Two up comfort

[damnbiker]

Hi all, I'm looking at getting and adventure style bike. I've been riding sports bikes for about the past 10 years and before that, standard Japanese machines. I made a terrible mistake a few years ago, on a whim, I bought an old Goldwing, more as an experiment than anything. I thought my kids mom would let on go on the back of that (which she did) and then I made the mistake of putting my girlfriend on the back of the Wing. I'm sure you can all see where this is going... Anyway, recently the Wing needed more expensive repairs that I was willing to put into it so I decided to get rid of it. It only cost me $3200 CDN and I had put almost 30,000 miles on it so I figure that I got my money out of it. So all I have left is my CBR929 and, since nobody will go on the back of it, I am relegated to commuting only on the bike :( To make matters worse, it's getting up there on the clock so I figure I'll have maybe one or two more seasons before it starts getting less than reliable (I ride about 750 km a week for my commute). I'm looking at one of three new bikes: the new Duc Multi 1200s, a used 2007 R1200GSA and a 2007 KTM 990 Adventure. Both used bikes have low mileage (9000 miles and 6200 miles respectively) and both used bikes have luggage and toys o plenty. The KTM is significantly less expensive even though it has less mileage than the Beamer so my questions is, what about the passenger comfort? If I get a top box or back rest will the gf get cranky after a few hundred miles? Are there after market seats that will fix that problem? I've been showing her all sorts of different bikes that I would actually enjoy riding and the answer is always "It's NOT the Wingy!".

Little help would sure be appreciated here. I like the performance of the Duc (but obviously not the price). I like the "go anywhere" of the KTM and the BMW and am mostly concerned about the comfort issue of the KTM. Also, is there anything mechanically I should watch out for on the 07?

[Dagwood_55]

Ive had both a 07 GSA and a 07 990. GSA was more comfey for both rider and passenger on the highway, but I still had to purchase a Russell DayLong seat to get there. Either bikes are pretty tuff with stock seats.

Right now, I'm looking for another 990 and it will get a Russell DL on it.

[Ultra54]

Wow, your story is similar to mine. I picked up a 1980 wing and put 20,000km on it last summer and my wife loved it and I did too. I found a mint 1986 Aspencade with 40,000 on it and bought it. In my garage I have a Ducati Monster that is next to impossible to double on and even solo it's not very practical. I put another 20K on this Wing and 1K on the Monster this year. On Monday I trade my Ducati for a brand new 990 SMT and I will keep my beloved Wing. I will do alot of touring on the 990 and take mama on the Wing. I can't say enough good about the Honda Goldwing. I have owned alot of bikes and for me I see the SMT fitting my needs perfectly. I prefer a 200 XCW for the offroad duties.

[RumRunner]

Are you the "damnbiker" from the FuzzyRiders days? If so, we know each other.

I did not see you mention riding in any serious dirt, with that in mind, the GS would make a better commuter mount and easier on the GF for those jaunts.

DW

[T O Double D]

Originally Posted by RumRunner

I did not see you mention riding in any serious dirt, with that in mind, the GS would make a better commuter mount and easier on the GF for those jaunts.

DW

+1 The KTM is the sporty bike that likes going fast and getting dirty. The GS is a rather dull, IMO, but comfy bike that will probably give you less troubles with maintenance. You could get an older GS like an 1150 as well, as they're a lot more economical.

[damnbiker]

Ha! Guilty as charged! Who dat?

Originally Posted by RumRunner

Are you the "damnbiker" from the FuzzyRiders days? If so, we know each other.

I did not see you mention riding in any serious dirt, with that in mind, the GS would make a better commuter mount and easier on the GF for those jaunts.

DW

[roundtripping]

If you're not going to be doing a lot of dirt and you have the money to buy the Ducati, I wouldn't even think twice about it. That bike conjures boners even as it's in the garage under a cover.

[TurboCharger]

IMO you would need to test ride each bike with your partner to see what is the most comfortable for you both.

After several hours of riding on any standard seat your deriere will go numb. You could always opt for an airhawk or gel seat which come highly recommended.

I can't comment on other bikes but the GS 2007 model with the thick back pillion seat is comfortable otherwise my GF wouldn't have sat on it for 55,000kms!!"

[FastEddieB]

Karen and I do a lot of local touring on our '05 950 Adventure.

She doesn't complain - I think the seat (a Corbin in our case) makes a big difference.



Our BMW K1200RS is a lot smoother, but I think she slightly prefers the more upright seating on the Adventure - though we can do decent miles on either.

As far as a top case, don't ask!

[BartG]

I have a 08 adv and been riding 2 up for just over a year now. The misses is about 120 pounds so not to much weight on the back. In stock suspension form, the bike handles it well even in the dirt and the engine doesnt suffer at all. I did add a Gobi top box and 1 of those foam bar protectors around the carry handle as a back rest, works great! Less fatige for her and no pain in her back when I accel out of corners or hit a bump or 2.

Seat is on the tough side so a sheep skin is on my list.

[catalina38]

Here is my solution for two up riding. A Bill Mayer dual saddle. I am not affiliated with them but I saw they are having a sale on seats this month

[twodollardoug]

we have a bill mayer seat also. its like sitting on our couch. i have a stock seat for off roading.

[kirb]

I have bikes that range all over the map. My GF likes the KTM, then FJR for long distance as she is behind my dumb ass for wind protection. The Super X gets the nod for anything under an hour (that bike ties me in knots). The KTM has great seat to peg distance for both of us.

I assume $$ isn't much of an object if you are considering a Duc, so here is my analysis-
Ducati if you are looking for a sport bike that doubles as a sport touring rig (forget if you are also going off road) This should replace the sport bike you have now while being able to go two-up without much compromise. Be careful if commuting a lot as high milage ducs can get $$ to maintain.

GS if you are looking for a good all-rounder that is a very capable slab burner for long tours. Decent off road (I'm told) as long as you don't get too crazy. I think I'd prefer to commute on one of these if I had to.

KTM if you are willing to give up long range wind protection for something that is very off-road capable. I like my KTM even on long slab rides, but only if there is going to be some reason to go off road at some point. The FJR is so much better at burning up highway without burning out the riders. The sporty peg distance gets tiresome at times.

Good luck. Nice problem to have.

[DeeGee]

My 2 penneth worth;

I'd take them both out for a blast with your better half. I had my heart set on a GS (I know the shame ) but after the test ride it did little for me and my missus didn't find it particularly comfortable, she found the seat a bit too wide.

She loved the KTM, but hated the colour, but she came round after I went and bought one (after a couple of months).

Just over 3k miles we did round Europe last year with some big mileage days. Click on my link below, you can even show your missus

[Hobbes950]

I have been a pillion on the back of a GS. Longest day was 800 miles. Used an airhawk and boy did I need it! Seat quality and backrest is key. I dont know if the difference in bike would make a difference to your pillion, it is all about the seat. Now for you, that may be different. I weigh 150 and on the GS, my hubby says he doesnt even know that I am back there. I am no longer a pillion, I have a KTM 950. We havent ridden it two up so I cant give you input on that (sorry) For your needs it sounds like you want the GS though. You can definitely get your kicks on both bikes. To me, the difference in bikes is a lot about attitude. I am more of a kid than my hubby, more boisterous and outspoken, he is the strong silent type, more willing to take the unbeaten path, and a far better rider.