Triumphrat

Devo220 · 07-17-2008, 08:31 PM

I have a '04 Speed Triple Se right now and the wife has been wanting to go for a ride now and then lately. I was thinking about trading or selling and buying a Sprint ST with some bags, and was wondering how two up riding is on a Sprint From a riders prospective and Driving?

LANdaemon · 07-17-2008, 09:24 PM

Bearing in mind that this is only my second motorcycle (the first being a 1995 Suzuki Intruder), that my wife has been on the back of both bikes only a handful of times, that she is about 5'-2" and 100lbs, and that I have only had the Sprint for two months and 1500 miles...

Two-up on the Sprint is great from a driver and passenger perspective; much better than the Intruder. I find the pucker factor increases when she gets on and off the Sprint versus the Intruder simply due to the Sprint being taller and me not feeling as stable as on the Intruder. With her on the back, it seems to handle about the same as riding solo...sometimes, I wonder if she is still back there!

-Dan

RDE · 07-18-2008, 06:05 AM

I agree my wife and I have done several thousand mile two up, as previously stated I hardly know she's there. The bike handles just as well, clearly normal rules apply ie the bike takes longer to stop and if you don't want the family jewels crushed braking needs to be more progressive (no hooning into bends), and wind effects you slightly more.

But for me the ST is the best compromise between sport riding and armchair (pan European) type touring. My last trip was 5 hours with two 15 minute breaks, no aches no pains only a slight numbness in the backside (what can you expect if you've been sat down for so long). She has never complained iether which is not a reflection on the amount of natural padding she possesses.

DarrenL · 07-18-2008, 08:21 AM

My wife hates it, (Sprint 06) she says it's too leaned forward and she slides into me and has to keep pushing herself back. How ever I am not complaining as it means I get to spend quality time with me and my bike

Maelstrom · 07-18-2008, 08:22 AM

A mate has a Speed Triple and loves riding it hard when solo.

When his wife is on board, he takes it a little slower so of course it's not quite the same.
Dynamics naturally change with the addiditional weight on the rear wheel.

I have an ST and also prefer riding solo but also like the wife aboard. The bike.

Her feedback has been generally good however as she's 180cm tall (approx 5'10") she gets aching legs - usually calves & thighs.
Apart from stopping for a stretch, lowering the pillion pegs has been my only possible solution.

It's a great bike. If you haven't already, take a test ride.

zuzka600f · 07-18-2008, 08:40 AM

Hi,
my and my wife experience is that sprint is very comfortable bike for riding wit passenger.

Very comfortable seat, rather low positioned footpegs and lots of space for both (rider and passenger) make it superb for touring, even on long distances.

The only thing You should be afraid of is wheelie, especially if Your passenger rest his/her back on topcase

RexxyPup · 07-18-2008, 09:40 AM

Hi,

two up is great fun. Barely notice my pillion is there most of the time.

We have a routine for her getting on that seems to minimise the pucker factor.

With you on the bike, pull the front brake on, stand up and lean forward into the tank while keeping your body straight. This should push the backs of your calves into the front of your pegs. So now the bike is semi locked from leaning over, between the tops of your thighs and the backs of your calves, and the brake stops it rolling forwards.

Have your pillion put her left hand on your left shoulder (if mounting from the left), her left foot on the left pillion peg, lean forward and stand on the peg while balancing herself on your shoulder.

As she reaches standing straight on the peg, swing her right leg across the seat, onto the other peg and sit easily on the seat.

This is especially useful when you have panniers and topbox on!

Do the reverse to get off. Also, when you adopt the stance, it signals you are ready and prepared for her to move. She shouldn't try anything until you are locked

Rexx

LarryP · 07-18-2008, 12:06 PM

I just returned from a three day 1000 mile trip (breaking in the bike) by backroads from CT to Canada with my wife. She loved the bike.

We have a gel seat, by the way.

Devo220 · 07-18-2008, 01:01 PM

Thanks Guy's, Is the jel seat that much more comfy, worth the extra cash? I have heard stories both ways on those.

DaveM · 07-18-2008, 05:03 PM

Devo220,
I have the Gel seat on my '04 955 Sprint ST and wouldn't have it any other way.

However if you get hot weather as we do in Australia you need to cover the seat with your jacket or small towell or something while you are off the bike if parked in full sun as the seat will absorb a lot of heat and cook your bum.

We love ours.

I do a lot of fast two up mountain riding on my '04 and a 3 - 6 day trip usually once a year and my wife loves the Sprint, she is an excellent fast in the corners pillion as we have been doing this for many years and previously on my Gixxer 600.

The seat and peg positions on an '04 with Gel seat are very comfy for the pillion.

DaveM