2 up experience

[af1-windy]

Not the George Michael type... 

My partner is due to have her shoulder operated on soon and once she has recovered we're hoping to do a few 2 day trips followed by a long weekend and building up to a European trip to the Alps.

The 2 up riding I do now is if either of my Daughters decide they want to go out for the day, so no luggage needed and they're both waif like, not that the missis is big  but she's no skinny 20 year old either.

Anyway, I'm looking for comments, tips, advice, good or bad points on 2 up touring with luggage.  Luggage will be 2 Givi E33 (not pretty but a great shape and very functional  ) and a Givi 58l trekker, all 3 likely to be full, I'll put my gear in the tank bag... 

How's the braking? suspension? settings/mode if you let me know? riding mode? road/dynamic/dynamic pro? comfort of the pillion seat?

Cheers in advance of you replies. 

windy

[Mareng1]

I've never carried a pillion, but I would suggest the first thing is to get out  for short runs and practice being super-smooth in accellerating/braking/cornering.  (fill up the panniers with bottles of water so you can get a feel for the all-up weight)

Braking distances will be very much greater - you need to think further ahead.

Before you plan any serious distances - make sure your pillion can handle a day on the back seat of the XR, or come up with sensible mileages.

Look into bluetooth coms between you both,  give the pillion something to do - with the route-following etc.

Many many decades ago, I was on the back of a friends Grieves dirt bike on the streets.  He cracked open the throttle fast, and it was only my legs catching under his armpits - that prevented me going off the back ! 

[af1-windy]

Originally Posted by Mareng1

I've never carried a pillion, but I would suggest the first thing is to get out  for short runs and practice being super-smooth in accellerating/braking/cornering.  (fill up the panniers with bottles of water so you can get a feel for the all-up weight)

Braking distances will be very much greater - you need to think further ahead.

Before you plan any serious distances - make sure your pillion can handle a day on the back seat of the XR, or come up with sensible mileages.

Look into bluetooth coms between you both,  give the pillion something to do - with the route-following etc.

Many many decades ago, I was on the back of a friends Grieves dirt bike on the streets.  He cracked open the throttle fast, and it was only my legs catching under his armpits - that prevented me going off the back ! 

I'm no stranger to having to ride smooth and riding in pillion mode (so to speak) all of my 3 kids have been pillion since they were around 6, my son was with me at the TT when he was 7, both girls did France with me when they hit 13.. luggage for two both times.

All that on other bikes, I'm more interested in this bike specifically because my partner isn't a natural biker but she is willing to give it a go.

My intention is to start with days out, weekends out with one night stop overs then a long weekend, if she's ok with that we'll do as many as we can to get her bike fit then head for the Alps.. I have sena sets and I don't scrimp on gear for her just because she's on the back.

I see lads out with a £1000.00 helmet on and their other half on the back with leggings and trainers.. 

  windy

[Winger]

Read the OP’s post out to my other half amid hoots of laughter her reply...’How long are they going away for 6 months’ 😀😀😀.

I’ll digress...cannot remember the last time I rode a bike one up period, and probably why I spend so much time and money setting the bikes up as I do.

Suspension? sorry can’t help cuz I ordered a non ESA and as soon as it turned up phoned the Wilbers guy for a rear shock, and put a pair Dymags on to speed the steering up, although the KTMGT has electric Sus which is OKish...so just went carbon Dymags.

Now in fairness we’ve been at this tripping around on a bike lark for quite a time so we’ve had a fair amount of practice, luggage wise?? Very simple Bagster tank bag and a 50l soft bag on the rear rack and that’s it, I appreciate we’ve turned it into an art form...even the tee shirt situation is either old ones that get dumped along the way or we buy them as and when, if we are staying in a place for a couple of days ours smalls get washed.

At the same time i’d Point out our idea of camping is an Ibis hotel so although we travel light slumming it isn’t on the agenda and saving money isn’t on the list either 😜 my other has said she’ll do you a list for two weeks on the road if you want...

[Winger]

The bike gear comment made me smile jeeze I'd be in the divorce court...we buy what we want.

[Winger]

[af1-windy]

In fairness, when Christine gets her shoulder sorted and we do start getting out she's pretty good and organising what is and what isn't needed and also of making use of every bit of space. Maybe I'm the problem, bit of a boy scout, what if I need this and what if this happens, I flipping end up taking allsorts of stuff and I've never needed half of it. I suppose it started in the early days when I didn't know what to expect and now I'm scared to leave something off cos that's when I'll need it.. 

That list sound good though, I'd be very happy to get a look at it... Thank you. 

  windy

[Gazk]

90% of my riding on the XR is two up it's a great bike for two up.

The only thing I would say is if your pillion is vertical challenge like my other half then they may need to get on first then slide back to the back seat, holding has all ways been an issue for the othe half so I've made a loop the bolts to the Givi top box plate for when we don’t have the top box and pans on.

I’ve had the Gen 2 down to 46% and the pegs just about on the floor in Scotland, at Easter we went to Germany 504 miles in one day no issues at all.

[bobdave]

Ive recently come back from 2 weeks touring in France with my wife. She does not often do long distance as a pillion but enjoys the thrill of going on the bike. We had full luggage (as you say, not of mine was in my tank bag whilst her's filled panniers and top box !). She reckoned it was one of the more comfortable bikes as a pillion. We used the full 2 passenger and luggage suspension preset and I rode in Dynamic mode (which the bike remains in pretty much all of the time). We did have to stop for a coffee or just a leg stretch every couple of hours or she got fidgety but that's not unreasonable. The only time she was uncomfortable was when we were on the autoroutes doing 90+ mph for any distance due to the general hanging on and side winds/buffetting at speed so we tried to avoid them and stick to the d roads at 60/70 mph.
The only other thing that was a struggle was getting on the bike. I would get on and move the the nearest kerb so she had a bit more height to help her get on.

All in all the bike worked well for us and we didn't end up fighting or divorcing, in fact she's happy to go again so all is good.

[Winger]

The divorce is coming on here as she’s just posted the list and it’s disappeared......

This is on the road for us 2 for 2 weeks
8 pairs of knickers each
8 pairs of socks each
1 pair of jeans each
1 pair of shorts each
8 tops each
1 jumper each
1 of pj’each
Deodorant
Soap
Toothbrush each plus 1 charger
Toothpaste
Shampoo and conditioner
Perfume
Makeup  lipstick eyeshadow mascara
Hairbrush
Hairdryer
Wet ones
Handbag
Washing liquid for clothes
Razor and blades
Shaving foam
1 iPad and charger
2 phone charges
Plugs if abroad
First aid kit
Waterproofs 1 pair each
Shoes 1 pair each
Sunglasses 1 pair each
Glasses
All this fits in our tank bag and 50 litre bag (which bad depends of which bike we use)
Hope this helps
Mrs Winger