I have a 4th gen with a corbin seat on it and recently started riding 2 up. I am starting to get used to it and set the suspension 2 rounds up for the preload in the back and 1 round up from what I normally ride at in the front. The problem I am having is no matter where I set the preload in the front no matter how hard I brake she slides right into me and my boys slide into the tank. In the twisties it feels pretty good where its at but its just braking. I downshift and give myself plenty of space at lights to use the brakes as light as possible and in the twisties use the engine and light rear/front brake to brake. Would would you guys suggest I do about this? I have a 929 shock that Jamie rebuilt with a 1200LBS spring and the front is stock. I run 2 rounds up from the middle on the shock and 7 turns away from full preload setting and it feels good in the twisties.
[image: View Post]daemontrym, on 09 October 2010 - 12:43 PM, said:
I have a 4th gen with a corbin seat on it and recently started riding 2 up. I am starting to get used to it and set the suspension 2 rounds up for the preload in the back and 1 round up from what I normally ride at in the front. The problem I am having is no matter where I set the preload in the front no matter how hard I brake she slides right into me and my boys slide into the tank. In the twisties it feels pretty good where its at but its just braking. I downshift and give myself plenty of space at lights to use the brakes as light as possible and in the twisties use the engine and light rear/front brake to brake. Would would you guys suggest I do about this? I have a 929 shock that Jamie rebuilt with a 1200LBS spring and the front is stock. I run 2 rounds up from the middle on the shock and 7 turns away from full preload setting and it feels good in the twisties.
Thanks for your advice
Your pillion sliding into you is more about riding technique than having the right preload. A passenger on a sportbike in the twisties needs to learn how to become part of riding the bike as much as the driver. When approaching a corner the passenger needs to anticipate where they need to put there body as much as the driver, and to prevent themselves from coming forward they must put a hand on the gas tank.
Talk through some techniques with your passenger, between the two of your come up with strategies to accommodate your riding style, make them a part of the riding as apposed to simply being a passenger, my girlfriend did her first real long trip this year going to the PNW meet in Troutdale on the bike, and after taking the time to teach her how to ride she has become an intrical part of my riding.
You grip the tank with your legs to prevent sliding, she squeezes her legs to prevent sliding forward
By looking over your shoulder she can anticipate and by looking over the shoulder (left for left turn and vise versa) she'll feel more connceted to what you as driver are doing
You can always try double sided duct tape :biggrin:
[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 09 October 2010 - 01:56 PM, said:
You grip the tank with your legs to prevent sliding, she squeezes her legs to prevent sliding forward
By looking over your shoulder she can anticipate and by looking over the shoulder (left for left turn and vise versa) she'll feel more connceted to what you as driver are doing
You can always try double sided duct tape :biggrin:
+1. The suspension adjustment is great. To be honest, I've never bothered to adjust the front preload for this, since preload really only controls at what point in the suspension travel the bike rides.
BUT, problem with her sliding into you really has nothing to do with suspension settings. The last ride a did with a passenger we had someone pull out in front of us and had to do a hard stop, but she was paying attention, and didn't slide into me at all. 10 minutes earlier, she wasn't paying attention when I did a much more gentle stop and ended up pushing me into the tank. A good passenger looks forward to anticipate what you're going to do and acts accordingly. Squeezing the seat with her thighs prevents sliding forward in stopping, but the same principles apply to cornering and acceleration as well. Having a passenger smoothly lean into corners makes a huge difference.
Rear grab handles: they are included for a reason. :biggrin:
On the other side of the equation (acceleration), I tap her left knee (sorry no male passengers ride with me!) before I'm about to "get on it" (errr, the throttle that is).
Your description of both of you sliding forward so much during braking is the #1 reason I got rid of my Corbin. I went back to stock and we are both MUCH happier. The profile of the Corbin slants forward/down much more for both the rider and passenger sections than does the stock seat. Between the Corbin's steep slant, over-hard "cushioning", and teflon slick leather, I wasn't very happy. I did eventually have the stock seat reworked with a thicker, firmer cushion and new vinyl covering by a local auto upholstery shop. EXCELLENT work, returned to me in just two days for the grand total of $50!
Oh! I thought of another thing. In addition to squeezing the seat, and a stickier seat covering, what type of pants your passenger is wearing makes a difference as well. Jeans and textiles are much more slippery than the leather pants I have. This might change depending on how the leather is finished, but the material will make a difference.
[image: View Post]The mailman, on 09 October 2010 - 11:27 PM, said:
Your description of both of you sliding forward so much during braking is the #1 reason I got rid of my Corbin. I went back to stock and we are both MUCH happier. The profile of the Corbin slants forward/down much more for both the rider and passenger sections than does the stock seat. Between the Corbin's steep slant, over-hard "cushioning", and teflon slick leather, I wasn't very happy. I did eventually have the stock seat reworked with a thicker, firmer cushion and new vinyl covering by a local auto upholstery shop. EXCELLENT work, returned to me in just two days for the grand total of $50!
I'll agree with you that the stock seat is stickier and better for two up if slipping is an issue. But I would have kept the corbin for spirited solo riding.
End of thread · 10 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 28 Jan 2011