I convinced my girlfriend to go for a ride with me on the KLX yesterday afternoon. She's been on the back of my BMW several times, but this is definitely a different experience. The little bike handled it well. Total passenger weight was approx 320lbs. The bike still accelerated well and could reach 85mph. We rode on mostly dirt roads on a 120 mile round trip to a nearby town for lunch. The added weight made the bike smoother and more stable on the gravel roads. I crusied easily at 55mph in 6th on hard packed gravel roads, and 40-45 on loose gravel. On pavement the bike was stable and handled well. I crusied comfortably at 60-65mph and only had to downshift to 5th for the steeper hill. The acceleration is best described as "car-like" with a passenger. Like a little economy car, it was very quick off hte line, but slow after 1st gear, and pretty wimpy at freeway speeds.

For the set-up I cranked the rear preload to about 1/2" from the bottom... so almost maxed out. I played aroudn with the dampeneing during the ride and found myself able to keep backing it out for a softer ride. We bottomed it out once when I took it off road and went through a shallow ditch to make a U-turn. The highlight of the day was passing a group of 3 harleys heading out of a town comming up to a couple of twisty turns.

Overall, it worked better than I thought. No major complaints from the passenger. She actually liked the seating position better than the BMW. I know for me it has tons of leg room, but the upright sitting position is tiring on the back with the wind pushing on you. 40 minutes is about the longest we could stay in the seat without stopping. I managed around 60mpg for the trip. About the same as riding solo... probably because I accelerate harder and ride faster when solo.

If nothing else, this proves that the bike can be used with a rider of ANY weight and size.

 

Yea I too can attest to the weight capacity of this bike, me weighing in at 240 and my wife is about 120. The bike does handle ok.

 

Obviously it would not be possible with a passenger but when I am riding solo on the KLX(which is 100% of the time) on the street, I actually sit on the passenger portion of the seat.

 

Our bikes really weren't made for a passenger, the suspension isn't setup for it, and the engines too small to lug two people around at highway speeds.

 

Hmm... it has been carrying my wife and I just fine for about 6 months now. It has no problem maintaining speed and the suspension can be set up any way you like. I don't agree with that last post.

 

I guess he didn't read my post where I said it crusises at 55-65 just fine 2-up... no different than solo. I'm not about ot hit the MX track with a passenger, but the suspenson seemed fine with the pre-load cranked up. Because I wasn't riding aggressively, it actually felt better with the dampening on the soft side. I wouldn't hesitiate to ride some singletrack or any trails without steep climbs, descents or whoop sections. Anything a heavier adventure bike could handle... this bike can tackle 2-up.

 

NavyMan,

Does you wife complain about her legs being in her throat? Meaning that the foot pegs are to high and uncomfortable? My wife says that they are to high and makes her feel this way. Any comments like that from your wife? So I removed them when I installed my Muzzy and didnt even look back, just tossed them in a box and drove off.

 

Yeah, she has made the comment that the pegs put her in a tight crouch. She said that it is ok for shorter rides but nothing over 45min to an hour at a time.

 

I know I wouldn't get on the back lol