Cheap touring bikes

[biking sailor]

Airhawk, along with some of the other suggestions. Really if you stop and take short breaks more often, move around a bit, that helps a bunch. 

My wife and I make short stops every hour or so and can easily do 500 miles days (she is on her own bike).  She also swears by her Airhawk!

Another thing is don't wear too tight of clothing to restrict circulation.  That can make for cramping and tingling extremities.

[mtiberio]

in the last year and a half I have bought and/or sold:
3 converts
a G-5
aprilia scooter
yamaha roadstar
guzzi moped
california 1400
harley softtail
harley road king
california vintage 1100
yamaha scooter
honda nc700x
(and this is all I can remember, there may be more).

all in search of a bike that is comfortable (or to help pay for a bike that is comfortable).
I can't imagine if my wife rode with me and I had to please her as well. while it would be wonderful to travel with a loved one. I'm getting to the point where the weight of the bike without a passenger is becoming an issue. if weight were no issue, and I wanted a bike that could please a passenger (or could be modified to please a passenger), I'd get a Harley Ultra or Road King. It may take you a couple of thousand in saddles and shocks, but you will eventually find the winning combination.

[fatbob]

Neil:
The K1200LT can't be beat for passenger comfort. My wife and daughters love mine, it is always their first choice. However as has been said, that 100K unit will cost you a bundle unles it has had a front to back overhaul including final drive rebuild/ replace. All brake lines must be replaced with SS braided, all the coolant hoses replaced.  They are a high maintenance bike, in spite of what Beemerphiles will tell you.

[wymple]

My son just bought the K1200 and his wife does not like it at all. She really likes his Yamaha Royal Star Touring Deluxe, but its heavy and he's short. It's a V4 1300 that looks like a V-twin, lots of power. She's pretty picky, but settles right into that one. I never had a passenger complain on the back of the old Cal II, either.

[Vasco DG]

Mana+luggage+custom seat. You can't give a Mana away and they are the best touring bike ever.

[Furbo]

Take a look at the 2006 & earlier Kawasaki Concours.

simple design - they essentially made the same bike for 20yrs. Parts are easy, carb'd, minimal electronics, ez valve adjustments, very good aftermarket support. Pillion seat is relatively flat and wide - my SWMBO likes it...

Very good models can be had for around $3K, often much less.

[charlie b]

Since it is legs and lower back I would also suggest it might be you and not as much the bike.  Simply sitting in an upright position for long periods can be the issue.

I have a hard time sitting straight up now days.  My lower back will complain after about 30min.  I have to set the bike up for a slight lean forward with some weight on my arms.  When in a chair I either have to lean forward with elbows on knees/table or recline.

Legs is probably a circulation issue (and also probably age related, sorry :)  ).  I have to get off the bike and walk around every hour or so.  Even when I had a bike with a Russell seat, my butt was fine but the rest of me needed a stretch.  These days I don't even drive the truck or car more than 2hrs without a stop and stretch.  The legs just don't respond well anymore.  FWIW, I also have trouble on longer airplane flights.

I also find the length of my riding day is getting less.  I am less likely to ride from dawn to dusk anymore, choosing to take an extra day to get somewhere.

[PeteS]

Take a look at the 2006 & earlier Kawasaki Concours.

simple design - they essentially made the same bike for 20yrs. Parts are easy, carb'd, minimal electronics, ez valve adjustments, very good aftermarket support. Pillion seat is relatively flat and wide - my SWMBO likes it...

Very good models can be had for around $3K, often much less.

Its all about the riding position, not how big the bike is. My wife did over 200K miles on the back of a BMW airhead, no problem. EZ Berg seat (ugly), backrest, and raised pegs did the trick. She could only do about 100 miles on an 1800 Goldwing when new. Aftermarket seat and raised floor boards fixed that. If I was looking at Guzzi for two up it would probably be a Stelvio.

Pete

[Rough Edge racing]

 Yeah the seat....the late Pat Owens rode this 70 Triumph over 400,000 documented miles. Not on the original engine engine of course but it shows you need to find your own level of comfort or discomfort.....I can't ride for more than about two hours on any bike ...

     

[MGPilot]

As we get younger, sitting in one position with little movement can be seriously uncomfortable.

Maybe it's time to consider a capable bike with a side car. I know it's nice to sit closer, but with a side car you can see each other's faces, still use an intercom, carry stuff when you don't have a passenger, even bring your dog once in a while -- and a side car lets your passenger move around in the seat, changing positions.

Further, I worked in an insurance company for a few years. The accident information on side cars suggests that their safety is surprisingly greater than a motorcycle alone.

[Shorty]

Get a comfy truck or van  Put the bike in the back. Drive across the flat/boring parts with the A/C on listening to whatever music you like. Arrive at your motorcycle mecca fairly fresh. Set up camp, or enter your motel. Get the bike down, and have fun little rides all over that region. Return to camp, make s'mores, or hit the hot tub at your motel. Have an adult beverage. All the fun, 1/2 the suffering. It need not be an endurance contest. Best of all worlds; get a convertible truck 

[rocker59]

Get a comfy truck or van  Put the bike in the back. Drive across the flat/boring parts with the A/C on listening to whatever music you like. Arrive at your motorcycle mecca fairly fresh. Set up camp, or enter your motel. Get the bike down, and have fun little rides all over that region. Return to camp, make s'mores, or hit the hot tub at your motel. Have an adult beverage. All the fun, 1/2 the suffering. It need not be an endurance contest. Best of all worlds; get a convertible truck 

We did this for Colorado this year.  Drove the Suburban, hauled the bike.  Dog got to come with us.  And, we were able to bring food/drink/clothes/etc. that we would normally have to leave at home. 

Knocking out 820-miles in 13-hours coming home in 95-degree heat, the Suburban felt like the right tool for the job !!!

[nunzio]

Get a comfy truck or van  Put the bike in the back. Drive across the flat/boring parts with the A/C on listening to whatever music you like. Arrive at your motorcycle mecca fairly fresh. Set up camp, or enter your motel. Get the bike down, and have fun little rides all over that region. Return to camp, make s'mores, or hit the hot tub at your motel. Have an adult beverage. All the fun, 1/2 the suffering. It need not be an endurance contest. Best of all worlds; get a convertible truck 

We are leaving for the Iowa Rally tonite in our Tundra pulling a trailer and will be in Elkader Weds. morning (too old to blast up there and back  ) rested and ready to ride!
We will spend our time riding in 80 degree weather instead of trying to grind out a 1000 miles in 90+ degree weather.We've  got a 100+ mile "cheese factory tour" planned for this trip.My wife works ,so, we would rather spend out time riding once we get there.
I'll blast home in 15 hours on the way back.
We always have been "backroad".... stop look at historical markers/cemeteries/courthouses/whatever catches our eye.
If we make 350 miles in a day we think we must have missed something
We have seen a lot of interesting things just by stopping and talking to the old-timers.
If I want to "get there" my Tundra is the ticket.
If I want to " be there" I ride my motorcycle.....Alan

[Chuck in Indiana]

Get a comfy truck or van  Put the bike in the back. Drive across the flat/boring parts with the A/C on listening to whatever music you like. Arrive at your motorcycle mecca fairly fresh. Set up camp, or enter your motel. Get the bike down, and have fun little rides all over that region. Return to camp, make s'mores, or hit the hot tub at your motel. Have an adult beverage. All the fun, 1/2 the suffering. It need not be an endurance contest. Best of all worlds; get a convertible truck 

We've been doing this or a variation of it for 25 years. Bike in the van, pull the camper. 

[JoeW]

Why not look for a mid 90s California. My wife could fall asleep on mine. I had it set up with a Corbin seat, Ikon shocks, Hepco bags and trunk with a backrest, and a Plexi windshield. They're pretty reasonably priced.

[nsmith]

I have the 2001 cal spec. still have the old T and a v50 we call the a cup cuz shes got small jugs.. we didn't do the 4 hundred in a run stopped half way there to visit Daughter and shop a little, stopped at the turn around point for a good bit. Got caught up in a 3rd of July parade the cut the town in half for a good while and had a small lunch. Stopped for a few mins. to check out a very old catholic church in Hoven S.D. so the trip was by no means a torture trip. Maybe the girl is just getting old, might have to trade her in for something with some staying power.

[wymple]

Get a comfy truck or van  Put the bike in the back. Drive across the flat/boring parts with the A/C on listening to whatever music you like. Arrive at your motorcycle mecca fairly fresh. Set up camp, or enter your motel. Get the bike down, and have fun little rides all over that region. Return to camp, make s'mores, or hit the hot tub at your motel. Have an adult beverage. All the fun, 1/2 the suffering. It need not be an endurance contest. Best of all worlds; get a convertible truck 

I am pushing 67 and with my back this is looking like the future. I really think I could like this.

[wymple]

We are leaving for the Iowa Rally tonite in our Tundra pulling a trailer and will be in Elkader Weds. morning (too old to blast up there and back  ) rested and ready to ride!
We will spend our time riding in 80 degree weather instead of trying to grind out a 1000 miles in 90+ degree weather.We've  got a 100+ mile "cheese factory tour" planned for this trip.My wife works ,so, we would rather spend out time riding once we get there.
I'll blast home in 15 hours on the way back.
We always have been "backroad".... stop look at historical markers/cemeteries/courthouses/whatever catches our eye.
If we make 350 miles in a day we think we must have missed something
We have seen a lot of interesting things just by stopping and talking to the old-timers.
If I want to "get there" my Tundra is the ticket.
If I want to " be there" I ride my motorcycle.....Alan

You best get started! Elkader is a bit of a trip for you.