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Putmanadm
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 08:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My girl wants to go for a ride and i've never had a passenger on the buell, how passenger friendly are these bikes? What kinds of complaints do you receive from women? (i.e. my ass hurts! can you turn the vibration up?) Anyone ever have a passenger fall off? My bike is missing the rear fender so there is like zero room for error.
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Lost_in_ohio
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 09:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Wife rides with me all the time....To be real honest I really prefer solo. She has never fell off...lets face it this ain't a gold wing or geezer glide with back and arm rests so go easy on her. I have slowered her down a bit.....took the passenger pegs off, put on the rizoma fender eliminator and put on a CF rear hugger....looks fantastic. Thanks Matt.

Things to consider.....Has she ridden before.....
Does she have Protective Gear, Helmet, Jacket, Long Pants, gloves and above the ankle boots. Borrow to see if she likes it.

How far are you planning on going.....start short, to a local resturant or movies or something during daylight. My wife does not like riding after dark. Talk about keeping her body close to yours and lean with you as you turn......Remind her to hang on. Try not to scare her.....remember she probably cannot see the road ahead.

My wife bought the her entire outfit including helmet for less than 100 bucks.....Mens small size from a local superbike shop on close out. Her gloves are better than mine. I can send you a link if you are interested.

Hope this helps.
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Thespive
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 11:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My girlfriend loves the CityX, says it is more comfy than my Sportster. Fortunately she is skinny, because there wouldn't be much room left for a fat chick. : D As for handling, you can feel the extra weight, but we have had the bike probably 95% of the way over with two of us on it as I did with just me and it handled great, still felt very neutral and tossable. Have you ever ridden with a passenger before?

As for her, listen to Lost. Make sure she knows how to be a passenger:

1. Protective gear - minimum helmet, gloves, jeans, shoes.
2. Don't clank helmets
3. Always hold on
4. Lean with driver (unless it is U-turn)
5. No sudden movements that might upset balance of bike
6. Trust the driver!

--Sean
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Frequency
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 11:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Girlfriend loves it on the back of my CityX. her only complaint is trying to get her arms around my chest, she's a tiny girl

(Message edited by frequency on October 07, 2006)
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Kdan
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 11:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My Girl is human sized and it's not comfortable for her at all. It's even less comfortable for me, as at every downshift or stop, she pushes forward due to gravity and squashes the boys on the airbox something fierce. So I make her ride her own bike. We're both much happier. On the other hand, if you've got one of those bony no assed white chicks, you'll probably be fine.
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Angelwild327
Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 11:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Back of the CityX is VERY UNCOMFORTABLE for a passenger...and even worse for you and your um.. well, you know...

if she is petite to medium sized, and she's got any experience being a passenger, my best suggestion for the both of you is for her to squeeze tight with her legs around your hip/thigh area, that will help her to not feel like she's going to slide off the back..and when you come to a stop have her squeeze her legs, but kind of push her butt back at the same time, so she's not sliding forward into you.

Hope that makes sense...it'll take a little pratice, especially if she's hasn't ridden before or been a passenger much. If she's got a big butt like me...well, maybe you'll want to wear a cup..lol...good luck

Ps...in turns, along with leaning with you, tell her to turn her head into the turn, just like you are supposed to do...it will get her into a more natural turning on a bike position..

(Message edited by angelwild327 on October 07, 2006)
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Irideabuell
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 12:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My Lightning rides nice with my scrawny nieces on the back, but is not so nice with my adult wife on the back.

She enjoys short rides of less than 40 miles, but no longer.
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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 01:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

3 things that haven't been mentioned.

1) watch your clutch. you will be moving more weight, and at first it can be easy to stall if you are not prepared.

2) Make sure your passenger knows not to put her foot down at stops. This can be dangerous if they are trying to get their foot down, when you are.

3) Bring a courtesy pair of earplugs (the right size). If she has never been on a bike it can be a little much the first time. Taking away some of the roar can lessen the fear factor.


Final thing to remember: Introducing a passenger to motorcycling is a lot like introducing someone to anal sex. Take it easy, and ease them gently into it. You will both be rewarded with many years of fun. If you rush it, they will never step foot near a bike (or you near her ass...)
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Ft_bstrd
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 01:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Is that how your boyfriend broke you in?
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Thespive
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 02:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

BTW, with the CityX seat my boys were crushed on a regular basis, swapping to the Corbin solved that. My gf and I have done up to 100 miles in a day, much longer than that would require a Uly.

For the record I am 5'8, 180 and my gf is 5'10, 145. So we aren't big, but not tiny, either. I'd say we are normal humans. Well, in size, I am kinda a wackjob myself!

--Sean
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Kdan
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 02:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

2) Make sure your passenger knows not to put her foot down at stops. This can be dangerous if they are trying to get their foot down, when you are.

I tell my passengers that if we come to a stop and they put their foot down I'll cut it the f*ck off. That's all I need, a passenger trying to be a rider.

Is that how your boyfriend broke you in?
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Bake
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 08:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My girlfriend rides with me a few times a year, if we are going anywhere more than 1/2 hr away we take her Sportster cause the Buell is just not comfy.

Take it easy on her and don't "show off" otherwise it will ruin rideing for her.
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Dako
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I guess I'll ask here. Has anyone tried to bolt on some aftermarket grab rails for the passenger?(apparently I should have specified "for the passenger" here)
Does anyone make them for the XB? or should I try my hand at fabrication?
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Socalbueller
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

One thing nobody mentioned yet is to make sure to crank up the preload on the suspension. When I bought my bike the salesman said just to give it a click or 2 of more preload. First time I gave a friend, she weighted 140 max probably less, a ride I did that and the back end felt like a big marshmallow and the bike was super hard to turn. Since then I adjust the preload to max and it rides and handles much better.
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Sparky
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 02:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The Ventura rack system, available from American Sport Bike, has an optional grab rail that replaces the rear luggage rack (which has a grab rail). It is the same size as the grab rail on the luggage rack.
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Slamber777
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 07:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

l agree with Socalbueller. l only have 1100 miles on a month old Long and the majority of those are with my wife on back. She does complain about the lack of hand holds, but she is adapting. l don't get too crazy either. l cranked the preload up and it seems to be competent enough for a good time. She seems to be liking it. lf you can afford it, purchase good looking and fuctional gear for her. They seem to like that sort of thing. l have also been thinking about the touring seat. Anyone have one on theirs?

l will be checking out the Ventura rack, too. Thanks. Sparky.
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Diablobrian
Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 10:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Hand holds on the back of a bike encourage the passenger to bias their weight further
back, which in many cases even puts the majority of their weight behind the rear axle.

This is not a good habit to get in. It is far better to have your passenger (male of
female) hold onto the rider. That encourages them to lean with the rider instead of
trying to sit bolt upright in the middle of a corner. The government mandates that
the manufacturers install some sort of hand holds on the back of the motorcycle.

Of course the people that mandate such things are not riders and they wrote up this
law in an attempt (misguided though it may be) to make motorcycles safer.
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Vaneo1
Posted on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 06:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

ah the Helmet clank, my wife is notorious for that. How can I get her to stop w/o making it a war? Guess I could buy her a bike but then thats not really practical right now.
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Perry
Posted on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 06:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My wife is 5'2" and about 115, so she fits on my Scg just fine with me - select seat was a big improvement over stock. We've gone on rides up to 45 minutes each way no prob.

Good gear, have her hold onto YOU, and be careful to warn her if you plan to accelerate hard. If you whack the throttle open watch out 'cause with the extra weight on the back you will wheelie much easier.
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Diablobrian
Posted on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 07:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

helmet clunks? those stopped when my wife started to enjoy riding, and anticipating
what I was going to do next. She and my Son Kyle are both good passengers. At least
when they don't try to make me carry their weight on my arms by laying on me ;)

I finally got around to removing the grab strap from the passenger seat. Not like
it's something useful anyway.
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Elff
Posted on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 08:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Part of the reason I traded in my CityX for a Firebolt was due to the CityX, IMHO, not being a good bike for a passenger. The Firebolt has been much better. My GF simply puts her hands on the AirBox when we slow down and it prevents her from sliding forward. The longer length of the tail section helps a ton.
One thing I tell all my passengers is to look over my left shoulder when turning left and look over my right shoulder when turning right. Ive found that keeps them in sync with my body
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Buelltoys
Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 04:59 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well the gf is fine on the back of mine. But I went with the Uly because she does like to ride and has never piloted a bike before. It is a great two up bike!! Will never get rid of her!
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Frequency
Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 08:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Will never get rid of her!

The Uly or the G/f?}

(Message edited by frequency on October 10, 2006)
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Buelltoys
Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 09:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The Uly of course!! I'll try to keep the g/f as long as I can also!
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Ekunyvan
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 09:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My girl is 5'4" 125# & will ride on the back of my firebolt almost all day long. The first time I met her I took her for a 90mi ride & she still can't get enough. Get her to put her hands on the airbox in hard braking & it will help a ton. Also w/ her @ 5'4" & me at 6' 0" she can just see over my shoulder & says it works well on my bike.

May have to try adjusting the preload as suggested above but I've found that when I ride alone I like it stiffer anyway since I'm not as aggressive w/ her on.
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Elff
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 09:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

That's what my GF does
The tank bag gets in the way, so I try not to use that when she is with me unless absolutely necessary
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B00stzx3
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 02:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Anyone tried passenger on an XB9R? I've had 4 different chicks ask to ride with me and I've never done it, but I REALLY want to now!
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Elff
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 03:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

B00stzx3
Except for engine size, that will be no different than an XB12R.
My answers will remain the same except replace GF with Wife now
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