V-Max

[Jvs]

How about a warrior?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/mcy/3952464140.html

[GUZZI JOHN]

R U NUTS!!?? Get practical-there are nice thongs to be found. Do more research-Bandit 1200-1250 maybe. We need to talk maybe.GJ

[Vander]

I've ridden Warriors quite often.  They're okay; pretty heavy, though.
And I've never consider a Bandit before; old tech.

Not sure.... I've got a couple years to figure it out, though.  The kids need to be older before I start taking passengers and taking weekend rides again.

[GUZZI JOHN]

V-Max = New Tech???

[pkpk]

I'm trying not to go full cruiser, but it seems that my wife is not interested in 2up on ANY sportbike (even an FJR).

Could you elaborate?  It can't strictly be to avoid a fetal position because the rear passenger on FJR or ST is no where near a fetal position.  Plus the seats are wider than a sportbike and there is plenty of space for her hairdryer, etc in the sidebags. 

It it something to do with the style?  Is she afraid of being on anything but a cruiser (with those narrow seats and not all that great of a suspension)?

FYI, my wife actually prefers riding on the back of my VStrom because she is elevated higher than the ST and the seat is a bit narrower.  She also gets some leg cramping on the ST but none whatsoever on the Vstrom.  Now if i could get her to stop overpacking and screwing up the handling.

[LeeMAX]

Lee here... yeah, I loved my VMAX... I had both the 1st Gen and 2nd Gen.  The 2nd Gen is awesome, but its not a good bike for two-up riding even with the small backrest you can get.  Just as Matt said, the small gas tank and the fuel economy was lousy.  It was truly just a houligan/in-town bike.  I could never take it on a sporty ride because riding agressively, I was desperately searching for a gas station at about 90 miles.  A stock one gets a little better mileage, but not much better.  I had it piped with K&N intake, PCV and dyno-tuned.  Its an amazing thrill to ride, but you better plan out your gas stops! ---- for the record... it handles a hell of a lot better than people will say.  Get the suspension right, lose the catalytic converter and try not to lay down the throttle too hard mid-corner and she handles quite well. 

[Vander]

Could you elaborate?  It can't strictly be to avoid a fetal position because the rear passenger on FJR or ST is no where near a fetal position.  Plus the seats are wider than a sportbike and there is plenty of space for her hairdryer, etc in the sidebags. 

It it something to do with the style?  Is she afraid of being on anything but a cruiser (with those narrow seats and not all that great of a suspension)?

Hairdryer... LOL

She rode on the back of a motorcycle before she met me, and she really enjoyed it.  Of course she can't tell me what it was, but she always points to HDs and the like and claims "it looked like that".

I took her for a ride on a 650 Burgman recently, and she loved it.  But I'm not so ready to give up shifting at this time.

So I believe she likes wider seats and backrests.  She did say she liked the platforms rather than the foot-pegs too.  I think it's gotta be a VTX or a Vulcan.

[Vander]

Lee here... yeah, I loved my VMAX... I had both the 1st Gen and 2nd Gen.  The 2nd Gen is awesome, but its not a good bike for two-up riding even with the small backrest you can get.  Just as Matt said, the small gas tank and the fuel economy was lousy.  It was truly just a houligan/in-town bike.  I could never take it on a sporty ride because riding agressively, I was desperately searching for a gas station at about 90 miles.  A stock one gets a little better mileage, but not much better.  I had it piped with K&N intake, PCV and dyno-tuned.  Its an amazing thrill to ride, but you better plan out your gas stops! ---- for the record... it handles a hell of a lot better than people will say.  Get the suspension right, lose the catalytic converter and try not to lay down the throttle too hard mid-corner and she handles quite well.

Good synopsis, sir.  Thank you for contributing. 
The limited range is a big deal to me.  That's definitely a deal breaker.  It is otherwise a cool bike.

[CheesyRider]

I've seen around the interwebs that some folks have fitted passenger floorboards to their sport-touring bikes.  Combined with a backrest and an ugly Russell seat, it should be pretty comfy.


If you decide to go the VTX route, my sister's boyfriend has a 2005 Honda VTX 1800F in mint condition for sale if you're interested.

[v2Neal]

A VTX 1800 doesn't exactly get amazing fuel range. 

[Deplorable, thank you!]

A VTX 1800 doesn't exactly get amazing fuel range. 

 I see one a few times a year that has over 80k on it now and he says he gets between 38-42 when riding "normal" but it drops to low/mid 30's when he is being more of a hooligan. He left for Sturgis today and I did a quick mapping change taking away about 12-20% fuel throughout the cruising range and around town stuff (I didn't originally do the jetting) and showed him how to use his adjustable mapping function on the PCIII on the fly. I bet he returns with in the mid 40's

 A VTX1300 gets damn good mileage right from the box, and a very competent bike

[v2Neal]

... and depending on what year the 1800 is the low fuel light will come on between 90 and 100 miles on the odometer. The early ones had the fuel pump in the tank, where as the later models mounted it outside the tank. The externally mounted models get about 1/2 gallon more fuel in the tank and get a little better fuel range.
Anywhere from 38-45 is normal depending on riding style. I have no idea what mine gets. Don't care.

I'd hope a 1300 gets better MPG, it's a smaller engine.

[Vander]

Good inputs, gents.  Thank you.   

I did come to a compromise with my wife.
I like dirtbikes, supermotos and sportbikes.  She likes cruisers and touring bikes.


So we're getting a boat.   

[Elk]

 

[GUZZI JOHN]

I might sell you my sailboat or canoe.GJ