| Author | Message | ||
     Lemonchili_x1 |
Ok, I'm finally going out with someone who loves to go for rides with me  , but I'm finding the X1 isn't really that suited to it. It's reasonably comfortable 2up, but it does change the handling significantly, and cornering clearance is not good if you hit a bump mid-corner (Our combined weight is about 350 pounds which I wouldn't think is that out of the ordinary). It's good for a morning ride for a few hours, but I'm sure there are better bikes for long trips/ weekends away. I don't want to sell the X1 (I love it!), so I'm thinking another bike just might have to be parked between it and her Honda 250. So I have some questions for any of you who do, or have done, a lot of riding with a pillion... >Are any of the Buells, new or old, more suited to 2up? S3? XB12X? (Though the Uly doesn't really push my buttons) >Can anybody recommend good bikes for "sport-touring" for 2 people that still go around corners - ie 2 people, small amount of baggage for a night or two away, but not a GoldWing or big Harley etc. Maybe a GSX1400 or XJR1300? Beemer? >Has anybody done mods to their bike, Buell or otherwise, to make it more suitable for 2? Eg different springs/shock etc. Any other thoughts/comments/experiences would be appreciated. cheers, lemonchili | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
If you want a good reliable sport-tourer that won't break the bank, check out a used late model 94-06 Kawasaki Concours. Thousands of us swear by them. check out www.concours.org Lately my Uly has taken over my Sport touring duty, but you can bet your arse when the temps start to drop below 60 degrees I'll be riding my Concours. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Rats I was going to offer a great deal on a Triumph Sprint that I need to sell to finance another bike,BUT, Aus seems a bit far--- | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
I had a 1989 CBR 1000 that was perfect for two up. They can be found cheap but probably will have high mileage err kilometerage? HAHA They were bulletproof and run forever. Thats the cheap route. The moderately cheap route would be suggestion #1 by Johnnylunchbox. Concours is an excellent bike that gets overlooked all the time. It'll be high mileage also because they are a great riding bike. Handle quite well and are tough as they come. If you can do new, and I see you mentioned it, my personal choice would be the Suzuki GSX1400. Just because I like the bike and always wanted a watercooled GSXR motor. I have an old school oil and air cooled GSXR and love it, 27500 miles. Ohh-kay! My two cents worth, anyone else? | ||
| Unibear12r |
Sense you are talking Buells... I have both a S3 and a Uly. Both are quite good two up but the Uly is better in the twisties. My GF loves two up on it. The stock S3 has lower pegs that will drag rather quickly. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Put the optional rider footpeg kit on the STT and it would be a great two-up bike. Or you could make a sport-tourer out of one like Steve did. | ||
| Chadr81 |
I would say a XB12Ss. You can put the sport touring seat on it for both of your comfort, and she would be able to ride with the saddle bags on. I was thinking of going that route, but the wife isn't to keen on riding... Chad | ||
| Ulywife |
Though the Uly doesn't really push my buttons Don't knock the Uly until you try it. For two-up it's a great bike. The seating position is comfortable and there is plenty of room between rider and passenger. You have several options of luggage if you don't want the Buell bags. Good luck on your search. Once you find a bike you like, take your girl friend with you to get her take on it. Don't want to buy a bike for two-up only to find out that she hates the bike you've chosen because she's uncomfortable on it. | ||
| Mikej |
This works for me, just got it, it even goes around corners, but you said no big Harleys, oh well. How about a 'busa?  | ||
| Jlnance |
Of the current crop of Buells, the Uly is the best for two up. I used to take my g/f on the M2, but we didn't fit well, and she was always worried about falling off the back. The beaver tail and grab rails on the Uly make a world of difference to her. If you don't like the Uly, and want to stick with Buell, you might try an S3T. I've no personal experience with that bike, but people seem to love them, and the T makes me thing it would be good for a passenger. If you haven't ridden a Uly, try it. But if you try it and it still doesn't push your buttons, don't buy one, you'll just hate it. Lots of non-Buells are good for two up. I don't have enough experience to recommend one though. | ||
| Jimduncan69 |
my girlfriend and i demo'd a Uly. it was very comfy for two up riding. we were both very impressed. how ever i really don't care for the looks. but if i was going to get a touring bike for long trips and two up riding that would be the bike i would get. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Best two up Buell -- Uly Best two up cruiser -- FLSTF (based on sheer number of complaints from passenger) Best two up sport tourer -- CBR1100XX (passengers never complain if they can't open their eyes or replenish O2) YMMV | ||
| Nevrenuf |
check the profile. the wife has never complained about being uncomfortable on it. this takes the corners just as good with two up as with one. | ||
| Borrowedbike |
Lemmon, Wife and I ride two up on my 12Ss pretty often, with the same combined weight. If If we are going for more than a few minutes I pop the seat and bring the preload all the way in (Notch 7, follow owners manual instructions for maximum weight) and the bike does well. I obviously dont drag any knees with a pile up, but the bike still performs well. YOu can tell it's working harder because it builds more heat two-up, the fan comes on early and stays on, and there is a touch of pinging if I dont get it ebough gas after 30 Minute of putting around (We've been house hunting on it all summer, so I've definatly worked it hard) Wife liked the extra room on the long seat as well. See if you can do a demo ride.. | ||
| Etennuly |
Take her with you to a dealer for a two up test ride on a Ulysses. Ride it yourself first to get the feel for it then put her on the back. You will be surprised how little difference it makes having a passenger on the back. Just don't forget to jack up the rear shock crank knob under the seat on the left side. Single or two up, cruising, touring, twisties, fast twisties, the Uly is quite impressive. | ||
| New12r |
ULY. That is all I have to say. | ||
| Aldaytona |
The answer is so obvious................... M2 What do you think the 2 stands for?  | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
What X1's are great two up, mine never misbehaves,two up or solo, handlings never a queston/issue, have ya stiffened up the spring thingies? Foot pegs ain't that low on an X1. Say jest how hard are you going in them corners two up? | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Thanks heaps for the thoughts! Very interesting...  I know Concours, CBR1000's, Blackbirds, Busa's are good options, but I prefer naked bikes myself. And it never gets that cold here. But if we ever get into more serious distance work (Hmmm, MotoGP at Philip Island comes to mind...) they'd be worth checking out. Jim - How much for postage on the Sprint? Hehehe ;) (Rear pulley is still working fine too BTW) Sounds like ground clearance on the S3 is the same as the X1, so I'm guessing it wouldn't really be an improvement. Anybody know if S3's came with the same shock spring as X1's? Ok, lot's of you praise the Uly... I'll have to check one out, and maybe take one for a spin. It's the looks that don't do it for me, but bikes can grow on you... Nevrenuf - great pic!!!!!! Thoughts noted. I find the X1 becomes vague in front end 2up, doesn't want to turn in. M2 the same? I used to have an oil-cooled streetfighter'd GSXR750 which I loved, and I love the GSX1400, and it looks very comfortable for two. I could maybe justify a near new one and keep the X1... The option that's really got me thinking is the XB12Ss. I was really happy when they came out, though I've never ridden one... yet I didn't realise there was a touring seat for it - anybody tried the seat? The Ss is one of the few bikes I'd consider trading the X1 for, and probably one of the few my gf would let me sell the X1 for! She's actually the one encouraging me to add another bike to the stable and keep the X1. (Yeah, she rocks!) She will definitely be involved in the next purchase, and test riding solo and 2 up. (And maybe get her to test ride an XB9 herself... hehehe ;) ) | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Not cornering that hard when two up, but some of the roads I ride are pretty bumpy and have scraped pegs and sidestand when hitting bumps  Rear preload is wound all the way up for two of us. The bike handles ok 2-up, but nowhere near as good as solo, but maybe I'm asking too much of a bike that is relatively light and short wheelbase? | ||
| Bartimus |
you might want to look into getting a new rear shock for the X1. They are pricy, but cheaper than another bike. Check with AL, at American Sport Bike, he's one of the sponsers here. I ride an S2 two up, with soft saddlebags, never have had a problem. I also have an S3T, but still prefer the S2. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Hmmm... I've got the X1 here at work today, and just looking at it while I had a coffee break earlier I really don't think I could sell it...  Bartimus - a new shock is an option I'd forgotten about. Can anybody comment on whether an aftermarket shock on there tuber improved things two up? A red/red XB12Ss would be nice though... Anybody tried one of the touring seats? | ||
| Chadr81 |
I'm driving a red/red demo XB12Ss right now until my 12S is all finished getting fixed. Pretty nice bike. I have only seen the touring seats in the accessory books. They look pretty nice. Chad | ||
| Cyclonedon |
you said that the Ulysses doesn't push your button? try riding one and then let us know what you think! the handling, power, & comfort is unbelievable! You'll just have to ride one to find out how great of motorcycle it truly is. | ||
| Bartimus |
Lemon, It certainly improves overall handling and performance! While the stock rear shock is decent enough, it is prone to failure, ie; leaking, etc. American Sport Bike sells both the WP shock and the Penske shock. Both are good buys, and have excellent options. You can even purchase stiffer springs to compensate for an additional passenger. check out this link: http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/6060.html | ||
| Nevrenuf |
when taking these corners at the gap, we were hitting them pretty hard and at a pretty good clip. you can't corner like you were solo but it sure is fun trying to. i would like to think that a new uly will end up in my garage one day though. good luck on deciding though. remember, you won't get for your bike what you think it's worth, so keeping is the best option, especially if it's paid for. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Thinking about it last night, I just can't sell the X1. This is a good thing It's unique, I love it's character, I *love* riding it solo and 2up, I own it, and buying it three years ago was a really significant event for a variety of personal reasons. It's staying! Plus I mentioned the idea of trading it for a Lightning Ss last night to my girlfriend and she was adamant, no way am I allowed to sell it!!! (I was riding it on our second date ) I had a Works shock on my GSXR and was very impressed with it, and I've heard great things about the Penske's too, so I think a new shock would be a good start, and a lot less than adding another bike. But I'm sure something more comfortable for 2 for weekends away will end up in the garage in the next year... or two... I will go and take a Uly for a test ride though, solo and two up, and report back my thoughts. I'm curious now! And so is my girl And I may as well take a XB12Ss for a spin too... Hehehehe | ||
| Rainman |
OK, got a question: Can you put the Uly seat on the Ss? The wheelbase is the same but I'm assuming everything else is different. Is there a touring saddle for the Ss? | ||
| Jaimec |
The Uly seat will NOT fit on the Ss, not without changing out the tail section. Yes, there is both a touring and a sport seat for the Ss, but the stock seat is a damned good compromise between the two. I look at it this way, though... although you can pound in a nail with a pipe wrench, you really do want to use the right tool for the right job. When I take a long trip two-up, the XB12Ss stays in the garage and the K1200LT comes out to play:  | ||
| Jimidan |
The wife and I went from Columbus, OH to Portland, Maine and then back on my S2, entirely on back roads. Was it the best bike to do it on? NO, but it was an adventure. If I had my druthers, it would have been a lot more comfortable on a Uly, or BMW. |
