Carrying Pillion on the FJR

[painman]

funny...I can rarely tell a difference when Sherri is on the back. Some no speed twitches can make me nervous, but once the bike is moving, I really have a hard time telling a difference...other than I like to show off and scrape pegs with her on the bike. She thinks it's cool.

And, uh um, while O'Vale and Sherri are passing you and leaving you in the dust, she is taking your pic while doing so. I hate it when that happens......and I'd give my wife a ride but I would end up with black and blue marks from being beatup....PM. <>< :blink:

 

[MadDogMcQ]

Hi Jill,

Big difference between Hull and Cali huh?? :lol: I'm sure there's a degree of illegal riding done by youngsters (and adults), but even that is getting harder to do thanks to ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition). The Police park up in a van enroute to all the favourite biker-haunts and as each vehicle passes, the machine reads the reg-number and checks to see if the bike is taxed, insured and MOT'd. If it's not, then a Police Biker comes chasing after you.

Big Brother!

 

[GalaxyBlue]

The bike does handle rather pigishly on the stock suspension. Make sure you set your rear to HARD or better yet upgrade to better shocks. Also, set your front suspension as well and it will be better. Check for proper air pressure as well.
I am 230+/- and the wife is 150 +/- which puts us some place close GalaxyBlue's weight :lol: and he rides fine.

Hey!

I used to weigh that much, But now i am a featherweight at 320 :****:

I upgraded my suspension with the Penske 8981 rear with a 900# spring, And the Traxxion AK-20 fork kit. It was the best upgrade i have made to the bike.

 

[evilmedic13]

The bike does handle rather pigishly on the stock suspension. Make sure you set your rear to HARD or better yet upgrade to better shocks. Also, set your front suspension as well and it will be better. Check for proper air pressure as well.
I am 230+/- and the wife is 150 +/- which puts us some place close GalaxyBlue's weight :lol: and he rides fine.

Hey!

I used to weigh that much, But now i am a featherweight at 320 :****:

I upgraded my suspension with the Penske 8981 rear with a 900# spring, And the Traxxion AK-20 fork kit. It was the best upgrade i have made to the bike.

Hows the healing big guy? You coming along alright?

 

[JimLor]

Lorie and I both took the MSF course so Lorie has her license but doesn't have any desire to "pilot." She is a great partner on the bike. Always makes sure we either look eyeball to eyeball or talk on the intercom before she mounts.......ok, I'm back - and she doesn't move around, etc. It's great riding with her and we both enjoy it. Can't compare riding w/pillion on other bikes as this is my first bike, but FJR seems to be a good 2-up ride. We don't set any land speed records while 2-up which is fine with me. I mentally put myself in 2-up mode and happily motor on.

 

[steeld]

When I was a kid I used to carry passengers on bikes and thought nothing of it. I returned to biking 5 years ago and put my wife on the back for the first time last year. It took a lot of getting used to. The bike felt different as the CoG had shifted. However, we've been out on several trips since and I've got used to it. She's really good on the back and is quite keen. She now has all the gear and looks forward to trips out. OK, it's not the same as solo and my riding style is different but it means that I can go out and enjoy a ride whereas before I'd feel guilty about leaving her at home, me enjoying a ride and knowing that there are chores left undone. So, I get to go out and enjoy riding more often because she comes with me. Though she's good on the back and doesn't shift (the worst thing is when a passenger tries to counter a lean when cornering), an intercom has worked wonders and I can point things out on the journey. She's a great wife and I can enjoy the bike and being with her at the same time. :yahoo:

 

[Silver Penguin]

Hi Jill,Big difference between Hull and Cali huh?? :lol: I'm sure there's a degree of illegal riding done by youngsters (and adults), but even that is getting harder to do thanks to ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition). The Police park up in a van enroute to all the favourite biker-haunts and as each vehicle passes, the machine reads the reg-number and checks to see if the bike is taxed, insured and MOT'd. If it's not, then a Police Biker comes chasing after you.

Big Brother!

Whoa! Big Brother is watching you. I'm glad I've got all my documents in order.

Jill

 

[pbraido]

The wife and I have compiled over 20,000 miles with her on back and like several have stated before I don't even know shes there except for the odd hit in the back when I get over 100 mph. Give a chance and ride with her for a few weeks before you give up. One thing passengers must learn is not to move or lean when at slow speeds or when stopped but its fine once your moving at a decent speed. Good luck - Phil

 

[caryt]

Cheryl and I just did a 5 hour ride on Hy4 in Ca. very twisty 3rd is most I could get into anywhere and even then it was a very short burst! The road is mostly 1.5 lanes did I say twisty!! :yahoo: and tops at 8750'. Needless to say we had a great time and except for the area between my shoulder blades :angry: got to get some risers! 2 up is a dream but I can't compair it to any other bike except for my old '74 Z1.

Cary

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

funny...I can rarely tell a difference when Sherri is on the back. Some no speed twitches can make me nervous, but once the bike is moving, I really have a hard time telling a difference...other than I like to show off and scrape pegs with her on the bike. She thinks it's cool.

And, uh um, while O'Vale and Sherri are passing you and leaving you in the dust, she is taking your pic while doing so. I hate it when that happens......and I'd give my wife a ride but I would end up with black and blue marks from being beatup....PM. <>< :blink:

Ha ha ha...we only pass you so we can get pictures of you!

I went and looked at the pics from that ride to see if I could find what you were talking about.

Is this you Dale?

 

[rockwells]

I've had my FJR about a month now, about 1.4K mi. Took momma on her first ride on her yesterday, about 220mi, mostly twisties. I'm 6'2, 260, momma's 5'5, and "not as slim as she once was". I have the Yam touring seat. For the entire trip, my "jewels" rode the tank, couldn't find a way/position to get comfortable. Bike still had plenty of juice, handled fine. Think we're gonna have to stick w/ my Road King till we lose some weight!

 

[Getsum]

It's noticeable when I take my wife with me, but it's not bad at all, just different. I really enjoy having her ride with me and she’s actually building up her tolerance and able to go on some longer rides with me. She’s always had a bad back so I only take her with me on local rides.

 

[painman]

funny...I can rarely tell a difference when Sherri is on the back. Some no speed twitches can make me nervous, but once the bike is moving, I really have a hard time telling a difference...other than I like to show off and scrape pegs with her on the bike. She thinks it's cool.

And, uh um, while O'Vale and Sherri are passing you and leaving you in the dust, she is taking your pic while doing so. I hate it when that happens......and I'd give my wife a ride but I would end up with black and blue marks from being beatup....PM. <>< :blink:

Ha ha ha...we only pass you so we can get pictures of you!

I went and looked at the pics from that ride to see if I could find what you were talking about.

Is this you Dale?

Huh um, ya that be me. You would have to rub it in. That was right before the cows were on the wrong side of the fence as in our lane......! I was going so fast I look blurry.....cool.....Thanks, PM. <><

 

[RatoneMuerto]

Yesterday was a lovely sunny, dry day - perfect for biking and so I decided to get the FJR out of the garage and spend the day riding. The wife asked if she could come and of course I said yeah, sure!!
BIG MISTAKE!! The ride was totally ruined by that added weight and the raised centre of gravity. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying she's a big girl (I'm not saying she's not either ) but it seems to me that adding weight to this already heavy bike makes it totally lose its edge and fun. Years ago, pillions were at the same seat height as the rider and they didn't seem to have hardly any effect on things, but todays bikes insist on making them look like a circus act, with the seat up in the air.

Sue's not a bad pillion, but a bit of twiching around at traffic lights made the bike feel very unsteady, although my short legs don't do anything to give confidence. Worst of all though, Sue wouldn't let me have any speed-fun with her on the back. I might as well have gone out in the car!!

I'm gonna buy me a rear seat cowl!!

I think you have mistaken. This bike is great two up, and the only reason I bought it. I do not have your short leg problem, but I do know of the twitching around traffic lights. The first few times we went out together, my wife thought when I was slowing down for lights was the time that she could do her adjustments. I quickly explained to her that I need to stop before she decides to stretch and move all around. With 100FtLbs of torque, I don't care how big your pillon is this bike is still going to move quick. Of course not as fast w/o one though. I'm guessing you can't move the seat to the up position, but once it's there both riders are at about the same height. No where near the difference that a normal sport bike has. I think you need to head on out and try again. This time explain to your wife when and when not to move, and all other things that you need tweaking on. Good luck and have fun.

Eric

My wife picked the FJR because it was comfortable for her!I also had the same problem Eric.Twice she moved as I was almost stopped nearly tipping us into the oncoming lane once.So to keep from happening a third time I decided it was time to get an intercom and changed the windscreen to a Rifle.Dead quiet ride and now I can tell her when I am approaching bumps and if she needs to adjust now is the time to do it. David

 

[BentAero]

I have the world's most compliant/perfect pillion. Never complains, never whines, likes to go REAL FAST, and has a huge bladder!

 

[bluejag]

Well endowed in more way's than one is a good thing!