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Riding two up with a lowered bike? Experience?

dirty birdy

dirty birdy

quiet riot
Joined
Jul 10, 2014
Location
Long Beach, Ca
Moto(s)
Sym Symba 110,
Hypermotard 1100S (RIP)
Name
Annie
I'm making the plunge and picking up a Ninja 636 from Evolution Moto this week! I'm also having them lower it a bit for my 5'3 stature. My friend (a non-rider) is vying to be the first passenger, but how bad is it exactly to do so? A cardinal sin or a doable but careful feat? He doesn't weigh much more than I do, roughly 130 lbs and has ridden on the back of my old 250 back then.

Sorry about the dim question, can't seem to find too much info online.
 
I'm not a fan of lowering bikes to begin with, but I guess your issue will lie in how the bike is lowered.


I suggest you learn to ride the bike (get a good feel for the characteristics) before putting someone's life in your hands.

That 636 is nothing like the 250.
 
I don't think there's a simple generic answer. If the lowering you're talking about reduces suspension travel much, it doesn't sound promising to me. Adding preload might make it work though.

Evolution understands suspension, and they should be able to answer your question for that bike for the two of you--at least if you both go in to have them do suspension adjustments.
 
I watched a guy make a nice spark shower riding 2-up on a lowered bike.

IMO lowering bikes is only for newbies who aren't confident if they can't touch with both feet. I never put both feet down when I'm riding. If you're not a newer rider I would leave it stock as I'm guessing they are going to install lowering links which will fuck with your suspension.
 
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If you're just going around the block or something it probably won't matter much depending on the combined weight. Just avoid bumps, hard stops, and going fast :)
 
I wouldn't advise it. If the bike is already lowered, riding 2 up will simply put you much closer to the ground. Bikes are normally designed for the safest clearance from the ground without upsetting the balance. Lowering it could negate the safety of the bike. Riding 2 up & lowered may pretty much wipe out any safe handling of the bike. IMO
 
My ST is a bit lower than the R1200R was.
I feel the ST is easier to ride with a passenger due to a slightly lower center of gravity.
 
Your st is a big ass touring bike, the 636 is a sportbike. Dont try to go anywhere fast, your suspension travel is already limited and you could bottom out and go flying in a worst case scenario
 
dirty birdy said:
I'm making the plunge and picking up a Ninja 636 from Evolution Moto this week! I'm also having them lower it a bit for my 5'3 stature. My friend (a non-rider) is vying to be the first passenger, but how bad is it exactly to do so? A cardinal sin or a doable but careful feat? He doesn't weigh much more than I do, roughly 130 lbs and has ridden on the back of my old 250 back then.

Sorry about the dim question, can't seem to find too much info online.
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I couldn't really say because you haven't provided much information. How and how much are they lowering the bike? If they move the rear shock mount/length, then with the forks moved up, you could lower it without losing any travel.

And you should always adjust your preload to compensate for a pillion. Always. The bike manual should tell you that, and how to do it. You will probably need a spanner wrench and some strength to adjust the shock. Best of luck and provide more information.
 
I'll say it: it also is going to make a difference if your friend is 100 lbs soaking wet, or one big bad mamma jamma. Ride it around and get a feel for it. It feels stiff and your friend is small i would hope you'll be okay if you take it easy. Find a speed bump / driveway in your neighborhood you can use as a test bump. Take them over it and nope out if necessary.
 
clutchslip said:
I couldn't really say because you haven't provided much information. How and how much are they lowering the bike? If they move the rear shock mount/length, then with the forks moved up, you could lower it without losing any travel.

And you should always adjust your preload to compensate for a pillion. Always. The bike manual should tell you that, and how to do it. You will probably need a spanner wrench and some strength to adjust the shock. Best of luck and provide more information.
Click to expand...

Talked to them on the phone, 1.5 in and that's pretty much exactly what they're going to do, and they said it's safe to take a passenger, so long as person isn't 300 lbs.
 
dirty birdy said:
Talked to them on the phone, 1.5 in and that's pretty much exactly what they're going to do, and they said it's safe to take a passenger, so long as person isn't 300 lbs.
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I wouldn't sweat an inch and one half. I am sure people have moved track bikes that much. Remember the preload before you stick him on there. Have fun with the new, much more powerful bike.
RightCoastBias said:
So are they just sliding the forks up in the triples?
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Answered in the above quote.
 
There is no way I could take a passenger on my ape. I am 5'1. I barely touch when I stop, even tilted to the side. Plus, my belly pan will rub a speed bump.
 
jessaca said:
There is no way I could take a passenger on my ape. I am 5'1. I barely touch when I stop, even tilted to the side. Plus, my belly pan will rub a speed bump.
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You would have to be tilted. I have had to tilt on bikes and I am (was) six feet. The passenger should not lower your suspension. That is why you have a preload adjustment and compression adjustments on your suspension, unless this is a real old Aprilia.
 
I called them and decided against lowering the bike, and will just have them set it up for my weight. It's time to mature as a rider.

Thanks for the info about preload for passenger!
 
Internet peer pressure got you.....At 5'3 you would have been a lot more comfortable with your original plan. Good luck with the new bike.
 
soupy's makes some adjustable links up or down a couple inches i think-you could lower it till your comfortable and then raise it back up in increments-that's what i did for my wife's bike and for the track we raised 12 mm above stock for quicker turning.
 
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