Tpoppa Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) What are some ideas for a good two up bike? I'm trying to get the GF back into going on rides, so passenger comfort is high on the list. Two up spirited rides are probably not on the menu. I don't think we'll be spending more than 2 hour on the bike. Something lightweight that she could ride solo once in a while would be a bonus. I just can't bend my mind around buying a cruiser or cruiser gear. I am not crazy about the CTX700, but it does meet most of my criteria...what are some better ideas? Edited June 30, 2014 by Tpoppa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) you can put a back-rest on almost anything these days. That alone seems to make passengers feel more secure. Maybe not comfortable, but less un-comfortable(?) I think you're going to have a hard time finding something that's small enough for a newer rider to handle solo, AND will haul two people well though... I know you said no cruisers, but a 650 savage might be a good cheap option. Is that motor in any other Suzuki chassis? It would basically be a Suzuki "Blast" at that point... Edited June 30, 2014 by redkow97 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 you can put a back-rest on almost anything these days. That alone seems to make passengers feel more secure. Maybe not comfortable, but less un-comfortable(?) I think you're going to have a hard time finding something that's small enough for a newer rider to handle solo, AND will haul two people well though... This is pretty much where I'm at. I could always find something like a V Star 650 or one of the smaller Honda Shadows. I would imagine they could handle highway speeds two up. She won't want to go fast anyway. Not sure I want to open my garage to see a cruiser sitting in there every day Also, I can't stand the look of chrome, and refuse to spend time cleaning or polishing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) I've even thought about one of these with a backrest Edited June 30, 2014 by Tpoppa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueskeyes Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Ninja 1000? Its 20 lbs less than the CTX and not as ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Bandit is comfy 2 up....or pretty much any ujm. Nighthawk, seca, kz, gs....any Jap i4 from the 70's or 80's. Edited June 30, 2014 by CrazySkullCrusher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Bandit is comfy 2 up....or pretty much any ujm. Nighthawk, seca, kz, gs....any Jap i4 from the 70's or 80's. the katana/bandit seats are wide as a football field... I almost suggested that, but it's heavy for a new rider, and the I-4 isn't an ideal torque curve for a designated 2-up machine. That said, the 750 has the largest motor I've ever owned, and it feels like a stump-puller compared to the EX500 or the 600RR... Nothing like the Yamaha Raider I rode at a demo event, but I am in the habit of not using 1st gear on the XR, and I have started from a stop in 2nd more times than I'd like to admit on Tubby the Tuna. It does just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello dude Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 A Bandit1200 comes to mind, the classic big UJM. Or jump to a FJR1300 or ST1300 or all out to a GW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I'll probably own a Ninja 1000 or a FJR eventually, but now I am looking for something smaller that would be less intimidating for a newer rider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 the katana/bandit seats are wide as a football field... I almost suggested that, but it's heavy for a new rider, and the I-4 isn't an ideal torque curve for a designated 2-up machine. That said, the 750 has the largest motor I've ever owned, and it feels like a stump-puller compared to the EX500 or the 600RR... Nothing like the Yamaha Raider I rode at a demo event, but I am in the habit of not using 1st gear on the XR, and I have started from a stop in 2nd more times than I'd like to admit on Tubby the Tuna. It does just fine.Power curve on an old school i4 is just fine. Maxim 650 comes to mind...it's a gentleman's bike, nothing at all like the modern i4, but like 60 some odd hp. Enough to have fun on but not enough to get you in trouble...and they have wide seats, low pegs and high bars. I see em on cl for around $1500 all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 ^ that may be the best combination of cost and utility. I was thinking more along the lines of 90's I-4's. They seemed to get more high-strung, but then I wasn't looking at UJM chassis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Z. Heimer Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u2XrVbinIxs&autoplay=1Quite popular in Europe. Dealer here in Warren had a left over last time I was there. Could check if your interested. NT700 in the sates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u2XrVbinIxs&autoplay=1Quite popular in Europe. Dealer here in Warren had a left over last time I was there. Could check if your interested. NT700 in the sates.That's closer to what I am thinking. I might even start looking at 600cc scooters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie14 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Used vfr with a Givi trunk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Used vfr with a Givi trunk? perfect for some fun 2-up time, but that's a lot of power for a new riders. I think sportbike riders in particular lose track of how fast a VFR-class bike actually is. My physical therapist for my elbow was telling me that her husband upgraded from an SV to a VFR and damn near killed himself. I am sure that wasn't the bike's fault, but she's not wrong about it being a bigger step than most people seem to recognize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Wee Strom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBBaron Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Vstrom and Versys are decent lightweight 2up bikes. But are probably a little tall for most newbie women to ride solo. Seems something like a Ninja 650 or CB500F/R is a reasonable compromise. An NT700v is probably more comfortable for passenger but maybe hard to find. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJC1000rr Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Not to thread-jack much....but whats the word on FJR's? I've been looking at Sport-Tour styles for the Gf and I also. Seat/comfort, suggested upgrades etc? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wantahertzdonut Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 I've been riding 2 up on my sv650 for years without issue. I have Givi saddle bags to. Highway, twisties, even a little off road. We've rode up to 12 hours in a day without too much fuss.Someone mentioned Bandits, and I can say it'll suck 2 up. I had one for a couple years and 2up was no fun. It's one long seat and she'll slide forward all the time smashing your nuts up against the tank. Preventing that will put yours and her weight into your arms which makes riding quite difficult too. Lots of helmet kisses as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Goldwing 1800. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Not to thread-jack much....but whats the word on FJR's? I've been looking at Sport-Tour styles for the Gf and I also. Seat/comfort, suggested upgrades etc?FJR has no soul in my opinion, the concours 14 is where it's at. I'm sure the fjr's are great bikes it just didn't to anything for me. I actually test rode the fjr first and it almost turned me off to sport touring, but then I rode the connie and never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAC Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) 90's Nighthawk 750? Honda 599? (Both of those with some kind of windscreen.) FZ6?Maybe an old Z750S if you can find one. (someone on here use to have one?) Edited June 30, 2014 by DAC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 90's Nighthawk 750? Honda 599? (Both of those with some kind of windscreen.) FZ6?Maybe an old Z750S if you can find one. (someone on here use to have one?)I actually used to have a Z750S. She is 5' 2" and wasn't interested in trying to ride that one. An FZ6 might be an option, and it has FI. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAC Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 5"2" lady learner and non-cruiser and occasional 2 up probably spells scooter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max power Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 An FZ6 might be an option, and it has FI.I was coming here to suggest this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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