Advice wanted: 2 up riding

[tkm]

Riding two up is a far different experience than riding solo and takes a while to get used to. That being said here are some of the things you can do to make it better: Bump up the rear shock preload as far as it will go. You want to keep the back of the bike from sagging as much as possible. While riding try to put as much weight on the front end as you can. Scooting up on the seat and using a tank bag help here. Stay on the throttle through the turns. This will help to keep weight on front tire where you need it...............tkm

[qfman]

I do a lot of 2-up with a lot of different people on the back. From 8 stone girls to 6ft 5in 16 stone guys I take the same approach - crank up the preload and try to relax. I give them all the same briefing:
1. Try to stay still when we are slowing down to a stop. The bike gets very unstable without the wheels turning.
2. Sit as far back on the seat as you can to cut down on buffeting.
3. Use your knees to clamp onto my hips whenever we are accelerating or slowing - it brings 50% of your body weight to a more stable and lower centre of gravity.

Tom

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~lonergans/

[tor1150r]

Lot's of good points posted here.
I took a 3-month trip last summer (27k km) with my wife on the back (plus luggage).

Tires:
F/36-37
R/42

Preload turned 2-3 clicks above 'High' (this varies, my wife weighs 110 lbs all suited up!).

Dampers turned in another 1/2 turn or so (again, loaded with luggage).

When we ride 2-up around town (no luggage) I keep the tires at F/36, R/39 and turn the preload half way between STD and High (remember, she's a featherweight).

Practice a little. You'll get used to it. It'll become second nature after a while, except when your passenger decides to squirm around when your circling at sub-low speeds at the gas station

[zax1150]

ok now this is both interesting & dumb .......

bmw have always made gr8 springs & crap shocks

1# keep the springs, lose the shocks.....been like that since '77

2# if going for a fair distance put on a kidney belt, stops you feeling like crap 4+hrs down the road!!

3# if the R isn't a tourer then neither is the GS 'cos it's based on the R......

4# If you're going to tour an LT buy a Leadwing or a caravan

I've ridden mountain ranges/deserts with my R 2up & fully loaded.....only difference is I always use good shocks!

[iowabeakster]

Thanks again everybody.

Dehydration may have been a large factor in the fatigue. That day was one of those days we call "Good Corn Growing Weather", the rest of you call it "hot and humid". That was great advice Rob. I will make sure to keep that a priority.

tor1150r,

If you can do that huge trip, riding double, I think it proves the capability of the R as a 2 up "tour" bike.

For those who have not seen it, check it out!

http://www.motorcycle-overland.com/

[kantuckid]

I'll ad my 2cents-We live up a STEEP private gravel road and ride two/up on occasion. I have recently decided to stop going up our hill with two aboard as the front end becomes too light for safe control. If you have a "head of steam", i.e., some speed ,it goes OK, BUT if you stop @ the bottom for mail pickup or just slow down as a caution for the gravel road you are near a problem.When I go down "our hill", I ride the brakes the whole distance. In a car or truck the ABS will usually kick in near the bottom as you approach the pavement connection(to give you a feel for the slope). I have been riding for many years(since 1963) including part of my first 30yrs in my native Kansas , with an ample dose of gravel roads-there are thousands of miles of them there and I lived on them too! This just grabbed my attention the other day with a scary feeling of difficult control, so be forewarned about ascending two/up on steep hills @ slow speeds!!!