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

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.    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  .  But it's way more top heavy at lights.

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.

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

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

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.
   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.

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.

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