If you fancy a divorce, put her on the back of a Rocket 3R.

 

I think the Bonneville does a really good job as a passenger bike. Easy t o get on & off for both rider and passenger. Has enough power and is easy to handle.
Bonnie and my Yamaha 400 scooter, which is the wifes favorite to be a passenger on.
She likes the HD a lot too but I like it solo and keep it set up that way to eliminate her asking to go on it. 😈

 

I think the Bonneville does a really good job as a passenger bike. Easy t o get on & off for both rider and passenger. Has enough power and is easy to handle.
Bonnie and my Yamaha 400 scooter, which is the wifes favorite to be a passenger on.
She likes the HD a lot too but I like it solo and keep it set up that way to eliminate her asking to go on it. 😈

Have you used the King & Queen seat or something similar? Seems like that would help give her some sight lines.

 

Many years ago I purchased a used GoldWing as neither of us were small. At the time I was 6' 1" and about 180 lbs. She found it much more comfortable than my Yamaha XJ650RJ Seca.

I don't think there is a best. My opinion that you need to match the machine to the people using it.


K

 

Girlfriends like motorcycles, then they suddenly decide it's cars only once you're past the point of no return.
Having said that, a back rest or tour pak and a flat seat which isn't up in the air is a good thing.
So is ease of mounting and dismounting.

 

I've had a '98 Sprint Sport for many years that my wife and I would ride on together. It got to the point where the seat height made it difficult for her to swing her leg over, and the bike just felt cramped with us both on it.

Almost 2 years ago, I got a 2010 Thunderbird 1600 to use as our 2-up bike and it's been great! Plenty of room, easy to get on and off, very comfortable, tons of power. Depending on where you live, Thunderbirds can be had for quite cheap. A downside is factory accessories can be quite hard to find, so when shopping you want to find one with as many accessories as possible. Especially a passenger back rest. These things have so much torque, your passenger will feel like they're going to slide off the back otherwise.

I seriously thought about the smaller twins like the Speedmaster/America line, but was concerned about power riding 2-up. I'm about 185lbs, and my wife is not heavy, but riding 2-up on the Thunderbird, I'm very happy I didn't go with the smaller bike.

 

When I was young, but not that young, and still had friends, many were female. Their sceptism of riding pillion on my motorcycle changed after riding on the back of my Motoguzzi California T3. A CHIPS bike. Big wide saddle. Slow beating engine, sideways V-twin.

 

Not sure what you are asking?
But all my bikes have stock OEM seats and the HD is the Solo-only seat, no passager. I have the passenger seat - it just stays stashed away. The HD Fatboy looks just too damn good to have that passenger seat on it.
Personal opinion = I think motorcycles are meant for ONE person, If you want to ride, get your own bike! 😱 😉

 

Not sure what you are asking?
But all my bikes have stock OEM seats and the HD is the Solo-only seat, no passager. I have the passenger seat - it just stays stashed away. The HD Fatboy looks just too damn good to have that passenger seat on it.
Personal opinion = I think motorcycles are meant for ONE person, If you want to ride, get your own bike! 😱 😉

I guess I'm wondering if a something like this would be substantially better than the ole Bonneville bench seat:

 

My preference would be a cruiser with a sissy bar/backrest for 2 up riding. Maybe see how the two of you fit on the Speedmaster.

 

As long as the seat slopes rearward and has a sissybar. Most seats make the passenger slide forward everytime you hit brakes.

 

My T120 has proven a good two-up bike with the backrest and comfort seat.

 

Next I started wondering about my bikes. I own a 790 Bonneville and a Dr650, neither of which are great for taking a passenger. I had hoped to trade the 790 for a T120 in a year or two, but in light of this new twist I wonder if a different bike would make her feel more stable and comfortable.

Speedmaster? Used Thunderbird 1600? Tiger? Sound off on your pillion experiences!

Turning your wife's "surprised statement that she wanted to start overcoming some of her fears" into an excuse to purchase yet another bike is brilliant!
To keep this gift keep on giving I would start with a 70's chopper. You'll go through at least 5 or 6 other bikes after she rides on that hard-tail before she's either "fearless" or has left you. Whichever way, you can then buy whatever new bike you want afterwards. Win win.

 

When I brought my Thruxton S new the first thing I did was order a duel comfort seat so the wife could come out every so often on the bike so far she hasn't complained about it, as for me I wouldn't now as I am always up front lol, it also great for my throw over leather saddle bags when I go away on my solo trips, I can carry a lot of gear on the back of the duel seat as well with my rack on the back.
I think the wife is lucky I do take her out every so often on the back of the bike, the only problem she has is getting on and off the back as she has small legs lol (she is only 5') and has to use the rear foot pegs to get on and off while I hold the bike upright.
But then my wife knows not to complain or she be left at home lol, but she is great on the back she learner real quick if she moves around while in the twisties she gets an elbow in the ribs (only had to do that once).

Ashley

 

I think the 2014 (ish) Rocket III is your best bet.

 

The wife and I rode 2 up on the Bonneville and it handled it ok. But I decided to buy a bike just for us two up and keep my Bonny for solo rides. A V-Strom 1000 came along for a song and we bought a Russell Daylong Saddle for it. Its very comfy and the 1000 has about 108 HP/ 75 ft -lbs of torque and a six speed so it is fast and handles the weight just fine. Out Strom has 3 hard GIVI boxes that snap on and the top one is a good back rest for her. Its no Goldwing but its got plush suspension and it is our 2 up bike for now. I've rented BMW 1200 RT now on two week long vacations and I think my Strom will keep up with that bike no problem. The RT is more street oriented and it has a better windshield. Also, the Strom never seems to break. Very reliable and older ones are the most bang for the buck you can get.

 

Everyone is recommending what bike to get for 2 up riding, just set the bike you already have for 2 up riding whether for day rides or traveling, a lot cheaper in the long run, Triumphs can handle it no matter what model you ride, even my old 81 Triumph Thunderbird was good 2 up, had it when I first started to go out with the wife we rode it everywhere 2 up even traveling interstate to visit my old mate and his family, 11hrs in the saddle.
Suspension plays a big part 2 up set it up right with better shocks helps from crappy stock shocks.

Ashley

 

What Ashman said. You can ride any bike two up if you ride it properly to allow for the extra weight & have adjusted the suspension as needed. I've ridden two up on a 125 at times, works fine if a bit slow. Even with the suspension adjusted you'll need to brake earlier and expect it to feel like it's running wider on bends. Cruiser styles do this a lot less than sportier bikes I've found, probably cause they are more rearward balanced anyway.

 

Speaking for myself, as a pillion: it's got nothing, well little, to do with the bike. It's the idiot (or otherwise) who's in the riding seat. Recovering from a bad crash, still in crutches, a "friend", a professional rider (courier), and a very "good" rider, gave me a lift to London (poll tax protest, was a while ago).

He had some big Japanese bike, probably around 1100cc. Refused to come back on his bike. Zero, less than zero actually, consideration for someone on the back, never mind someone recovering from a serious accident.

I came back on the back of his girlfriend's bike. CX500. Lovely ride back, in that I wasn't scared witless the whole time. She's dead now, and his now wife won't let him see me, so at least I'll never be on the back of his bike.

I take my adult son around on my Bonneville 750. Anyone "wanting" more power than that isn't thinking about the pillion, they are thinking about themselves.

So, knowing how much I didn't like that experience, don't think I've ever been on the back of a bike again, I ride for my son... Use back brake much more, gentler, no diving, especially coming to stop. No stupid acceleration, especially up steep hills (unless I momentarily forget). No sharp braking. No road rage, if possible. I fitted a sissy bar, it's supposed to be both a psychological comfort as well as a physical stop. I don't go round corners very fast. I'm quadruple safety-sure, scanning road, so there's no frights, never mind actual incidents. He was a bit disturbed when I was hemmed in by four police cars, being directed by a helicopter, I tried to get away but couldn't , still that was all very slow speed, unavoidable, and another story.

Above said, those sports bikes with a budgie perch on the back and nothing to hold onto are just ridiculous for pillions. Must have been designed by someone without any human kindness.

 

It partly depends on the pillion of course. I used to take a lass out who loved to go as fast as possible & complained if I slowed down, most others much prefer feeling safe & smooth.

 

My wife loves to ride pillion but she still feels quite nervous at times, particularly on motorways and in heavy traffic. However we have just returned from a 1800 mile tour through Colorado and Utah on a rented HD Road Glide, she loved the trip!

There are a few things that are really important for her comfort and feeling safe. A comfortable seat and sissy bar with back rest are essential, I also wear a pillion grip belt which she loves and insists on. This is great for both of us as it stops her either pressing down on my shoulders or gripping bunches of my jacket which is really uncomfortable for both of us. Also make sure the pillion pegs are in a comfortable position, neither too high or too low, she must be relaxed on the back. This is even more important as we get older and sore knees become an issue!

As TriumphTun says the way you ride is crucial, everything must be smoother than when your solo. Take her into a parking lot so she can get used to leaning with the bike (and you) in turns. Finally don't forget the safety equipment including trousers, gloves and boots, not just helmet and jacket. She needs to be as well protected as you!

Hth

Steve

 

My wife has made more than 100K km as touring passenger in the last 15 years, with five different cruisers. And tested another dozen models for a while.

And she thinks the speedmaster is one of the best she used. This picture is made in south morocco after a 500km stage.

 

Worell. Have you considered her riding one and you the other. No real need to fork out $$$$$ or put yourself into debt for a new bike.

FWIW. My Mrs said the 955I Girlie Tiger and the GL1800 Goldwing were the best pillion setups for her. Beat the Americas and the Bonnie's hands down.

 

The problem with making the wife comfortable on the back is she want to come out all the time with me, most of the times I like to ride on my own or with the mates just too get away from the wife, I love her but I need that break, even worst now I am no longer working lol.
But my wife never complains if the pillion seat is uncomfortable, she just enjoys the times I let her on the back and as long as I am comfortable on the bikes.

 

When I want to spend time alone I just tell her "I prefer going alone". Do not need to have an uncomfortable pillion for that... 🤔

 

I always tend to sit on the back of my bikes in the garage just to see what it's like. The one that surprised me was the Sprint GT, it was more comfy on the back. Mostly as it had loads more leg room than the rider did.

 

My wife was always on the back of my bike for about 15yrs, then we had our 1st kid, followed by another 2 over a few years. She stopped riding on the bike, worried if something happened and left the kids on their own. When she started back a couple of years ago she was a very nervous and fidgetty pillion, and would complain if I was lining up overtakes. This culminated in her leaning the opposite way going round a corner one time. When we got home, I told her that she cannot come out on the bike anymore as she was making it dangerous, so I ride alone now.

 

That case is not rare. I have a very close friend whose wife also changed mind about motorcycle danger after being mother, and know about a few other similar.

I am lucky. We also had a cut while the kids were young but rather lack of time and need to bring them. But recovered bike when they grew enough to be able to be alone some hours.

Three weeks ago we had a crash (no serious damage, though could have been worse). My wife's conclusion is that now chances to suffer other will be lower for some time, and tells everyone how proud she is of how I was able to control bike enough to reduce impact. She is still trying to convince that friend wife to get back to bike and take the chance to do some common trips.

 

My wife seems to be too confident on the back of a bike, so much that she's frequently moving around, shifting her weight unexpectedly, banging helmets and rarely holding on. I hate the thought of having a crash with her on the back so I'd much rather ride solo. When I rented a >900 lb Indian Roadmaster for an extended ride I barely noticed her on the back so that was a pleasant time.

 

it's important to "educate" the pillion to have a responsible attitude. There is a big difference between being relaxed (good), and that total lack of care and control you describe.

That 's potentially bad for both, but more for her, as in case of lose of control the passenger is more subject to be damaged,

Do you have intercoms? Im my experience with newbees it is important to keep communication. Many times they are not really aware of how to do, and hard to explain after. If you can speak while driving it is much easier to explain all the "dos and do nots" and tell about what you expect, advise about situations to care before reaching, etc.

My wife has rode more than 100K km now. She is an expert pillion, and she is able to react to complex situations, detect danger in advance, and even evaluate the quality of driving of pilots watching their movements (and tell me "pass over that guy... do not like the way he is unsafely making the curves ")... but that's now. When we re-started our moves after the kids hiatus I had to spend some time telling her "stop this, don't do that, remember whatever, pay attention on..."