Tips on getting Spouse to feel safe on the FJR

[ShinyPartsUp]

One thing that might help is riding with another couple. Most of the ladies appreciate the "sharing" and social aspect and NOT being the only lady in the mix.

My wife is finally riding short rides with me on the FJR. For some reason she felt more comfortable on my old cruiser.
What has helped (per her feedback):

5) I need to get an airhawk or sheepskin or something (eventually a custom seat) before long rides will work -- her words, not mine.

6) More frequent breaks than I would do, so she can pee, move around, get caffeine, etc.

[SIZE=12pt]D'ya think!?!?!?[/SIZE]

Try buying a lamb skin seat cover from NAPA-O'Reilleys-whatever auto parts-in-a-box/Walmart and trim it to fit and tuck under the passenger seat. That really should make a difference in the comfort.

On our local rides we try to plan "stretch" breaks every hour/75 miles. It helps the pillions and the social time isn't bad, either.

8) I ride conservatively with her on it.

You've gotta come ride with some of the 2-up NorCal bunch. [SIZE=8pt]Not to mention names: Mike, Rich, Brad, Mark, Rob, Dave, John, .....[/SIZE]

Geesh, just jump on a guy, why doncha? :finger:

I ride slower because she prefers it that way for now, though I'm going a wee bit faster than I tell her.

As for wool -- I have a full skin sitting on the shelf I got for a song on ADVrider.com that I have to cut up for the KLR seat and the FJR pillion. I'll get to it. She's my wife, not my girlfriend, so I can wait a little bit. (ducking the rotten fruit here)

For a guy who hates marriage, you sure know a lot about their bladders my bucko!

You NorCal guys ride faster than me, I already know that.... give a CBA guy a break, will ya?

Oh yeah -- I love ya contributions to the forum. :finger: :grin:

 

[Bustanut joker]

Just don't stop till ya need fuel regardless of what she says.

Oh and a reasonably comfortable saddle don't hurt non either.

Sheila and I, along with Tom (Huron52) and Pam busted out a 12 hour day on the way home from CFR (longest stop was dinner, maybe 45 minutes) and she'd never spent more that half an hour on the pillion..

Gotta admit She made me damned awful proud that day

:jester:

 

[madmike2]

For a guy who hates marriage, you sure know a lot about their bladders my bucko!

For the record, I don't HATE marriage. I just hated MY marriage. Others are evidently much more compatible and amiable than I. :bleh:

1. With a daughter, 2 ex-wives and 3 step-daughters, you betcha I know about bladders. And, at my ever advancing age, elder-male-bladders, too.

2. I've found that when the lady pillions are happy, they want to ride again. That way the "boys" get to come out and ride more often. And hugs from lady pillions are nice, too.

You NorCal guys ride faster than me, I already know that.... give a CBA guy a break, will ya?

I ain't noe fasterest NorCal guy. I kin bearly mek it win them guyz gits goin'. Et's wunna thuh reesons I gots a GPSer unitizer fer mah murdersickle. Saves sum tyme win I doesn't hav'ta stop en reed them paper GPSes. I kin jist listen intuh Dumb Dorie heppin' me tuh mek rong terns.

I'll give you a break. Arm, leg, finger, wallet...which do you want broke?

 

[ramrezz425]

We took our long 1st ride tonight, from Whittier, CA to Huntington Beach for dinner at Dukes. She was amazing so I gave her a job to point out all the malls along the way. hehe!

 

[inertiacoupling]

Get an intercom so you can talk while you ride. That will help keep her engaged and awake. I bought an Autocom box. It fits in my pocket and runs off a 9v battery or you can set it up to run off the motorcycle's power. We love it, and it makes the ride a lot more enjoyable.

 

[ctfjr]

My girlfriend will ride with me but since its an obsession for me, I want to ride much more than she does. It helps when the destination is somewhere she wants to go. I've just accepted that she won't wont to go as far as I wanna go, or ride as often as I would like to. I enjoy having her on the back but I like riding alone as well. good luck getting her to ride more.

My wife was the same - where its the ride for me, its the destination for her. When I rode an 1800 Wing it was not uncommon for her to fall asleep on the back, especially after a long day & on the way home. Compromise is the only answer if you want her engaged with your riding. Pick reasonable distances (2 or 3 hours) away where there is something she would like to do there.

Its a tough sell - my wife hasn't ridden with me for more than 10 years.

 

[BikerGeek99]

A few notes of what has enhanced the experience for Sooze:

1. StarCom communication system.

2. Satellite radio.

3. Russell Day-Long seat.

4. Point-and-shoot camera on a lanyard around her neck.

5. Good gear that looks feminine.

6. Regular stops to relieve and refill bladders.

 

[Knifemaker]

A rider to passenger intercom helps alot. Backrest and a set of those niffty passenager floorboards someone here makes will add to her comfort and sence of security.

As for her falling asleep, the other suggestions here are good, and a few double expresso's don't hurt either.

For me, I just keep her awake by twisting the throttle harder.

KM

 

[blueman]

Yes my wife falls asleep. I can feel the bike list to one side then twitch back fast when she wakes up. She enjoys riding. After about 4 to 5 hundred miles she starts telling me to look for a hotel with a spa in the room. I have stayed away from any communication systems in my helmet because I like sound of the road and a nice sounding motor. If my wife wants to talk to me it will keep for later.

 

[rogdeb]

Deb's fallen asleep many times on the back of the bike, especially after lunch It would be nice to say that the heat of the day has something to do with it --- but nooooo ! she can fall asleep in any temperature

BUT --- her knowing all this has never made her feel as if she might fall off. I think it's more like snoozing and she's aware of her body moving. My theory anyway ,,,, and just my 02 cents worth.

 

[madmike2]

I have stayed away from any communication systems in my helmet because I like sound of the road and a nice sounding motor.

B-b-b-but then you could hear her snoring.

:rofl:

I have a friend that actually had that happen. Crossing the Nevada desert on their Goldwing, he couldn't figure out what the strange noise was and where it was coming from until he turned down the volume of the intercom to listen for the noise.....and the noise stopped. Doh!

 

[Wee Willy]

Most, if not all, of these have already been captured here by others. Here's what works for my SO [Miss M]:

1. I'm there for the ride. She's there for the scenery and the destination. The riding for her is a bit troubling 'cause she is not at the controls & for a perceived risky endeavor.
2. She likes to stop more frequently for bio breaks and goodies. She can put it off but I try to accommodate her 'cause I enjoy having her along.
3. I still have not shown her what this machine can do, even two up. We ride at about 50% of what I usually do alone.
4. Lot's more braking time/distance required and that means your situational awareness gains need to change. One-up driving habits will cause discomfort and consternation accompanied by mild strikes to the upper torso.
5. The stock saddle was a non starter. We went with Bill Mayer Saddles in Ojai, CA.
6. All our rides have been pretty short so far. We're building up slowly but surely.
7. An intercom is a must for her. We use a Scala Rider setup.
8. She doesn't like all the gear but understands it is necessary. Getting the boots right seems to be her particular item today.
9. She hates riding when it's hot. We did a ride yesterday and the temp was 80 - 85. She said it was OK. I thought it was perfect.
10. She wants her own bike eventually. I think this is interesting because she's NEVER ridden one before. This one has me scratching my head about how to "train her up." She's looking at the Spyders! :checking wallet and looking scared:
11. She likes to carry a bit o' kit with her as the Brits would say. We almost always have to take the top case so she has enough luggage room, even if we're only out for an hour or two.
12. She likes to bring things home...the luggage constraint irritates her mildly sometimes.
13. Bottom line is she's still learning the ropes a bit and most of any particular issue boils down to managing expectations.

Cheers,

W2

 

[blueman]

Another good reason why I would not want an intercom. Still like the piece and quite. My ride gives me good thinking time. I have spent enough time on the phone and other communications devices enough in my life. When my kids were young we used to put movies on in the R.V. to put then asleep "winnie the Poo " worked great. I would be hearing it in the back ground when driving and it would put me asleep. Reminds me of the movie Vacation.

 

[FJRGuy]

The Ex-wife refused to get on any of my bikes after a minor rear wheel slide on a freeway ramp. Got rid of her!

Ex-Girlfriend was much better, (some of you may know her from NAFO or CFR,) but the pressure on my sides when the speedo topped a buck and a quarter was unbearable. Got rid of her!

My current interest hasn't ridden pillion for years but seems quite trainable... we'll see how things go!

In the meantime, using the BMW R1200RT video as a recruiting tool!

+100 on a Comm System. Tunes when I want tunes, conversation when I want conversation AND "peace and quite" when I want that! Gawd, I love options!

 

[MEM]

My current interest hasn't ridden pillion for years but seems quite trainable... :headbonk:
+100 on a Comm System. Tunes when I want tunes, conversation when I want conversation AND "peace and quite" when I want that! Gawd, I love options! :feminist_en:

Good thing you're good lookin' :blink:

:kiss2:

 

[user 6393]

If I wanted to talk to the person I am out enjoying the scenery with, I would have bought a convertable sports car...

ack

Ex-Girlfriend was much better, (some of you may know her from NAFO or CFR,) but the pressure on my sides when the speedo topped a buck and a quarter was unbearable. Got rid of her!

Thot it wuz cuz she used your entire topcase as a makeup case?

*ducksNruns*

 

[FJRGuy]

Ex-Girlfriend was much better, (some of you may know her from NAFO or CFR,) but the pressure on my sides when the speedo topped a buck and a quarter was unbearable. Got rid of her!

Thot it wuz cuz she used your entire topcase as a makeup case?

*ducksNruns*

Actually my 'FJRGal' was a great pillion... unless it was really hot out! :dribble:

Our split up was entirely unrelated to the FJR... it just sounds better that way! :lol:

Sure is nice having the top case back though!

 

[FJRGuy]

Good thing you're good lookin' :blink:

It doesn't hurt! B)

:rofl:

 

[Powerman]

When dating the wife said she used to date a Harley guy that leaned over on the local willow tree corner. I took her for a ride on my GSXR-750, I don't think our concepts of leaning were the same!

We went to Daytona from Virginia one time. You don't need all that stuff, you get one saddle bag. On the way back I looked like the Beverly Hillbillies with all the gifts tied on the bike.

Mostly shorter trips now, tie the ride in with a nice meal and a little shopping.

 

[Ric in Sac]

What do you think bungee cords are for anyway . . . .