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What bikes are designed from the frame up ( in stock bare bones form) for two 50 year old adults to ride comfortably for a few hundred miles?

The ride/relability is #1 priority, local Dealers #2, with other options #3 (drivers/passengers backrest and Fairing),

I only have experience with crusiers of smaller size.

I assume the Honda Goldwing fits the bill but is that true for all years and variations? Is there such a thing as a semi-quiet Harlely Davidson? If so which model/years?

flw wrote: I assume the Honda Goldwing fits the bill but is that true for all years and variations?

Yes.

flw wrote: Is there such a thing as a semi-quiet Harlely Davidson? If so which model/years?

All new Harleys for the longest time have been very quiet from the factory. They have to meet noise regulations so stock they are all very quiet.

In fact, in the August issue of Cycle World, this is what they say about the Street Glide's engine noise. "the Street Glide's engine, which is delightfully smooth but so muted that it's sometimes hard to believe you're riding one of the V-Twins that made Milwaukee famous". And in the section that CW lists the Ups & Downs of the bike, under Downs, they actually wrote "Is this a V-Twin?"

Yes on the Goldwing.
As for HD, might want to look into an Electra Glide or something similar to that.
Also look into the BMW LTs. Such as the K1200 LT. It's beemer's competitor to the Goldwing.
If you're looking for something sporty and still very touring capable, I'd suggest an FJR1300.
Ummmm more along the cruiser line I'd look into the Yamaha Stratoliner or perhaps the Kawasaki Vulcan 1600.
There's the Suzuki Boulevard C109T as well.

The Goldwing is definitely a two up tourer and despite it's bulky looking size is deceptively nimble. With the gas tank below the seat and that wonderful flat 6 engine, the centre of gravity is incredibly low.

Other bikes that fit the bill are out there and one of the biggest bangs for the buck is Yamaha's Royal Star Venture... Just about everything you need comes stock including a five year unlimited mileage warranty. 1300cc V-four engine pulls a tent trailer as well as two up with no problem. I did a 14,000 km trip in 4 weeks and didn't get a sore a$$ once.

Go shopping and have fun sitting on everything you can find...

HYPERR wrote:

flw wrote: I assume the Honda Goldwing fits the bill but is that true for all years and variations?

Yes.

People familiar with 'wings (as I am not) have told they found the GL1500 to be roomier than the GL1800.

jstark47 wrote:

HYPERR wrote:

flw wrote: I assume the Honda Goldwing fits the bill but is that true for all years and variations?

Yes.

People familiar with 'wings (as I am not) have told they found the GL1500 to be roomier than the GL1800.

My father has had wings since 1984 and currently owns a 1500 with over 100K km on it. They are great on the open road but he has added a mid sized Suzuki Boulevard in the past few years to ride around town as this is the wear point of a Gold Wing. I spent quite a bit of time on the back of the old 1200 when I was a kid and I can't imagine a more comfortable bike to be a passenger on. The 1500 is roomier but the 1800 is much more manouverable as it is actually lighter. A well ridden one can humble a lot of smaller faster bikes which can be great fun.

flw wrote:Is there such a thing as a semi-quiet Harlely Davidson? If so which model/years?

As HYPERR said, all HD's are quiet and meet all noise regs and have done so for years. The problem is all the twits who insist on buying loud aftermarket pipes for them; because there are so many of them, others think this is simply the way the bike comes from the factory.

What about a Victory Vision? Polaris seems to be trying very hard to make this bike a real touring machine.

Rocket 111- Should fit the bill

I just want to add you don't need a BIG (size or weight) bike to do 2 up comfortably. There are some choices like the Suzuki Burgman 650:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... xecABS.htm



Which would be just great. Even a Suzuki C50T:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... rdC50T.htm



Myself, I've done hundreds of km's 2 up with a Honda CB400T (400cc) about 300-400kms a day. It all depends on what you want and are looking for/willing to put up with etc.

Mike