Question about two-up

[SVsick50]

These are all really good suggestions, guys. Thank you.

 

[Maddevill]

I bought a low mile stock shock with a heavy Race Tech spring on it. Had Catalyst set the sag and adjust it. Rode it 2 up all over the place, fast. Ride it now solo. Works in all settings. But then again, my bike is a pretty fat pig, so there's that.

Mad

 

[kneedraggeroldy]

No, why? Because you should be riding slower and more predictable with a passenger. I am not riding at fast enough of a pace with a passenger to justify messing with my suspension and I have never had an issue with it. If you are, I would suggest either you riding at a dangerous pace with a passenger or need to adjust your riding style for passengers.

^^ This is also a very good perspective! For us (I guess me), I do adjust my riding style with passengers (depending on whom they are, as comfort zones, TRUST, pace etc. as need the understanding their life is in your hands....) All of my kids ride with me but each has a different comfort zone of pace, wife and daughter are very comfortable at B-B+, youngest son C is just fine, other two C-B is their comfort. NEVER do A on road, :wtf that shit is for track IMHO.....Happy riding!

 

[movadosan]

My wife is about 120 lbs and rides with me about once every few weeks. I found a pre-load setting that works well enough for both of us, so I don't mess with it. Plus, my motorcycle has two shocks w/ no notches, one on each side and it's a bit of a pain to adjust and match.

 

[Racinfrk]

Do you mean randomly jam in some air? Or check manufacturer's specifications?

I usually add a few PSI when riding 2 up or when I am on a multi day ride (loaded side and top cases).

As for the people saying that you should not ride fast enough 2 up to change the preload...are you also saying that new riders do not need to adjust their suspension because they are (or should) not be riding fast enough to take advantage of the better handling of a properly adjusted suspension?

 

[Maddevill]

No, why? Because you should be riding slower and more predictable with a passenger. I am not riding at fast enough of a pace with a passenger to justify messing with my suspension and I have never had an issue with it. If you are, I would suggest either you riding at a dangerous pace with a passenger or need to adjust your riding style for passengers.

^^ This is also a very good perspective! For us (I guess me), I do adjust my riding style with passengers (depending on whom they are, as comfort zones, TRUST, pace etc. as need the understanding their life is in your hands....) All of my kids ride with me but each has a different comfort zone of pace, wife and daughter are very comfortable at B-B+, youngest son C is just fine, other two C-B is their comfort. NEVER do A on road, :wtf that shit is for track IMHO.....Happy riding!

My wife is nuts. SHE likes to go faster as a passenger than I usually do by myself. Which has led to some interesting talks from the PoPo. Something like " Sir, you need to watch your speed. You need to take care of this young lady back there." (While my wife chuckles...)

Mad

 

[dravnx]

I think it all depends on the bike, the ride, the passenger, the riding style and the performance you would like to get out of the bike. On my Vstrom with the remote preload, I crank it to max when I have a passenger. I don't want the rear of the bike all sagged out. It takes minimal effort so why not? The FJR has a simple 2 position adjustment. Move the lever to hard for a passenger.

 

[SVsick50]

No, why? Because you should be riding slower and more predictable with a passenger. I am not riding at fast enough of a pace with a passenger to justify messing with my suspension and I have never had an issue with it. If you are, I would suggest either you riding at a dangerous pace with a passenger or need to adjust your riding style for passengers.

^^ This is also a very good perspective! For us (I guess me), I do adjust my riding style with passengers (depending on whom they are, as comfort zones, TRUST, pace etc. as need the understanding their life is in your hands....) All of my kids ride with me but each has a different comfort zone of pace, wife and daughter are very comfortable at B-B+, youngest son C is just fine, other two C-B is their comfort. NEVER do A on road, :wtf that shit is for track IMHO.....Happy riding!

I don't think it's a good perspective.

Many people want to get the best out of their bike, hence why we adjust our suspension in the first place. ON my SV, I have Racetech springs for my weight and a fully adjustable GSX-R shock on the back. Why don't I just ride the stock suspension? Because it sucks, and everybody who owns a SV knows it. We can all ride our bikes with factory settings - but don't you think that it'd be wiser for somebody to adjust their bike's suspension if they were 100lbs? How about 400lbs? Would they use the same suspension settings on the same bike? Logic says "no". They can, but would that be the best?

I apply this to riding two up. Sure, I can ride around with my settings, but why? The bike sags, and it's just a crappy ride. Regardless if your passenger is 50lbs or 350lbs, it is not the correct setting if it's dialed to your weight alone.

It's not about riding fast or slow, it's about maximizing stability, handling, and therefore overall safety. I mean, I can ride it with her on the back without doing anything to the suspension - I have been. It's just kinda, well, lame.

Rode up and down the island of Bermuda with her on the back on a 50cc scooter, plus our backpack full of beach stuff, on the left side of the road. Meh, wasn't the best experience in terms of the bike handling.

 

[DucatiHoney]

If your passenger weighs a lot more than you, then you probably want to tweak the suspension. I'm 115 lbs roughly, so I fiddle with some knobs when I take the human luggage, cuz pretty much everyone I take weighs 50 lbs more than me.

 

[kneedraggeroldy]

@ MAD that's pretty funny .....we have also had the "talk" from LEO about two up with a quick pace...only to have my wife go should of seen us a few corners ago

@sick50~ probably did not splain myself well there...I agree with altering your ride with passengers (for reasons stated); however adjust your settings for one up, two etc. accordingly for as you point out it's about improving stability and handling which tends to be safer overall (such as the bottom out and sagging or god forbid wallowing in and out of corners...aka my old FJ1100.

 

[dravnx]

I think it was on the way to Weaverville last year, someone remarked to Beks, who was riding pillion with Tom, that they sure were riding fast for 2 up. Beks replied "I didn't buy the slow ticket".

 

[SVsick50]

accordingly for as you point out it's about improving stability and handling which tends to be safer overall (such as the bottom out and sagging or god forbid wallowing in and out of corners...aka my old FJ1100.

:thumbup:ride

 

[ZCrow]

I don't think it's a good perspective.

Many people want to get the best out of their bike, hence why we adjust our suspension in the first place...

A couple of thoughts on your reply, one I think a lot of people put way too much focus on their hardware and not enough on the rider. Would adjusting your suspension be ideal, sure, is it really necessary? Unless you a riding at felony speeds, no. I know some people get off on stressing the details but this really is not as big of a deal as it is being made out to be.

I am not advocating against adjusting, I just staying people are splitting hairs here. Motorcycles are not riding that fine of an edge and their is plenty of room in performance to give someone a ride without having to bust out tools. If you are wallowing or bottoming out while giving someone a ride then you are the problem not the bike or lack of adjustments.

 

[SVsick50]

If you are wallowing or bottoming out while giving someone a ride then you are the problem not the bike or lack of adjustments.

Or possibly - just a thought - a saggy suspension that's not suited for a heavier weight. Why are you debating such a simple thing? The better question is, why am I being pulled into your trolling?

15+ years of BARF and over two decades of riding motorcycles, I should know better...

...anyway, again, thanks to all who chimed in. I will more than likely give the bike some adjustment for us. I think it will make for a better quality ride overall, and safer, too.

 

[clutchslip]

Or possibly - just a thought - a saggy suspension that's not suited for a heavier weight. Why are you debating such a simple thing? The better question is, why am I being pulled into your trolling?

15+ years of BARF and over two decades of riding motorcycles, I should know better...

...anyway, again, thanks to all who chimed in. I will more than likely give the bike some adjustment for us. I think it will make for a better quality ride overall, and safer, too.

Thank goodness. I thought you might follow the illogical advice. My experience says that spring preload and rear tire pressure are the most critical. Don't forget a little more compression and preload in the front. You will be diving more under braking. A spanner, a tire gauge and a pump. Yep. Don't forget the passenger "gear". (What ever that means to you.)

 

[kneedraggeroldy]

+1 yup, I chose to not reply happy riding!

 

[tzrider]

I carry a passenger infrequently and don’t make suspension adjustments. I may increase rear tire pressure a little but find the bike handles well enough for anything I’m going to do with a passenger without changing settings.

I outweigh my passengers significantly, so while my settings may not be ideal with a passenger, they’re likely better than they would be for someone seventy pounds lighter than me carrying the same passenger.

Throttle control is always important but rolling on as soon as I set the lean angle and line minimizes squat with a passenger.

 

[JimE]

Motorbike camping is our favorite "us" thing to do together. We've logged thousands of miles and countless long weekends all over CA. Sometimes we just point the bike and wind up pitching the tent where we land. Dirt roads 2-up are interesting. One time I did a fly and ride 1500 miles away and picked her up at the airport next day on the bike. Took a week coming home. Just because.

I'm going to take this space to be grateful for just how lucky a guy I am.

Now about settings in a nutshell it's this: the more you load the bike the more important it's going to be. That means tires too they are part of the suspension. If you don't then your going to drift and wallow in the corners and your reaction time will be slowed. Rear preload is going to be the most affected and you can probably get away with only changing the rear settings between solo and double. You can get away with skipping the tires if the passenger is light and there's no luggage. Now add boxes, bags and gear and tires get damn important. Go for long runs of slab from here to there and you better pay attention if you don't want to change rubber from either blowing or wearing them out. With the riders and bags I've probably had 500# of stuff on a 500# R1150GS and while that bike was super poised, surprisingly nimble and even handled all the dirt around Lake Pillsbury: it was a bitch to park. Wanted to fall over off the sidestand. Or break it. So another point to watch.

Just go for it. Follow the instructions came with the bike. You'll have a blast. Best part? When you spend money on the bike it's for "us". Priceless.