[ArcticEd]

As I posted in the "V Curious" forum, Ive been looking at the VStrom 1000 as a replacement for my ZRX1200, because my wife-to-be isn't comfortable on it. She's really into the cruisers we've looked at.(Roadstar and Vulcan 1600). We took a short ride on the #1 bike on my list on Saturday, an imaculate '08 BL 1000 with some nice accessories and only 2000 miles, and she had some difficulty getting on and off of it, and also said that she didn't feel "secure"... I don't quite understand her problem with "standard" bikes, but it seems like it's centered around peg and ride height, although from what I've observed, the pillion on the Strom is only about 5 inches higher than a Vulcan, and the pegs CAN'T be more than 2 inches or so higher...
What , if anything, have some of you done to modify passenger accommidations on your bikes?? I'm possibly looking to lower the passenger pegs or find a way to make it easier for her to mount and dismount (the bike, not me!)

Also, if possible, if you have any 2 up pics of you and your lady on the Vee, could you post them here??? I'm looking to show her a comparison of the passenger riding positions (Strom vs. Cruiser).

I plan to add either a backrest or a trunk with a backrest to make her more comfortable and confident back there. You know what they say, "If Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy"...

Any help and / or suggestions that you can offer will be greatly appreciated. She's an amazing lady (we're getting married in September) and she enjoys riding , but is a little concerned after spending time on the Rex because it really bothered her knees and was a little too cramped, despite the Corbin GF/L and backrest I bought for her. She's convinced that a Cruiser is the answer...

I'm nuts about the Strom after just a short ride, and am hoping that I can make it work for us. After over 40 years of riding, racing (Motocross and Hare Scrambles, Trials, and drag racing) wrenching, fabricating and painting motorcycles, I'm convinced that since I can only feasibly have one bike right now, the big Strom is just what the doctor ordered.

I REALLY want this bike.

Any help that you can offer will be, as I already said, GREATLY appreciated.

Besides, as I said in my other post, I wanna ride a Cruiser about like you guys wanna die!

Thanks ahead of time,
Ed

 

[BillZ]

You and I share the same troubles my friend. I had a Goldwing and my wife loved it. Super comfortable and really nice for her to ride as passenger. Trouble was that she hadn't ridden for more than than 100 miles in two years so I sold it for the Wee. I love it and she won't ride it. I don't understand it but I am not going to turn my baby into a mini-goldwing trying to recreate a ride that she didn't use anyway. We have another bike that she says she like the feel of better, as a passenger, so we will ride that when motivated. Until then, I just go solo on my Wee and smile.

I don't have any advice for you since my solution won't work for you. I can tell you that I had a Harley and the Goldwing. The wing far exceeded my expectations as a touring mount and my wife was very satisfied. The Road King Classic just about crippled both of us after a 2000 mile trip and when we arrived home, we agreed that it had to go.

I don't like the look of top cases on the VStrom but I have soft truck from Kuryakyn that I can strap on if I need the room. So far I have been satisfied wearing a backpack for storage but the weather just turned hot here so things may change.

Good luck trying to find a compromise. I believe you have found the best bike and as you have identified, now all that remains is to configure it to your needs.

 

[Bugzy]

My wife won't go near my bike. Your a lucky man in a way, having a lady that likes to ride, but i do love my time away solo as well.

If you put the bike on the center stand, she should be able to put her left foot on the drivers peg, swing a leg over, then scooch back to the passenger seat. You get on the same way. Once on, you just lunge forward and the bike comes of the center stand and your off. Won't work too well on dirt though.

Be sure to get that top case and passenger backrest. This is likely what she likes about the cruisers. A goldwing for example is like a big comfy couch.

Extend the pegs with something like this?

MFW Vario Footpeg Mount, Passenger V-strom DL1000 - A Vicious Cycle

You could have something custom made too. Probably wouldn't cost all that much.

 

[PTRider]

Ed

Other possible mods include customizing the seat, and getting the shock re-worked for your combined weight plus better damping. Both are highly recommended.

 

[bwringer]

If you put the bike on the center stand, she should be able to put her left foot on the drivers peg, swing a leg over, then scooch back to the passenger seat. You get on the same way. Once on, you just lunge forward and the bike comes of the center stand and your off. Won't work too well on dirt though.

This works on the kickstand as well -- I had to tote a friend of mine this way on the Vee following a transmission meltdown on the vintage bike he was riding. He has a slipped disk, and couldn't climb aboard the conventional way.


My wife constantly wonders where the armrests are. No idea why she'd want those.

We did have to move the Givi trunk back a bit to make her comfortable. She feels far more secure with the trunk in place as a backrest -- even when we don't need to carry anything, I have to have it mounted.

 

[ArcticEd]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. The bike is RIGHT... 2K miles, has Givi bags (small ones, but I'm assuming that once you have the racks mounted, you can attach just about any size Givi bag), stock and gel seat, givi engine guards, and both the stock and tall Suzuki windshield. Like I said earlier, she wasn't impressed on our short test ride. I'm really trying to talk her out of a cruiser, it might be OK to chuff around on one, but for anything other than going out for supper or a Saturday morning jaunt, I can't imagine riding one day in and day out... I don't know, but as of right now, she's not even interested in giving the Vee a second shot. I don't wanna screw around and give some other lucky goof a shot at buying MY bike....:furious:

Maybe I ought to go along the next time she's picking out new curtains and offer MY input....


Naw..... Then I'd have to shoot myself.......:headbang:

 

[richw]

Little backrest add on / sissy bar?

Do the minimum, after marriage 98% of 2 up will be DONE. Then she will work on you growing up and getting rid of your stupid toy

You need fixing and she's the hammer.

 

[ArcticEd]

I think I found some new ammunition to use...I still have 3 new WIX oil filters left over from when I had my Bandit...


I can't just let them go to waste, can I??????

 

[Bzar]

I was considering a Mustang Convertible as the only viable alternative for my bride. It certainly beats a trike or sidecar.

 

[bwringer]

I was considering a Mustang Convertible as the only viable alternative for my bride. It certainly beats a trike or sidecar.

Or, as the old joke goes, a motorcycle is cheaper than a mistress... :biggrinjester:



On the semi-serious side, I've found that the chance to wear cute new gear is a great motivator.

My wife loved her baby-blue jacket, but didn't want to be seen wearing her maroon helmet with the jacket. After scouring the earth for nearly a year, we finally found a helmet that contained the correct shade of blue yet wasn't too "girly", and she's now much more eager to ride.

Ach. Vimmin.

 

[Bugzy]

I wonder if it might be better to pick a well fitting helmet, that provides maximum protection, and then have it painted? It seems silly to buy a helmet based on color. lol

Sorry for the derail.

 

[griffin800]

women

Yeah sure, you've obviously not spent much time shopping with women

Bill H.

 

[Bugzy]

It's true. Shopping with women is a task i avoid whenever possible.

 

[griffin800]

shopping

Most women enjoy it much when their guy shows interest in them when they are shopping, yes it can be boring, the result of their gratitude can though definely make it worth it

Bill H.

 

[Bender]

Go find her a good ole hardtail with the annoying loud pipes to take her on a test ride. Make sure to bit every pothole on the the road...make the bike buck and jerk. She should then fall in love with the v..... and if for some reason you cave and get her a cruiser...you must forfeit your man card.