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General Category => LADIES & PILLION'S of OzSTOC => Experiences/Backseat Advice/The Perfect Pillion => Topic started by: Old Steve on April 28, 2014, 01:58:14 PM

Title: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on April 28, 2014, 01:58:14 PM
Rented a Harley Road King for a day while away on holiday last week, and took my wife for a small ride up the tropical coast of Queensland from Cairns to Port Douglas. Took if very gently, and when it was time to come home she turned down a ride in the car that had followed us and clImbed up on the bike again and came back with me.

That was a fantastic road to take her on, just gentle curves all the way which I took at the posted speed, not leaning too far, and she just sat on the back and I hardly knew she was there.

I am still buzzing, she enjoyed her rides and is looking forward to doing it again. WOW!!! It was only about 120 km, but I'm the happiest guy in the world.

That night, over a couple of glasses of wine, she said it was a pity we didn't have the bike the next day so we could do the longer loop through the tablelands.

Only problem was the bloody Harley key fob!  Useless piece of electronic s*#t.  Thought I'd left it on the seat after starting the bike and had ridden off without it, eventually found it in a safe pocket in my riding jacket where I couldn't fel it.

I'll work out how to lower the ST1100 so I have a better stance when stopped.  I'll probably lower the head down the front forks, move the rear suspension to a softer setting, and have a shave taken out of the seat foam.  Will also look at putting a back pad on the top box for her to lean back against.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Brock on April 28, 2014, 02:48:09 PM
Dont lower the head down the forks, that will bugger up the handling. The only effective way to get your feet flatter on the ground, is to have your seat modified. Folk on the US site have tried all sorts of triks to lower the bike, but it didnt work.

Your local motor trimmer should be able to rework your seat to suit your leg length, and improve long distance comfort at the same time. There are specialist seat modification places around, but they can be expensive.

Another option is to find some riding boots with a thicker sole, effectively lengthening your leg,
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Diesel on April 28, 2014, 02:52:52 PM
Great news Steve. We ALL know to go easy when the 'other half' is getting on the bike for the first time - always look after the SWAMBO!     :rofl


Glad to hear you both had a great time in some fantastic riding country.


I always have to tell my missus to tuck her feet in now so they don't touch the road in hairpin country! The thought of scuffing nice looking boots is all too much!      :spank              :crackup


Cheers, Diesel
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: ST2UP on April 28, 2014, 03:39:06 PM
That's great Steve.....and little steps are the answer  ;-*
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Marcus on April 28, 2014, 04:26:41 PM
Wait had she not been on your bike before? or was it just the Harley?
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on April 28, 2014, 05:18:02 PM
Never been on A bike before.  Finally got to try it and she loved it.

I'm thinking about taking trips together now, but I want to get my feet flat on the ground first.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Bikebear on April 28, 2014, 05:48:15 PM
Hmmmm.. visited Cairns and didn't even bother to let me know so I could catch up. Hmph I feel unloved... bwahahahaha... :crackup  :rofl
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Marcus on April 28, 2014, 06:48:08 PM
Never been on A bike before.  Finally got to try it and she loved it.

I'm thinking about taking trips together now, but I want to get my feet flat on the ground first.

Mate once your better half starts enjoying the ride as much as you you will soon find out it's tough to get away by yourself :D
I wouldn't worry about flat footing too much once you get used to the extra weight, it become second nature.

Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Sicman on April 28, 2014, 10:01:04 PM
Good result Steve. There was a lady with a professionally lowered red ST1300 at the Ulysses Maryborough AGM last year so there must be options out there for it to be done  :thumb
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: West Aussie Glen on April 28, 2014, 11:54:42 PM
Steve,
If the budget allows it follow my example, save the ST for solo and get this for 2 up
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/windsor/motorcycles/honda-goldwing-50th-anniversary-model-/1042757243 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/windsor/motorcycles/honda-goldwing-50th-anniversary-model-/1042757243)
So much nicer then a Harley
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on April 29, 2014, 09:15:38 AM
Hmmmm.. visited Cairns and didn't even bother to let me know so I could catch up. Hmph I feel unloved...

Oh Craig, sorry mate.  I did think of getting in touch but I just spent so much time drinking fine reds and catching up with a cousin that I hadn't seen in ten years.  And drinking more fine red.  She doesn't drink red, and her late husband left an investment cellar which is mainly reds.  It was a hard job to reduce the stock to a manageable level, but I looked on it as an honourable thing to do.

Next time ...
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Chatty on April 29, 2014, 09:52:05 AM
G'day Steve - I hope you don't mind a piece of advice about seat height and leg length...

I used to be a Ridersafe instructor here in South Oz and we would get a regular stream of older riders who were finally getting legal, but having ridden for years they were very set in their habits.  One of the noticeable bad habits was a tendency to put both feet down when coming to a stop.

Now, the first thing this does is take the rear brake out of play - not a good thing as you lose at least 30% of your braking effort, maybe more if you have a Honda with linked brakes.  It also makes the bike difficult to control if you are stopped on a slope, because you are relying on trying to control the throttle and front brake at the same time with the one hand - it just ain't gonna work...

But the other thing it does is it effectively shortens your legs, because you are trying to get both feet on the ground - spreading your hips across the seat, which gives you shorter legs.  It also means that with the bike dead upright, it is in its tallest position.
If you stop with just your left leg on the ground, the bike has to lean over, which shortens the vertical distance from the seat to the ground.  It also enables you to shift your backside slightly so you're not trying to spread your legs across the seat.  You are forming the most stable structure known to man - a tripod - between the wheels and your foot.

I am over 6' tall, but struggle getting both feet down on the ST - but the left foot down only stance is very comfortable for me.  It has the added benefit of enabling full control of the bike when stopped, by using the rear brake.  And you know what?  It costs nothing!

As others have said, don't drop the front through the forks - it changes the steering geometry and could make the bike unstable.  Softening the rear suspension will mean you will bottom out more (especially two up) again leading to instability, especially if you fit a bump mid-corner.

Chatty
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: ST2UP on April 29, 2014, 10:30:50 AM
Great advise  :clap  :clap

The knowledge and willingness to impart these lessons learnt as always is impressive in this place  :-++  :-++


The other to consider is the STead will sit down just a little with the bride on the back.....load up in the shed on a flat surface and have a play before the seat gets attacked.....Oh and if you go the platform shoes...."We want Pics"   Wot thuh  Wot thuh


 :beer


Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: alans1100 on April 29, 2014, 11:21:34 AM


Now, the first thing this does is take the rear brake out of play - not a good thing as you lose at least 30% of your braking effort, maybe more if you have a Honda with linked brakes.  

The linked system (at least on the 1100) is designed so that there is braking on both wheels regardless of using foot or hand.
If anything you gain by using both foot and hand brakes together. The foot brake alone is capable of stopping the bike under normal braking conditions. The front alone is better than the back but not something I would normally do unless within the last 3 or 4 metres when coming to a stop.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Chatty on April 29, 2014, 11:37:00 AM


Now, the first thing this does is take the rear brake out of play - not a good thing as you lose at least 30% of your braking effort, maybe more if you have a Honda with linked brakes.  

The linked system (at least on the 1100) is designed so that there is braking on both wheels regardless of using foot or hand.
If anything you gain by using both foot and hand brakes together. The foot brake alone is capable of stopping the bike under normal braking conditions. The front alone is better than the back but not something I would normally do unless within the last 3 or 4 metres when coming to a stop.

My point exactly.

One of the biggest things we struggled with as instructors was convincing riders of the importance of the rear brake and that proper use of the rear brake decreases braking distance by around 30%.  I have had a number of (younger know-it-alls) tell me that the front brake does everything and that you don't need to ever use the rear brake.

I haven't got actual figures for the contribution of the rear pedal to braking on the ST, but my gut feeling on my 1300 is that the rear pedal contributes more than 30% to overall braking effort.  Note that I haven't said rear brake because of the linked system.

I have to admit that when I first started riding the ST I struggled a bit to get my head around the braking set up - especially the front dipping when I applied just the rear pedal to settle the back end down into a corner - but now I'm used to it I love it!

Chatty
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Brock on April 29, 2014, 12:41:28 PM
When braking, and coming to a stop, I usually try to release the front brake as its embarrassing to lock the front wheel, cause it to kick over and dump you on the road...

Not that it ever happened o:) o:) o:)
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Marcus on April 29, 2014, 12:49:19 PM
I usually go both at the same time. But back only on gravel or parking
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Brock on April 29, 2014, 01:02:01 PM
I start with both, but ease up on the front when getting very slow.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: ST2UP on April 29, 2014, 05:03:06 PM
I get Pockey to drag a foot on the back wheel like you use to do on your BMX.....no point wasting expensive brake pads  :whistle
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: West Aussie Glen on April 29, 2014, 07:19:06 PM
Some interesting thoughts above.
I would have thought that by the time you are about to put your foot on the ground all the braking is really over.
The combined braking system on the GL1500 Goldwings is:-
Hand Lever - Front Left hand Disc
Foot Lever - Rear Disc and Front Right hand Disc. very different from the ST1300
Note the GL1500s also have antidive on the front brakes.
I regularly use hand brake and throttle, the reason I stopped wearing mittens in the winter. Mittens are a lot warmer then gloves.
I like to stop with the bike in neutral, probably a no no for some people so therefore I normally stop with my right foot on the ground. Lots of roads have a slope to the left therefore the ground is closer to my right foot and if I am close to a centre island the ground is even closer.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Chatty on April 29, 2014, 07:46:59 PM

I like to stop with the bike in neutral, probably a no no for some people so therefore I normally stop with my right foot on the ground.

As instructors we used to advise against that practice as it removes your ability to move off quickly to prevent being hit from behind, should a following vehicle not stop.  I know for me, staying in gear has saved me twice from being hit from behind by a vehicle whose driver had not seen both myself stopped on the bike and the red light that I was stopped for.  In one of those incidents being able to move off quickly saved me from being hit from behind by a fully loaded ute traveling at about 70 km/h.

I have also been hit from behind once because I was in neutral and the light turned green and I was a bit slow getting into gear - the driver behind me expected me to take off as soon as we got the green light so she put her foot down...

Now, I always stay in gear.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Nigel on April 29, 2014, 08:16:08 PM
Hi All, My thoughts are that you may have moved off topic with Old Steve. I am sort of in the same boat trying to get my lovely lady to ride with me. Since moving to 2 up it has been a slow learning curve that we are getting to grips with.  It is on both sides a confidence issue at the moment rather that a skills issue. Although both mostly with moi. I think he maybe looking for ways to make his wife as comfortable with the experience of riding as he is.  Not trying to put words into any bodies mouth of course. Just some thoughts.  :wink1 :wht11
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Brock on April 29, 2014, 08:26:25 PM
Not uncommon to drift off topic, and you are correct.

Back on track Guys :well :well :well

Cant get my wife to try out the bike.... She will ride on the back in Thailand but.. Go figure..
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Pocket STocker on April 29, 2014, 10:38:48 PM
That's fantastic news Steve  :runyay you will have to bring your lovely wife a cuppa and a chair to the computer and have a read through the Ladies and Pillion section.

 See if that section answers some questions for her and perhaps even ask some of her own.  :think1

The way you went about introducing your pillion to riding is the real secret, many fail to make safety and security the most import goal, only then can your pillion enjoy the experience and wish to hopefully seek more time on the bike.....funny how in the passenger seat of even a comfy car I have had enough after 2 hrs but can do many many hours longer than that on the ST.


Pockey  ;-*
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Pezzz on April 29, 2014, 11:58:52 PM
I get Pockey to drag a foot on the back wheel like you use to do on your BMX.....no point wasting expensive brake pads  :whistle
:rofl :rofl :rofl :crackup :crackup :crackup :spank :spank :spank
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Biggles on April 30, 2014, 10:33:30 AM
Hmmmm.. visited Cairns and didn't even bother to let me know so I could catch up. Hmph I feel unloved...

Oh Craig, sorry mate.  I did think of getting in touch but I just spent so much time drinking fine reds and catching up with a cousin that I hadn't seen in ten years.  And drinking more fine red.  She doesn't drink red, and her late husband left an investment cellar which is mainly reds.  It was a hard job to reduce the stock to a manageable level, but I looked on it as an honourable thing to do.

Next time ...

That didn't help one bit.  Now Bikebear wants to know why you didn't seek his help with that mammoth project in the cellar.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: BigTed on April 30, 2014, 11:52:24 AM
I'm jealous.... I've just clicked over 53,000 km on Little Miss STealthy - bought new in June '11. Wifey has been on the back for a grand total of about 80 km of those. While she says she doesn't mind being on the back, her greatest deterrent is "helmet hair".  :-[ For those of you who know me, I don't have that problem.  :rockon
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: alans1100 on April 30, 2014, 12:06:44 PM
While she says she doesn't mind being on the back, her greatest deterrent is "helmet hair". 

Heather as the same issue but it doesn't stop her from riding. We keep a brush in the top case so she can tidy her hair before we leave the bike.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: ST2UP on April 30, 2014, 07:29:26 PM
While she says she doesn't mind being on the back, her greatest deterrent is "helmet hair". 

Heather as the same issue but it doesn't stop her from riding. We keep a brush in the top case so she can tidy her hair before we leave the bike.

We the same......Hair brush, vanity mirror in the Topbox, hair straightener, and makeup.......and then Pockey has all her girly stuff as well  :nahnah


 :grin
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Bikebear on April 30, 2014, 08:00:20 PM



That didn't help one bit.  Now Bikebear wants to know why you didn't seek his help with that mammoth project in the cellar.

I tried not to think about all that wine that Old Steve had to dispose of on his own, it just makes it worse...   :-[  :'(  :grin
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on May 01, 2014, 07:58:08 PM
My main problem is at mount up.  With my feet down only on the balls of my feet, I feel as if I don't have the bike stable enough for my wife to feel confident as she climbs aboard.  At our age there's creaky joints to consider so I want my feet flat on the ground both sides of the bike so the bike is as stable as I can get it.

Looking around I have seen suggestions that you can lower both the front and back, drop the head down the forks and clamp the spring of the rear suspension - same amount front and back.  To lower the rear suspension I would assume that you put in two plates on the spring and draw them toward each other with clamps and then fix them in position with bolts.  The only downside I see of this double lowering would be a reduction of ground clearance, but I'm not an elbow slider so a lower ground clearance doesn't seem to be a major problem.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Marcus on May 01, 2014, 08:10:08 PM
My main problem is at mount up.  With my feet down only on the balls of my feet, I feel as if I don't have the bike stable enough for my wife to feel confident as she climbs aboard.  At our age there's creaky joints to consider so I want my feet flat on the ground both sides of the bike so the bike is as stable as I can get it.
My wife struggles as well. How I got her comfortable with it was to get her to standing straight up on my left hand (mounting) peg, as it's lower and just standing there getting the feel of the weight shift with me leaning forward in the saddle.

Once she was comfortable with that and knew what was going to happen with the weight, she then swung her leg over and bob's your uncle, I start off only letting her mount the STeed on a flat bit of ground.

And I'm almost tippy toes with both feet on the ground
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: ST2UP on May 01, 2014, 08:20:24 PM
Is having your wife board first an option when on the side stand ?? She climbs on as you would, obviously keeping her weight to the left while you stay on the right side and your wife moves back when ready......you climb on with the step over method......bring the bike to the centre with the addition of your wife's weight on the back should have you close to flat footed......

Like anything practice, practice, practice  ;-*



 :beer
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: alans1100 on May 01, 2014, 08:27:12 PM
When Heather got back on the bike after her broken leg and later her knee replacement I use to park next to the kerb which made it easier for her to get on.


Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on June 07, 2014, 06:14:15 PM
Next stage underway.

Went in to the local Honda shop, Redline Motorsports Mackay, just to look at jackets helmets etc, to see what was available.  Jeanne saw a Dririder ladies jacket in silver she liked, it fitted, and was offered at $100 off so we bought it.  Then she tried on some helmets, flip front were heavy so she tried on some full face, there was a new HJC she liked, she kept coming back to it and the salesman said "You've tried that one on three or four times, so why not go away and have a think about it" and we said what price to take it now and they said $50 off, so we bought that too.

So tomorrow she's using my spare gloves and we're going for a little ride.  might just make it a little ride across town for lunch or a cuppa.

She's sat on the back with me on the bike several times and is getting to feel comfortable and confident, I think she's got a cushion lined up as a back pad in front of the top box.

So, we'll see how tomorrow goes .......
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Marcus on June 07, 2014, 06:52:53 PM
Good on you mate she will get more comfortable with time, baby steps. Start with a ride around town, and then to the next town over etc
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Biggles on June 07, 2014, 08:40:42 PM
I think it's a great activity to do with your best mate.  It's something we riders enjoy as an exalting experience, so much better when we can share it.
I'm with Alan- my wife has had a hip replacement and using the kerb makes it much easier to get on and off.  Far easier for me too, since  I have to lean the bike for her to get off, and I'm at the limit of lean angle versus strength before she can do it.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on June 08, 2014, 05:08:43 PM
Well wouldn't you know it, we're right in the season known up here in the tropics as "THE DRY", and it's been persisting down all night and through the day.

Supposed to have cleared up tomorrow, so we'll plan our little ride and lunch out for tomorrow.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: West Aussie Glen on June 08, 2014, 11:39:46 PM
Hope it fines up for you. If you don't have an intercom suggest you decide on a signal, like 3 hard hits on your back, if your wife wants you to stop any reason.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Pocket STocker on June 09, 2014, 04:11:13 PM
Thats great news  :hatwave  :hatwave


Pockey  :grin
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: saaz on June 09, 2014, 04:21:30 PM
Great to hear. You should have many fun times together.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Marcus on June 09, 2014, 06:28:19 PM
Brilliant
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Biggles on June 09, 2014, 09:00:30 PM
She looks like she's a natural, with the helmet, leaning on the bike.
Rapt for you!    :thumb
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Biggles on June 09, 2014, 09:06:28 PM
One from the archives- December 2007 when I just completed my one year on the Limited Licence (solo- no pillions) AND I had an ST1100 AND a "beard".

(http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e136/Pixtor/SeniorBikers_em_zpsb4ce7c07.jpg)
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on July 07, 2014, 09:09:19 AM
A couple of weeks into life with a pillion passenger, and we're both loving it.  I've found I'm not having the problems with my wife getting on board the bike that I anticipated.  Bike's been off the road for a fortnight while I waited for a new mirror and windscreen, but they're fitted now and this weekend we went out both days.  Lovely days, blue skies, low to mid twenties, and between the two days we did over 300 km.

Saturday we rode about 60 km up the Pioneer Valley up to the Cafe Devine at Pinnicles.  Had a great lunch, if you're riding up the Bruce Highway passed Mackay, take the bypass out to Marion and keep going up the valley instead of turning right across the bridge.  The Cafe Devine is about 100 metres passed the pub (which does a very nice pie as well), tables outside under the trees and views across the cane fields.  Fantastic food too.

We came back down the valley to just short of Mirani and turned onto the Mt Osa road, 40 km of motorbike heaven.  I took it fairly carefully as I hadn't ridden this road before, I had a relatively new pillion on board, and it's the start of the cane harvesting season with slow trucks and tractors likely to be on the road.  You come back out on the Bruce Highway about 40 km north of Mackay and it was a qiuiet cruise back home with a side trip to the Eimeo Pub for a cuppa out on the deck and a view out over the ocean where the Humpback whales will be coming through in a week or two..

Yesterday we rode out north of Mackay to Cape Hillsborough, parked at the camping ground at the end of the road and walked up through the bush to the Twin Beach Lookout.  Nice cool bush walk with a fantastic view out over the beaches and the off shore islands, and it was marvellous to see butterflies fluttering through the sunlight with their wings almost transparent.  We rode back to the Bruce Highway and turned north to the Mackay bypass and rode across to Marion in the Pioneer Valey and home again.

I'm really enjoying having my wife pillioning, I love feeling the odd squeeze of her knees now and then or when she puts her hands on my waist.  And she's comfortable, confident and really enjoying it as well.  This is such a great way to enjoy my passion for bike riding and to share it with her as well.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Marcus on July 07, 2014, 09:42:39 AM
A couple of weeks into life with a pillion passenger, and we're both loving it. 

That's awesome, mate, great to read, I agree it is alot better with the significant other on board. One you get some communication devices, make for a better,  experience chatting away.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on July 23, 2014, 01:28:57 PM
Bit of an update.  The other day my wife referred to "our bike".  I didn't want to appear possessive so I didn't comment on how up until only two months ago it'd always been 'your' bike.  Also had it pointed out that there was no "In case of accident do not remove helmet" label on her helmet, rectified that last night.

We're riding together every weekend now, both Saturday and Sunday.  I'm looking forward to getting a Bluetooth comms unit fitted to both our helmets when the year's bonus lands in the bank account.

We rode together to the motorbike show last weekend.  Unfortunately the Honda salesman let us sit on an F6B they had parked there, and if I hadn't turned down the offer for both of us to take it out on a trial run because I thought it was too heavy then I think "we'd" be looking at having money taken out of our superannuation and an F6B parked in the garage.  It's a pretty comfortable piece of kit.  It's really an ST1800, isn't it.

So, we're both loving riding together.  Only problem we've had has been my gloves smelling.  Last night I arrived home to find my gloves had been washed during the day and had the linings pulled out while they dried.
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: StinkyPete on July 23, 2014, 04:19:14 PM
It's great to read that you and your "dearly beloved" are enjoying getting out on the bike together, and I had a good chuckle when I read that she now refers "our" bike and not "your" bike.    :thumb
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Pocket STocker on July 23, 2014, 07:19:17 PM
How fantastic Old Steve. I'm so pleased.  :runyay That is great news. If your wife does have any questions at all please let her know that I will try and help her, but it sounds like she has everything under control.

Love to hear that we have another happy pillion.


Pockey  :grin
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Old Steve on October 16, 2014, 02:45:12 PM
Well, four months on and everything is going swimmingly.  I've found many new roads which I hadn't ridden before, and must've been to every café within 100 km of Mackay.

Mrs Old Steve now has two jackets (new mesh jacket for summer), two pairs of gloves (new mesh gloves for summer), Draggin jeans, bike boots and her helmet fitted with a Sena SMH10 Bluetooth unit.  We ride around on "our" bike, chatting away to each other.

The other weekend we went into one of the local bike shops just to sit on a few different bikes, she suffers from the wind buffeting her head while sitting on the ST1100 pillion seat.  Tried the Yamaha XVS 1100, it has a slightly higher pillion than the rider's seat: a Kawasaki Vulcan 900, higher pillion too: Suzuki Boulevard C50 and C90, higher pillion: and a Triumph Bonneville.  Of all of them, she preferred the Bonnie because with the flat seat her head was no higher than mine.  But that'd be another day, we're committed to the ST for a while yet.

Now, I wonder how I can broach the subject of her own bike ...
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: Biggles on October 16, 2014, 02:56:04 PM
Now, I wonder how I can broach the subject of her own bike ...

Why would you do that?
1.  Double the expenses.
2.  Paying for training etc to get her up to speed.
3.  Worrying all the time you're out that she's doing OK.
4.  More crowded garage.
5.  Double the hassles with maintenance, hiccups etc.

Nah.  Stay lucky.    :grin
Title: Re: My wife loved riding pillion
Post by: alans1100 on October 16, 2014, 03:07:09 PM
The times together on our bike are good especially since we don't have all that modern talk to each other hi tech stuff.

Saying that doesn't mean there's no communication..........it's just more physical, sometimes.