Two up ?

[Kevin Duffy]

Today was the first time that I took my wife out on my R18 Classic since I bought the bike over 6 months ago and I really don’t know what to think about it.
Ok, maybe 16 turns on the rear shock was a bit too light for us both and this may be why I grounded the pegs out on just about every roundabout but there is something not quite right that I can’t put my finger on. It just wasn’t as enjoyable as I expected, with all that power and torque it should have been great but it just wasn’t.
I almost thought about using my Triumph T100 for taking her out and keeping the R18 for solo only ?
Has anyone else ridden two up regularly and how do they feel about it ?
Just disappointed and don’t know why so would appreciate any two up advice, thanks.

 

[Cu Dubh]

I can't really help but, in an apples-to-oranges comparison, my TC handles 2-up (and 2 who are somewhat larger 'ups'!) very well. I know the Classic and the TC are set up differently but thought I'd add this just as a data point for you. (edited to correct my fat-thumb spelling error)

 

[Mac]

Yep, I use our Classic two up most of the time. I have not yet ground the boards but have set the shock at 24 turns. Unless you are both very light 16 turns would not have helped. The bike handles it extremely well and I find is very stable. My wife says I am a better rider than on our last GS stability wise. She does not like it in Rock mode as she says it is a bit “snappy” so I leave it in Roll and use Rock for my pleasure. The seat had to be changed to a Cross Country and that is extremely comfortable and far better looking on the bike than pictures suggest. The original seat meant I could sit further back when solo but with the misses on board I felt I was pushed forward so that maybe some of what you feel whereas the Mustang seats give you specific space. The bike easily handles the weight two up and doesn’t look like two gorillas on a kids bike as it is a big beast. I have had a T100 and a 1200XC and find the Classic a much better two up bike. The T100 I had to change the suspension to Ohlins to get a decent ride as it wallowed everywhere two up, but the bike always felt cramped under me. The 1200XC she didn’t like due to the exhaust and I couldn’t blame her. The only tips apart from the suspension setting is as you come to a stop make sure you have the front wheel straight as the long rake highlights any unbalancing movement. Adding a very little nudge on the handlebars to the right just as you stop to drop the left leg down removes any wobble the passenger puts in as they invariably fidget just at that point and if they fidget you will know it. Not sure of your riding experience so no intention to make you suck eggs but give it another go as they are great two up.

 

[Petrus]

'not quite right' is not a very precise symptom

Start with setting the preload to nigh max.
Also check and maintain the tyre pressure religiously.

Next cruise, not race.
Although the bike tracks véry well, it is not a sporty one.

Before I fitted a sidecar, I have done more kms two up than solo, 'Tested' top speed two up too Ditto with the performance plates. The bike behaved faultlessly.

The only slight weakness is a mild tendency to follow the black snakes of tarmac repairs. Mind nothing worrying and mostly due to the type of tyre.

 

[CajunRider]

I run 2-up often with the wife. No problems at all. ( EDIT: '22 Classic )

I keep the suspension set directly between suggested settings for my solo weight and the 2-up weight of me and the wife. So it's a little stiff when solo, a little soft when 2-up.
I also keep the rear tire at 42 psi, and the front at 38 - 40 psi... a tad bit higher than factory suggested pressures.

Yes, the pegs touch down easy... so do any of the "big" cc Japanese cruisers of the late '90s and early '00s. Big cruisers have a VERY different feel from "normal" bikes based on the UJM layout. You do have to account for that in HOW you ride it. You just can't go into turns/curves expecting it to react like a more standard motorcycle. You may get used to the big cruiser feel and grow to love it... but you may not, and grow to hate it.

 

[Rider0974]

I ride with my wife on the back of my TC a fair bit as it is our main form of transport, I also
ride to work on it every day. Yes two up riding feels a little different, & it takes a couple of
stops at junctions to get the feel for the different balance & braking effect. Using rock mode
helps with pulling away due to the quicker engine pick up compared to roll mode. I can't
help with rear shock advice as the TC has automatic adjustment, but I haven't had anything
dragging through the beds yet, solo or two up. We have been riding together now for 37 years
which may make a difference.
As an after thought do you feel as if you are being pushed forward a little by having your wife
behind you? If so the slightly cramped feel may be part of the problem. My wife makes an
excellent back rest on longer runs.

 

[Kevin Duffy]

Yep, I use our Classic two up most of the time. I have not yet ground the boards but have set the shock at 24 turns. Unless you are both very light 16 turns would not have helped. The bike handles it extremely well and I find is very stable. My wife says I am a better rider than on our last GS stability wise. She does not like it in Rock mode as she says it is a bit “snappy” so I leave it in Roll and use Rock for my pleasure. The seat had to be changed to a Cross Country and that is extremely comfortable and far better looking on the bike than pictures suggest. The original seat meant I could sit further back when solo but with the misses on board I felt I was pushed forward so that maybe some of what you feel whereas the Mustang seats give you specific space. The bike easily handles the weight two up and doesn’t look like two gorillas on a kids bike as it is a big beast. I have had a T100 and a 1200XC and find the Classic a much better two up bike. The T100 I had to change the suspension to Ohlins to get a decent ride as it wallowed everywhere two up, but the bike always felt cramped under me. The 1200XC she didn’t like due to the exhaust and I couldn’t blame her. The only tips apart from the suspension setting is as you come to a stop make sure you have the front wheel straight as the long rake highlights any unbalancing movement. Adding a very little nudge on the handlebars to the right just as you stop to drop the left leg down removes any wobble the passenger puts in as they invariably fidget just at that point and if they fidget you will know it. Not sure of your riding experience so no intention to make you suck eggs but give it another go as they are great two up.

Thanks for the advice especially the 24 turns on the shock

 

[Kevin Duffy]

'not quite right' is not a very precise symptom

Start with setting the preload to nigh max.
Also check and maintain the tyre pressure religiously.

Next cruise, not race.
Although the bike tracks véry well, it is not a sporty one.

Before I fitted a sidecar, I have done more kms two up than solo, 'Tested' top speed two up too Ditto with the performance plates. The bike behaved faultlessly.

The only slight weakness is a mild tendency to follow the black snakes of tarmac repairs. Mind nothing worrying and mostly due to the type of tyre.

Thanks

 

[Bwana]

My wife rides with me all the time. The bike has been stable at speed but we don't have any roundabouts in my area. I don't remember what I set the rear shock to, but, it was whatever was recommended in the manual. Tire pressures are stock. Also, once I set it, I've never touched it since; double or solo, doesn't matter. I've yet to hit the pegs or have an issue. Then again, I don't ride fast enough to lean the bike over a lot. If I did, and my wife was on, she'd smack the crap out of me!

Good luck with the setup.

 

[emgarciax]

On the Classic 2 up should be 18 assuming 300 lbs of passenger and up to 21 including full tank and saddlebags.