Give me advice for passengers

[n_zoomz]

Originally Posted by Mule

No tank grips, but I do not slide around too much. I have track day planned next month, so I might get some.

I'd get some, they are night and day difference for me on any bike.

Originally Posted by Mule

Never flipped the seat grommets, because I have the Ergo seat.

No comment on this as I am one of the few with the stock seat and no complaints 

Originally Posted by Mule

Never rode together on the bike. It was her first time on the back of a bike. As I said in previous post I have done a few trips with ex's on my old Suzuki Gladius.

Two things here. 1, the first time on the back of a bike is a HUGE learning curve for someone so give it some time. 2, you can't keep comparing the z9 to the gladius, the only similarity they have is that they're naked bikes 

Originally Posted by Mule

I was trying to downshift and brake slower and smoother than I would riding solo, but I definitely could do a lot better. I ordered Brock's clutch springs and am going to fine tune my clutch freeplay to as smooth as possible before my next track day.

I would say you may have put too much emphasis on your controls. What I've found has helped is focusing on body position. I sit further back (as if you're doing a wheelie) so that your knees are pushing against the tank. She sits the same amount further back, and focuses on sitting upright rather than leaning forward like a backpack despite the term we often use for passengers lol.

Considering everything was brand new for you both, I would say give it a few more tries. Start over with slow trips around a neighborhood or parking lot and find out what works best for you each individually and then for you both (compromise). A huge improvement comes from the passenger being comfortable rather than holding on as tight as they can. It's hard for the passengers, but they have to learn to use their knees/legs to grip your torso rather than squeezing your chest/neck.

At the end of the day, the z9 is not a good passenger bike. My girl has even said she prefers the 600rr or R1 over the z9 

[powergroove7]

Get a solo cowl and pull the pillion pegs off.... have a bracket made for the exhaust.

Then go buy a Concourse for when you want to ride two up. Or a Ninja 1000 (not ZX10).

Sport bikes.... super, naked, whatever..... were not designed for two people. It's an afterthought so small Japanese women could have a place to sit.

[Marcel]

Are you suggesting he gets a small Japanese girlfriend? Hahahahaha

[powergroove7]

Originally Posted by Marcel

Are you suggesting he gets a small Japanese girlfriend? Hahahahaha

Sure... as long as she rides her own bike. 

I don't ride passengers on sport bikes. I like riding hard and dragging a knee when someone on the back isn't easy. I've only had one friend that could hang and I called her "the backpack" because I rarely ever felt her back there. She also rode and knew how to 'passenger' when she wasn't on her own bike. It is something we al want to do but not something I recommend novice riders do. I've seen too many "oopsie-daisy's" and someone's girlfriend gets the brunt of it. (Usually because they aren't wearing any gear)

[Mule]

Yeah so to close this thread out and after some reflection, I have just decided to no longer ride with passengers on my z900, unless it is absolutely necessary, for a few reasons.

1) I got some new track boots and took the California Superbike Course. I had a hard time keeping the balls of my feet on the pegs with the passenger pegs in place with these new boots. My heel kept getting in the way of the exhaust hanger. I am ordering passenger delete pegs.

2) I did not really enjoy riding with her and it is not just her or the bike. Truth be told I never have as much fun with a passenger, because of how much slower/more careful you have to be.

3) I have been riding the bike, so much that I do not enjoy it any more. Yes it is more fun that taking the car, but when I ride it to work five days and week, and then my weekend ride is with a passenger on the back, by the time I get to do some fun riding it is either a chore or I do not want to go. Basically I do not want to compromise rides. Either I can spend more quality time with my girl driving somewhere in the car or I can spend more quality time riding alone. It is like taking your girlfriend to the guys night out. No one has a good time. 

[Marcel]

     You are basically doing it for her. Trouble is making her understand. Good luck my guy!!

[powergroove7]

Welcome to the dark side. Congrats on this momentous decision. You've done yourself well. 

As for not enjoying riding as much.... stop riding the same route to work. Leave an hour earlier and take the "fun" way. Make the daily ride worth it. Never liked making my ride to and from work a "commute". That's what the car is for. Or....  don't take the bike to work just for the sake of taking it. It makes it a chore like you said. I only rode to work everyday when I worked in the motorcycle business.

[Abner]

Originally Posted by powergroove7

As for not enjoying riding as much.... stop riding the same route to work. Leave an hour earlier and take the "fun" way. Make the daily ride worth it. Never liked making my ride to and from work a "commute". That's what the car is for. Or....  don't take the bike to work just for the sake of taking it. It makes it a chore like you said. I only rode to work everyday when I worked in the motorcycle business.

When I use to work and rode my motorcycle to work, in the morning I didn't want to get up extra early, so I just rode straight to work. But after work, I would always the the long way home and take different routes. I only lived 15 minutes from work, but would often take 1:30 or more to get home.

I really enjoyed the long rides home. It really helped with the stress from work.