Made it to Paeroa, but...

[Edbear]

the Missus has put her foot down...!:

Only her second ride with me since finally getting her back on pillion after 30 years and she says she's not coming with me again!

.....until I get a bigger bike....


The 600 hardly notices her on the back but she reckons it's too cramped and uncomfortable for any distance work. Especially as she has now had a go on a mates C90T and on Sunday hitched a ride to the races on a Valkyrie! Bliss for her bum, she reckoned!

Now you may say she just needs to get used to it again and harden up a bit, but she's not as young as she was.. and wants comfort over performance these days, so as upset as I am at having to buy a new bike... it looks like a cruiser is on the shopping list.

A mate of my Bro-in-Law has a tidy "98 1400 Intruder which he wants to sell in a month or so to buy a Harley now that my said Bro-in-Law and his brother have a Softail each. It's only got 18,000km on it and he's only talking around $7k for it. The pic shows it's a nice colour and the wife sat on it and pronounced it quite comfy!

Otherwise was thinking a new VTX1300 or C90. I like the big nakeds, esp the CB1300 and GSX1400 but she's sold on cruisers and if iMama's happy then I'm gonna be happy, eh?

So if anyone is thinking along the lines of a GSX600F, I will reluctantly sell it as, "No you can't keep it and have a cruiser as well!" Got too many vehicles to fit in the garage as it is and Rego/Ins etc. adds up! The 600 has just clicked over 42k and is in tidy nick though could do with a new chain about now. I'll put it on the bike trader section.

PS. Paeroa was fantastic! But had to call a locksmith as I broke the key and of course I have a spare for every vehicle except...

[NinjaNanna]

Stating the obvious I know, but send her off to get her license and buy her her own bike!!!!! Win win for the two of you

[Edbear]

Stating the obvious I know, but send her off to get her license and buy her her own bike!!!!! Win win for the two of you

Yeah, that's option 2! Maybe a bit further down the track? She'd like one but for long distance likes to be pillion as our friends' all ride two-up. I like having her on the back, too, she's a great pillion!

[Indiana_Jones]

Dude, you should of got a bonnie!

-Indy

[scracha]

the Missus has put her foot down...!:

Only her second ride with me since finally getting her back on pillion after 30 years and she says she's not coming with me again!

.....until I get a bigger bike....

Mine said the same. Actually, I'm with her on that as the VFR is a bloody cramped wee thing for me on the front. Before you settle down to cruiserdom try some of the dual sports bikes like TDM's and DL650's/1000's. Armchair like comfort, good fairings, handle OK and a good turn of speed. The nekkid retro's like the ZRX1100's also look quite comfy. Most important thing for the pillions is the seat to peg height. You can always add hand-guards and padding to a seat.

[Disco Dan]

the Missus has put her foot down...!:
.....until I get a bigger bike....

The 600 hardly notices her on the back but she reckons it's too cramped and uncomfortable for any distance work.

oh dear! take her back and get a refund!

That bike loves pillions! Shame to hear you sell your bike mate!

...got any parts ya dont want?


PS - my key ring looks identical... even the red one for the box

[timorang]

Hi, I am interested in the Intruder if you don't want it. I have had one before and wish I hadn't sold it. You should note that unless you and your young lady are small the intruder may be a bit tight two up because they are not a large bike ergonomically, plus the range is not great as the tank is small. but I liked it for the occassional cruise by myself. You can PM me. thx. tim.

[BarBender]

Go for the GSX 1400 and some pillion handles Edbear.You have to have fun too!!!

[avgas]

i hear that Edbear - i've been considering a soft second bike to just go for a cruise with the misses not moaning.
But then again - my plan of having her riding within 6 months is rolling in motion now

[pritch]

[QUOTE=scracha;942440] Most important thing for the pillions is the seat to peg height. QUOTE]

Definitely important, and my test pillion pronounced the Hornet as being the most comfortable compared to VTR, CB1300, Blackbird, CBR1000RR. Her preference apparently largely attributed to the leg room.

The CB1300 is more cramped because of the location of the exhast pipe, the Blackbird is probably similar.

Her second choice was the VFR.

The Goldwing was more comfortable but not to her liking and she hasn't tried the STX.

[SDU]

And the bad news is......

There are heaps of other very comfy options out there if you don't want a cruiser. Just test ride a few with her on the back to widen the range of choices.
A lot of BMW & Guzzi (lemans, stones & Cali) pillions I know rave about their comfy rides.

[vifferman]

My wife thought the VTR was OK until we test-rode the VFR, when she coerced me into buying it!
She finds it OK, comfort-wise, but any discomfort is an excuse to stop for a break, have a coffee, take photos, that sort of thing. For her, the journey's a much less important thing than where we're going, what we see/do on the way, and spending quality time with me.
That reminds me - we haven't been on a ride since last Easter. Must pull my finger out and organise summat...

And the bad news is......

There are heaps of other very comfy options out there if you don't want a cruiser. Just test ride a few with her on the back to widen the range of choices.
A lot of BMW & Guzzi (lemans, stones & Cali) pillions I know rave about their comfy rides.

I think the key is to look at the seat size and shape, and the relationship between the seat and pillion footpegs.
I know cruisers have comfy seats, but it seems a bit crazy buying a bike just for that reason, when you can get the seat customised for $500. As long as the footpegs aren't too high/close to the seat, then you should be able to find a 'standard', sportsbike or sport-tourer that isn't a pain in the arse for Her Highness.

[vifferman]

And the bad news is......

There are heaps of other very comfy options out there if you don't want a cruiser. Just test ride a few with her on the back to widen the range of choices.
A lot of BMW & Guzzi (lemans, stones & Cali) pillions I know rave about their comfy rides.

I think the key is to look at the seat size and shape, and the relationship between the seat and pillion footpegs.
I know cruisers have comfy seats, but it seems a bit crazy buying a bike just for that reason, when you can get the seat customised for $500. As long as the footpegs aren't too high/close to the seat, then you should be able to find a 'standard', sportsbike or sport-tourer that isn't a pain in the arse for Her Highness.

[Disco Dan]

As long as the footpegs aren't too high/close to the seat, then you should be able to find a 'standard', sportsbike or sport-tourer that isn't a pain in the arse for Her Highness.

your bike is a sports/tourer remember...

[Edbear]

Hi, I am interested in the Intruder if you don't want it. I have had one before and wish I hadn't sold it. You should note that unless you and your young lady are small the intruder may be a bit tight two up because they are not a large bike ergonomically, plus the range is not great as the tank is small. but I liked it for the occassional cruise by myself. You can PM me. thx. tim.

I'll let you know, Tim. The Intruder is very tidy and may be what we want.

I hear you all, and yes, I love the big nakeds, but I don't mind cruisers as all bar two of our friends ride them. I'm going to look at the VTX and Boulevard if we can swing the dollars to a new bike, but probably get the Intruder if we like it after a ride.

I suggested the nakeds but she "really likes the cruisers... ", so, as I said, "If Mama happy I gonna be happy..." Now we've got a common interest again after seeing the kids all grown up I really want to get us out and about together again, and I'm rapt she's back enjoying biking with our friends. Was a bit concerned as to what we were going to do after our youngest got married last July and we became "Darby and Joan", so the weekend to Paeroa was a bit of a feeler to see how she'd go.

Sorry, DiscoDan, got no parts but you could buy the bike and strip it... Looks like I won't be needing that sheepskin after all. We tried extra padding, but still not enough for her. Must be a Princess, eh?

Vifferman I hear you, too! We still stop often enough when with the others, but I like all bikes, including cruisers, - just like biking in general I guess - and am really enjoying having her with me, and I guess that's the most important thing.