Hi all,

Recently I introduced my wife to trips on my F650GS twin, and last weekend we went camping too Everything went great, but I'm a bit worried about the load on the bike.

My wife is a little heavier than me, 70kg. All loaded up (tent/mats/some clothes), I can't open the sidestand when standing still, even with the preload of the stock shock at maximum.
I also fear the sprocket or chain may be loaded too hard due to the sagging of the rear fork.

Since I have very little experience driving 2up, I was wondering about what to expect. Is this too much load? I suppose I would be better of with a custom/aftermarket rear shock?

Thanks

I know exactly what you mean.

Very similar sized bike (Honda XL650V), but I probably cart around even more weight than you do. E.g. my missus is heavier than 70 kg and refuses to go anywhere without her hair-dryer and portable bidet. And I better quit saying anymore while I'm [maybe, but probably not] still ahead?!!

I switched the stock shock for a new Hyperpro, which made a big difference; and I always run the chain as loose as I dare.

In my humble opinion, there's absolutely no reason why you can't go anywhere /everywhere with your existing set-up .. perhaps with a little modification.

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Right Way Round ...

There is probably a maximum recommended load for your bike and I expect your wife and yourself will be well within it even with luggage. The chain should be fine as long as it is good condition, get someone to check the tension with both of you on the bike and the standard shock should be fine as long as it is in good condition, you don't mention the mileage of your bike but after 15-20,000 km they do get a bit of sag so a new one might be in order. Apart from that your F650 should take the pair of you anywhere.

I ride 2 up on a DL650 Vstrom, with my wife on the back I can't get the stand down. I think it was the same with previous bikes. Never been a problem, she gets off with me standing with both feet flat on ground, then the stand goes down. Obviously on rough ground you have to watch where you stop.

Is it overloaded ? Probably You should be able to find the weight limits for your bike in user manual or a sticker somewhere on the bike or online. Tyre pressure needs to be adjusted too, as I'm sure you are aware.

Try and spread weight forward where you can, rather than all hanging off the back of bike. It takes a while to get it right but load distribution can make all the difference. Most importantly TAKE LESS STUFF! Take what you need not what you want, my wife insisted on taking a heated hair brush!

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Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway

Thanks for the replies, it's reassuring to hear that this sag is not abnormal
A quick google told me a maximum load of 513 lbs or 233 kg. We are well below that, thanks God

I don't think I can cut down on luggage much more than we did for a 2-day camping trip. Maybe I can find a tank bag to move a little weight to the front, but that's it.
Probably a replacement shock is really the best upgrade if I want to make 2up trips more often.

Save the money on the shock, use it to put her though her license. Problem solved!

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[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]

I agree, but the missus is not yet ready for such outrageously practical solutions

Put a heavier rear spring.A cheap and simple solution.

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It depends on where you plan on riding, as mentioned already, just a stiffer spring would be fine for weekend rides on asphalt, though I would also do the front springs to keep the bike feeling balanced.

If you plan to do longer touring rides and ride gravel / rough tracks then consider a shock rebuild or an upgrade.

My wife has her motorbike license but she did not want to ride a motorbike in South America, so we rode 2up on the DR650, I am 85kg and she is 60kg in riding gear. The BMW has better brakes than the DR but just be aware the stopping distances increase with extra weight, especially coming down a mountain road at high elevations when you have hardly any engine braking!


You may be able to fit some tank pannier bags to put a little weight forward also, but packing light makes a big
difference.

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

I agree. You may not be exceeding BMW's strict recommended Max Load number, but your sag, preload and suspension are not right. Your bike may not be handling it's best, could well BOTTOM OUT over a sharp dip or speed bump.

I would bet money your bike will handle better, turn much better and go over bumpy roads better with a slightly heavier kg. shock spring. Don't overdue it ... just add a few Kg. more on the new spring. Talk to a suspension expert to fine tune that number.

The fact your preload is already maxxed out tells the whole story. That is not right, ride will be harsher than it should be, rear end sagging too much, resulting in slow steering response with possible bottoming out. Could also be your headlight is pointing UP, blinding oncoming vehicles.

You may want to address the front forks as well to keep things balanced.

Have the suspension guy re-valve your shock when he changes the spring - this will transform it to a Magic Carpet Ride.

If you plan on keeping the bike and traveling a lot with your wife as pillion, IMO, this is the BEST investment you can make. Good suspension can transform a bike.

Ideally, you should not be using more than 1/3 of available preload adjustment.
You want to ride HIGH up in the available suspension travel for best performance and ride.

I have ridden this bike from South Africa & now in Nigeria & we have ridden it over huge rocks, mud, sand & thru rivers 900mm deep & bike was fine...& I have seen bikes loaded with 25% more weight than recommended & never had a problem, but just be kind to your bike & put Hyperpro Spings in & just get going. !!!
Cheers
Paul

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Having your suspension done is ESSENTIAL.

New stiffer rear spring and possibly front internals too.

You also need to seriously start packing light. That bike is going to get cramped really fast.

You also have to consider the extra load on the rest of the bike.

That rear wheel is going to take a hammering. Is it spoked or cast ?

If spoked, have it rebuilt with thicker spokes onto a quality rim as the BMW spoked rims are worse than sh*t.. A cast wheel will be stronger.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.