hey everyone,

I'm sort of a newbie to the forums, but anyways I was wondering who rides w/ a passenger ever now an then? How much different is it? Assuming that both people together weight about 300lbs how bad is performance in comparison to a stock GS w/o the extra rider?

While I've started my own topic one other quick question...On riding pants. If I wear a 34" in normal jeans will a 34-riding pants fit me?

2-up riding:

Add 5 lbs to the rear tire (41psi)
Click the rear shock up 1 notch.

The bike will handle the same..... except you will need to use MORE brakes to stop.
I didn't notice a big drop in power 2-up like on some previous bikes.
Proabably because you have to keep the RPM's up on the GS anyway.


Pants???
Often depends on the brand...
Check out the sizing charts (under pants) at  //www.newenough.com  
Check out the great prices while you are there too!

Quote from: BanannaMan2-up riding:

Add 5 lbs to the rear tire (41psi)
Click the rear shock up 1 notch.

When I started to ride 2-up only had problems from stop, then I found it was easier if my take off was more spirited than usual, then the rear shock 7th notch was a must, but as the rear shock aged, only 10K miles now, it got too lausy soft so the bike aims to stars when I got a pillion, and it happens not only with a heavy friend (170 lb) but it is pretty noticeable with a very light one (100 lb), I weigh 180 lb. My bike has now progressive springs, which I believe helped to make the antiaerial efect worse as they keep front end from sitting, so now I avoid 2-up until next week when I'll get my katana shock.

Something I noticed was the bike's better ability to turn, perhaps due to the extra weight, otherwise, more braking needed, and if pillion doesn't know very much about bikes more patience too...

Don't know very much about pants sizes, but will read eagerly the posts about it.

I wear 34in jeans as well and have Size 34 Fieldsheer leather pants that fit me fine.

Adam

I fogot all about the shock placement...Right now I ride it set on level "4" and it's a little stiff for my flakey body  :lol:  Do I just twist the shock to the right or left to change the settings? Should it move freely?

I spent a fair amount of time "sport touring" with my girlfriend, on both my RF900R, and Ninja250 (both gone now for the gs500). Anyway here are some tips to keep in mind.

The passenger should relax, and not resist turns, leaning in slightly with the turns is ok. The important thing is that the passenger is relaxed. It hard to turn a bike smoothly when the passenger is tightening up.

Smooth...smooth...smooth........
You should ride, like Frank Sinatra sings, esp at first. Everything should be deliberate nice smooth throttle/brake inputs. Nothing should be jerky, including shifts. If you don't know how to rev match on downshift then its time to learn.

Remember that the passenger is along for the ride, and jerky aggressive riding feels just like out of control unsafe riding to the passenger.... and they have no control of the bike.

Once you start riding more with the passenger you can start to be more aggressive. But they *must* trust you. You don't get passengers to trust you by jerking around, and slamming though the gears. Save that for solo riding.

The first couple of rides, my girlfriend was freaking out. So I re-evaluated my riding style (check out proficient motorcycling by David Hough). Slowed things down, and smoothed out all my inputs. Now I get my girlfriend asking for rides, and it's made me a better biker.

You can still ride fast. But its has to be smooth. You see a common theme here?...... Oh did I mention all your inputs should be smooth?

Also be prepared to brake alot earlier. Since you have to hual down more weight. Remember that you passenger doesnt have a set of handlebars to brace themselves against.... you are the brace. So if you brake aggressively then be prepared for the passenger to push onto your bike all the time which makes it harder to control the bike (not to mention uncomfortable for the passenger).

Riding with a pillion will make you a better rider, if you do it correctly. After awhile riding with smooth controls inputs becomes normal, and translates into your solo riding riding.

Hopes its helpful....

-Nathan

Make sure the passenger has a good hold of ya.

I've only ridden about 200 miles with my wife on board, but the handling didn't seem much different.  Cornering was fine, but I wouldn't try doing figure-eights with a passenger for quite some time  The takeoff speed was (very) slightly reduced, but not a great deal; the braking distance increased a fair amount.

I baby-stepped my wife through getting on and riding as a passenger, which I think helped boost both her confidence and mine.  I'd totally recommend doing the same.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP!!!!!
Make sure the girl on the back is wearing low rise jeans with a high rise thong sticking way out. Nothin is more important than this. Trust me!!!

In all seriousness, just make sure the passenger knows not to wiggle around too much, or make huge side to side movements. That tends to make the bike jiggle abit. The little GS pulls remarkably well with another person on the back. Still tons of passing power, and handles quite well. Tons of fun to cruise around. Oh yah, warn them about how hot the exhaust can is. Ive had a couple ladies burn them selves accidentally through their jeans.

If you are going to be doing a lot of two-up riding you may want to slacken the chain slightly and also check to see if the different weight distribution makes a considerable difference to the headlight for dark riding, it will make some difference but may not need adjustment. Other than that it's just tyres and shock and make sure the passenger knows the drill. Tell them not to fight the side-lean just to stay with you, they should not lean themselves just stay with you. When accelerating or braking they should activly lean back and foreward with you otherwise you are constantly bashing helmets.

Rich's thong advice is pretty good, it may be an idea to arrange some touchy-feely signals between you as well.

Quote from: Cal PriceRich's thong advice is pretty good...

And let us know when you're going to take her out for a ride so we can follow...

I agree w/ Rich lol

I/we puttered around on the street. YOUR not kidding u got to be smooth. I'm so "jerky" when I ride that I have to force myself to ease in and out of the throttle. Guess this dog is learning a new trick

Well I tried to adjust the rear spring....it's locked....I can't twist it to save my life...I might have to hose it down in wd-40 or something :dunno:

There is a slotted collar around the bottom of the shock.
You will also see the numbers on the shock here.

You can either use a shock adjustment tool or the quick and easy way....a hammer and a big screwdriver.
Put the bike on the centerstand then turn up(higher #'s) to make the shock stiffer or down(lower #'s) to make it softer.
Place the screwdriver against the slot (in your chosen direction...up or down) and whack it with the hammer.

Bananaman-Ya I tried my enduring hand strength  it didn't budge so I tried the to pry it w/ a screwdriver...LOOKS like I'll have to get the hammer