How to ride two-up on the GS

[tlwood99]

Well I got my GS finally and loving it. But in a little over a week my wife and I are going for a weekend camping trip and I'm a bit worried. I am going to use her brother as a crash dummy before having her on the bike to see how this is going to work out, but here is my issue.

I have a standard seat, which is good because on a smaller bike my knees cramp. Whether the seat is in the high or low position, I only touch down using the balls of my feet. The only thing that changes between the high and low setting is the angle of attack my foot has towards the ground, but the "contact patch" remains the same. All that is fine for me, alone. And I am quite comfortable with the seat in the standard or high position.

The bike has ESA. And I have a 30" inseam on a good day. If I set the bike up for two riders and luggage, that will jack the suspension up and now I will be relying on one foot down to hold up her, the luggage, the bike and me, right? Fortunately she doesn't weigh much; but I figure another 150 lbs total added weight.

I see myself stopping at a light, going down on one foot, and not being able to hold the bike or bring the bike back up. Before I make a fool of myself in public and get someone hurt I thought I would ask whether I have anything to worry about and if so what to do about it. I have plenty of two-up experience, but only on a bike I was able to flat foot.

Any help?

[ChubChub]

I too was a bit worried going two up with my other half. Im not that experianced. Normally seated my feet are nearly on the ground flat but not quite. So I'm used to pulling up and resting one foot flat on the grnd. With the wife on the back I didn't notice too much as she would sort of keep things balanced. Providing she didn't do her left shoe up when I had my right foot down. She dosnt like to lean in the corners either, that makes thing interesting, she will learn. Don't think I'd go on any trails like this though. Just give it ago and forward plan when stopping.

[marc]

Setting the suspension for two up is supposed to counter the extra compression you'd get from the added load. In a perfect world you'll notice no difference in ride height when stopped; the added load exactly canceling the extra height.

In practice you may find yourself a bit further from the road (too much preload for the actual load) or a little bit closer (too much load for the given preload). As an aside, that's why I don't like ESA. You can't fine tune it to give you exactly the proper preload.

Anyway, keeping the bike balanced when stopped shouldn't be much of an issue. Stopping, on the other hand, may surprise you the first time or two. It takes more braking power to slow down with an extra load. No biggie, just be prepared.

The only time I've ever had two up issues is on tight, low speed, full lock turns. A wiggle from your passenger at the wrong time can put you down quickly. So try to keep away from low speed full lock turns.

[ca1ic0cat]

The advice so far has been good. The only thing I would add is that your footwear is going to make a huge difference too. There is a big difference between my BMW waterproof boots and my taller "biker" boots. The latter aren't much fun to walk any distance in but they have higher heels and more of a foot bed between my foot and the street. I bet a gain 0.5" in height in those things. Very helpful two up. Until it rains....

[tlwood99]

Thanks for all of the helpful advice. Makes me feel a little better about the trip. Hopefully we will get some time on the bike together before the trip.

As for boots, I wear Sidi's On-Road boots. Highly recommended as they have great support, comfortable, and completely waterproof.

[Glenfiddich]

One thing I noticed with my wife is that she likes to lean back with her hands gripping the luggage rack. Fine when in motion, but at low speeds or stops it really screws up my balance by transferring the CG way back.

Now that she remains neutral or leans forward a bit at low speeds I have a much easier time with her back there.

[cug]

I always tell passengers that they need to come close and hold on to me whenever we are not on a freeway. I will not take a passenger a second time if she leans against the topcase or holds on to anything but me in the twisties or slow maneuvers.

[Hennepinboy]

My wife weighs about 135lb street clothing maybe 150 with riding gear touring we carry maybe 40-50lb of gear, bike R1200GSA with ESA. I do not know she is back there, once in a while I reach back touching her leg to make sure she has not fallen off somewhere.
I do feel the difference when I forget to change the ESA setting from solo to dual.

[scootertrash]

Originally Posted by tlwood99

Well I got my GS finally and loving it. But in a little over a week my wife and I are going for a weekend camping trip and I'm a bit worried. I am going to use her brother as a crash dummy before having her on the bike to see how this is going to work out, but here is my issue.

I have a standard seat, which is good because on a smaller bike my knees cramp. Whether the seat is in the high or low position, I only touch down using the balls of my feet. The only thing that changes between the high and low setting is the angle of attack my foot has towards the ground, but the "contact patch" remains the same. All that is fine for me, alone. And I am quite comfortable with the seat in the standard or high position.

The bike has ESA. And I have a 30" inseam on a good day. If I set the bike up for two riders and luggage, that will jack the suspension up and now I will be relying on one foot down to hold up her, the luggage, the bike and me, right? Fortunately she doesn't weigh much; but I figure another 150 lbs total added weight.

I see myself stopping at a light, going down on one foot, and not being able to hold the bike or bring the bike back up. Before I make a fool of myself in public and get someone hurt I thought I would ask whether I have anything to worry about and if so what to do about it. I have plenty of two-up experience, but only on a bike I was able to flat foot.

Any help?

With a 30" inseam, you should consider a lower seat. My recommendation is the Sargent low seat which will definately get your feet on the ground. It's also so, so comfy!! With your inseam and the peg position on the GS, you still shouldn't have any problem with knees cramping. The Sargent seats cost some bucks, but the additional long ride comfort and the confidence while "loaded" will be far improved.

Also, their lower version still has two height settings so when you're one up with the suspension down, you can still sit up high enough.

[multiplu]

I strongly suggest leaving the wife at home then hit the road and have the time of your life!!!!!