by 6ft5

I know you don't like the look of the Road King but I think you should try one. Mine has a Mustang seat and a sissy bar. Pillion riding is a dream, the person on the back finds it really a pleasure and isn't waiting to come off. Have not had a problem with the ground clearance.

Suggest you have a go, you will be really surprised !

out of glenns bikes, the pan was the only one i wasnt fond of riding. for one, it had a really narrow seat. like, there was no room between glenns back and my front. felt really clamped. and the other reason was it had speed wobbles from when he wrecked it, which freaked me right on corners. ruined my favourite corner after that. still... it got some looks when we took it to rallys, lol.

the shovel... only reason i was desperate to get off that was if i was tired or cold, which was often the case given he was the worst night owl ive ever known, lol.