2up motorbike suggestions.

Lol. ^^^^^

Yes I did. Thankfully I wasn't hurt, well except for my pride. I've gone out and practiced that road and my turns more now too.

When you say "off the road" I suspect you didn't mean "I wonder where this goes?"

Two up, loaded with gear for a few days travel makes a bike that is less than easy to ride on even a dirt road, let alone the likes of a fire road or a trail. Be realistic about what you are going to be doing two up road tripping.

If you guys really are the type who would really love traveling say 20 miles over the course of a day, dirty and tired, then go for it. But if you'd really rather ride paved backroads and even scenic highways, go for a bike that works well in that environment instead.

In reply to Huckleberry:

I wasn't aware of the 1200's issues. However, those were so far out of my price range I haven't ever looked at them.

The 955i (mine) and the 1050's are great. Very little in the way of issues and none are bad enough for a rebuild. There are TONS of examples of both with well over 50k and several examples closing in on 100k on the original engine. On the 955i, just make sure it is fuel injected (started in 99-00) and even better is on 02 or 03+ as there were some revisions then too.

Triples sound so nice too!

For a more touring style, consider the ST Triumphs. Same great engine, more distance oriented.

I know it isn't an adv bike per say but I am sure you could alter it to handle gravel roads okay:

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/5602806608.html

It would probably be reliable as gravity also.

Huckleberry- ahhh, no. I won't be riding those two up or one up. I was talking more about hard packed dirt and gravel just to get to a campground.

My realistic is probably more road time, with slight hard packed gravel/dirt.

Single slammer, good to know on the Tigers. I really like the 1050, and the 955 one isn't bad if a little cross-eyes looking. I haven't seen many Trophys for sale around me.

92dxman-lol that's the bike my brother-in-law has, and is taking on a Blue Ridge Parkway trip with me this summer. I've ridden the Nighthawk and it didn't feel very strong.

You're describing the use case for a Yamaha FJR1300. They're good at eating up distances on back roads and not much heavier than a VFR800.

I have to second the FJ1300. It replaced and improved the legendary FJ1200.

I rented on via Eagle Rider years ago for a weekend trip with the wife. It had a top box that worked as a back rest. She loved it. Very comfortable for her to ride and be on for hours. I liked it because it handled really well. It made tremendous power. The adjustable windscreen was nice. The seat was extremely comfortable. The top box basically became her purse.

All said everyone was very happy to tour on the FJ. Here's a pic to get your blood pumping.

http://bgky.craigslist.org/mcy/5594265154.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/5613529122.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/5566507375.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/5556350015.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/mcy/5514146162.html

Lots popping up here in PA. Fly and ride?:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/5617576504.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/5600213625.html

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/5557518360.html

Old school Honda Shadow 1100?: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/5560876277.html

92dxman thanks. My sis and BIL live in Lititz PA, so a fly and drive did cross my mind.

Right now the FJR (first gen?) is on the list as I really like that royal blue color they have. I also like the ST1300 and while the ST1100 seems similar, it is also more dated than the ST1300.

I've also been looking at BMWs and it looks like flying bricks are on the low end, R1150RT and R1200RT are in the middle, with almost all of the GS being more than I want to spend.

I keep going back and forth over the fairing,some fairing, no fairing as well.

Lastly, cruisers were it originally due to appearance and the more forward foot controls. I've also heard they can cause lower back issues based on sitting position. Also lack of protection unless through (in my opinion) an ugly windshield. But, someone else on another forum suggested the Honda Ace Tourer 1100, anyone know about those?

I will second the Burgman 650 and also mention the 650 version of the VStrom. I never put huge miles on the Burgman two up, but there were a few 300 + mile days with the wife and a top box, and we were pushing over 470lbs at the time. The VStrom went to N GA from central VA and back over a long weekend, with everything packed in a small duffel that she used as a back rest. It also did VA to FL (Tampa), on 95-4, then back via 75 to N GA to ??? To eventually 81 and home in under five days, though that was solo.

After starting this, I've gone back and looked at some cruisers and since they may come back into play, but I have some questions specific to those:

• what size motor should I be looking at in a cruiser for my needs? (I see everything from 600-1500 on the UJM cruisers around me)
• are there any in my price bracket that would have more of a standard position and not so much of a feet forward position?
• We ride with full face helmets, if I choose a cruiser and no windshield will the wind beat us up?
• when did cruisers kind of generally go to FI instead of carbs?

In reply to octavious:

In my experience a full face on a naked bike will be smoother. The problem will be the cruiser upright seating position wearing you out against the wind. Which is why I put a fairing on my bike, to take the wind of my chest but leaving my helmet in the smooth air above it so no buffeting.

Huckleberry wrote: When you say "off the road" I suspect you didn't mean "I wonder where this goes?"

I'm dumb enough to take my bike down that road.

In reply to Nick (LUCAS) Comstock:

Not dumb at all... goes to an awesome waterfall. And the soft mud doesn't break anything when I ultimately fall down in it

Now that Mistanfo agreed that the 650 Burgman is a very good 2 up tourer, I'll mention that they are fuel injected, well faired,(wind and rain protected),and prices on good used ones are well within your budget-and leaving money left over. Huge underseat storage and with a topcase, you can carry everything you'd need.They also give you the option of riding straight up or stretching out-there's that much leg room. I bought mine in Florida and drove it to N.Y.(almost non stop) and will testify to the long distance comfort. Heck, I'll even sell you my '06 650 Executive, all decked out for touring-For $3500. Givi 55 litre trunk(with extra large rack on top), throttle lock, Kuryakyn grips, extra 12 volt outlets, Clearview windshield w/vent, and Corbin seat w/backrest( $700). Just the extras would run well over a grand.

What about a 99-2004 Honda Magna?

octavious wrote: What about a 99-2004 Honda Magna?

The engine sounds awesome. And makes pretty good power. That's about all I know.

I don't know anything about them but they are not bad aesthetically. I like how from this angle they look to have exhaust pipes just flowing out from everywhere.

I like Magna's, but if you are looking specifically for a two-up bike that's not the first cruiser I would look at. I would be looking at Vulcan 1500's & Nomads, Roadstars, etc. When you are talking about cruisers, anything below about 900-1000cc's is small, 1100-1300's are medium and you aren't looking at "big" until you get above 1300cc's.

For general touring at that price point, it's hard to beat the V-Star 950. Even with locking hard bags, windshield and a backrest, you can get a 2009 for right around $4k. The motor is a smooth-running gem, perfect for long hauls. It has more than enough power, easily cruising two-up with full gear at 80mph all day. The better half has plenty of room back there, and there are plenty of accessories available to suit it to your taste. Add a rear rack and you have plenty of space to strap down camping gear for a weekend under the stars.

Triumph Trophy 1200? There is one somewhat local to me.

I looked up reviews and all said good touring but sucky gas mileage. I don't know what good or sucky gas mileage is for a sport tourer....

I just got back from the Moto Guzzi rally which was 2 days of riding each way.

I took my Stelvio and it did great, even loaded with about 75lbs of gear.

My buddy rode his V11 Sport and said that he was having trouble keeping up with me in the twisties.

Food for thought, they're going to be all gone in 2017. 'Guzzi is dropping the Stelvio, Griso and Norge from their lineup as the engines can't meet the new Euro emissions standards.

Another friend of mine took his brand new Norge on the trip and was very happy.