167 miles two up my new FJR.

[dcarver]

You'll get it dialed in. I say good on you for having patience with her. I can think of many a forum solo rider who wants the lady to go but has burned them out by not being thoughtful, considerate.

 

[Bigbeavk]

Wow Pasadena is way over there! We will make resevations for you in our spare room. :lol: .

Maybe you can cancel the big topbox and go with a back rest from premier cycles. It's much easier for wifey to swing her leg over.

 

[zenwhipper]

To explain "push the wife"... well I try and give the short version. Basically, we started dating in the tenth grade. I was racing local motocross and enduro races and she acted at my pit crew. I also had a Rebel 250 and we would tool around the back roads on it. Anyway, in our young years, before kids, we owned several street and dirt bikes. When we had our first son, we didn't have insurance and the birth didn't go well. Everyone was fine, but the bills where way more than we could afford. I sold the bikes and my truck and joined the Navy. Fast forward 8 years and things are a lot better. I'm a E6 on shore duty in base housing and wile money was tight, we could breath. I decided it was time to stop dragging my helmet and jacket from duty station to duty station and put them to use. I couldn't afford much and I needed approval to spend so I went with a brand new 2002 V-Star. The idea was two up riding. The V-Star was the bike she liked. But she freaked out on me a little. She said she hated riding, and didn't feel safe. In the two years I owned the bike she road it three times. After that, I got out of the Navy and a FZ1. She wasn't riding anyway, so I bought the bike I wanted. Then I spent a couple of years bouncing back and forth to Iraq and Afghanistan as a contractor. I get home and take a few bike trips. With the kids where getting older and me always wanting to ride, one day she comes home with a new Jacket, gloves and a helmet. We did a couple of short rides on the FZ, but it's just not cut out for two up. I was already looking for something with longer range and better protection from the weather, so.... here I am. On our ride I wanted to see how the bike did, and how she was going to do if we got a little further from home. So far so good. Even with the traffic and the heat, we did get to see some good pretty sites. We got to spend the day together. All in all a great day.
Wow.. that wasn't so short. Pretty much my life history, but there it is.

A lot of that sounds similar to any MCer and their SO. I've been lucky- my wife embraces my hobby and has even taken it up herself - she has an SV650. I think it is something two can share as something fun together... either on the same bike or on separate ones.

Push is good, but in the end she needs to be comfortable. I think I saw this on Dr Phil once.

Thanks for sharing.

Scott

 

[TestPilot]

Some great advice, and I'll add mine.

1st - good on you for asking questions/asking for input. Sort through what works for you.

2nd - HUGE plus that your wife came home with a helmet and jacket. Have you told her how much you appreciate this, and how you will make it all work for you guys. There will be learning experiences, but if you guys appreciate what eaxh other is doing you will work through them - she is trusting you enough to venture into your domain, where she isn't naturally comfortable; you are doing what you can to make her welcome and comfortable - GREAT STUFF!

3rd and more: probably a couple of mistakes on that first ride. I've learned never to ride when hungry/near hungry. Low blood-sugar levels cause mundane to become irritation. Probably wasn't good to stress yourself time-wise trying to get the GPS hooked up first, and the plan for the day was llooonnngg.

Backrest/topbox - if it's not too late, consider the GIVI options. Cheaper, more flexible options.

Communication while riding - an intercom is great, and there have been some great suggestions about selecting music, etc. Go with them. Be patient in geting the intercom right for you guys. It is well worth it.

Airhawk - see if you can possibly borrow an Airhawk for her to try. Experiment with the inflation level. They are worth the $ for a pillion who is less than comfortable.

I also really like the suggestion of 'going with a purpose' - visiting somewhere she would like to go. Make it a joint thing, and find reasons to stop and enjoy the 'wow' moments.

Try and arrange to meet up with someone else & their pillion - for lunch, coffee, whatever. Gives them time to share ideas, tips, and learn.

I also had a question over the 'push the wife' comment. I think a carrot approach, personally.

And my most important suggestion: Always bring her home wanting more! This means riding in here comfort zone (speed, distance, etc). When she wants more you will be surprised at how quickly you will find your rides becoming longer (and faster). Humans are like that - when we want something we will go out of our way to make it happen.

Good luck - there has been some great advice. See what works for you and your wife.

 

[James Burleigh]

I think you're married to my wife.

 

[Speed3]

Interesting thread...

I'm coming from an R6, set up for the race track(read sprung heavy), uncomfortable rear set, etc. She hated that bike and I hated her riding on it LOL.

Just picked up a used FJR and we took a 20 mins ride. She loves the bike, much smoohter for her.

Interesting report on the top case. I was looking to get the givi E55 with the backrest for her, but maybe I will save my $70 and not get one.

Another side note...good to see some people from Maryland around here. Maybe we could meet up and you guys can show me how to ride these things.

 

[Deacon51]

Unfortunate for me, but the OEM Top case is already paid for. It was part of the deal when I got the bike.

You guys are right, I love to ride just to ride. I don't want to have some where to go. When planing a route, I look for twisty roads on the map. I eat at gas stations and pass overlooks at high rates of speed. I remember my last trip to the Deals Gap. She said "Let me get this right, your going to ride 750 miles, just to ride 11more?" lol

The hard part about getting home with her wanting more is that I'm right in the middle of Baltimore/DC with my back to the bay. I have to cross the I-95 corridor, which is always going to be hell. My idea for our next ride was to have her met me someplace outside metro area. That way she can drive and be fine with the traffic and I can get the bike out to the good roads with the need to worry about her worrying.

 

[Bigbeavk]

And you can park the car at my house anytime. I'm right off I70 right by 75 and 80 dragstrip. :yahoo: