550cc two up?

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The549 · #1 Unread post by **The549** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:12 pm

I have a 1990 Kaw Zephyr 550cc (standard style), and was thinking about trying out a passenger. With a bike this size (medium smallish), do I have to be much more careful in turns? Or is it just starting and stopping that changes? I haven't ridden more than 2 bikes, but can tell that this type of bike is not one that 'sets' into the turns. It always feels very nimble and I'm worried that it may be difficult to control with a lot more weight.

I weigh 155 and passenger will probably be 130 ish. (5'7" woman, blue eyes, and full figure -aka 'fat' in Los Angeles terms- mmmMMmmm).

Bike has 48 hp.

Already read the other basic info on 2-up, any advice on this matter is appreciated!

Shorts · #2 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:28 pm

You'll be fine. Allot for braking room anyway until you get the feel of the bike, and later especially for emergency or quick stops. But 550 is plenty. DH and I rode around on his Vulcan 400 2up all the time..~220+110lbs so, no problems. You won't win any drag races, just keep yourself in the right gears.

Fly_Guy · #3 Unread post by **Fly_Guy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:14 pm

For the record, it's now 195. With all the attention Shorts gets here, I realized I needed to step up my game.

The549 · #4 Unread post by **The549** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:21 pm

Fly_Guy wrote:For the record, it's now 195. With all the attention Shorts gets here, I realized I needed to step up my game.

Hell I started running just because I'm now wearing t-shirts on my bike! Girls wouldn't go for a fat non-cruiser rider would they?

Shorts · #5 Unread post by **Shorts** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:02 pm

Fly_Guy wrote:For the record, it's now 195. With all the attention Shorts gets here, I realized I needed to step up my game.

Hey man, I had to give "the specs" at the correct time of owning/riding the Vulcan. Otherwise, the input would not have been as powerful and meaningful

Johnj · #6 Unread post by **Johnj** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:44 pm

Shorts wrote:
Fly_Guy wrote:For the record, it's now 195. With all the attention Shorts gets here, I realized I needed to step up my game.

Hey man, I had to give "the specs" at the correct time of owning/riding the Vulcan. Otherwise, the input would not have been as powerful and meaningful

Will you guys go get a room or something?

Veda · #7 Unread post by **Veda** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:26 am

It's funny. Before I got my ninja I used to frequent a lot of scooter forums. People asked the same questions they do here. Except instead of asking "can I ride 2-up on my 550cc Vulcan" the question would be, "can I ride 2-up on my 50cc honda metropolitan."

(And for the record, there were people who reported doing so just fine.)

jstark47 · #8 Unread post by **jstark47** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 1:18 am

Fly_Guy wrote:For the record, it's now 195. With all the attention Shorts gets here, I realized I needed to step up my game.

My god, Fly_Guy, what is she doing to you??!!!!

Send signals if you need help. I can have some Twinkies or something with **ahem** appropriate nutritional value drop-shipped to Misawa....

jonnythan · #9 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 2:14 am

While it's not that big of a deal, everything is different with the weight of another rider on top of the bike. The geometry and physics of turning are all altered and there's definitely less room for error. So take it easy at first.. you are learning the bike again.

Brackstone · Wed Aug 01, 2007 5:17 am

I know I'm still a newbie around here but I just wanted to point out that the Motorcycle Saftey courses here in NJ offer a two up option as well. So you can learn with the other person. Why is that important you ask? Well all the training is done on 250cc bikes allegedly, so if you can fit two people on a 250cc and still be able to ride I think a 500cc+ should be fine.