First passenger on the V2K = thumbs up!

[ophidia]

I've had my V2K going on a month now, and finally felt comfortable enough to take my wife for a ride on it. I'm a fat guy, so we weighed in at 500 lbs or so together. With my old bike (2001 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 CC) it got pretty top heavy and I didn't like carrying a passenger at all.

Not so with the V2k. If anything, it felt MORE stable and controllable with a passenger than without. The previous owner had put Cobra floorboards in back which my wife also liked.

Now I just need to figure out how to make her stop being afraid of being on the bike at highway speeds. I'd love for her to go with me on rides in the country, etc.

Any tips there?

As time goes on I love this bike more and more. Man am I glad the Honda dealer didn't have a VTX1800 in stock, but had The Behemoth instead, and at an absurdly low price!

Just random musings.

[classicblack]

I ride 2up 90% of the time. My girlfriend wasnt comfortable at all until I put a sissybar on the back. When going over bumps she said it felt like she was going to fall off. Once I put the bar on it made her feel more comfortable because she knew she would not slip off the back. I also have the passenger boards and she loves those also. Once she feels comfortable she will definitely enjoy the rides a lot more.

[mrfix]

Originally Posted by ophidia

I've had my V2K going on a month now, and finally felt comfortable enough to take my wife for a ride on it. I'm a fat guy, so we weighed in at 500 lbs or so together. With my old bike (2001 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 CC) it got pretty top heavy and I didn't like carrying a passenger at all.

Not so with the V2k. If anything, it felt MORE stable and controllable with a passenger than without. The previous owner had put Cobra floorboards in back which my wife also liked.

Now I just need to figure out how to make her stop being afraid of being on the bike at highway speeds. I'd love for her to go with me on rides in the country, etc.

Any tips there?

As time goes on I love this bike more and more. Man am I glad the Honda dealer didn't have a VTX1800 in stock, but had The Behemoth instead, and at an absurdly low price!

Just random musings.

Ohlin's rear shock, expensive but well, well worth the money on a loaded bike. Other than that the 2000 is just about lerfect for what you want to do.
Mrfix

[FakeBikerDude59]

Rear floorboards, a sissy bar, and time.

I took Honey on lots of short rides close to home over the course of several months. I started off buying her her own helmet, that she picked out, and borrowing one of my jackets. Over time, we'd casually stop at the store and pick her up something. I bought her some gloves, then a jacket, then some boots. When she spent her own money on a pair of overpants, I knew she was hooked.

Next day I just hopped on the freeway and we went for a burger. Stayed at the speed limit and we were only on for about 6 miles. She didn't get a chance to think about it before it happened.

A year later since she first climbed aboard, she's on her second helmet, has her own rain gear, gloves and jackets for all seasons, heated gloves, a heated vest and she takes the lead in planning our weekend rides together...freeway, backroads, mountains, city traffic...she takes it all in stride now.

The short version, take your time, have fun and don't scare her...I feel like the luckiest guy in the world because my Honey WANTS to ride!

[V-Twin]

My only advise for your spouse is loosen up and enjoy they ride. The more you take her the more she'll like it. After a few trips she'll be allright.
Nice V2k. Live the color

[drivenrhythm]

Originally Posted by FakeBikerDude59

The short version, take your time, have fun and don't scare her...I feel like the luckiest guy in the world because my Honey WANTS to ride!

+1000

My wife can't ride, so I took off the pillion, foot boards and sissy bar. I ride alone, which has its obvious flaws. There are times when I'd give anything to have her along.

Whatever she needs, from ATGATT to patience, it will all be worth it when you're lucky enough to have her with you on the ride.

[bluestringer]

Originally Posted by ophidia

I've had my V2K going on a month now, and finally felt comfortable enough to take my wife for a ride on it. I'm a fat guy, so we weighed in at 500 lbs or so together. With my old bike (2001 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 CC) it got pretty top heavy and I didn't like carrying a passenger at all.

Not so with the V2k. If anything, it felt MORE stable and controllable with a passenger than without. The previous owner had put Cobra floorboards in back which my wife also liked.

Now I just need to figure out how to make her stop being afraid of being on the bike at highway speeds. I'd love for her to go with me on rides in the country, etc.

Any tips there?

As time goes on I love this bike more and more. Man am I glad the Honda dealer didn't have a VTX1800 in stock, but had The Behemoth instead, and at an absurdly low price!

Just random musings.

Same with the 1500 Classic. It's more stable with 2up. Your wife will get use to the speed. Take her out on the slab, and run it up to around 80 for a few miles. My wife will sometimes almost go to sleep riding back there, sometimes she takes a book and reads while we are ripping down the slab.

[Van's V2k]

Originally Posted by ophidia

I've had my V2K going on a month now, and finally felt comfortable enough to take my wife for a ride on it. I'm a fat guy, so we weighed in at 500 lbs or so together. With my old bike (2001 Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 CC) it got pretty top heavy and I didn't like carrying a passenger at all.

Not so with the V2k. If anything, it felt MORE stable and controllable with a passenger than without. The previous owner had put Cobra floorboards in back which my wife also liked.

Now I just need to figure out how to make her stop being afraid of being on the bike at highway speeds. I'd love for her to go with me on rides in the country, etc.

Any tips there?

As time goes on I love this bike more and more. Man am I glad the Honda dealer didn't have a VTX1800 in stock, but had The Behemoth instead, and at an absurdly low price!

Just random musings.

Coming from the same bike Honda Aero 1100 to the V2k I know exactly what you're saying I'm a big guy also, with a rider 500lb on this bike no prob. Get out of trouble in a hot tic. cage started crowding me on the Cal. freeway had my son on the back in a second I doing over 100mph and out of trouble. Kid said Dad we were doing 110mph I told him well that's not something we want to tell your Mom OK?

[wynnbricky]

The back rest for her was good advice. Also ride as smoth as you can and dont burn her out on long trips. short rides stoping often, in favorable weather and ride where SHES comfortable. Her favored speed--- The kinda roads she prefers ect. I made the ride about her and let her call the shots for awhile just to keep her comfortable. It was worth it. Now shes getter better about the freeway. Also dont ride with no hands over 80 until she trust you.