Kids have grown up- now Cathy and I are looking at getting back into 2 up riding (last bike was a 1981 Honda 900F supersport set up with soft bags, low passenger backrest and cut down aftermarket windshield- we were "sport touring" before they started to call it that)

I bought a 250R 2 months ago to get my riding reflexes back and to commute on. Now Cathy would like to get on the back with me again.

Anyone with a 500R do 2 up medium distances- riding 1-2 hours stopping for a break, maybe going 200-300miles per day? Possibly light packing in small, soft saddlebags? Corbin makes a seat with passenger backrest that does not look ridiculously large.

Any thoughts? I like the ZZR but no one makes a backrest. And Cathy really wants one. The dealer thinks that we could do without one, but she said that he should try being a passenger for a few hours without one.

Any input would be appreciated. We don't need 0-60 in 4 sec. or 90mph top speed when two up.

John

 

Congratulations on landing a riding-wife! (There are few blessings sweeter in this life.) As long as you & Cathy don't weigh 500 pounds combined and aren't expecting to ride up Pike's Peak on a 110-degree day, it should be fine.
I've taken ladyfriends on dayrides on the 500 (me+ladyfriend=350 pounds with gear) up in the mountains, and while it's no torque-monster, it'll do the job.
I chuckle at the magazines and the current love of 1800+cc luxury tourers which get worse fuel economy than many cars. Doesn't anyone remember the thrill of being exposed to the wind and the other things that a luxo-tourer insulate you from? Remember Pirsig in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? This man rode a 350cc air-cooled Honda with his son and about 130 pounds of gear from Minnesota to California and back!


Peace!
-CCinC

 

Just to make your point I hear that the Connie 14 only gets 26 to 30 mpg. This is a success story?

 

Thank you both for the response- thought I was going to get the "can't go 2 up with less than 1000+cc's" lecture. We want to go lightweight and I have been very impressed with the 250R so far. The 500R should be fun with the two of us.

BTW, Cathy loves to get on the bike with me- has been a great passenger since the late 70's and we are just over 300# total. We have had some great rides lasting from 2-3 hours to 10 day tours.

Any other input?

Thanks again for the info so far.

John