Ideas to improve passenger view (height)

marnie · Dec 25, 2016

Been lurking awhile and learning a ton from all of you - thanks. My passenger is 5'3"
and I'm 5'6" and she says all she can see is the back of my helmet! 2016 FW (Velocity Red) is our ride, with stock seat and Tour Rest back rest for her. I understand the benefits of a lift kit and the potential for a more "comfortable" ride and am seriously considering ordering & installing. Wondering from those of you that have installed, if your passenger has noticed any appreciable height increase. Will the lift kit help “boost” her viewing position – even just a little - or do I still need to find another solution? I’ve seen the HD Road Zeppelin Passenger Pillion Pad (think inflatable pillow), but can’t quite pull the trigger on $140, unless someone has one and swears by it – then maybe! Any other suggestions? - beyond getting a taller passenger - cause that's not a viable solution

D)!

Thanks

Keystone · Dec 25, 2016

Welcome to TT!ThumbUp

My wife is 5'2". She says that she just looks to one side or the other.

paws · Dec 25, 2016

I haven't ridden the backseat on a motorcycle for many years now but I do recall that for the year I did - on the backseat of a Gold Wing - I hated sitting taller than the driver....the wind buffeting was horrendous. That's when I decided to drive my own bike. Have never regretted that decision. Carla

marnie · Dec 25, 2016

paws said:
I haven't ridden the backseat on a motorcycle for many years now but I do recall that for the year I did - on the backseat of a Gold Wing - I hated sitting taller than the driver....the wind buffeting was horrendous. That's when I decided to drive my own bike. Have never regretted that decision. Carla

good point on the wind! - thanks -

marnie · Dec 25, 2016

Keystone said:
Welcome to TT!ThumbUp

My wife is 5'2". She says that she just looks to one side or the other.

Thanks - I think that will ultimately be the best solution - learning to look off center just a bit - and soon my helmet will disappear! thanks too for the welcome - I'm really enjoying and learning and hope to contribute as I can. Santa brought us some adjustable passenger floorboards - so I'm hoping to capture the install and load the pictures as others have done with their various customizations. My passenger has some pretty bad knees and the stock position is just not comfortable after about an hour, so we are hopeful the 12 positions and 9 degrees of range will help take some of the pressure off her hips and knees. Once I get them installed and we ride, I can update the post with her feedback. (not associated the company or their products in any way other than being a first time customer!)

vito · Dec 25, 2016

What Carla said. My child bride rides behind me on my trike when she wants to avoid the wind buffeting. Otherwise she rides her own bike.

I have a H-D air cushion I seldom use because it raises me up 2 - 3 inches into the turbulence depending on how full I pump it. It is a nice change for my behind sometimes.

knob · Dec 25, 2016

marnie said:
Thanks - I think that will ultimately be the best solution - learning to look off center just a bit - and soon my helmet will disappear! thanks too for the welcome - I'm really enjoying and learning and hope to contribute as I can. Santa brought us some adjustable passenger floorboards - so I'm hoping to capture the install and load the pictures as others have done with their various customizations. My passenger has some pretty bad knees and the stock position is just not comfortable after about an hour, so we are hopeful the 12 positions and 9 degrees of range will help take some of the pressure off her hips and knees. Once I get them installed and we ride, I can update the post with her feedback. (not associated the company or their products in any way other than being a first time customer!)

I also added some adjustable passenger floor boards for the wife to help with the hip pain. I raised them all the way up and shazam everything was better for her as far as discomfort. As far as her setting up higher, you might just add a seat pad and see if it helps.

marnie · Dec 26, 2016

knob said:
I also added some adjustable passenger floor boards for the wife to help with the hip pain. I raised them all the way up and shazam everything was better for her as far as discomfort. As far as her setting up higher, you might just add a seat pad and see if it helps.

thanks - what seat pad did you find / use? I've seen the circulator style for the pillion and that looks somewhat promising and beneficial for summer riding.

hogmemberisold · Dec 26, 2016

marnie said:
thanks - what seat pad did you find / use? I've seen the circulator style for the pillion and that looks somewhat promising and beneficial for summer riding.

We both have a airhawk cushion. She uses a square one, mine is more cycle seat shaped. They have their place... be worth a try....

knob · Dec 26, 2016

marnie said:
thanks - what seat pad did you find / use? I've seen the circulator style for the pillion and that looks somewhat promising and beneficial for summer riding.

No seat pads for us, I was just suggesting that as an idea.

DK Custom Products · Dec 29, 2016

marnie said:
Been lurking awhile and learning a ton from all of you - thanks. My passenger is 5'3"
and I'm 5'6" and she says all she can see is the back of my helmet! 2016 FW (Velocity Red) is our ride, with stock seat and Tour Rest back rest for her. I understand the benefits of a lift kit and the potential for a more "comfortable" ride and am seriously considering ordering & installing. Wondering from those of you that have installed, if your passenger has noticed any appreciable height increase. Will the lift kit help “boost” her viewing position – even just a little - or do I still need to find another solution? I’ve seen the HD Road Zeppelin Passenger Pillion Pad (think inflatable pillow), but can’t quite pull the trigger on $140, unless someone has one and swears by it – then maybe! Any other suggestions? - beyond getting a taller passenger - cause that's not a viable solution D)!

Thanks

Yes, not only does it increase the height, it also changes the relationship of the passenger height with the rider height via the angle.

Besides that other benefits of a Lift Kit, what I noticed is my eye line sits higher in relationship to the windshield (due to angle change) and Mary noticed that she sat "less leaning back", again due to the angle change.

Kevin

gerald martin · Dec 29, 2016

lift kit

are there any pictures of a freewheeler with a lift kit and one without a lift kit standing side by side

marnie · Dec 31, 2016

DK Custom Products said:
Yes, not only does it increase the height, it also changes the relationship of the passenger height with the rider height via the angle.

Besides that other benefits of a Lift Kit, what I noticed is my eye line sits higher in relationship to the windshield (due to angle change) and Mary noticed that she sat "less leaning back", again due to the angle change.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin - given all the bennies of a lift kit - I think that is the direction I'll go. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

marnie · Dec 31, 2016

gerald martin said:
are there any pictures of a freewheeler with a lift kit and one without a lift kit standing side by side

Check out the Dk customs page - lift kits - couple of nice pics there showing both. I just went there looking and found the pics. I think it will work for me. I'm just not sure I'm up for taking the wheels off for the install! I.e I don't have the jacks / stand etc ...