fun bike thats pillion friendly

[rubyhorse2]

ok this is a tricky one..

i've pretty much ridden solo for all my biking life, occasional took pillion, but always bought a bike thats just for me.

Anyway, with us going to the TT on the bike this year the missus has been on the RC8 getting used to it and last night proclaimed that she loves it.

i was pretty shocked as the RC8 is not very nice for pillions.

so...got me thinking of a new bike, i think my favourite has been the Superduke, loved everything about that bike and its not bad for pillion (would be going for an earlier model).

i basically want a fun bike that i can go out on and have a laugh and also one that can happily take a pillion for some weekend trips around the UK or over to France. So no GS type options please

i realise i am asking for the world here but be nice to see what some of you think might be suitable.

cheers

[wr6133]

As no budget is specified I'm going to say a Busa, turbo'd and with a scud missile strapped to the back (for fast overtakes).

[Thommo1tigers]

My Street Triple has taken me and the missus on quite a few tours including panniers.

Neither of us are very tall which helps but it is a bit of a tight squeeze I have to admit.

Looked at the Tiger 800 which would of been a lot more sensible but didn't light my fire.

Cheers, Thommo1tigers

[Moxey]

[rubyhorse2]

sorry budget will be possibly £5k - £6k

Never even considered the street, i've had a speed and also a daytona in the past, both been nice bikes but yeh the street might be an option.

thats certainly the style i am after i think.

[c-m]

MSX125 :p

[Northern Monkey]

[Thommo1tigers]

Any photos of your setup? Was going to Scarborough last month on mine but with 2 of us we were struggling for space (change of weather resulted in us going in the car).[/quote]

Photo below.

This is the system I use being fitted to a speed triple ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3KpquKr4tM .

Mine is a Krauser version (exactly the same) from here... https://www.krauser-motorcycle-luggage.co.uk/triumph/street-triple-675-r .

Cost around £270 all in. The carrier frame can be taken off with four screws, but I just leave mine on so the pillion can hold onto them.

Very neat on/off system. Locks on with a key, a lot easier than throwover panniers

[Seb]

RST1000 Futura

In short, it's a RSV Millie with a sofa plonked on it. Lighter and more powerful than a VFR, substantially lighter and more nimble than a Sprint ST and has better luggage than either ontop of that. Plus the seat is all day comfortable.

The elephant in the room is the hassle factor of spares, most consumables and engine bits are no issue whatsoever, but fairing panels, mirrors and rear wheel bearings aren't quite so fun

Worth a test ride if theres one local to you though, they are an incredibly underrated bike.
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Dave70]

Not quite an answer to your question but, why not get her to take tests and have a bike of her own? Sounds like it'd solve your problem.
____________________
There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[rubyhorse2]

erm how do i put this nicely...i wouldnt like to risk her riding a bike, for her safety and other road users

the thing is riding with pillion is a different kind of fun than riding solo. solo i'm blasting about and being a bit silly and pillion its more about sharing the fun of riding with someone and enjoying the scenery etc (god i sound old)

thats the dilemma i suppose, dont want to lose the fun of solo riding but also want to her to enjoy any trips we do.

[RhynoCZ]

Any superbike (750-1000) from the 90's. The rear seats are like couches on these.
____________________
'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[rubyhorse2]

nah i couldnt go for an old bike

[Matt B]

[chris-red]

[Matt B]

[robs321]

My better half is happy on the back of my Kwak z1000sx!
Its got plenty of grunt, handles fairly well (mine does have a nitron rear shock) and the pillion position is far better than my old blade, according to her who digs ribs.

[stonesie]

My gf is happy enough on the back of the street triple for up to about an hour then gets a numb ass, that's on a 2013 bike with the comfort seat.

A friend recommends the Aprilia Falco for just about everything, his wife was comfortable on the back for a trip round Europe and it could run with most sports bikes

[Clanger]

[rubyhorse2]

ok we're back form the TT, which was amazing as usual.

On to the bike, missus did really well, took us 90 mins to heysham in strong winds with rucksacks each and panniers, wasnt great for either of us as i had to hold myself in a strange position due to the rucksack. But anyway, decision is made i am selling the RC8 and going to get a new bike.

As i previously mentioned i still think the Superduke is the best bike i have ridden but i'm kind of going off the older shape design and the newer models are out of my price range.

I took a little look at the 690 duke, which i actually really like. I'm sure this would be fun for messing about on but would it have enough grunt and be ok for a trip with pillion?

Anyone had or got one?

I'm also keen on the striple but, even though they are sound bikes i have this niggling feeling that its a boring choice (i've owned a daytona in the past).

Anyone other ideas, you can see the style of bike i am looking at so along those lines.

PS saw a few ducati scramblers at IOM, seriously nice looking bikes.

[Aspire2]

I'd have a multistrada if money was no object for 2 up touring/fun.

[stonesie]

[Dalemac]

If a v twin is your thing then look no further than a futura. Be aware that the rota v60 can be a bit of work around town and at slower speeds.

If you want in line 4 smoothness then a cbf1000 05/06 will easily do the job for that money as well, they are not slow and will deliver 60mpg easily.
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[46]

We have had quite a few bikes and the most fun one to be on the back of as a pillion was the TL1000, didn't like the look of it as much as some of the others but was the most fun!