2 Up on V100, New Stelvio or V85 Strada

[inditx]

Just curious as to experiences riding 2 up on any of these 3 steeds.
The general brain trust here have some observations that they want to share?
Thanks,
inditx

[lazlokovacs]

I wanted to buy a V100 and went to look at it with my gf, no way that's made for 2 up riding. look at where the pillion pegs are for example. A lot of form over function going on in that build IMO

Someone will be along to prove me completely wrong in a moment though!

[blu guzz]

My wife is a real non-motorcycle person.  But, she found the V85 passenger seat to be good for around town rides.

[yrunvs]

I've owned a few cycles. Bonneville, Valkyrie, Suzuki etc my wife says the V85 with a top box is by far the most comfortable and enjoyable to ride on.

[bad Chad]

No experience with the others, but my wife, as well, really likes the v85TT over v9 and B1100.

[Tusayan]

I've owned a few cycles. Bonneville, Valkyrie, Suzuki etc my wife says the V85 with a top box is by far the most comfortable and enjoyable to ride on.

Meanwhile my wife says the exact same setup is for short rides only.  Go figure.  One issue with the TT is passenger foot peg vibration, and the seat padding is thin.  Our long distance rides are an ST4 with Sargent seat and an R100GS (the couch).

[kingoffleece]

My 2022 V85 is fine for me everywhere.  IF I had a pillion (I don't-wife has her own) I'd want more power.  May be a factor of where we live with lots of mountains and super tight roads.

[SirIzak]

My wife and I actually test rode two up a Stelvio and V100 at the rally last year and she quickly told me that the V100 was completely unacceptable for any real distance and that the Stelvio was worlds better than the V100 but still way behind our V85tt. We have put most of the 25000 miles on the V85 two up and she has told me the only thing more comfortable was an old Goldwing, but it wasn't nearly as fun to ride, nor could she see as well from behind me on it. This is with the stock seat and the topbox installed with the Isotta back rest.

Edit to add rider & passenger info, I'm 6'3" and about 240lbs, the missus is 5'2" and about 120, I feel that this is about the best I've ever fit a bike without too much messing around, and she says she has plenty of leg and wiggle room, but it gets a little crowded when the side cases are on and stuff for camping for the both of us is strapped on top of said cases. Still very comfy though! And even with her and all the stuff to camp for a week I still feel like I have a little room to wiggle around in. When fully loaded down its not the fastest thing, but still more than happy in the twisties and doesn't mind a 75-80MPH slog on the highway. I'm not particularly worried about overall power though.

[ridingron]

I don't see much of the info and opinions having much use without some physical size and numbers. Example: rider 160 lbs and pass. 110 lbs compared to a rider 240 and pass. 140 lbs. Throw in heights and maybe leg length and things change again. How folded up does the passenger have to be to fit?  At 6'2' and 255 lbs, I find my V85TT a nice ride, very comfortable and nimble enough for me. Add my 5'10' and 150 lbs GF and it becomes a plodding ride. We take my other bike (1100 cc/ 101 HP/ 74 ft. lb torque)  and it's all good. Don't know about the V100 or Stelvio. 

[yrunvs]

Okay. Rider 6' 185lb..... pillion 5'6" 125lb. V85tt has plenty of power to cruise at legal speeds and during acceleration. Like I said wife loves it back there.

[inditx]

Great replies guys and gals, thanks.
We are combined 420# with luggage (not sure what the V85 limits are…)
5'10 and 5’6

[Tkelly]

Are you planning a long trip or just riding around locally?I would think the new Stelvio would be better than the v85 performance wise,don’t know about comfort but a couple of folks around your weight rode a Stelvio for a week around Sicily and enjoyed the trip,of course the tour van carried the luggage.Anothe couple rode their personal v85 on the tour with no complaints,also large folks.

[Dave Swanson]

There might be some splitting hairs on the different pillion experiences, but I bet any of them would be quite acceptable 2 up.

In the 50s this was considered a posh 2 up setup.      BTW, I have a crush on the pillion.