Light weight, low footrests, good pillion seats. Simples
By: Web Editor
Dear MSL,
With reference to Steve Cragg letter (MSL 598).
Dear MSL,
With reference to Steve Cragg letter (MSL 598).
I did have a Triumph Bonneville 798cc, 205kg dry, but with both my wife and I on it we found the seat was not generous enough, my wife prefers a top box or cissy back rest (she thinks she may fall off) and because of our combined weight it was a little under powered. (180kg in our gear) Solo it seemed very good and a plus point was it was easy for the pillion to get on and off because of the low footrests and seat. I would consider another Triumph possibly an America or Thunderbird. Not sure about feet forward though would have to try first.
To change the subject a little and ask another question. Why are pillion footrests and seat so high on modern motorcycles?
Being a rider of a certain age (69) I find that any machine that my wife can get on and off is a limited choice. I currently ride a Pan Euro ST1300 and even this with a top box on is difficult at times.
When looking for a lighter machine I have found that they are really made for rider’s only. The pillion footrests and seat are so high that the pillion struggles to get on. This may be OK for young totty but not for those of more senior years. After all stairs indoors usually have 9 inch risers and some of us can walk up two at a time, but try that when you are 5ft 5in and in full bike gear and the wrong side of 40? Why does the rear sub frame have to point to the sky? Is this a design to make the bike level when the front wheel is up in the air?
If I consider a Custom or Cruiser it is usually found that the pillion seat is a small piece of foam fixed to the rear mudguard, again lacking in comfort for those of more senior years. So where is the lightweight machine out there with low pillion footrests, a comfy seat for two and enough power to cope with a lardy rider and pillion? Or do I now have to consider a scooter? After all I was a ‘Rocker’ and prefer a petrol tank between my knees! Sorry I’m grumbling again.
Yours,
Colin Chandler
Basingstoke
1 Response to “Light weight, low footrests, good pillion seats. Simples”
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Enigmatist Says:
January, 13th 2011 at 01:54 pm
As a pillion rider, I'd recommend the Triumph America. My partner and I also had a Pan (ex-Police) for a while but I had difficulty getting on and off. Knee problems make it impossible for me to stand on the pegs so I have to be able to just swing my leg over. We were considering a Honda cruiser but the pillion pegs were set ridiculously high. The pillion seat on the America is lovely. A decent width and very comfortable. My partner can lean forward, allowing me get on/off without hitting the backrest. The pegs are set at the perfect height. A great find! :)