My wife loved the ride, was scared by my driving. I admit, there was one (actually legal) pass there that was a little tight, but the laws of physics were on my side today
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Basically, the extra weight felt (a) better than the K-RS with the stock spring/shocks and (b) worse than the K-RS with the nice, stiff spring and Ohlins. The handling was not radically affected, however. Since the manual indicates clearly that the preload shouldn't need adjustment 2-up with average-sized riders (yup, go figure) I didn’t bother (a pain to reach, anyway), but I think I will next time -- Lucy and I don't fit into the "average" weight range.
...For humans or gorillas...
As for performance, everything had to be done with at 1k RPM more, and I had to definitely keep in a lower gear in places like the curves of Springfield and Beaver Dam roads. Acceleration was still very good, but I had this sickening feeling that the front wheel was going to come up here and there, although it never did. Even so, I kept my weight as far forward as I could.
The pillion on the 'Busa is two or three inches higher than the pilot seat (higher than stock with the Corbins), and this is very helpful because Lucy's helmet was almost always above mine instead of forcing her to crane her neck to one side or the other, as she had to on the lower K-RS pillion. She also preferred the, um, "vibe" of the Suzuki transverse I4 -- another reason I kept it in a lower gear most of the time
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Otherwise, she though the Corbin seat was more supportive than the Sargent on the K-RS -- less unwanted pressure in key nether region areas. I have experienced the same thing. Even though there is a backrest, Lucy kept thinking she was going to slide off when I was accelerating (maybe a little less juice next time, eh?), so she had a habit of leaning on me, which got on my nerves.
This was still a little easier than before because she is higher up now and not pulling down as much if she moves her hands to my shoulders.
Basically, the extra weight felt (a) better than the K-RS with the stock spring/shocks and (b) worse than the K-RS with the nice, stiff spring and Ohlins. The handling was not radically affected, however. Since the manual indicates clearly that the preload shouldn't need adjustment 2-up with average-sized riders (yup, go figure) I didn’t bother (a pain to reach, anyway), but I think I will next time -- Lucy and I don't fit into the "average" weight range.
...For humans or gorillas...
As for performance, everything had to be done with at 1k RPM more, and I had to definitely keep in a lower gear in places like the curves of Springfield and Beaver Dam roads. Acceleration was still very good, but I had this sickening feeling that the front wheel was going to come up here and there, although it never did. Even so, I kept my weight as far forward as I could.
The pillion on the 'Busa is two or three inches higher than the pilot seat (higher than stock with the Corbins), and this is very helpful because Lucy's helmet was almost always above mine instead of forcing her to crane her neck to one side or the other, as she had to on the lower K-RS pillion. She also preferred the, um, "vibe" of the Suzuki transverse I4 -- another reason I kept it in a lower gear most of the time
Otherwise, she though the Corbin seat was more supportive than the Sargent on the K-RS -- less unwanted pressure in key nether region areas. I have experienced the same thing. Even though there is a backrest, Lucy kept thinking she was going to slide off when I was accelerating (maybe a little less juice next time, eh?), so she had a habit of leaning on me, which got on my nerves.
This was still a little easier than before because she is higher up now and not pulling down as much if she moves her hands to my shoulders.
