May buy a brand new 2013...

[Bheezy27403_imp]

I currently own a 08 Bonneville and love it, however, the wife is a former div 1 volleyball player and at 6'4 it's a little cramped with her as a passenger. I've been looking at several bikes but have always wanted the CB. I've said if they ever import the CB I would buy it. Well a few years later I may finally make that happen. A local dealer has a 13 that is left over and has never even had the batt hooked up. Wants $7699+blah,blah,blah.
Questions. How does this bike ride two-up? Is the pillion comfy? The rear pegs look a little high up and the wife's legs are loooong. Any feedback from owners with passengers?
I am going back to the dealer tomorrow with the wife so we can check it out but would like to hear from some with experience.
Thank you in advance for replies.

[HikerToo_imp]

Hmm...sometimes the CB seems a little small and cramped even to me riding solo, I have very long legs and the 1" higher K&H seat helped me. I've only carried my 5'4" wife a few times on the back, not sure I would want to be carrying around a passenger very much on the CB....but I am sure others do and can share their experience. It certainly has the power and smoothness though...

[Rocky_imp]

Wow, that certainly is a tall lady!
I have always ridden alone, but I don't think your pillion will be at all comfortable on the CB.
It would be a smart move to go to the dealer and sit on one first.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I owned an '07 Bonnie and currently have a '14 CB standard. There is no noticeable difference in comfort for your passenger. My wife, all 5'2 of her, wasn't very comfortable on either bike. She can only tolerate the CB on shorter rides around town. Her knee starts to bother her on rides over 30 minutes and she doesn't have much room back there. At 6'4, I imagine your wife's knees will be tickling your shoulders as you ride. In my opinion, this wouldn't be a good bike for her. I'm sorry to say that. Otherwise, the bike handles beautifully with her on the back.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Thanks for the reply gents. I sat on it yesterday and really liked it. I'm going back today with her to see if she "fits".
Anybody have any more first hand experience with pillions?
Thanks metal guitar. To be fair, she is not that uncomfortable on the Bonnie but I am looking for a few more cc's to pull us around better and not straining the tranny/engine while maybe gaining more room. I love the CB and it has a relatively flat seat. A lot of others I have looked at have the pillion seat very high above the drivers. As tall as she is I need her center of gravity as low as possible.

[LongRanger_imp]

I'm 6'6" and my girlfriend is 5'4". I don't find the CB to be a good two-up bike for anything longer than local 20-30 minute rides. The rated load limit is mid-300 lbs. and the suspension isn't the greatest.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Turns out the pillion geometry is nearly identical to the Bonnie. About 17" from the seat to the pegs.
I can't believe it says the max capacity is 351!? The Bonnie is rated higher than that!

Anywho...I bought it!

I will put an introduction in the "hello" thread when I get some time. Gotta get to work.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

Well, it appears you opted for shorter legs for the Mrs. rather than miss out on this great bike! You did say, if they ever import the CB, you'd get one. A man of his word. Congrats and welcome to the forum!

[MikeOxbig_imp]

I can't contribute much to this thread, but wow... 6' 4" volleyball player wife?! Nice...

There are some aftermarket seats that are higher for the passenger (and rider) which may help a bit.

[redbirds_imp]

I think an R1200GS or KTM would be the ticket. I'd have one if I weren't so vertically challenged.