Sporty bikes that are very pillion friendly?

[makenzie71]

I want to start fixing my eyes on bikes that are sporty and capable while being very pillion friendly.  I would love to have a bike that will do everything I want while keeping Kalee comfy on the back.  Ultimately, I think it means having two bikes...but if I could roll it into one, that's the way I'd go.  Older bikes are cool...better if anything because they're cheap...but must be chain drive.

Suggestions?

VFR is out, btw...that's the first suggestion I've got a few times.  They're comfy for the rider but the pillion isn't too good.

[yamahonkawazuki]

check out bmw? or even hd, ive ridden a few which were quite comfy

[theGrinch]

A mates wife (50+) insists the R1 is really comfy as a pillion - wouldn't think so but never tried it!

[bombadillo]

Bandit, fz6/fz1, f4i with banana seat, katana, gsx650f (new but passenger friendly), Keep looking!

[makenzie71]

I've been leaning a lot toward the B12, but haven't ever ridden one, much less with a pillion. 

[ben2go]

I was thinking of the newer model Katanas,B12,older vfr.  Depends on how you like to ride.Str8 up or leaned over.I liked the early to mid 90's CBR1000.Cousin had one and it wasn't to bad.I was skinner back then.

[makenzie71]

I like being leaned over but it'll be better to have something a bit more upright for pillion duty.

[bettingpython]

Buddy of mine is a Yamaha salesman, lovees his anniversary edition r6 and r1 LE's, He has an FZ1 his wife really likes the ride on back and he can't do anyhthing more on public roads with either of the LE's that he can't do on the FZ1.

As far as the VFR what are you basing the pillion observation you made on mak? A friend of mine just bought an 08 and his wife is very happy on the back, especially in comparioson to the f4i they just traded in.

For 2 up your not going to be happy with a 600cc range motor, the tourque from greater disaplacement makes riding a passenger much nicer IMHO.

[makenzie71]

It'd have to be a 750 or bigger.  Bikes Ive got in mind are the B12, V65, and V-Max...I just don't have any experience on any.

I'm basing my VFR observation on VFR owners' observations.  I've been told that the 700's and 750's are simply too uncomfortable without buying a big cushy seat and even then it's too laid forward to make it easy on the pillion.  800's will be out of my price range for a long time.

[yamahonkawazuki]

im a harley liker, BUT i also LOVE the vmax, i had finished while back a custom build up of a vmax, that bike was friggin EVIL

[scottpA_GS]

I dissagree with all the above answers... In all reality.. You will not find any sport/sporty bike with a "comfy" rear seat. Its not gonna happen. Unless you buy and aftermarket. They are not made to be comfy, they are made to go fast.

Our shop here sells Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and KTM. not one sport bike on our floor has a rear seat even close to comfortable. There are some sport touring bikes that have a little larger seat but if you want true comfort get a Goldwing.

Your best bet is to hit the dealership w/ your passenger and have her sit on a few with you  If she is like my wife, none of them will be comfortable unless its a cruiser w/ a backrest

[GeeP]

If she has a narrow butt and weighs under 80 lbs I'm sure she'd be fine on that little excuse for a seat on an R1 / R6 / ZX6 / CBR Arr Arr / etc. etc. etc.

What about a Honda Magna?  Sweet styling, standard riding position, sissy bar, V-4 sound.

If I were to buy a cruiser-like bike it would be an Magna, hands down.

[makenzie71]

I've been considering a V65.  The V45 is slick but if I had my pick I'd have to go for the 1100.

I'm not looking for something that has Goldwing pillion comfort while retaining it's corer-carving ability...I just want something that's fairly upright that can carve corners. I never said I had to stick with the stock seat.

[GeeP]

I've been considering a V65.  The V45 is slick but if I had my pick I'd have to go for the 1100.

I'm not looking for something that has Goldwing pillion comfort while retaining it's corer-carving ability...I just want something that's fairly upright that can carve corners. I never said I had to stick with the stock seat.

Yeah, I was thinking the V65 too but I couldn't find any good photos of one.  The V45 "super magna" came with a stock sissy bar that looked decent and would put her more at ease.  Can't speak to the handling though. 

[bombadillo]

Looks like a baby vmax. 

[bettingpython]

I've been considering a V65.  The V45 is slick but if I had my pick I'd have to go for the 1100.

I'm not looking for something that has Goldwing pillion comfort while retaining it's corer-carving ability...I just want something that's fairly upright that can carve corners. I never said I had to stick with the stock seat.

You'll laugh your ass off at this suggestion buttttttttttt.......have you considered a GL1100?

Don't get a 1200 and definately not a 1500, but if you could afford an 1800 you wouldn't be dissapointed.

In all seriousness the GL1100 was an excellent handling bike for a 600 pound beast.

IMO it handled better than a magna of either flavor.

[yamahonkawazuki]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kFleFrJx7nw goldwings can be " sporty" 

[The Buddha]

If you're open to anything like the magna while retaining handling ... BTW you dont like VFR 750, no way you'd like the magna.
I am impressed with the maxim 700's (84 and later) and virago's 85 and later was it. 1000 virago and 1100's.
Cool.
Buddha.