2 up touring: Tortoise?

[david b]

I am thinking of getting a wee 650. My only concern is its ability 2 up with camping kit. I know its not going to be as powerful as my gsf 1250 but the upright position, economy etc appeal. On long trips I don't push speed limits too much so a lower power would probably be OK. I don't want a tortoise but I don't mind a relaxed ride so long as there is adequate power for cruising at 80 ish and ability to manage the steeper bits! Has anyone got any experience of fully loaded 2 up trips? Thanks

[dsb79]

I just did the Pyrenees 2 up, motorway, mountains, up hill hair pins, you name it and the bike is perfect.  I had a set of Trax panniers full to the brim and not once did I feel uncomfortable at speed with them.  It sat at 85 on the motorway without any issues and the main thing it's comfy for both of us.

I think the v engine suits the slower uphill twists as I put it 3rd and let it do its thing with ease.

[2112]

  Larger rear sprockets are available  

[Jacko]

Or smaller ones for more relaxed engine speed on the motorways.,

[mr_diver]

have done cornwall (loads of steep hills) with the mrs on honeymoon- she brought the whole kitchen, not just the sink, still able to fly round the place.
have done a few long weeks away 2 up since, no regrets.

Milz I know went to France on his Wee,2 up, full panniers, topbox and tank bag. smallest bike other than his was a 955i trumpet Sprint. he kept up with all the 'big boys' yet his bike was the talk of the trip as he was with them all the way yet could still get 200+ miles to the tank and skip their 100 mile fuel up.

v twins will deliver usable power across the power band and be happy scraping pegs as plodding on the M-ways.
the v-strom has a split personality, part time tourer part time hooligan. well that may just be me. but many have said the same.

test ride one and see for yourself.
comfort for your passenger could make the difference with the wee, many have said the wee/vee seats as standard are good, leg position very good. only bike the mrs feels more comfy on is my old mans' Deauville, but she won't let me have one as it's "an old man's bike"- her words.

I'm not allowed to sell my wee as she's comfy and happy hooning around the countryside on the wee.
             

[PHIL FAT]

hi and    go for it

[Georgeharrier]

  Use mine for touring a lot.  £ trips to France/Belgium this summer, away most weekends camping including Buldog Bash, NABD rallies and had no problems.  All 2 up with full panniers and a 5 man tent on top of the top box. Europe tour with 15 other bikes and no hassle keeping up with the GW`s and Big boys bikes. Not as fast as my ZZR 1100 but its not suposed to be.

George

[Chris Graves]

[Ptarmigan]

Hi &  

[david b]

Thanks for replies - Next step a test ride

[LaKraven]

Done plenty of 2-up on my Wee! I'm a heavy git myself, and I've carried passengers ranging in weight from 7 stone to 14 without issue (and with huge amounts of gear).

[Catballou]

Welcome  

[bencav]

Right or wrong (wrt max loading!!) I have had 28 stone of persons on a wee, with my bohemoth luggage brimming, plus tankbag and top box- 350 miles the bike coped perfectly! My nether region wasn't as comfy the 1st time as I had the top box too far forward which meant we were squished into a smaller gap then needed, but a quick fix of that and the second time was perfecto! I find I am happier to pootle along a tad more when I ride 2-up, enjoying the ride as much as the destination!

 

[mr_diver]

My nether region wasn't as comfy the 1st time as I had the top box too far forward

I had that problem with the OEM 'Soft' branded topbox, it's too far forward and you have to remove the box to take the seat off.
but main problem was if the mrs was with me I was humping the tank, as she forced me to sit far forward and I had to grip the tank with my legs to stay up the tank far enough...
but a Cymarc plate thing moved the box back 8cm and all is well now.  

test ride and you'll know we're not talking shiyt!  

[MartinW]

Hi David and  

I had some questions myself on the weight rating the bike could take, more for stability than touring speed, but the replies were useful anyway. The details in here ...

viewtopic.php?f=58&t=12132

[Gassoon]

 David


btw - tortoises eat tons of feckin lettuce (always stopping to chew) and panniers just slide off. Get a Strom

[ben1956]

I am thinking of getting a wee 650. My only concern is its ability 2 up with camping kit. I know its not going to be as powerful as my gsf 1250 but the upright position, economy etc appeal. On long trips I don't push speed limits too much so a lower power would probably be OK. I don't want a tortoise but I don't mind a relaxed ride so long as there is adequate power for cruising at 80 ish and ability to manage the steeper bits! Has anyone got any experience of fully loaded 2 up trips? Thanks

hi had my fjr1300 for 9 years thought the same as you
 I'm loving my new
2012 650 al2 abs gt

[Sjyp]

650 has a lot more power than I'm allowed to release when she's on the pillion seat

[mr_diver]

2up the mrs punches me in the side and tells me to go faster you old fart.

[Sjyp]

Fancy a missus swap mr diver?