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

[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).

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.

[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 )

[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.

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.