Is the FJ09 / Tracer 900 suitable for 2-up touring?

[totfit]

I know: you can tour on anything, anywhere. Still, some bikes are better at it than others.
I have loved my Tracer 900 in its first 1000 miles but all riding solo whilst running her in.
Now that is done, and the GIVI Trekker system installed, and we are ready for Ireland late summer.
The question is this: my wife and I together weigh in at 150kg. With gear, and three panniers, rack, clothes etc we total over 200kg. Even with no cases, she does wallow. The bike, not the wife.
The user guide says 180kg load max.
What would be my best upgrade rear shock?
I think it will need something much beefier, with remote adjustment for preload and full adjustability.
Anybody else tour 2-up fully loaded?
Cheers from Devon, UK.
 
 
 
 

 

[koth442]

@com3 rides his FJ like mad 2 up. He's 2up so often its actually sprung for 2up. He loves it.

[pattonme]

K-Tech razor R (no remote preload) or the Nitron NTR2 + remote preload should do nicely. What is your share of the weight?
I would avoid going over max gross weightif possible. While your weight is well supported, all the luggage and wife are at the far end of the subframe triangle and apply rather more leverage.
 
It's not like you're going far, send a box or two of stuff to your hotel(s) ahead of time so yo're not carrying so much weight in the bags.
 
How much of the time will you be spending 2-up? Is it a couple trips a year or "most" of the time?
 
I'm going to assume you're 90kg of that 150 which would have you running a 105N/mm spring for single-ride, moderate loadout. If 2-up is a frequent thing then I'd suggest going with at least a 115. and more like a 120N/mm.
 
If you should buy the Nitron, have them build it with BOTH the RPA and the lower set of preload rings. This makes changing out the spring much more handy and gives you a lot more adjustment range should you decide to just keep the heavier spring on all the time.

[com3]

@com3 rides his FJ like mad 2 up. He's 2up so often its actually sprung for 2up. He loves it.

 
 
 
This. My penske shock is actually sprung for 460lbs. No more wallow. No more decking out and dragging hard parts. I even ride two up at the track a lot.

[BBB]

I even ride two up at the track a lot.

? that’s some pillion ride!!

[com3]

haha...it's good for business.    I'll go smash on everyone in all groups at the track, so then everyone is buzzing about "how fast that guy on the fj09 with the passenger" was and then they come buy my photos. haha.

[sirepair]

Not sure how the ergos work for your pillion, but my wife hates the peg height on my 15 FJ. Her knees have had enough after 30-45 min. She is much happier on my ST1100.

[com3]

mine also complains about her knees...  but she'd complain about em regardless. 
 
i've actually ridden on the back a few times while i teach my gf how to ride.  it is slightly more cramped than sitting up front, but not terrible.
 
the ST isn't even comparable.  that's a big, loungy bike.

[sirepair]

mine also complains about her knees...  but she'd complain about em regardless.   
i've actually ridden on the back a few times while i teach my gf how to ride.  it is slightly more cramped than sitting up front, but not terrible.
 
the ST isn't even comparable.  that's a big, loungy bike.

 
 
Did you notice that the passenger peg mounts on Tracer GT have been lowered? Looks like about an inch or so. Wonder if the mounts are interchangeable with older FJ?

[com3]

I know nothing about the gt

[dangerzone2]

Hate to break it to you but you really should get a new suspension setup. Before I got the FJ-09 my wife and I rented one and took it up the coastal highway to see if this was going to be the second bike in the stable. We didn't have any luggage and total ~350 lb with gear. Absolutely horrible suspension for 2-up. We were pogo sticking in the corners, bottoming out over bumps, diving under braking and just didn't feel great at all. Luckily I found an FJ with "The Full Monte" from the link below. It's the Ohlins YA535 (fully adjustable, even remote preload) in the rear and 30mm cartridge kit in the front. The bike is absolutely amazing now. I'm debating using it for my next track day over my ktm 690, its that good!
 
http://www.propilotsuspension.com/index.php/ohlins_suspension_fj_09_yamaha_tracer_mt09-_2015/

[pattonme]

It's the Ohlins YA535 (fully adjustable, even remote preload) in the rear and 30mm cartridge kit in the front. The bike is absolutely amazing now. I'm debating using it for my next track day over my ktm 690, its that good!  

Not to mention it blows people's minds when the center-stand equipped fuddy-duddy is diving up the inside of corners or going the long way around and still walking away from their 'zoot-scoot' of the day. 
Then lie and tell them it's stock suspension. *grin*
 
If you want a NIX-30 in the USA you'll want to call me. I have the only units in the country by the looks of it.
 
I would be very surprised if the GT's passenger peg brackets did not bolt right up to the earlier editions.

[alejandro]

I've heard from +1 that the passenger pegs are too high as well.
 
Has anyone come across a straightforward way to lower the passenger pegs a bit?
 
Would enable us to ride more and farther together.
 
Thanks!
 
Or I guess I could give her a phone book to sit on :-)
 
 

[pattonme]

Has anyone come across a straightforward way to lower the passenger pegs a bit? 

1/4 steel plate with 4 holes rattle-can'd black? Just as long as they don't mount/dismount by standing on them it should be fine. 2" lower should be easy. 
Also there are footpegs that are on an arm that rotate thru 360 degrees. https://www.ebay.com/itm//201408369438
 

[jonno12345]

I have the same question. I've not even ridden my bike yet, I'm away from home for three weeks still. Itching to ride.
 
I plan to use it 95% 1 up unladen, and 5% fully loaded with boxes and a pillion. As such, I'm already anticipating needing to upgrade the suspension.
 
I've been quoted about £1300-£1400 for fitting and setup of a Nitron R1 with HPA, and Andreani cartridges. Does anyone have any input as to whether this is both A) reasonably priced and B) sufficient for my needs?
 
Ideally I'd really like to spend less than £1000. I could lose the HPA for a £200 saving but suspect I would miss it the moment I need to adjust preload. Additionally, I think I am mechanically minded enough to replace a shock and cartridges myself, but revalve etc sounds too involved and I'm lacking a decent garage space. I've also never set up suspension for my weight and requirements so don't really know the post fitting procedure very well.
 
I just want safe, comfortable, and to have a little fun on the twisties, definitely not worried about the track!