Looking for some 2-up riding opinions for FXDL
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Northeast, NJ
If you go the Sundowner route, there is a distinct difference in rider position between the Sundowner Dual and Sundowner Solo w/ pillion.
Sundowner Dual - Raises rider 1" and moves rider forward 1". I demoed one from my local dealer and found it too far forward. Very scrunched up feeling.
Sundowner Solo - Raise rider 1" and moves rider back 1". My wife and I both have Switchbacks and she runs this seat on her bike. I've used it a couple of times myself and vastly prefer this to the Sundowner Dual. This along with the pillion and you've got a very comfortable setup for both rider and passenger.
For myself, I've got a few seats I switch between. I still haven't found the "one", but depending on the mission, these have been working...
HD Tallboy - Moves the rider up 2" and back 1.75". Very extreme difference in riding position, but I've got a 34" inseam and find it very comfy. For those rare times my wife rides with me vs. being on her own bike, she finds this very comfy as well. Very thick foam and denser than stock.
Mustang Wide touring w/ backrest - Moves the rider a little higher stock and back about 1". I don't find the backrest on this seat comfy and never use it. While I don't have the pillion, I know people who do and passenger comments are very positive on comfort.
Corbin Classic Solo w/ pillion - Moves rider down 1" and back 1". Wifey doesn't really like this one for comfort. Corbins are known to be very hard and firm and they seem to pass along every ripple, bump of the road and bike vibration to the rider/passenger. Most other seats seem to mute the vibes to some degree. Not so on the Corbin. Build quality is excellent.
Sundowner Dual - Raises rider 1" and moves rider forward 1". I demoed one from my local dealer and found it too far forward. Very scrunched up feeling.
Sundowner Solo - Raise rider 1" and moves rider back 1". My wife and I both have Switchbacks and she runs this seat on her bike. I've used it a couple of times myself and vastly prefer this to the Sundowner Dual. This along with the pillion and you've got a very comfortable setup for both rider and passenger.
For myself, I've got a few seats I switch between. I still haven't found the "one", but depending on the mission, these have been working...
HD Tallboy - Moves the rider up 2" and back 1.75". Very extreme difference in riding position, but I've got a 34" inseam and find it very comfy. For those rare times my wife rides with me vs. being on her own bike, she finds this very comfy as well. Very thick foam and denser than stock.
Mustang Wide touring w/ backrest - Moves the rider a little higher stock and back about 1". I don't find the backrest on this seat comfy and never use it. While I don't have the pillion, I know people who do and passenger comments are very positive on comfort.
Corbin Classic Solo w/ pillion - Moves rider down 1" and back 1". Wifey doesn't really like this one for comfort. Corbins are known to be very hard and firm and they seem to pass along every ripple, bump of the road and bike vibration to the rider/passenger. Most other seats seem to mute the vibes to some degree. Not so on the Corbin. Build quality is excellent.
Hey all,
I currently have a 2016 FXDL (jade green) and love it. Unfortunately, the fiance isn't too comfortable on the back of it so I've been looking into buying a few things to make it a bit more passenger friendly. However, I'd like to get some opinions before spending $$$ on stuff.
Currently, my bike is pretty much bone stock. I've been looking into a BMC Widowmaker seat, suspension upgrades, and a HD mini sissybar. The fiance is fairly gifted in the rear end department but finds the stock FXDL seat stiff and uncomfortable. She also says she feels like she is sliding off of the back constantly.
Pretty much I want my bike to be comfortable for the fiance without sacrificing the bike's good looks. I'm not looking on doing any long distance hauls, but would like the bike to be comfortable for day trips and such.
What's your guy's experience with 2-up upgrades / any one have experience with the BMC Widowmaker seat? Or anyone else have suggestions on seat / sissybar combos? Pictures always help, of course.
I currently have a 2016 FXDL (jade green) and love it. Unfortunately, the fiance isn't too comfortable on the back of it so I've been looking into buying a few things to make it a bit more passenger friendly. However, I'd like to get some opinions before spending $$$ on stuff.
Currently, my bike is pretty much bone stock. I've been looking into a BMC Widowmaker seat, suspension upgrades, and a HD mini sissybar. The fiance is fairly gifted in the rear end department but finds the stock FXDL seat stiff and uncomfortable. She also says she feels like she is sliding off of the back constantly.
Pretty much I want my bike to be comfortable for the fiance without sacrificing the bike's good looks. I'm not looking on doing any long distance hauls, but would like the bike to be comfortable for day trips and such.
What's your guy's experience with 2-up upgrades / any one have experience with the BMC Widowmaker seat? Or anyone else have suggestions on seat / sissybar combos? Pictures always help, of course.
I DID end up going with the Corbin Widowmaker. I love it and there's a little more padding for my girl. Haven't gone on any really long rides yet. But for me, the seat is MUCH better than the stock seat and I've got about 5k miles on it, including a 3k mile trip from Cali to Colo and back. I personally love the look of the seats. I'm lucky enough to live close to Hollister and went to Corbin for the ride-in service. Well worth the experience. I'm going to look into a much more comfy seat for long trips with the girl and not care about looks, as long as she's comfortable.
Agreed with changing the shocks. Not only will it improve the handling of the bike but it's more comfortable for both you as a single rider and her as a passenger. I'm not a shock expert, but in my research, I found that getting adjustable shocks are preferred by most. My fox's I can adjust for solo or 2 up (determined by weight). But there are a lot of other shocks out there who offer adjustable shocks.
In the end, I've found that age old saying, "Happy wife, Happy life" applies here as well. Make her comfortable and everyone wins. Good luck.
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