[thecageybee]

Hey everyone. I've been looking to get into riding for a long time and the R3 seems to be the perfect starter bike for me. One of the considerations on my list is how suitable is the bike to 2 up riding?

I am 5'8", around 195lbs. The girl i'm seeing is around 5'7" and maybe 130-140lbs, but she won't actually tell me .

I wanted to ask the community if anyone rides their R3 with 2 riders. It is possible or is it just asking too much of this small displacement bike? If its too small, I would also consider jumping directly into a bike like the FZ-07 however it seems like it would be too much for a beginner like me to handle.

 

[FangShui]

Hey everyone. I've been looking to get into riding for a long time and the R3 seems to be the perfect starter bike for me. One of the considerations on my list is how suitable is the bike to 2 up riding?

I am 5'8", around 195lbs. The girl i'm seeing is around 5'7" and maybe 130-140lbs, but she won't actually tell me .

I wanted to ask the community if anyone rides their R3 with 2 riders. It is possible or is it just asking too much of this small displacement bike? If its too small, I would also consider jumping directly into a bike like the FZ-07 however it seems like it would be too much for a beginner like me to handle.

The Maximum Load (rider, passenger, riding gear, cargo & accessories) is 353 lbs. so you'd be pushing right up against that limit.

If a passenger is only an occasional thing then the R3 will work, though don't expect brisk acceleration and I'm sure that passenger seat is not in any way comfortable...

If you plan to have a passenger along more frequently, I'd say get the FZ-07. No worries with a passenger on that bike and it's an awesome ride!

 

[Lollingthunder]

And FYI, FZ07 isn't too much to handle as a beginner bike. It was my beginner bike, straight from the MSF course to the dealership. I would say the FZ07 is the absolute top range for a beginner bike. To be sure, it is much less forgiving than the R3, but if you are gentle with the throttle and you'll be a-ok. Also, I'd highly recommend doing the MSF course before getting on an FZ07. The R3, although not personally recommended, you can pretty much jump on it with no prior experience if your inseam is good. One thing I prefer FZ07 over the R3 in terms of beginner is it is far better for slow speed maneuverability. My God, everytime I get on my wife's R3, slow speed turning sucks huge ass on that thing. So unstable- it almost feels like the bike wants to fall down. The FZ07 you can turn and do figure eights at 5mph all day long with no worries. Now, if all you ride is the R3, you won't notice it, but dammit, if you get on a FZ07 you'll understand the huge difference when it comes to slow speed handling. That is one of the big differences between a sportbike and a naked standard after all.

As said, if you plan to make a habit of having a passenger, probably want something bigger/stronger. Through honestly the FZ07 isn't much bigger or heavier than the R3. But stronger, yes.

I did lug my wife around for 3 whole months on my FZ07 before we finally got her the R3.

Now, if you think your girl will OCCASIONALLY ride around with you, I'd say go for the R3.

 

[EcoRider]

It's got more than enough power to get you anywhere, even 2 up on the freeway.
If the road is smooth, you don't need to worry about the suspension, you'd be good.
If you're riding off track, you'd probably have to worry about the suspension being bottomed out.

Before you ride with her, set the rear suspension a bit stiffer.

Some people have mentioned as a passenger these bikes feel unsafe. No back support, and little to hold on to. Just make sure you're easy on the throttle in the first few gears, so hopefully your girlfriend will last you longer than your bike

Other than that, just have fun!

 

[Navin]

I'm a long time 2 up rider, my first downsized street bike since a brief commuter/tourer 2006 ?Ninja 500 was a 2013 Ninja 300 set up for 2 up touring. Custom seats front/rear, 50 liter tail box, no issues at all. The R3 is getting the same treatment and use. It will still pull far ahead of traffic with 6,000 rpm shifting points and cruise at any speed up to about 90 mph without strain.

Past bikes include two ZZR1200s and 3 different KTM 950s. A slew of everything else too.

I'm 6-01 and 200 lbs. passenger weight whoever. Not an issue IMO.

You are only limited by your own abilities on this bike.

 

[Anthony]

I'm 5'11 160 lbs and ride with passengers all the time, they have all weighed less than me though. Im not near the weight limits but your pushing it here... as for the ride, i dont notice much of a difference, rides very smooth with a passenger.

 

[we_en]

Much lower acceleration but totally doable for occasional rides with a passenger. I take my fiancée on rides every few weeks, and she loves it! Only downfall like EcoRider mentioned is no back support. The small seat gets her a little scared sometimes but all ya gotta do is hang tight and accelerate with consideration.

 

[R3_808]

I've two up on my Grom and me and my gf weigh basically the same. No freeway riding but regular roads were fine. I'm sure we passed the weight limit on it. Lol

 

[YamahaR3]

Before you ride with her, set the rear suspension a bit stiffer.

Good advice, you always want things stiffer when with your girlfriend!

 

[Maven]

Just echoing what everyone else said... Setting the preload on the rear suspension up high is pretty imperative. I'm about 130 pounds, and I keep the suspension on setting #6 even though that is a touch to firm for just me, just for the situation where I have my g/f on the back (she is ~100 pounds). We're on the lighter side.. but you sure can feel the difference in acceleration and stopping. That being said, it still can get up and go when you get on it, and easily cruises on the SoCal highways at 85mph with both of us on it - and is still nimble enough to do lane splitting type stuff(legal here in Cali) She complains sometimes that it isn't comfortable enough for longer rides, but to be fair she complained about it before even sitting on it... so there might be some bias there lol.

I guess my only tip based on my experience is to give a good lesson ahead of time about how to be a good passenger. People that haven't been a passenger often on a motorcycle might not understand where they can put their hands, how to brace themselves during braking by putting their hand(s) on the tank...how to communicate since hearing each other with visors down on fullface helmets can be a daunting task... etc etc...

 

[AussieR3]

If you are new to riding and not a confident rider should you really be having a pillion on the back of your bike? Not trying to be a smartass, just to me that is not wise.

 

[Maven]

The question really seemed to be phrased more in the vein of "is the bike capable", not "is it appropriate for a new rider to have a passenger on this bike". Which makes sense if someone is thinking of buying a brand new bike.. it is a big outlay of money, you don't want to get a bike that you won't be able to put your girlfriend/boyfriend on once you get skilled enough to do so.

 

[mitdr774]

And FYI, FZ07 isn't too much to handle as a beginner bike. It was my beginner bike, straight from the MSF course to the dealership. I would say the FZ07 is the absolute top range for a beginner bike. To be sure, it is much less forgiving than the R3, but if you are gentle with the throttle and you'll be a-ok. Also, I'd highly recommend doing the MSF course before getting on an FZ07.

I started out on a Buell Blast in the fall of 2014 and in the spring of 2015 I purchased a FZ6. I could have probably started on the FZ6 given its behavior when driven carefully. I have never ridden a FZ-07, but I have to imagine it is somewhat comperable. I was going to look at the FZ-07 when I ended up with my FZ6.

 

[sendler]

The rear seat of the R3 is pretty small. Have her sit on it with you at the dealer to see how comfortable it is. The Honda CBR500R has a much bigger seat but costs a bit more.

 

[StangATX]

I've ride with somebody else on the back I'm 6ft tall and 230lbs In total we put over 400lbs on the bike and it's manageable. For sure it's not too comfortable on the back because it's small but it's fine. I've done it maybe time trust me . I also put my little nephew on it and he loves it!

 

[vercify]

I feel more than comfortable with my girlfriend on the back and she feels it has plenty of space as well. Granted, we used to go two-up on my Honda Grom so the R3 feels incredibly spacious after that, lmao. In reality its probably a little tight but its been more than manageable and the bike handles a pillion well.

 

[ChesapeakeRider]

My fiancé has rode with me on the back of my R3 a couple of times when I first purchased it. I am fairly small.. 5'5 and 120 pounds. I am comfortable riding on the back, but I have ridden on the back of other bikes before. I feel that this bike is more comfortable riding on the back of compared to the R1. Combined weight between him and I is about 300 pounds. The bike rides fine. It is more a matter of if YOU feel confident in riding with someone on the back.


I have a friend.. his wife is...not the smallest. He said riding her around was the hardest thing he has ever had to do.


I'd suggest riding the bike on your own first until you get comfortable with the turns, etc. And make sure you explain to your girlfriend/wife/lady friend that she can't be all moving around on the back or it could really throw your balance of.

 

[mikiee]

Here's someone who took a dealer R3 test ride with a passenger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssnosjviaEY