Is it easier to ride with a passenger?

[olivejr]

Last night I took my wife for a ride on the R6. She has ridden with me before but last night I really paid attention to how the bike responded with her on the back. I have to say, it seemed like everything was better with her on it. Turns were sharp and effortless and the ride was smooth.

This makes me wonder if the suspension on the bike is set up correctly. I bought the bike used (03) and never adjusted any of the suspension settings. The guy I bought it from said he never change any of the settings either. I am guessing that the settings are still stock.

Do you think I should try to adjust the settings or just leave them as they are?

[Nas19320]

I hate riding with a passenger. It makes the front end come up easier, which I have a hard time keeping down in the first place. It also makes the bike feel heavier and I hate passenegers that decide to shift their weight at the worst times.

[ambitious1]

If the bike feels better w/ a passenger, then your suspension is set up incorrectly. I just tweaked the suspension on my 06 a few hours ago and i feel a world of difference. i highly suggest you look into getting it set up correctly.

[Fallis]

It sounds like your wife is doing a great job as passenger.

From my experience, it's usually tough to get quick/precise turn-in with someone riding pillion. If you've got a good passenger, it's not too bad, but it's never quite the same.

If things really feel *better* with a passenger than without, I would definitely look into tweaking your suspension setup.

[darksaleen281]

sounds like ur wife knows how to be a bike passenger. I've taken a few girls out as passengers... (no guys allowed NO MATTER what i dun wanna feel a boner on my back...) anyway even with specific instructions, the girls that i've had would NOT do what i ask... on turns it was like everything was fighting against me... the bike and the passenger. one time i had to take a friend from houston to austin and by the time i woke up the next morning, my back, my stomach, and my arms were all sore. heh.

[olivejr]

My wife does do a good job leaning when she is supposed to. No problem so far with the front end wanting to come up since I take it pretty easy with her on the back.

Should I be looking to make the suspension softer or stiffer? Any suggestions on the setup or where to look up some information pertaining to the setup?

[Nas19320]

Originally Posted by olivejr

My wife does do a good job leaning when she is supposed to. No problem so far with the front end wanting to come up since I take it pretty easy with her on the back.

Should I be looking to make the suspension softer or stiffer? Any suggestions on the setup or where to look up some information pertaining to the setup?

I think there is a How-to on setting up your preload.

[ambitious1]

Well if the bike corners w/ more stability and turns in faster w/ a passenger, then you would want to stiffen the suspension.

[R6AJ]

Some passengers can be a nuisance, looks like yours is doing well.

It might be that you were more attentive and rode better with her behind due to responsibility.

[Fallis]

Originally Posted by ambitious1

Well if the bike corners w/ more stability and turns in faster w/ a passenger, then you would want to stiffen the suspension.

Um, I would think you would want to make the suspension softer. If the bike handles better with more weight on it, you need to set it up correctly for having less weight (just the rider), so the suspension should get softer.

If you plan on having a passenger frequently, keep it on the stiffer side of properly pre-loaded for just the rider.