2up on a FJR, multi day trips

[wfooshee]

I wouldn't worry about backrests. If she's geared up like she ought to be, they'll just be in the way. The back pad of her jacket will keep her spine from banging the top case, and it's not strong enough to really sit against anyway. The other backrest would be, but again, unless she's 110 pounds geared up soaking wet, the backrest might crowd her.

 

[Bugnatr]

I wouldn't worry about backrests. If she's geared up like she ought to be, they'll just be in the way. The back pad of her jacket will keep her spine from banging the top case, and it's not strong enough to really sit against anyway. The other backrest would be, but again, unless she's 110 pounds geared up soaking wet, the backrest might crowd her.

Huh? My wife leans against our Givi top case with no problem. Considering it comes with a pad to lean on I believe they are strong enough to support a passenger.

Can't beat a top case for the extra storage with two people or a case of cold ones. :lol:

 

[HotRodZilla]

I wouldn't worry about backrests. If she's geared up like she ought to be, they'll just be in the way. The back pad of her jacket will keep her spine from banging the top case, and it's not strong enough to really sit against anyway. The other backrest would be, but again, unless she's 110 pounds geared up soaking wet, the backrest might crowd her.

Huh? My wife leans against our Givi top case with no problem. Considering it comes with a pad to lean on I believe they are strong enough to support a passenger.

Can't beat a top case for the extra storage with two people or a case of cold ones. :lol:

Dude...Fooshee hasn't ridden on a bike with a woman in close to 100 years. He has no idea what the Hell he's talking about.

 

[roger dodger]

Huh? My wife leans against our Givi top case with no problem. Considering it comes with a pad to lean on I believe they are strong enough to support a passenger./

With the Yamaha trunk, the backrest definately gets in 'her space' a little too much, forcing her to lean forward all day. After I removed the pad, she sits more straight up.

 

[wfooshee]

Leaning against the top case torques it against the subframe the same way overloading it does. There is no structure on the bike under the top case, it's hanging out there in space, with the front of the rack bolted to the back of the subframe, and the grab handles holding it up in tension. I specifically stated to my SO (when I had one - and it ain't been no hunnert years!) not to lean against it.

That said, there's a difference between just contacting it and actually putting weight back against it.

And she stated she was crowded with the backrest installed.

 

[Doug from WI]

I guess my point is, I myself wouldn't have enjoyed trying to wrestle a large GW w/ a passenger down some of those tight curvey roads. And besides the Feejer is narrow enough to pull off confident lane splitting in LA to boot. For me anyways, the FJR is small enough to sport around on, and large enough for 2-up trippin'.

Mike

Definitely no 'wrestling' necessary with a Goldwing, it surely can handle (quite well I might add) any road the FJR will and can keep up with many a sport bike. Just want to clarify as to not mislead anyone here and give the 'old man' bike a bad reputation

I absolutely love my FJR, but honestly for 2-up touring it doesn't even come close to the long distance comfort of the Wing. Call me a wimp, but I tell folks I've got two bikes - one for trips of less than 100 miles and one for trips of 100+ miles and when the SO wants to board. She won't even give the Feejer a second glance, so it's my one-up toy

I wouldn't part with either bike, just different tools for different jobs. They will each continue to have a special place in my garage.....

 

[TheBlueStreak]

But a Honda Goldwing...there is nothing better for two up riding......

 

[TheBlueStreak]

Spelling:

I have had four Goldwings and one 2008 FJR.

BUY an Honda Goldwing...there is no better bike for two up long distance riding, PERIOD.

 

[Clovis]

For me, a Goldwing is not an option. Even used they're $17,000 - $22,000 which is way above my price range.

in Colorado the 2nd Gen FJRs run $8000-10,000. Then there are the mandatory accessories: Seat, ass beads or an Airhawk, radar detector, a new GPS unit and Givi topper.

Don't get me wrong, I know how comfortable they are Until the last few years my grandfather owned several Goldwings and some of my fondest memories as a child were riding on the back of it. You can fall asleep as the passenger.

Anyhow, back on subject, the bike has to be geared more towards sport then comfort. I'm 30 and my wife is 27. I think I'm a pretty fast rider and where I live (Colorado Springs) there are very few straight roads. I would say the FJR is 65% sport and 35%. I'll just keep my wife in the dark about Goldwings, shhh.

"What baby? No... Honda just makes cars."

 

[BikerGeek99]

The whole "which seat is best" argument is almost as pointless as any oil thread.

But, I'll share my experience with you.

Bought the FJR in April 2008. GF at the time (now the wife) enjoys riding with me and taking pictures. We took a ride on Labor Day weekend in 2008, our first extended ride. The ride home was 550 miles. By the time we got home, we were both in agony on the stock seats.

Started looking around and bought a Mayer (can't remember if it was a Bill or Rick; it was on TWN's bike). While much better than stock, it still just was not for us. It was pretty slippery, so pretty much any time I hit the brakes, the wife would slide in to me.

Just before SFO '09, a used Russell came up for sale here. On a whim, I bought it and popped it on the night before I left for SFO. So the first ride on it was from home to SFO in Eureka Springs, AR. That day was 725 miles of riding. My ass was fine.

Some people don't care for the Russells because they're ugly. They are ugly. I don't care because it's comfortable. There's a reason why the LD guys have Russells. They're also expensive. Keep your eyes on the Group Buy area - there is usually a fall / winter group buy where you can get one for 10% - 20% off.

Or, just buy what you want. Go to FJR gatherings. Get enough bikes together and you'll see all the seat makers being represented. Make friends with the owners (AKA give 'em a beer or two) and have a sit on their bikes. Decide for yourself.

EDIT to add: BTW - if you like to hang off the seat while cornering, Russell's aren't the best, due to the fact that they have a pocket for your butt. The wing thingamabobs can be problematic when you try to shift yer ass off the seat.

 

[huron52]

I'd like to add something here but I never get to go anywhere... let alone take someone with me

Honest? Go buy one she will fall asleep back there,and as for 500 mile days... why stop there? :lol:

 

[wheatonFJR]

...EDIT to add: BTW - if you like to hang off the seat while cornering, Russell's aren't the best, due to the fact that they have a pocket for your butt. The wing thingamabobs can be problematic when you try to shift yer ass off the seat.

This may be true for some...but it isn't for me. I move forward on the bike anyway during aggressive riding and that part of the seat does not have the "wing".

I find that I am not hindered by the seat...though it is possible that others may be.

Works for carving corners and continents alike for me.

 

[Hornet Pilot]

I have a question re thr Russell seats. Currently I have a Corbin and have a little difficulty flat footing it at a stop. Will the Russell make that worse?

 

[midlifeuturn]

The Russell has "wings" as they've been called. The wings come from a very nice pocket for you to sit on. You do have to more forward at stops to stand flat footed. I am about 6' tall and I just slide a little forward and both feet are flat footed on the ground. The Russell is hands down the best money I've spent on after market items.

 

[Clovis]

I've been checking out the Russell's. They look comfy.

I dragged my pucks on my R1 but on the FZ6 it just sits too high to hang off and it tends to only make the bike unstable. I stay upright, lean the bike and counter steer. So the wings don't bother me.

Speaking of which, I see that they make a seat for my FZ6 Hmmm, I might have to get that made over the winter!

 

[phroenips]

Welcome from another Springs resident!

This place in Denver rents FJRs: https://www.tourbikes.com/