Pillion view?

[bikerskier]

My wife loves to ride on trhe back of the bike but one of her complaints is that she never sees what is coming or some of the sgreat scenery I enjoy from the front. She can only see to the sides and she finds this often quite boring. I am 6'2", 200 lbs. so I don't block out the sky or anything. Does anyone else have this issue or better yet a good solution other than stacking 3 or 4 phone books on the back seat?

Thanks for any ideas. (Constructive ones, that is, cause I'm sure there will be some cute ones)

 

[FJRJeff]

My wife loves to ride on trhe back of the bike but one of her complaints is that she never sees what is coming or some of the sgreat scenery I enjoy from the front. She can only see to the sides and she finds this often quite boring. I am 6'2", 200 lbs. so I don't block out the sky or anything. Does anyone else have this issue or better yet a good solution other than stacking 3 or 4 phone books on the back seat?Thanks for any ideas. (Constructive ones, that is, cause I'm sure there will be some cute ones)

Is she considerably shorter than you are? I'm 6'1", also 200, and my wife is a few inches shorter, but she's never mentioned not being able to see forward.

 

[bikerskier]

This may post twice. Great question, that I should have anticipated. She is 5'8" so somewhat shorter. She says she can read the fine print on the back of my helmet just fine.

 

[FJRJeff]

This may post twice. Great question, that I should have anticipated. She is 5'8" so somewhat shorter. She says she can read the fine print on the back of my helmet just fine.

I just talked to my wife about it. She's also 5'8". Imagine my surprise when she told me she stares at the back of my helmet.

Must have been a long ride from Portland to San Fransisco a couple of years ago.

I asked her if she just leans to one side and looks over my shoulder, and she said no, she didn't want to throw off my balance. We may have to experiment with that next time she comes along to see if it's that big of a deal...

Jeff

 

[RadioHowie]

My wife loves to ride on trhe back of the bike but one of her complaints is that she never sees what is coming or some of the sgreat scenery I enjoy from the front. She can only see to the sides and she finds this often quite boring. I am 6'2", 200 lbs. so I don't block out the sky or anything. Does anyone else have this issue or better yet a good solution other than stacking 3 or 4 phone books on the back seat?Thanks for any ideas. (Constructive ones, that is, cause I'm sure there will be some cute ones)

Dis sumbitch will go off topic faster than a bottle rocket goes *pop* so I'm gonna suggest the BEST answer of any you're gonna get.....

Let her drive some and YOU ride pillion occasionally.

 

[twowheelnut]

No cute ones, eh? OK, then I'm 'fraid to say, short of strapping a 7" LCD flat panel to the back of your helmet, fed by a front mounted camera (see Unique Autosports or West Coast Customs), I really don't think there is a viable solution ( or unless you shrink or she grows - neither of which will happen).

 

[Bearly Flying]

Simple.. Buy an FJR for her.

 

[odot]

How about the obvious? Get a sidecar. That would be one helluva farkle. Then let us know the hows, whats and whos so we can do it, too.

 

[madmike2]

I'm guessing a pillion seat with 4" of extra height is out of the question. It'll be interesting to read what some of the other 2-up riders have come up with as a solution. Some of you have obviously married very understanding wives.

 

[Geezer]

My wife only rode pillion on my FJR one time and it was a short distance. When we got home I asked her why she kept leaning to the side. She said it was so that she could see.

 

[jjsC6]

I fixed the problem, but it was kind of expensive. My wife got hooked on riding with me, so I bought a second motorycle - a Goldwing. By the way, if you had told me a few years ago I would own a Goldwing I would have told you you're crazy. But for two-up riding it can't be beat. I can't even tell shes back there (and I'm not kidding about that).

Not only does the back of the seat sit up higher, but shes further behind me which makes her view even better.

 

[BugR]

My wife has complained about this as well,

I'm 5'9 and she is 2" taller than me.

Things that have helped.

Topcase, that lets her sit back while cruising and I also don't have to worry about leaving her behind on opening the throttle

She uses my Airhawk, raise's her up a little also she comfy and happy which reduces my stress level.

Intercom, just being able to talk means that we can adjust our positions so she can see better, I can also warn her about bumps, road and traffic conditions so she can anticipate what is going on.

Map, She has a map pocket on the arm of her jacket and she helps with the navigation, (Even though I have a GPS and a route list). Not only does it give her something else to do but also it lets her appreciate the route. She becomes much more of a partner on the ride rather than an extra piece of cargo on a mystery trip

Chris

 

[Groo]

... short of strapping a 7" LCD flat panel to the back of your helmet, fed by a front mounted camera (see Unique Autosports or West Coast Customs)...

That was my idea! <_<

 

[GreyGoose]

Take a look a the new corbin set up if you have an 06. the driver seat is really low (29 inches and can go a little lower if requested). the passenger set up is much more "cushy and would be quite a bit higher than the driver side. you can also get her the backrest that goes with it. Of course the whole chabang will only run you about $950.00 delivered (which is a small price to pay if get to ride more). This may give her the lift your after.

GreyGoose

 

[throttlejockeyTJ]

While it won't solve the problem of view; Do you have an intercom? You can be tour guide and note to her what is interesting on which side it's coming up. Communication on the MC might help keep her head in the ride and eliminate some frustration. TJ

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Sherri says she just tilts her head a bit and sees forward just fine. Considering that I never feel all the movement she does while taking pics, you aren't going to even feel your wife leaning a bit to get a view. I'm 5'11" and Sherri is 5'4"

...and +1 to BugR

 

[Bostonfan2]

My wife is 5'0 and im 6'0 , She tilts her head to the left or right to see, we never ride without

using the starcom so that helps, after 26,000 miles together she hasnt complained about the view

yet.....

Ray

 

[RadioHowie]

My wife is 5'0 and im 6'0 , She tilts her head to the left or right to see, we never ride without using the starcom so that helps, after 26,000 miles together she hasnt complained about the view

yet.....

Ray

Didn't bother reading that memo from her attorney, did you?

Which half of the Feejer do you want?

:evilsmiley03:

 

[Toecutter]

How 'bout you hang a little one way and she hangs a little the other, then you can alternate as needed. May not be very comfy, but it might let her see better.