Any 2-up GS Adventure Guys - How to keep passenger happy?

[Yiet]

Well I think I just stepped into it big time. My wife was very happy on the LT - good to go anytime and anywhere. But I just had to scratch that GS itch and so I convinced her that she would enjoy it just as much, plus we would go places the LT couldn't go.

With that agreed upon I was released to purchase a previously lightly enjoyed 07 with all options including the BMW system cases.

So now I beg for some help from the learned and wise. What are the best mods and farkles to make it as comfortable for her as possible? Or should I keep my LT on standby and walk very lightly around here for the foreseeable future?

(Yes, I've searched the board and it appears that custom heated seats and backrests are possible additions. Some music and a good intercom will help. )

[dronning]

I kept the LT for about 1 month then it was sold, Kaye preferred the ride of the GS Adv to the LT.

Seat was changed to a Sargent which both of us like much better than the stock one. I made the mistake and didn't get a heated one - it's the only thing Kaye wish she still had from the LT. Also I have a top box with a custom back rest made for Kaye but 90% of the time when we are doing any distance the top box stays home because we take our camping gear along and that becomes her back rest.

The adjustment and travel on the GS Adv allows you to dial in the best ride to keep her happy - not always the best handling but on those occasions handling is secondary :).

Dave

[Agent86]

I put on a Sargent seat and she rode it once. Told me NOT to sell the LT. :o

[kk610lt]

We have an LT and a GSA. Our opinion is that the LT is way more suited for tow up riding. By having a factory backrest, the adjustable windshield, electric plug-ins, volume control for passenger, the LT wins hands down.

[Hookalatch]

I traded our K1200LT in on a new GS Adventure in November. I got it home and my wife looked at it up on the centerstand and said "you expect me to climb UP THERE, and ride on that thing without a backrest- forget it buster!" I finally got her to go for a ride yesterday. I got front and rear Russel seats, but hers needs to be altered, it was pretty uncomfortable for her. She insists she wants a backrest. I have not found a reasonably priced alternative yet so I may make one.

She did have high praise for the suspension and brakes and liked the quiet stock exhaust. She loved the KLT but rarely rode anymore which is why I made the switch. I think she will eventually tolerate the GSA but will never enjoy it as much as the KLT. That is really too bad because I love the GSA and find riding it much, much more enjoyable than the KLT.
Chuck

[ronk1200lt]

I am one of those who sold the LT and bought a GSA. My wife hates the new bike. I added a Russell after market seat. That helped a bit, but she complained about the aluminum top box spearing her in the back. To solve the problem, when I ride with her I will take the top box off and put on a Verholen backrest. Hopefully this should make her comfortable. We have had snow on the ground for the last three months, so I haven't been able to find out how comfortable the backrest is for her. If it isn't, then I will have to go back to plan B, which is to get another LT.

[tmgs]

Well I think I just stepped into it big time. My wife was very happy on the LT - good to go anytime and anywhere. But I just had to scratch that GS itch and so I convinced her that she would enjoy it just as much, plus we would go places the LT couldn't go.

With that agreed upon I was released to purchase a previously lightly enjoyed 07 with all options including the BMW system cases.

So now I beg for some help from the learned and wise. What are the best mods and farkles to make it as comfortable for her as possible?

get her, her own R1200GS, or KTM Adventure,

she wi'l never complain about anything she will be having so much fun!

[drmajor]

I have been lucky enough to keep both- 03 LT and 07 GSA.

There is still nothing like the LT for moving down the interstate, especially two up.

However, there is nothing like the GS for heading down fire roads and secondary roads, two up.

We did Italy this summer on a GS with a Givi 52 on the back. That gave her a nice back rest and lots of room for storage. It looks good on the bike too.

We have the stock seats and she likes hers OK. She did like a gel pack too. We also use the Autocom a lot. This allows us to talk easily back and forth. I really don't like riding without the intercom and it gives her a sense of connection.

One friend made small floorboards for his wife that makes it a little more better. Gerbings also help in cool/cold weather.

[tmgs]

I have been lucky enough to keep both- 03 LT and 07 GSA.



There is still nothing like the LT for moving down the interstate, especially two up.



I still have my lt, but I really have no need for it thee days, so it will be gone soon, and your right, ther eis nothing I have rode that is like the LT for tearing up long days on the slab


We did Italy this summer on a GS with a Givi 52 on the back. That gave her a nice back rest and lots of room for storage. It looks good on the bike too.


well I'm not sure it looks so good on the bike, but it does work well, here is a pic witht he e52 givi on the back
http://www.bikershut.net/gs/ourgs_gsa.jpg

[Yiet]

Thanks for the comments guys. Keeping both is not really an option for me so I'll be selling the LT. We'll take a few day rides on th GSA once the snow clears in these parts and go from there. I am planning on getting the new Scala bluetooth intercom system and if need be I will travel out to one of the custom seat makers to upgrade that for her. The floor boards also sounds like a good idea. It looks like it should not be too difficult to pick up a generic product and McGyver an attachment. With tent and bags on both panniers she should feel quite secure ... until we hit the gravel at least!

The plan is to spend a month on it up in northern Canada and Alaska this summer so by the time we've got that under our belt she will either love it or hate it.

[djbroughton]

I have ordered an 08 GSA and my wife is not a happy camper ! She loves the LT and the plan was to sell it when the new bike arrives. Now I'm having second thoughts but we'll see what happens.

Our first major trip with the GSA will be to California to purchase a Russell saddle. I have just ordered a set of Jesse Safari bags when I was in Phoenix. That should help to replace the Unigo. I will also have to come up with some sort of foot support to attach to the passenger pegs. I had a set that a friend made up for my K75RT and they worked fine to support my wife's ankles. I will be looking for a backrest with good support. I'm also thinking about a Nolan bluetooth intercom system to get away from the wires with the Autocomm we have now.

We are in Mexico right now with the LT and the wife has reinforced with me her resistance to change!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[ldivad1]

The GS is certainly better to drive from the pilots perspective, but your pillion will not be a happy camper if you intend to spend more than a couple of days on the road. The major problem is wind noise. Go to any of the main GS blogs and search windshields. You'll see complaint after complaint concerning the near deafening, uncomfortable level of noise and wind. I just sold my '06 after four different shield changes. The design of the bike is flawed. The best fixes I was able to make I can recommend. One was the Cee Bailey seat redo. Nice job, very comfy and inexpensive. A Pirates Lair back rest. This is undoubtedly the best integrated back rest on the market hands down. I made a number of other changes that worked wonderfully, but none were passenger/comfort specific.