I still have my '03 Blackbird for sale on this and a few other boards, but someone has agreed to buy it--haven't closed the deal, but I am confident that it will soon be sold.
I will use the money from the sale as a down payment on a new bike. I am considering a new '07 VFR--found some killer deals on them at several different dealerships, thanks to help from some members of VFRD. Whatever I buy must be capable of some 2-up duty. I'm not talking about serious 2-up touring, but it should be powerful enough to handle my wife and I (combined weight about 280 lbs), and comfortable enough to keep her happy for 3-4 hours of riding.
I own a project 5th gen VFR; my wife has sat on it, but due to this crappy winter, I haven't had a chance to take her for a ride on it.
How well are VFR's in general, and 6th gens, more specifically, suited to 2-up riding? What mods help in this regard?
My 98 performs better than I can ride 2up. I've yet to really push it too far, or try too hard, and I make up almost as much as you and your pillion combined....man thats a depressing thought...
Between me and my GF we make a combined 340lbs and the 07 VFR handles it no problem. You will be fine. Of course I am not a knee dragger anymore in any event. Very nice bike w/ 2 up, though I really prefer to ride solo on any of my bikes.
When I read 280 lbs. combined, my first thought was that there are probably a few out there that weigh close to that with gear on w/out a passenger. Weight shouldn't be a problem at all, but I've been a passenger on my own bike and I would have to say that it wasn't that great! Not much to hold on to(I rode with my dad). The grab rails are to close to your seat to really give you any support. My girlfriend doesn't really care for riding back there, but then she's not much for riding.
On the plus side, the passenger pegs in comparison to most replica sport bike are MUCH lower for more leg room. and the seats are a little bit bigger. Maybe if you had a trunk to lean back on??
Me personally, I have my passenger pegs and grab rails off and the seat cowl on. I prefer riding solo, but you should have plenty of power!!
to add a subjective view, I have a 05 VTEC and I've toured all around Wales 2-up, combined weight around 23 stone or thereabouts with full luggage and I didnt really have too many problems but they were times that I 'wanted' more power.
More particular when cruising around the 60-80mph mark, not much grunt to pass/overtake unless you go above the magic 7K, it will still fly but you have to rev it. I'm actually doing the opposite and looking at getting a blackbird - I do mostly solo stuff but I find I'm lusting after smooth, linear power at the moment.
VFR's are great do it all bikes and you can't go far wrong though :fing02:
For 2-up riding, the VFR is very capable but not the best. I ride 2-up on the rare occasion with my daughters (16, 14) who tell me that they love to ride, but wouldn't want to go very far. To make them a little more comfortable, I put the donut-style seat back that came with the Corbin seat. I would think a bigger bike (ST1300, FJR, ZX-14, etc.) would do better in the passenger department. The VFR is indeed a jack of all trades, but master of none.
My wife and I weigh about 310 combined, and she loves riding 2-up but somewhere around the 130 mile mark she starts getting really squirmy and then she wants off. We would never plan any long trips together on that bike, it's mostly just short trips up into the mountains or out to the beach. At some point I'd like to get something bigger and squishier for some long distance 2-up touring but the VFR would definitely NOT be that bike. Good luck :biggrin:
My fiancee and I are about 280 combined. She's 5'3", 95 lbs or so, and fits on the back fine. We occasionaly do multi-day trips, with a topbox and sidebags (60-70 add'l lbs), knocking out 350+ miles per day, without any problems. I mean, at the end of the day we're glad to be off the bike, but it's not "oh my god sitting here is torture let me off right now." Power is never an issue... it's happy crusing at 95mph all day long loaded up like that.
Regarding mods that help, without a doubt the biggest difference comes from the Givi topbox with a backrest pad. Having that there gives her the confidence to sit upright and not put any weight at all on me, and makes for a much more comfortable ride for both of us.
[image: View Post]sckego, on Feb 23 2009, 11:19 AM, said:
My fiancee and I are about 280 combined. She's 5'3", 95 lbs or so, and fits on the back fine. We occasionaly do multi-day trips, with a topbox and sidebags (60-70 add'l lbs), knocking out 350+ miles per day, without any problems. I mean, at the end of the day we're glad to be off the bike, but it's not "oh my god sitting here is torture let me off right now." Power is never an issue... it's happy crusing at 95mph all day long loaded up like that.
Regarding mods that help, without a doubt the biggest difference comes from the Givi topbox with a backrest pad. Having that there gives her the confidence to sit upright and not put any weight at all on me, and makes for a much more comfortable ride for both of us.
Your fiancee is tiny! She could probably take a nap in your side case when she gets tired. :laugh:
[image: View Post]klinquist, on Feb 23 2009, 11:13 AM, said:
Remember if you get an ABS bike you also get a remote preload adjustment knob, very handy for passengers.
:+1:
Definitely go with the ABS, not just for the remote preload (which is great to have) but also for the ABS. It will give HER more confidence too, letting you ride safer.
Other thing, since you're coming from a blackbird, you may find the VTEC "lacking" power in comparison. Switch up your gearing, -1/+1 or similar and you should recover all that "missing" pep. ;)
I've gone from Mississauga to Ottawa in a day on backroads (including dirt), then ottawa to montreal slab, then montreal straight to Mississauga in a day. All two up. No problems. If you can get your passenger to sit upright, with their butt back in the seat rather than stradling your back, they will be much more comfortable on a long tour than if they are leaning on you. Just make sure you warn them before you punch it. ;)
[image: View Post]magicman, on Feb 23 2009, 11:58 AM, said:
I've gone from Mississauga to Ottawa in a day on backroads (including dirt), then ottawa to montreal slab, then montreal straight to Mississauga in a day. All two up. No problems. If you can get your passenger to sit upright, with their butt back in the seat rather than stradling your back, they will be much more comfortable on a long tour than if they are leaning on you. Just make sure you warn them before you punch it. ;)
I second that (about sitting up right) and I'll add that I think that using a Corbin with a back rest of the Honda/Givi top box will give them something to lean on and will make the ride more comfortable as well as safer (when you punch it). Must keep that passenger happy and comfy, otherwise you're in for a world of trouble and you'll end up riding by yourself.
Good luck deciding!
PPM
My '02 non-ABS has put in about 3k mi on 2-up touring. More then that if you count bumming around the country side on weekend afternoons.
My pillion was about 5'10", I'm 6'2" and our combined weight was about 340lbs.
With a full set of factory luggage, full of stuff, we were well over the "allowed" weight. Still, the bike performed admirably. Didn't have the punch she does when 1-up, but nothing a downshift or two can't take care of.
She much prefered my bike to my friends SV650S due to the peg/seat relationship. Slapped a pillow on the seat and she was good to stay there tank-to-tank.
When we were loaded like that, it only turned about 35mpg.
[image: View Post]blackbuell, on Feb 23 2009, 07:25 AM, said:
I still have my '03 Blackbird for sale on this and a few other boards, but someone has agreed to buy it--haven't closed the deal, but I am confident that it will soon be sold.
I will use the money from the sale as a down payment on a new bike. I am considering a new '07 VFR--found some killer deals on them at several different dealerships, thanks to help from some members of VFRD. Whatever I buy must be capable of some 2-up duty. I'm not talking about serious 2-up touring, but it should be powerful enough to handle my wife and I (combined weight about 280 lbs), and comfortable enough to keep her happy for 3-4 hours of riding.
I own a project 5th gen VFR; my wife has sat on it, but due to this crappy winter, I haven't had a chance to take her for a ride on it.
How well are VFR's in general, and 6th gens, more specifically, suited to 2-up riding? What mods help in this regard?
Thanks in advance for the feedback,
Jon
If you own a BBird, the difference in power will be an awakening event. If power is not an issue, the VFR is a great bike. I have found it a little cramp for two up riding. I'm 6' 1" @ 220 lbs. with my wife at 5' 4" and 120 lbs. We're more comfortable on our CB919 that I am setting up as our touring rig.
Good Luck, John
Agreed with all the mentions of the top box. My girl is about 120 lbs with me weighting in at 140 lbs. We have done as much as 3 hour stints to various twisty roads with lots of elevation changes and both of us have lower back problems. The top box allows her to sit up and hold the grab handles or lean over and hold onto me. This allows her to go the distance without her back hurting or wearing me out.
I have never had a problem with power 2-up but then I always down shift if I am going to pass someone (both as a warning to my girl and to make sure the pass is as effortless as possible). To be honest, I think I would be just as tired from riding solo as when 2-up thanks to the Givi top case so you should be good to go. And if you want more grunt (as someone suggested above) go -1 on the front sprocket or +2 on the back (or both if you really want acceleration) and you should be good to go.
Oh...and a Sargent/Corbin seat will probably make things a little more comfy for her as well. Toss her on the 5th gen and take it for a run to get a good idea what to expect.
Almost 20 years 2up, and since we got the VFR we have had Zero problems with the power as we can keep up to most 1up. As for being comfy, you have to ask the wife. As long as she doesnt fall asleep against me im good. A set of Helibars might be a great addition to keep the ridding more upright.
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