Two-up touring on SV?

Hi all,

Stuck indoors due to the snow tonight so thought I'd get people's opinions on something I've been wondering about recently.

My wife and I have a K6 and hope to do a little touring around the UK this year. Can the bike cope, or is it not really designed to carry two people with a little luggage? I can put up with a little discomfort but I don't want to damage the bike's suspension etc.

Thoughts welcome!

[garynortheast]

I've not done any two up touring on the SV and I make a point of never normally taking a pillion. However, a couple of years ago I took my FiL on the pillion, from Mid Wales to Grantham, to look at a bike for him. I'm 11½st and he is around 15st. Standard suspension front and rear on the bike so it was a bit wallowy if I pushed it around the bends, but aside from that it coped very well. I was surprised at how well the engine performed with our combined weight onboard.

I'd say that as long as you're not both the size of Giant Haystacks, you should be ok.

And if you are - cut down on the pie intake for a few months before going!

preload up to maximum and i reckon the sv will cope with about 25-30 stone in rider pillion and luggage

not the ideal bike for the job but you wont damage anything

Thanks chaps. I'll take it easy to start with and set the preload when I get the chance. Not done that before but I think I'm right in saying it's in the manual somewhere. A job for when the weather's better..!

you should have one of these in your toolkit



you use it to turn an adjuster at the top of the rear shock

I took my mate who is 16-17stone pillion on my bike. I weigh 7.5 stone.

Wasn't a brilliant idea. But the bike manged it fine

Originally Posted by garynortheast

I've not done any two up touring on the SV and I make a point of never normally taking a pillion. However, a couple of years ago I took my FiL on the pillion, from Mid Wales to Grantham, to look at a bike for him. I'm 11½st and he is around 15st. Standard suspension front and rear on the bike so it was a bit wallowy if I pushed it around the bends, but aside from that it coped very well. I was surprised at how well the engine performed with our combined weight onboard.

I'd say that as long as you're not both the size of Giant Haystacks, you should be ok.

And if you are - cut down on the pie intake for a few months before going!

Dont you mean aslong as you're both not the size of the Giant Hayabusa!


As regards to the topic, Iv normally take pillions for a ride now and again gotta show the young youth what there missing.
Myself and pillion work out about 25stone, powers still good but doesnt feel as instant unless you drop a front tooth which might not be good for touring. still plenty for safe* overtakes. handling improves if you have a decent pillion or is that just me overall i rekon it can handle it.

[joshwalker094]

Ive did two trips to cornwall last year both about 1000miles.
first time was two up and luggage, standard set up. it did awesome. handled well, me being about 16 stone back then and my brother 13 stone. must of had up to 60kg of luggage aswell.

i do pillion all the time me and my brother. standard suspension was good enough, but still upgraded it and now it copes alot better. hopefully off to cornwall again two up at end of march. or maybe in my own car if i pass my test by then and get a car.

hth

josh

[widepants]

Originally Posted by joshwalker094

Ive did two trips to cornwall last year both about 1000miles.
, me being about 16 stone back then


josh

Must resist the temptation

[joshwalker094]

Originally Posted by widepants

Must resist the temptation

cant figure where your going with that. but shut it!