Suggestions for improving passenger comfort?

My wife has a disk problem in her back. I have a 2006 SWing. Normally I set the rear suspension to 4. When riding in the city we run into lots of bumps, sunken manhole covers. etc. I thought of just setting the suspension to 1 but I'm worried about bottoming out. (our combined weight is around 300lbs (200 for me 100 for her). Any other options for making the ride more comfortable for her (Not a problem for me)

Thanks,

Chris

Baileys & coffee works well. My wife and i are 350lbs. total on rear shock 1 setting. we've never bottomed out

I usually say "bump" into our helmet to helmet comm, to let her know to brace herself.

You can buy any of several cushions available or have her sew her own cushion to the size and shape of her preference using couch foam.
Having her do her own cushion avoids any personal image issues/discussions/arguements, although at 100 lbs she must be a tiny girl.

Thanks for the responses, I was thinking that the Airhawk small cushion might help. The problem isn't fatigue or vibration, just the jarring. Do you think the Airhawk or Airhawk II would help?

sitting over rear wheel=shock to spine. Simple solution, she becomes part of the riding team, carrying some weight on foot pegs, letting the legs take some of the shock

I think most miserable for passenger, the fact that designers have them jacked way up in th air. Have to look something up will post more.

Adding, GIVI does have passenger back rest, used with the right combination rack=works. I had one.

GIVI boxes also have back rest pad---I have--caused passenger to lean back too far--not safest arrangement

Often just simple towel on seat can make butt feel better, beaded seat cover?------I am 73, lower back/hips destroyed.....I find at the 400 mile mark, 2 aspirin work.

Idea is moving contact points around can ease disk/back pain.

Does you wife feel the jolting from the seat or the back??

honda_silver wrote:

Does you wife feel the jolting from the seat or the back??

From the seat

cjuzda wrote:

Thanks for the responses, I was thinking that the Airhawk small cushion might help. The problem isn't fatigue or vibration, just the jarring. Do you think the Airhawk or Airhawk II would help?

The AirHawk will definitely help. I have two - one on the Swing and one on a Vespa. Anytime I ride without the AH, I notice how much bumpier it feels.

Mine are the older, more expensive style made with natural rubber. The newest model is made with a synthetic rubber, and NOT made by hand (which is why it is cheaper). If I had to replace one today, I would go with the cheaper model.

I really doubt that you would ever regret the expenditure after using it. Probably, you will buy one for yourself too.

My wife and I rode a Gold Wing for many years until it was starting to be uncomfortable for her, back and legs. A couple of years after i sold the GW I bought a SW and added a side car. Now she is riding with me and loves the sidecar. She likes the comfort and being able to change positions and stretch out. You may want to think about a sidecar.

Now that I have been on three wheels i would not go back to two wheels it is a great ride

Bounder wrote:

My wife and I rode a Gold Wing for many years until it was starting to be uncomfortable for her, back and legs. A couple of years after i sold the GW I bought a SW and added a side car. Now she is riding with me and loves the sidecar. She likes the comfort and being able to change positions and stretch out. You may want to think about a sidecar.

Now that I have been on three wheels i would not go back to two wheels it is a great ride

Thanks for the suggestion but not something I would consider

Bounder,
Just curious, how is the v belt holding up with the sidecar ?
Have you put enough miles on it to require a belt change ?

At the start of the season I had a new belt put on. I had logged several thousand miles with the sc and wanted to be sure the belt was in good condition. When the old belt was removed it showed no wear and actually did not need replacing. Being anal on this stuff I replaced it anyway. For a hundred plus bucks it seemed like great insurance. The SC has not negatively effected the SW in any way. My tires are wearing great. However when I buy new tires I am going to put an auto 14" tire on the back. A lot of rigs use this type of tire on the rear. My tires were new when I put the sc on so I did not replace the rear tire. I have a Texas SC and the reason I bought Texas was because of the weight of the SC and the mounting kit which was for a SW. Other side cars would work but to me the weight was important as I was not sure how it would work on the SW. I cannot say enough good things about the rig.

My feelings & experience so far exactly. I am going to check out info on the rear tire. Thank you.

Take the car