Good, Inexpensive, Cool Two-Up Bike?

Cafe_Racer · #1 (**permalink**) 12-19-2007, 03:35 PM

Ok kids, my girlfriend is starting to want to come for rides with me. In the garage right now is a 1993 900SS, the 749 race bike and there will soon be a XR650l or DR650 for the commute.

If I were to add a fourth bike for nice, meandering rides with my girl around Southern California, what might I have a look at?

I'm thinking about a late 70's BMW Slash 6 or Honda 750. I suppose a Police KZ1000 might also be cool.

What else might the 'Zilla guys suggest?

Turbo329 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2007, 04:15 PM

I like the following:

Bandit 1250

FZ1 (the first gen ones are the best and can be had on the cheap. They handle well too.)

You can't go wrong with either of these.

socal · #3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2007, 04:26 PM

Capt. Home Slice · #4 (**permalink**) 12-19-2007, 04:28 PM

Save the money that you'll spend on the XR650l or DR650 as well as the two up bike and get a Multistrada. Plus you'll save on DMV fees and insurance with one bike compared to two. If you're worried about keeping it pretty, buy one that's already been tossed.

Though I do like the FZ1 idea. A cheaper alternative would be an FZ6 or similar 600 standard bike derrived from it's sportbike cousin.

sburns2421 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2007, 05:10 PM

A Futura with a Corbin seat would be my ideal bike for the criteria given in the original post.

**CrimsonCloak** · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2007, 06:19 PM

Sport 1000S

Great passenger seat, and also very cool.

bababoy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 01:35 AM

suzuki burgman or honda silver wing.

1996900sp · #8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 02:25 AM

what about a VFR? V4 greatness in one of the best bikes of all time.

**mrgrn** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 03:14 AM

VFR

i would think the R1 for sale in the classifieds works too for cheap i have a R1 and do plenty of two up with my wife and she loves it for 2 hours at a time max and then it makes a good track or street ride for me too

Cafe_Racer · #10 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgrn

How exactly would I be able to verify your honesty, Tommy Toughnuts, if I was so inclined? Of course I'm not the least bit interested in you so that was purely hypothetical. I am far beyond the age of feeling the need to prove anything to anyone, let alone an anonymous to me anyone.

I'm confused by this. Did someone take a swipe at you or after picking so many fights in this forum do you just start out each posting with a statement about how you're above posting?

Thanks for the replies guys. I had an FZ1 (see below):

I never really got on with it. Besides, I'm not sure I'm looking for a 120hp four. I'm thinking something a little more retro and a little more lumpy in the $4k range.

Like this:

GAMBLER · #11 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 03:44 AM

not really a 2 up bike but a fun blaster with some retro cachet

dj_wawa · #12 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 04:00 AM

Old Baldy · #13 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 05:52 AM

Yeah, I'd go the old R100 or an old Guzzi route. Very cool bikes.

If you're thinking more modern, then the Bandit 1250 can't be beat. Far more bang for the buck than anything else out there, and it has the torque to scoff at 2-up riding, compared to the excellent solo choice VFR. Not as "cool" as the others mentioned, though.

A 955 Speed Triple would be another fun cheap bike, but the lady may not like the rear seat accommodation as much

duckdawg · #14 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 01:52 PM

A Guzzi is hard to beat, and the vintage models can be had for cheap...

**mrgrn** · #15 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cafe_Racer

I'm confused by this. Did someone take a swipe at you or after picking so many fights in this forum do you just start out each posting with a statement about how you're above posting?

I did not make that quote nor say that

Thanks for the replies guys. I had an FZ1 (see below):

I never really got on with it. Besides, I'm not sure I'm looking for a 120hp four. I'm thinking something a little more retro and a little more lumpy in the $4k range.

Like this:

i did not make that quote nor say it, i twas said to me

see post number #33 ://www.1000rr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41563&page=4

don't know how that quote got in there but sorry for any stoopid confusion to the original poster i was really just trying to help cafe

Utah Taz · #16 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 05:08 PM

Honda's SuperHawk (Super Chicken) OR a reguler Hawk is a fun, comfortabe, torquey, Bike, with very low maintnance (not to mention it's a Honda

).

FYI had the beemers, @ a Laverde, & the wife liked the back of the SuperHawk & the GT 647 Hawk better.

duckdawg · #17 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 12:08 AM

Not to purposly hi jack, but this chick my wife knows took the safety course and got her liscense, she asked me what bike she should get? Seeing is how her boyfriend rides a cruiser (Harley), I suggested a small sportster or small Star. A low seat height would be cool, anyone here have a possible suggestion?...

AZ Scott · #18 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 04:31 AM

Your range of choices is huge, but IF you're interested, my '99 ZRX1100 Lawson replica is for sale (similar to the 1200 SoCal showed above). It's always been a hit with passengers, and it's in great shape...

Let me know...

247 · #19 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 02:43 PM

Pictures please to zillaperv@hotmail.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrgrn

i do plenty of two up with my wife and she loves it for 2 hours at a time max

banda · #20 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cafe_Racer

Ok kids, my girlfriend is starting to want to come for rides with me. ...

If I were to add a fourth bike for nice, meandering rides with my girl around Southern California, what might I have a look at?

...

What else might the 'Zilla guys suggest?

Two keys to long term passenger happiness:

1: Make the passenger seat feel secure. It doesn't matter how much padding there is if the passenger thinks she's going to tumble off the back. Retro bikes with a very flat saddle feel this way to passengers, especially if you don't add rear pre-load to counter their additional weight. So you want a seat canted slightly forwards, or even better, with a back rest. Corbin makes aftermarket seats with a detatchable backrest for almost every sport bike ever made. Passengers love them.

2: Don't fold up the passenger's legs. The lower the passenger pegs, the better. High passenger pegs hurt knees - a lot. They also make mounting and dismounting harder than they have to be.

So don't worry about how big the passenger seat is, or how much padding it has - those are totally secondary concerns.