Riding a motorcycle is so often a solitary affair that it’s easy to forget most bikes have room for two. Sure, not every street bike is ideal for a passenger but there are a lot of solid options out there for all types of riding. There are the massive touring rigs like the Honda Gold Wing, of course, but there are some great midrange bikes and commuter machines that can easily bear the burden of a pillion. And since not every ride is an epic cross-continent adventure, for this installment of the best bikes for two-up riding we’re going to take a look at a few of those possibly overlooked options.
There’ll be plenty of the big guns, since a rundown of this nature wouldn’t be worth its salt if there weren’t. But there’ll also be some wildcards that you might not have considered worthwhile for riding with a passenger.
Triumph Bonneville T120
To kick things off we’re selecting the 2021 Triumph Bonneville T120. One of the essential features of a decent two-up machine is the ability to pull the extra weight, and Triumph’s torque-rich twin can definitely handle the extra load. The long bench seat is well-padded and comfortable, and Triumph offers an accessory passenger backrest for a few hundred bucks. This bike would be perfect for a date night or a weekend adventure around town. Hell, you could even escape for the weekend if you’re both able to travel light.
Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager 1700
The new Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager 1700 is technically a 2022 model, but will be released in dealerships this summer so we say it counts, especially considering its eye-catching new color scheme. This 1,700cc V-twin-powered machine fits the traditional touring bill, with plenty of power and luggage capacity to get you and your passenger comfortably to your destination. The sizable backrest and pillion area make this a choice option for two-up riding, as does the tall windscreen and front fairing. And among the other large-and-in-charge touring motorcycles on the market, the Voyager 1700 carries a pretty attractive price at $18,099.
Honda NC750X DCT
Like the Triumph, the 2021 Honda NC750X DCT is more of an around-town, short weekend trip suggestion. The kicker with this one is the smooth ride offered by the automatic DCT clutch and the sub-$10,000 price tag. We found it to be a really compliant bike and the under-the-faux-tank storage makes longer weekend trips with go bags for both you and your passenger a real possibility. Built-in grab handles give the pillion rider something to hold on to and the comfortable, upright cockpit will afford both you and your passenger many enjoyable miles.
Harley-Davidson CVO Limited
Now, if you’ve got some money to spend and want a cream-of-the-crop Harley, the $44,099 CVO Limited is the ride for you. It’s packing the most powerful engine in Harley’s arsenal, the Milwaukee-Eight Twin-Cooled 117 V-twin. There’s also a full suite of rider aid systems from cornering ABS to electronically linked braking to hill-hold control and much more. The cockpit amenities are top-notch, including an infotainment system that your neighbors neighbors will be able to hear when you roll out of the garage. It’s an investment, but if you want to keep your passenger comfortable and eager for more miles, the CVO Limited is a great way to go.
BMW C 400 GT
Maxi scooters are great for two-up riding around town, and the BMW C 400 GT is a prime example. The twist-and-go nature of the CVT transmission along with the agile handling let you and your passenger travel easily and comfortably. The step-up seat also lets your passenger get out from directly behind your back and catch a better view of the road ahead, while built-in grab handles give them something to hold. There’s also plenty of storage for a purse or backpack, USB charging ports, and smartphone compatibility. Scooters aren’t always the first ride to come to mind to folks in the States, but the convenience of a ride like this in a congested urban area is hard to argue with.
Yamaha XMAX
We’ll harp on the scooter angle for just one more model, the Yamaha XMAX. It confers most all the same benefits we detailed in the BMW recommendation, but will cost you a few thousand less at $5,699. There are a range of accessories available to personalize your XMAX with all the cash you’ll save, or money left over for some fresh gear for you and your ride-along. The 292cc single isn’t going to win any races, but its snappy character along with the scooter’s nimble handling will turn boring surface roads into something a whole lot more fun. Another general point in favor of scooters is the fact that they are a bit of an easier sell to others who aren’t experienced with riding. So if you’re trying to convince your potential passenger to hop on for the first time, you might find a scooter like the XMAX a more persuasive option.
Honda Gold Wing Tour
Honda’s Gold Wing has long been a gold-standard in the touring game, and in recent years it’s turned into an even more luxurious ride for both pilot and passenger. The 2021 Gold Wing Tour is available in both standard, DCT, and DCT with airbag variations, and the roster of amenities is immense. The massive six-cylinder engine is smooth as butter, the chassis is more responsive than you’d imagine a bike this size to be, and electric conveniences like an adjustable windscreen, heated seats, heated grips are just the tip of the iceberg. This bike was designed with long hauls and two-up riding in mind and is an option you and your passenger will be exceedingly pleased with.
Indian Motorcycles Roadmaster Dark Horse
If you aren’t sold on the smaller options, there’s always the Indian Roadmaster Dark Horse. This stylish cruiser boasts a blacked-out Thunderstroke 116 V-twin, push-button airflow adjustment, heated/cooled seats for you and your passenger, loads of cargo space, a top-notch audio system, and conveniences like cruise control and tire pressure monitors. This machine will gobble up miles and let you and your passenger take in the sights of the open road in total comfort.
Suzuki V-Strom 650
A controversial choice perhaps, especially considering the availability of the more powerful and better outfitted 1000, but the V-Strom 650 shouldn’t be counted out for its two-up ability. This V-twin-powered, do-it-all machine provides a comfortable, upright position in the cockpit, wind protection, and enough power to pass even with two in the saddle. We might steer you in another direction if you’re planning a coast-to-coast adventure, but this reliable bike will definitely be up to any around-town or weekend task you throw at it. The passenger perch is a little small, we’ll admit, so it might not be ideal for all body types. But for those who can make it work, the V-Strom 650 is a fairly affordable option that will provide many enjoyable miles on the road.
Yamaha Star Venture
The Yamaha Star Venture is as good a Gold Wing beater as there ever was, especially if your preference is for v-twin power. This machine is equipped with all the bells and whistles riders have come to expect on a long-range touring bike, and passenger comfort is high on Yamaha’s list. Ergos are adjustable for both rider and passenger, seats are heated for both as well. It’s packing reverse assist, a sophisticated infotainment system, a confidence-inspiring chassis, and fantastic wind protection. Two-up riding rises to a whole new level on a bike like the Yamaha Star Venture.
Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
The Yamaha Tracer 9 GT has some of the same appeal as the V-Strom 650, but adds more power, more amenities, and more technology to the mix. Electronically controlled suspension and a roster of traction control, slide control, and brake control systems help to keep the machine composed while the new 890cc triple provides plenty of power to handle the weight of a passenger. It’s even packing cruise control if you decide to spend some time on the freeway.
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide
If you want a Harley but don’t want to break the bank completely, consider an Electra Glide with a passenger seat upgrade. You get classic H-D styling along with great wind protection thanks to the windscreen and fork-mounted fairing. It’s a stripped-down cockpit compared to some of the other touring boats on the list, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Particularly if you and your passenger are linked-up with a Bluetooth communicator. For right around $20,000 you can have the bike brand new along with a two-up seat and passenger backrest. Standard side bags is just icing on the cake.
BMW K 1600 Grand America
Last but not least, the inline-six-powered BMW K 1600 Grand America has all the hallmarks of a non-V-twin luxury touring motorcycle. A spacious cockpit with creature comforts for both rider and passenger make long days in the saddle a breeze. Electronic suspension, reverse assist, and a bevy of other rider aids help keep the bike smooth and settled. There’s ample storage available, great wind protection, infotainment…the works. A two-up ride on a K 1600 Grand America is about as good as it gets.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com