VFR Discussion Group -> Riding with passenger

Good morning all - I have been looking for a replacement ride for some time and have read numerous reviews on VFR800s. More particularly the '98-'01 model year range (I am in the market for a used one...)

I have owned nothing but cruisers and standards most of my riding life and have a few questions concerning comfort of a pillion. My wife rides with me 50% of the time, and she will not let me own a scoot that is uncomfortable.

So my question to the group is how is the back seat comfort wise - my wife is a skinny thing only about 5'2" tall weighing in as a featherweight @ approx 115lbs (soaking wet). but her legs are as long as mine (I am 5'9"). On a nice weekend we usually see upwards of 100miles of blacktop country roads in rural Missouri. I ride a Vulcan 750 now and hear about her rear hurting after 50 miles or so....

I found a 2001 VFR750 in impeccable condition within my price range - I will not bring my wife up to see the bike as she has an animosity against 'crotch rocket' type motorcycles as a friend recently did a tank slapper on an R1 (he was acting like a hooligan) and had to be hospitalized.... In short she will see it when I ride it home as she will not listem to me when I tell her that it a bike designed to be peppy and nimble - not fast and dangerous.

Thank you for the readers that made it thru this long, long post - I do appreciate all assistance in making my purchase. :goofy:

Stickboy, the best thing I ever did for my passengers was buy a corbin 'gunfighter and the lady' seat with backrest. It's expensive but choice.

The stock brick would hurt my butt after 60 miles, and the slant of the seat would cause my passengers to slide down towards me, which then caused a bit of a tight squeeze with my package and the gas tank. The Corbin has a small lip between the driver and passenger that alleviates that condition.

You'll love the viffer, by the way. It's a great all around bike.

I agree about the seat not being confortable.

Get a new one (corbin, sargent) or like me have it remolded by a professional (200 CAD$ for new)

Also, I got the top case from Honda with the backrest. My girlfriend has been in nirvana ever since.

I guess I chose the top case because the support was higher than with the corbin, and I need the carrying space.

IMO you should also consider the age of your passenger. No offense but the relative health of the rider needs always to be considered. My girlfriend is 23 and she can ride with me way longer than my mom who's 50. My dad and her are riding a BMW 1200LT because they wanted style, and comfort.

Hope this helps !

Thank you all for the replys.
I have been on the Corbin website - Ouch. That is a pricy seat... But may very well be worth the $.

My wife is 22 years old - her complaint about my current ride is the narrowness of the seat. Only about 1/2 of my rear fits on the passenger seat - and the pegs are very high... My legs feel bent double on the back....

Another small concern - the pass. pegs are close to the exh. can. How hot does it get on the feet?

2001 VFR 750?? no such thing exist. 2001 is a fuel injected 800, better check that out again. The last 750 VFR was in 1997.

I bought the vfr because i wanted a good bike for 2 person.

my g/f love it and i have the corbin with backrest. She did not complained about the exhaust and i have a high mount.

one thing tho i would not go and buy wihtout her seing it. What i did last summer was to go and try out a new vfr with her to try out the position before bying one.

I also tried other bike to compare Bandit 1200, Zrx 1200, Fz600,

Mr. Slammer - I am looking at the 800Fi. I now own a Kaw Vulcan 750. Sorry if my original post was confusing.

I just bought a Sargent (will arrive Apr 20th) and the Givi E52 topcase w/backrest. So far my GF loves the topcase, makes her feel more secure, plus adds storage for me. I think that once the Sargent gets here, she'll be even happier.

I have seen quite a few (VFR) Corbin's with back rest on Ebay, worth watching !
:beer:

baileyrock, Apr 14 2005, 09:50 PMI have seen quite a few (VFR) Corbin's with back rest on Ebay, worth watching !
:beer:

True. You can either buy new and sell on eBay later or buy used.

I just got my Corbin. For me it's great. I did not get the backrest.

The back seat is a little thin but works well, I'm told, with a light passenger.

For 100 miles she will be fine, unless you are going 25 miles an hour.