Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: passenger on sportbikes, yamaha yzf 600, yamaha r1

Question
Hi,    I ve never ridden a crotch rocket (only cruisers), but I might   consider the possibility of getting one someday.    My wife frequently rides with me, but any crotch rocket I ve seen   looks somewhat unwelcoming for a passenger on the back. i.e.   not alot of space.  Would you recommend a certain size to get if the idea was have   a passenger (female) yet maintain a  sleek  look, not too wide of   a bike?    Thank yo

Answer
R.T.,

The best sportbikes out there that allow some kind of passenger comfort yet are still sporty are sport-tour bikes like the Honda VFR pr the Yamaha YZF 600. Both are good choices.

On the bigger end, Ducati ST models are still good sportbikes but allow bags and passenger confort.

If you are really set on a "real crotch rocket" (also known as a sportbike) like a Yamaha R1 or a Suzuki GSX-R, you may as well forget about passenger comfort. They aren't made for it, unless your passenger is three feet tall.

And by the way, as a cruiser rider, you will need to make a major riding style adjustment on your new sportbike (er, crotch rocket). Be careful during those first few rides.

Good luck, ride safe.

Bill Roberson
GSX-R1100