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Message started by nicholas on 10/19/09 at 16:15:05

Title: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by nicholas on 10/19/09 at 16:15:05

Hi Guys

Well I have had my savage for 2 weeks now - what a fun little bike...!
I had a question for those that ride 2 up, how do you guys find the bike ?
Do you have to ride 2 gear down - <3rd instead of 4th >, when cruising around town or on the highway -
Do you have any tips for 2 up riding...... me and my wife used to ride sport bikes <600cc> 2up - so she is not a stranger on the back of a motorcycle.

Just wondering if the bike is really meant for single riders.....?

The other day she sat in the drivers seat and commented how comfortable it was - maybe this savage can convince her that she too can drive - she is uneasy about driving her self.

Thanks
Nick

Thanks

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by Dj12midnit on 10/19/09 at 16:45:56

Welcome nick. I ride 2 up all the time. both on the streets and the highway. The wife and I just did a toy run up in canada did about two hundred miles over the weekend. The real question is in total weight. I upgraded the shocks since so we dont botttom out so much as I am a little on the large side. as for gears I dont shift any different then I do alone.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by T Mack 1 - FSO on 10/19/09 at 19:16:30

The only issue you will have is the size of the person riding with you, how experienced they are and how experienced you are.

My son has been riding mini-bikes and mini-cycles since he was 8. He's 14 now. Up to the point he hit the last growth spert, the bike didn't know he was there. Only knew it at stop lights where you could feel that it was a bit more top heavy. He is the best rider I've ever had on the back. Experience pays. 8-) The bike did the hills here on the east side of PA with no problems.

BUT..... He is now almost 15, 180 lbs, 5'9" and a High School Freshman football lineman. Needless to say, my 5'10" and his 5'9" made riding two-up too uncomfortable for us (picture those pict's of loaded to the gills bikes in Asia). He fit's on the fixer Sportster :D. But it's way more top heavy at lights.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by Texas-1-lunger on 10/19/09 at 19:22:09

I ride 2 up and I ride the same as usual. But I have done some mods so I may have a little more pep than most but It still doesnt matter them Savages are all torque. I keep up with all the V-twins in my group on every ride to there amazment.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by voldigicam on 10/19/09 at 19:41:23

My primary complaint is simply room. There's enough power, I do change my shift points and watch for letting rpm get low. My other complaint is braking. I can really feel the extra weight on braking.

I suspect the comfort part depends a great deal on the saddles fitted, mods for more room, and the size of the parties. My wife is a bit thicker than she used to be and I'm 5'10" - so it's just a little bit tight!

On the other hand, it's OK if we stop regularly. Wednesday we're going over the Dragon to Robbinsville and back over Cherohala Skyway, if the temperature will allow it. Her idea, so it's not too uncomfortable, clearly!

On the other hand, I'm still looking for an inexpensive 2 up larger bike so I can ride and breathe!

But I think I'll keep the 650 and do it black and sleek for commuting and banging around.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by mornhm on 10/20/09 at 06:44:12

Nick,

I'm getting kind of a mixed message from your post. You're asking a beginner's question but I get the impression you have riding experience (more than two weeks) so I don't want to be insulting by pointing out the obvious. The Savage is set up for two riders, but you really have to be careful of the braking unless you both weigh less than 100#s. Also be careful on the corners not to drag really bad. Power starting up is not really an issue, but stopping from highway speeds can really eat up the real estate in a hurry.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by Savage_Amusement on 10/20/09 at 16:23:07

Start stopping sooner. That is the biggest one I've noticed.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by voldigicam on 10/21/09 at 03:15:10

Stopping is the main thing. I'm normally a 2 finger brake user, but I use 4 fingers with Ms. G on the back and really haul in.

We're curious about the real capabilities, so are taking off for a ride today. Heading out over US129 to Deal's Gap, then to Robbinsville and back over the Cherohala Skyway. Funny thing, our cute local roads are pretty good riding. We have a Vulcan 900 going along, so if the 650 seems to be overwhelmed Ms. G can pop over onto the Vulcan.

It's tight enough that we arranged to pick up a Volusia yesterday.

Title: THANX
Post by nicholas on 10/21/09 at 08:42:50

Thanks everyone
I have been riding sport bikes for almost 5 years, all have had dual rotors, so stopping was never a problem no matter who was on it.
This is my first cruising bike, I was just trying to get some feed back before me and my girl friend <she has been riding pillion for just as long> head out on to the road....thats all .

I wonder if there are any break up grades available for the savage ?
thanks
nik

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by bill67 on 10/21/09 at 10:42:17

I don't think the dual rotors is any better than 1, my 1500 Suzuki has one and is twice as heavy and really stops good,but the diameter is a lot bigger.Which puts it a lot closer to the outside of the wheel.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 10/21/09 at 10:59:57

As I sat here reading about what it takes to ride 2 up, my mind drifted back to a memory of my first bike.
I had a brand new Honda 90 "Dream" in 1967, & in Tenn. you could get a limited license at age 14. The pretty girl across the street would hit me if I didn't take her riding, & her father & brothers would hit me if I did. Since I couldn't hit a girl, Ichose to fight the brothers. ;D
The point is, we rode all over the area around Jackson 2 up on a 90cc bike with drum brakes & we survived. I think we're all pretty spoiled. 8-)

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/21/09 at 11:36:29

If I have enough braking power to lock a tire up, do I need more brake?

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by mornhm on 10/21/09 at 12:09:07

Yeah I think you do Justin, because the idea is not to lock up the brakes especially during an emergency stop. It's well established that you can exert more stopping force (translates into shorter stopping distances) by not locking the brakes than you can by breaking the tires loose (skidding). You also have lots more control not sliding. The problem with insufficient brakes is that they are difficult to control at maximum braking (not locking them up) and they can fade rapidly, so brakes that you could lock up at the beginning of a ride can fade after multiple stops (in town riding) or during an emergency stop.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 10/21/09 at 12:54:58

Good answer..
All Ive managed is to mod the brake for better control/feel. But, If I was carrying someone I can see how it would be possible to get them hot & make them fade. I had that happen on a car a time or 2,, pretty scary when ya got both feet on the brake & its not doing squat.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by mornhm on 10/21/09 at 14:34:50

And imagine what your steering input is going to be like if you have your right arm gripping as hard as possible in attempt to get braking force. In cages, I've inverted a couple of cups (remember those - not sure if you could do that in modern brakes) in the brakes - then you really are in a bad way (trying to pump your brakes for any affect at all) - from an older, wiser perspective, I probably know waaaay too much about fading brakes ;)

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by voldigicam on 10/21/09 at 16:30:21

S40 version, with the drag bars. 2 up I'm OK with the distance to the bars, feet are a bit cramped. I'm 5'10" with long legs. She forms sort of a backrest and indicates she's pretty comfortable. Not as cushy as on the Vulcan 900 with custom seats & floorboards, but she likes being right up against me.

Handling is OK. Even in technical stuff, and just fine at speed in moderate twisties. No trouble at 60 on the 4 lane. I could go faster, but the limit was 55 on the road we were on today.

I didn't find any brake fade problems. But I used engine braking lots. Ended up with three finger front brake and used rear brake a good deal to keep things balanced.

Shift points were a bit higher than usual. Main problem was the 2 to 3 jump. I really wanted to be about in between for many of the uphill corners 2 up.

Route was out to the Dragon (about 25 miles), over the Dragon (quite technical), by Kilmer forest road around Santeelah Lake (rough with tight flat turns - dragged pegs a couple of times), then over the Cherohala Skyway. Back along Rt. 360 (beautiful) and then 72 along Tellico Lake. Probably 200 miles.

Really wasn't any problem, except that the pilot jet didn't handle altitude well. Getting the throttle into the main and things smoothed out.

I'm more impressed than ever with the capability of the engine. I'm not impressed with the suspension or brakes, and I'm OK with the handling. But for 2 up, simply tight for taller people. And really much have the backrest.

Title: Re: Riding 2 Up ?
Post by FrankYoungWolf on 01/24/10 at 15:01:47

Back when I had my other savage the Wife and I decided to take a road trip to Ga. Neither of us are small people and we did the first 30 something miles to Gainsville making good time, we went to stop and get something to drink and thats when we noticed HUGE chunks missing out of the rear tire!! Needless to say we got a motel room and had a new rear tire put on the next morning and the shocks adjusted for two riders but that was a close call and a scary lesson to learn!! :o