Best two up bikes?

[Jonnyb79]

I have a blackbird now but wanted a bike with a little more character and my GF wants something more comfortable on the back. I was thinking of a ST1300 pan European but not sure whether it's going to be a bit dull or not? Any thoughts from anyone please!

[MattJ]

I don't see what the race of your girlfriend has to do with anything, but I've heard good things about Triumph Sprint 1050s.

[Snipet]

I got a 650cc Honda Deauville for my partner to ride along with me on.
She said it was very comfortable, and she liked that the build in panniers. As they felt like they really kept her in place and stopped her feeling like she'd slide off the back.

For me it was a comfortable bike but it was fairly boring. Definitely not one I'd think 'oh yeah lets go out on the bike for a good fun blast around'.

But a higher powered pan might give you a little bit more excitement.
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First Bike: Pulse Rage 125cc Second Bike: Kymco KR Sport 125cc Third Bike: Kawasaki ZR7-S 750cc
Forth Bike Honda VFR 750cc Fifth Bike Honda NT650 Deauville Fifth Bike Suzuki GSX650F

[Jonnyb79]

I'm going to look at a sprint that could be a good idea. My bird will feel more comfortable when my black bird has left.

The comment about the honda. Yes it would bd too small an engine for me especially going from the blackbird but like you day it's the panniers she really wants. I thought about kitting my bike out with panniers and top box with the back rest pad thing but I think I fancy change.

I also want a bit more character. I've looked at bmw's too for something different. Any other suggestions welcome!

[_Iain_]

Other half said that the Mk1 pan was comfy two up. She also said it was too big, too ugly and requested I bought the Z800 demo home again as it was pretty.

MK1 Bandit was pretty poor, she kept sliding into me and crushing my bollocks on the tank under heavy braking.

She said the YBR was comfy, fell asleep a few times on the back of that.

ER-5 she said it was alright, but it lacked pulling power

Versys 1000 - Good comfort for the rider and passenger. Shame the thing corners like shit & is ugly as sin.

ER-6 - late model. She claimed it was comfy, looked good...I found it changed direction quickly but the engine was dull, top speed dissapointing and generally diddn't rate it.

ZR-7 - Was alright. Rode like a Bandit 600 though.

Buy a bike for you - not for her, she's not going to be on the back of it all the time & theres no point ending up with something you'll hate just to keep her happy

Thought about a ZZR1400?
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Jonnyb79]

Cheers for your message.
Yeah that's the trouble I don't want to end up with a bike that bores the tits off me when I'm out on my own on it. But then I'm a rep and could do with keeping my license, and the blackbird isn't the best for the old license game.
I think I'm looking for something that doesn't exist!
A bike that excites, but is enjoyable at normal speeds, has character, has good build quality, has pillion comfort... Something's got to give!

[G]

Enough budget for two bikes?
Maybe an older Pan or BMW for two up. Or better, a car .

Then a bike for fun.

Or get her to sort out her own bike (and test etc if requierd.)

[Jonnyb79]

Ps. I did think about zzr1400. The GT one. That's an awsome bike but 6 points on my license tells me i had better not

[The999Kid]

[arry]

I'm thinking of selling my sprint if you're interested

[Jonnyb79]

Just been looking at sprints earlier. Do you like yours? How come your selling?

[arry]

[Jonnyb79]

Never road a triumph but like the idea of them partly coz of the fact they have triples. Supposed to have a nice sound. That's one thing the blackbird lacks to be honest. It's an awsome machine though.

[Polarbear]

Triumph Trophy SE. Good engine, handles surprisingly well for a big bike.

However they are relatively new so not much in the second hand market at the moment.

Therefore Kwack GTR, Sprint, FJR and RT are all nice tourers.

The pan never did it for me. That's not to say theres anything wrong but I never enjoyed riding one. I always prefered it's lardy brother, the Goldwing!
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[arry]

Whereabouts are you? TBH I could be interested in a part x if it suits

[Jonnyb79]

I've thought about an FJR. But not much different to mine, or not different enough to want to sell mine for anyway. The 1300 pans look ok and build etc is supposed to be awsome it's just that they don't really seem to have much personality. I need a bigger garage if I was to get a Goldwing! Haha. I was looking at them last night it's surprising how much machinery you can get for a few grand. Especially the 1500's.

I'm replying to two posts here ... I'm in Newcastle. North East.
Does your bike have panniers etc?

[Jonnyb79]

Ps. The BMW RTs look good. Just bloody expensive

[arry]

Ah, I'm the other end of the country

Yeah it's caspian blue, 18k miles, 06 plate, with the panniers

[Jonnyb79]

Sounds nice. They get a very good review on MCN

[arry]

They're good bikes. Well worth a ride and see how you get on

[spnorm]

If you like the Blackbird, but want a bit more character and a comfier pillion position, I'd recommend a K1200/1300S. I'm not an I4 fan as they're generally characterless, but my K1200S had a rorty nature which I really liked. The 1300 is even nicer and can be picked up for £7-8k for an 09 model.

The pillion pegs are low (unlike the BB) and the seat is wide. The riders position is also more comfy than a Blackbird IMHO as the bars are higher.

VFR1200's also look like a bargain secondhand and have a decent riding position for both rider and pillion.

Of the big tourers, RT's handle really well and will still destroy the chicken strips two-up with luggage. The engine is slightly wheezy compared to something like a BB though - I still miss the power of my K1200S

[Jonnyb79]

I've never looked at a k1300. What engine do they have?

I agree the inline 4 is smooth etc but I would like something with a little more personality. I thought the RT would be a good bike but I was slightly concerned the boxer engine might get tiresome. I looked at GS's too. I'm gona have a look at that k1300

[Charlie]

Honda Varadero are meant to be really good 2 up...
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[moppy]

ZZR 600. Ridiculously comfortable, more than capable, very exciting engine and will do around 150 miles to reserve fully loaded. I did around 4k miles in a month around Europe with a passenger on one.

I really really want another one, but feel I should try a VFR800 or Thundercat instead.

[Enduro Numpty]

I see you think the FJR1300 is too similar to the Blackbird. I fail to see any real similarity TBH. I've had an FJR for 3 years and have done fairly big miles on it with the wife on the back and it's been superb. Seems to meet all your criteria. It's worth seriously considering.