What size of bike for 2 up ?

wantsabike

wantsabike

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So ever since I got my s40 my gf went for a ride with me on it and now she enjoys the bike so much she always wants to go with me ugh lol

SO since my little s40 struggles with her and I on that bike I figured maybe I should buy a second bike for her and I to ride together and then I can enjoy my s40 myself lol. She’s roughly about the same height as myself which is about 5’8 and our combined weight is about 350-365lbs.

I have been looking at Honda shadows as they’re a nice looking bike, and relatively available and affordable as I don’t wanna spend a lot. But I also do like the Suzuki intruder, now when it comes to size how big of a motor should I look at ? 600, 800 ? Or 1100 intruder maybe ?

We don’t normally do long trips anyway maybe a hour at most before stopping. Whether it be going back home or stopping for drink or food or a rest
 
wantsabike said:
So ever since I got my s40 my gf went for a ride with me on it and now she enjoys the bike so much she always wants to go with me ugh lol

SO since my little s40 struggles with her and I on that bike I figured maybe I should buy a second bike for her and I to ride together and then I can enjoy my s40 myself lol. She’s roughly about the same height as myself which is about 5’8 and our combined weight is about 350-365lbs.

I have been looking at Honda shadows as they’re a nice looking bike, and relatively available and affordable as I don’t wanna spend a lot. But I also do like the Suzuki intruder, now when it comes to size how big of a motor should I look at ? 600, 800 ? Or 1100 intruder maybe ?

We don’t normally do long trips anyway maybe a hour at most before stopping. Whether it be going back home or stopping for drink or food or a rest
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FIL has the 800 Volusia and ridden it many times with the squeeze on country roads and it’s quite enjoyable.

On a 400 series highway, it’s not enjoyable after a little bit.

Before you know it, there will be windshields and back rests and saddlebags etc. 😉
 
Ya that’s a lot more then I’m wanting to spend lol I’m wanting something around the 2000obo even if it is a little project it’s okay as well

But cc wise where should I be looking ? 600 twin ? 800 twin or 750 twin, or 1100 or 1400 lol
 
wantsabike said:
Ya that’s a lot more then I’m wanting to spend lol I’m wanting something around the 2000obo even if it is a little project it’s okay as well

But cc wise where should I be looking ? 600 twin ? 800 twin or 750 twin, or 1100 or 1400 lol
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It’s really the bike as much as the engine size. I don’t think there is anything in the cruiser models at 600 cc. I’m sure someone can post a few to prove me wrong. For the most part, the Viragos and the Volusia with the 1100 engine will be fine.


I made a couple of 1200 Sportsters manage 2up with a decent seat and shock upgrades. My lady is smaller than me and seemed to enjoy it. At least never complained.

Honda has a few 750 out there but, it’s a mixed bag. Some are ok and others not so much.
 
Well I do like the looks of the Honda shadow vlx600 but not sure if they’re enough for her and 🤷‍♂️

I’ve also got a like on a 89 intruder 750 liquid cooled for 600obo, needs battery nothing more.
 
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Since it looks like you are searching in the V-Twin market, for two up I would definitely recommend something in the 1000+ cc range. V Twins are torquey, not HP beasts in most cases, especially most generic metrics, so you have to make sure to be looking at horsepower numbers, not just CC numbers as a V-Twin 1000cc does not in even the remotest possible way equate to a sport bike 1000cc for example. My currrnt bike is a ~1900cc touring bike, but it would get spanked six ways to Sunday by a lot of 600 cc class sport bikes, much less anything in the 1000+ cc superbike segment.

CC’s aren’t universal basically.

For a V Twin cruiser, take a look at something like a VTX1300 - they are pretty plentiful in the used market, often have lots of farkles already strapped to them by previous owners, and they are capable enough for 400 series two-up highway cruising. Or the Vstar 1100, same comments. I’ve had both in the stable over the years, both amazing bikes that run like a Timex and will last forever.

You can buy smaller ones like the V-Star 650 etc etc but you’ll find it way too anemic HP wise for 2 up highway riding, and they’re also physically pretty small bikes as well for 2 people to begin with.
 
So much depends on your riding style and it isn't all about HP. A 125 cc will do legal speeds on any highway. A 250 will do it two up.

The first safety item is payload on the tires. In "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" Pirsig fixates on his rear tire shredding on a high speed ride on a hot day. I've been to Goldwing rallies where the tires were supporting more meat than metal. You and your gf seem to be in a more normal range.

Be careful with equating HP to the ability to pass safely. HP can sucker you into bad assumptions. Good passing techniques include judgement and patience. A 650 was once considered a big bike.
 
nobbie48 said:
So much depends on your riding style and it isn't all about HP. A 125 cc will do legal speeds on any highway. A 250 will do it two up.
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Again, differentiation between engines matters.

A 250cc v-twin will barely manage 100kph in a light headwind with 1 person on it much less 2 as OP wants.
 
Not only engine displacement to consider but the physical size of the bike too. Lots of used H-D s on the market, Road King, Street Glide or a new `25 Road King would be ideal. All of them generally carry an eye watering price however. A used late model V-Strom 1000 would be a solid choice too. If you want a V-twin, bigger is better. Your budget could present an issue, bikes at that price point may be a lot of ongoing troubles. Look at getting the GF to throw some coin in..... :pP.S. ....I saw your budget after your first post so....
 
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The best way to destroy an enjoyable ride is to have a passenger who also rides.
Been There! Done That!
Nothing worse than your passenger picking a different line thru the corner.
Considering what you use your bike for the solution is to buy another S40 for her.
As a chief instructor with a motorcycle training course I learned this about female students.
Some where there because they wanted to be and others where talked into it by boyfriend/spouse.
Of the later most decided they did not want to sit on the back anymore and wanted their own ride.
Others decided they wanted a new boyfriend/spouse minus motorcycle!
If your S40 seams sluggish try riding one gear lower.
 
wantsabike said:
Well I do like the looks of the Honda shadow vlx600 but not sure if they’re enough for her and 🤷‍♂️

I’ve also got a like on a 89 intruder 750 liquid cooled for 600obo, needs battery nothing more.
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A shadow 600 won’t work for 2 up on any 400 series, you’ll be underpowered and undersized. Fine for the backroads potentially as long as the smaller overall size works for you both.

I’d be reluctant to go back as far as the 80’s unless you are handy and not afraid to wrench on things. And is it advertised as “just needs a battery”, or you’ve actually seen it running and riding and that’s legit? There are lots of older bikes like this that have been shoved in the corner of a garage for 10 or 20 years and end up being far bigger projects than they are advertised as.

“Just needs a battery” may turn out to be “I turned the key and pressed the start button after it sat for 10 years and it wouldn’t crank but I’m sure everything is perfectly fine, just needs a battery” only for the reality to be that the gas tank is full of rust, all of the carburetors are completely gummed up and seized, there’s mouse nests in the intake and exhaust, chewed wires, it needs new tires, etc. etc. etc.

An old metric that has seen at least semi regular use and has been taken care of and stored properly is worthy of consideration, but something that has sat for a decade or two can end up costing you way more money, time, and frustration than just buying a newer bike in the end.

Glenn/RZ500 said:
Not only engine displacement to consider but the physical size of the bike too. Lots of used H-D s on the market, Road King, Street Glide or a new `25 Road King would be ideal. All of them generally carry an eye watering price however. A used late model V-Strom 1000 would be a solid choice too. If you want a V-twin, bigger is better. Your budget could present an issue, bikes at that price point may be a lot of ongoing troubles. Look at getting the GF to throw some coin in..... :pP.S. ....I saw your budget after your first post so....
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With a $2k budget OP isn’t in Harley territory for sure. 😉
 
If you are driving the speed limit you are passing very few vehicles so what is the issue?
If you are riding back roads those tractors are easy to overtake.
 
wantsabike said:
Ya that’s a lot more then I’m wanting to spend lol I’m wanting something around the 2000obo even if it is a little project it’s okay as well

But cc wise where should I be looking ? 600 twin ? 800 twin or 750 twin, or 1100 or 1400 lol
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My sister and BIL toured 2up on an 800Vulcan. Neither one of them is small - likely 400pounds combined.
 
If you like the S40 you will absolutely love the S50/Intruder. It will do 2up for your 1 hour trips easily, power for the 400 series and if she is comfy on the S40 she will be on the Intruder as well. You would probably end up selling the S40 and only need the Intruder.

www.kijiji.ca

2001 Suzuki Intruder VS 800 Reduced Sale | Street, Cruisers & Choppers | Mississauga / Peel Region | Free local classifieds - Kijiji

Selling VS 800 with the following: De-rust and relined fuel tank to New petcock, fuel line and fuel pump New spark p
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guzzirider said:
If you are driving the speed limit you are passing very few vehicles so what is the issue?
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Small CC cruises are small and lightt. They get blown around easily by passing vehicles and don’t instill confidence in a 2 up situation for sure.

Doable? Sure. Enjoyable when you’re buzzbombing for hours on end with the engine wound up to the stratosphere and in the case of a small CC VTwin, running at the bleeding edge of its horsepower, and the bike wiggling around under you both every time you get passed by a truck on top of it all, perhaps not so much.

Just my opinion as a long time cruiser guy who has had a bunch of them and rode a lot of miles with my wife as well as she progressed from a 250cc beginner bike to her eventual Vstar 1100. She was much happier and confident on the bigger heavier bike, even just solo.

If the only intent is the 80kph backroads, different story.
 
Well I mostly drive backroads yes as I live in rural area, I don’t speed but I do enjoy ripping through gears to speed up and etc lol. HIGHLY unlikely I’ll ever be on 400 series roads on my bike.

My gf has been saying about getting her license too BUT the issue is she likes riding on the back cuz she can hold on to me and likes being my passenger her words not mine lol. If it was up to me I’d say no more riding with me and get your license and I’ll buy you a bike lol but that’s not gonna fly hahah

I’m not afraid of wrenching and I’m very mechanically inclined in my opinion, not much I can’t do if I have the tools to do such. As of right now I have no plans on getting rid of my s40, its great fun little bike. If I get another bike for her and I I’ll keep the s40 and maybe mod into a bobber for myself

I have come across a Yamaha 1100 vstar for 1000$ in Burlington but it has 140,000km on it. Two owners first one was a older man who drove it all over and the second owner is now selling it
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