How Have You Made Your GS Comfy For Two-Up?

[Mike_H]

I own an LT and am considering trading it for a new GS. Much of my long distance riding is done two-up, so an important consideration is the comfort of my SO.

For those GS owners who travel two-up, what modifications have you made to your GS to better accomodate your passenger?

Thanks.

[tiredtire]

Oh good! I too own an LT but have been thinking GS. I really like secondary roads and the LT is more comfortable on the open road. My wife and I always ride two up and always will. I am really anxious to hear about two up riding on the GS.

[Yiet]

I have lowered the footpegs (Suburban Machinery), always keep the top case with back rest on for her, and modified the windshield so I can raise it at a steeper angle to raise the airflow over her helmet a little more.

The seat will likely be the next upgrade, but there is no way I will ever be able to bring it to the comfort level of the LT for her.

However, the GS is providing other forms of entertainment that could not be obtained on the LT and I think she is getting a positive outlook on the comfort sacrafice in exchange for some of the new adventures.

[jrat2002]

This is a really good question. I recently owned a 2007 GS and loved it. Primary reason for owning it was for all the great things a GS does plus the ability for 2 up touring. I found that I wasn't doing much off-road type stuff but more touring and camping with my wife on the back. Long trips over 5 hours were downright uncomfortable for her and me. While owning the GS, I purchased Corbin saddles for rider and passenger and the backrest for rider. While these were expensive, they looked good but that was about it. The rider seat inhibited my 32" inseam from comfortably reaching the ground at stops. For the rider, the deeper cut in the seat made it very uncomfortable with GS topcase w/pads as a backrest. So I purchased an aftermarket passenger backrest from Pirate's Lair and had to lose the extra storage from the topcase. Well, the passenger backrest did not fit the bill, so I returned it and went back with the topcase. Passenger seat still uncomfortable, so I bit the bullet and sold both Corbin seats and rider backrest and went back to original stock set up, albeit with handlebar risers and Fastway footpegs. I loved the GS, but also love touring with the wife on back. So I ended up trading in the GS for a 2008 1200RT, which is what we both enjoy for long rides and touring. Best of luck in your search for a comfortable 2 up ride on the GS.

[ronk1200lt]

To make my GSA better for two up riding I did the following:

1. Added a passenger peg lowering kit from Suburban Machinery.
2. Added a +4 inch windshield from Cee-Bailey.
3. Bought a passenger and driver seat from Russell.
4. Bought a passenger back rest from BestRest to replace the top box when I
am riding two up. The back rest is a PITA to put on and take off because
you have to take off the mounting brackets for the top case as well. I am
in the process of having a mounting plate fabricated that will fit right on
the factory top box hardware. If anyone is interested in it let me know
and maybe I can have a couple extra made.

The VERDICT!!!!! My wife still finds the bike uncomfortable and wants me to buy another LT.

[Hookalatch]

The GS Adventure offers better protection from wind, rain, and crashing than the standard GS in stock form. You might consider starting with a GSA. I traded our KLT in on our GSA and when I got it home my wife looked at it and said "your not getting me on that thing buster!". We went with the Russel Day-Long Seats. Mine was perfect from the get-go but she was not happy at first. Fortunately we live right near the "factory" and and they re-worked her seat to just the way she wanted it. A Best Rest backrest made her very comfortable. Her comments now after a few rides are the KLT was slightly easier to get on and off and being able to put her hands in the KLT bag handles made her feel more comfortable since with Jesse Safari bags on the GSA she doesn't have any usable handholds. Other bags may be different.

On the plus side, overall she is happier with the GSA. Even as a passenger she can feel how much lighter it is, how much better it handles, and like the brakes better. I couldn't be happier because the GSA is the best bike I have had in 45 years of riding.
Chuck