How do passengers like the Spyder???

[wolfshead1]

I need some help,could anyone who normally is a passenger explain the quality of the passenger ride and what mod's would make it the most comfortable?

Haven't made the purchase yet and it is due to the queen thinking it has a crotch rocket design and completely uncomfortable for a long ride.

I plan on a backrest,Corbin and foot peg ext. for her are these the way to get her of the Ultra and on the Spyder?

thanks again in advance,
wolfshead1

 

[Bersquack]

I did not ride much with the girl yet, but she prefers to be on the back of a spyder compare to a harley or crotch-rocket. She said to get a backrest and she would go anywhere!

 

[ZOSO]

Passenger Like Spyder

I think if you go with the peg ext. Corbin backrest for front & rear the ride should be fit for a queen.

 

[Don in E Texas]

Here is some information for a passenger:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11251

don

 

[NancysToy]

There are other differences between riding pillion on an Ultra (or any other large motorcycle) and the Spyder. Only your passenger can decide what is suitable, but you should point out the various differences, if only to be fair. I would recommend a demo ride two-up, but some dealers will not permit it. Worth a try, though.

Probably the most obvious difference is the seating itself. Even with a backrest and custom seat like a Corbin or Russell, the Spyder won't wrap around your passenger like an armchair. No sitting back and falling asleep riding pillion on a Spyder. BTW, some here have reported that the Corbin passenger seating slips the passenger forward too much. Others have found it worked fine. No reports on the Russell pillion seating either way.

The passenger foot position on the Spyder is very much like a crotch rocket. This will either take adjustment by your passenger, or passenger footpeg extensions like those offered by either BRP or the aftermarket. This may interfere with your foot position comfort, depending on the pegs and how you sit. The rider's seating position is also crouched, unless highway pegs or footboards are purchased or fabricated.

Finally, a passenger on a Spyder must hang on! The Spyder trys to throw the rider and passenger off in a turn. The rider will instinctively bend at the waist and lean into the turn, or slide over on the seat, but the passenger is less likely to do so, or may lag behind the rider. It takes a bit of passenger awareness and concentration to know what is going on, and to adapt to turns comfortably. Those large grab rails are there for a reason.

There are couples here who have done thousands miles two-up on a Spyder, very happily. Some came from touring motorcycles and some started from scratch. It will certainly get you both where you want to go quite comfortably. As an added attraction, you will no longer have to put your feet down and try to hold two of you, plus the machine, upright every time you stop. Just realize that it is going to be different than what you are used to...and get Mama's consent.
-Scotty

 

[beka]

I have a Corbin seat and a Givi topcase/backrest for my husband. He greatly prefers the Spyder to a 2 wheeled motorcycle, but as Scotty said, it still requires a bit of work to keep himself on the seat in the corners. I tend to ride much less aggressively when I have a passenger and I very much believe that your riding style can have a huge impact on passenger comfort.

 

[fastfraser]

:gaah: Can't keep the wife of my :spyder2:. 54 years young i mean 22 years young:roflblack: 1st big bike for both of us and she loves it. Now we have the Corbin seats with the gun slinger backrest and the Corbin hard saddle bags that come with the foot peg bracket that lowers the peg about 2" and moves it forward about 2" which makes it way more comfortable than stock as your feet are not tucked behind you anymore. NOTE: If you get the Corbin seat make sure you have them build up the front of the passengers seat as it tends to have you slide forward if you don't. Also for us the riders backrest would be an obstruction for the passenger, but if you are riding alone you can move the passengers backrest up to the drivers spot in less than a min. as you only have to loosen and retighten a set screw. Also since you are at Corbin have a look at the trunk box becuse it comes with a backrest and gives you a place to lock the 2nd helmet up as well it has a extra brake light on it. If you look in the pics section under Pastorchuck thier are some good pics of the set-up. Any how :spyder2: on .

Oh and the passenger has to hold on because it will throw you off in a corner if not prepaired.

 

[wyliec]

My gf has dozed off before. I told her not to do that; it's not a good idea. I have the BRP sport rack and backrest. She also likes the widow pegs.

 

[nyfdtsdemt]

I like brp backrest

Best so far........easy to adjust very sturdy.....FYI can be repowdercoated very easy!welcome

 

[Smylinacha]

When HDX takes it out and I'm on the back I'm good to go but for someone who rides passenger all the time - I'd get the backrest.

I rode my son on the back and his helmet kept banging into me and I kept hearing him yell
"quit it"
"Stop it"
"I feel like I'm gonna fall off"

LOL!!!!!:roflblack:

 

[VossHog]

Has anyone tried the Kewlmetal backrest? Reviews?

I like how it integrates with their luggage rack, which appears to be very functional.

 

[bjt]

I need some help,could anyone who normally is a passenger explain the quality of the passenger ride and what mod's would make it the most comfortable?

Haven't made the purchase yet and it is due to the queen thinking it has a crotch rocket design and completely uncomfortable for a long ride.

I plan on a backrest,Corbin and foot peg ext. for her are these the way to get her of the Ultra and on the Spyder?

thanks again in advance,
wolfshead1

I think these items can go a long way in making her more comfortable on the Spyder. Be sure to get the Corbin seat "passenger friendly" as others have stated as it was noted that stock Corbins tend to let the passenger slide forward. Another option is a Russell saddle like myself and some others have got. They are custom made for each rider and passenger so that may work better for you. I have seen people, with the KewlMetal rear rack or the BRP rear rack, who put some other rear bag / backrest combo on their Spyder. One person had the BRP rack with a large bag with integrated backrest and armrests like you tend to see on the big dressers. I don't know which exact bag he had but I think you can easily find them with flat bottoms that can be adapted to bolt onto either of those racks. There are also a few options for passenger peg extensions that get the passenger's feet out from under them and more forward like in a normal seated position. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Roaddog2]

The new BRP seat is worth checking out also the 300+ I did today was like night and day compared to stock seat.Also add BRP backrest when Queen wants to come along:ani29:

 

[jeuchler]

We've had motorcycles since 1984, and Barb has always ridden as a passenger with me (after she had a nasty accident piloting a bike before that).

I would recommend a demo ride two-up, but some dealers will not permit it. Worth a try, though.

Of course it's not the same, but even sitting on it gives a small sense of space, grips, leg position, and footpegs.

Probably the most obvious difference is the seating itself. Even with a backrest and custom seat like a Corbin or Russell, the Spyder won't wrap around your passenger like an armchair. No sitting back and falling asleep riding pillion on a Spyder.

I never want to contradict Scotty about technical info, but the strange truth is that bride, son, and daughter ALL fall asleep on the back of the Spyder.

Perhaps they've just inherited their mother's (dis)ability which she also does on long horseback rides, but nonetheless, it does happen. Often.

Freaks me out.

Anyhow, BRP backrest is the best we've had, but then again we've never owned a full dresser.

The passenger foot position on the Spyder is very much like a crotch rocket. This will either take adjustment by your passenger, or passenger footpeg extensions like those offered by either BRP or the aftermarket. This may interfere with your foot position comfort, depending on the pegs and how you sit. The rider's seating position is also crouched, unless highway pegs or footboards are purchased or fabricated.

Agreed.

We took long rides, and (5'10") Barb was OK, but this last big trip she was m u c h more comfy after I put the tjfischer peg extensions on. Next on is the NMN adapters and some Kury iso mini-boards to give her even more options to move feet around a little.

Finally, a passenger on a Spyder must hang on! The Spyder trys to throw the rider and passenger off in a turn. The rider will instinctively bend at the waist and lean into the turn, or slide over on the seat, but the passenger is less likely to do so, or may lag behind the rider. It takes a bit of passenger awareness and concentration to know what is going on, and to adapt to turns comfortably. Those large grab rails are there for a reason.

I will only partly disagree here.

I popped for a jetski belt for myself with handles for long trips. Barb really appreciated being able to hold on to that (me) in addition to the grab bars, as well as being able to change hand positions. Holding the belt kept her hands warmer on cold days as well.

Barb and kids anticipate and lean with me.

Yeah, I guess I'm not disagreeing at all.

There are couples here who have done thousands miles two-up on a Spyder, very happily. Some came from touring motorcycles and some started from scratch. It will certainly get you both where you want to go quite comfortably. As an added attraction, you will no longer have to put your feet down and try to hold two of you, plus the machine, upright every time you stop. Just realize that it is going to be different than what you are used to...and get Mama's consent.
-Scotty

Yup. :thumbup: