She likes it!

[gregory]

Finally had the opportunity to take the new girlfriend for a ride on the FJR. She had a blast and can't wait to go again. Took her through everything from sweepers to switchbacks to 10 MPH downhill decreasing radius turns. We rode for about an hour each way to breakfast in Manton, CA.

For some reason, she did not want me to point out where I folded up the '08........

I see a ride in to Laam for a custom seat for her soon

Life is good!

Greg

 

[FJRay]

 

[Fly Bye]

Looks like you have two winners on your hands.

 

[OregonRider]

Does she have gas money?

 

[gregory]

Thanks Ray,

As an added bonus, she really like Rubens! I am hoping that she will come to RR4

 

[MadRussian]

Dump her, before it's too late...

 

[Big Sky]

Riding solo is wonderful; riding with other riders can be fine; riding with a first-rate passenger that you love (or even like a whole lot) is about as good as it gets. My wife of 30 years has been at my pillion for 35 years. She knows what to do and NOT do back there. I have told her she is such a fine passenger that I have occasionally forgotten she's back there, which she takes as a great compliment. Life is indeed good!

Gregory, PM me if you'd like the essay my wife wrote on "Being A Good Passenger."

 

[HotRodZilla]

Every now and then, I'll reach back just to make sure my wife is still back there. She is an excellent passenger, and it's nice having a pretty girl on the back.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Based on the title of this thread, I thought it was gonna be a beemerdons thread. Not disappointed in your good fortune...

 

[robo6701]

I had this discussion once with one of those Harley guys. I may see more ladies on the back of the Harley's but the quality of the ladies on the back of the FJR's is certainly a much higher quality. If you found one that enjoys she is a keeper. Congrats on the new pillion.

 

[gregory]

PM Sent Big Sky, you are correct, life just got exponentially better. Thanks.

I was amazed at how well she did for her first ride with me. She has been a pillion on occasion before, but not on a ST bike. She had a pretty good understanding of the basics and only "counter leaned" on me once. Aside for some "adjusting" looking for a more comfortable spot on the stock passenger seat, I didn't really feel her back there. I kept pretty close to the speed limit (although I did notice I was +10-15 through a few corners) and all was good. On the return trip, I leaned the bike a little further that before and she was perfect. I was given the green light for a little more speed (she has a new Camero and knows how to drive it).

 

[Fred W]

+1 to the joys of two up-ed-ness. My friends tell me that it helps a lot if your chosen pillion is a waif like mine (4'12" and 105 lbs), but even more important is their ability to intuit what is expected of them, and not do any silly counter leaning of their body to yours and the bike's.

Apparently that is a far too common response, though I'll admit to only riding bitch once in my sordid past, and that was as a mere Yoot, still a squid in the USN, and then stationed in Brooklyn, NY. Due to EtOH impairment enhancement, I do not fully recall the experience in any case.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I rode bitch to get my first FJR as my wife refused to drive me there.

I rode bitch back to the motel when I surfed a ditch in Arky in 08.

Riding bitch can be scary...it is certainly an exercise in trust. I try to remember that when I have a passenger.

 

[Fred W]

Riding bitch can be scary...it is certainly an exercise in trust. I try to remember that when I have a passenger.

Worth keeping in mind as we are blasting these poor wimmens around. I, for one, am appreciate I do not get hit on the head more often than I do. Maybe that is the sign of a great pillion?

She always seems to like if more when we are in a group, as I tend to slow down then and take it easy. I do not want to be "that guy" that makes one of his friends "go too far". I think that must be more devastating than biffing on your own.

 

[Big Sky]

"Riding bitch can be scary...it is certainly an exercise in trust. I try to remember that when I have a passenger."

Good points, Wheaton. Maybe as drivers, and since we are in control and responsible for safety, we tend to think of our needs first in relation to the passenger. But if you care about them, you will become attuned to the most subtle body language from back there. I can tell when she starts shifting a little, perhaps moving a limb, that she's getting ready to need a stretch break. I can also tell when she's relaxing too much, sometimes a brief nap followed by a panicked twitch, or our helmets clunking. Listen to those signals coming from behind you. Be considerate with bathroom and hydration breaks; it's not just about you.

...and we all know this, right? Do NOT scare her ... unless you want to solo for the rest of your days.

I did some bragging here a few weeks ago, so pardon me... Last month Marilyn rode 1,000 miles with me in 16 hours the day before her 64th birthday. I asked her what else she wanted for her birthday. She said the new memories were better than any present. Yup, a keeper for sure.

 

[glory racing]

Riding solo is wonderful; riding with other riders can be fine; riding with a first-rate passenger that you love (or even like a whole lot) is about as good as it gets.

I ride now almost exclusively 2up. At times riders will comment, "don't you wish you were riding solo?" They simply can't relate and don't understand that riding 2up can be better than solo. Thanx for helping spread the word.

I will say that riding 2up is brutal on the rear tire fund.

 

[glory racing]

I do not want to be "that guy" that makes one of his friends "go too far". I think that must be more devastating than biffing on your own.

Don't want to hijack the thread but I do not understand your comments. Can you briefly expand? Maybe a need for a new thread???

 

[Big Sky]

One more rule for Gregory to apply when he and the new girlfriend are out for an over-nighter: In a nod to economy, there will be just one bed.

 

[Tyler]

That's great news, Greg!! You'll have to bring her on one of the DC rides... we've got one going to Manchester next month! B)