I have read the posts concerning passenger mounting (pun intended) and have a couple of questions or looking for some advice.
I am 6’-0” and ~200, the wife, is as I have heard described earlier, well nourished (like that term) thus heavier than me. I am also a newer rider of a ’01 vstar 1100 custom. Although this bike has a passenger seat it is roughly equivalent to the back seat of the ’65 mustang; it exists and functional, but as a grown adult you don’t want to spend much time there. Our children and friends have encourage my wife into wanting to ride with me and them for group rides (yea them ‘cause I couldn’t entice her). Given that the 1100 is not the ideal bike for the two of us we have narrowed the choices down to the RSVS and the Goldwing. I’m leaning toward the GW but the wife is leaning toward the RSVS. Being an IT guy I tend to do a bit of research (talking to experienced riders and reading) before making a decision. The one thing that has me a bit concerned about the RSVS is a 1999 article (http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/touring_motorcycles_comparison/index.html) siting some control and breaking issues for the RSVS. I guess what I am asking is for your experiences and a conformation/rebuttal for the statements contained therein (I understand that this may be a year/generation issue).
Second question and more on topic. Due to previous health issues she has more mobility in her left leg than her right. This health issue also causes her to need to keep the right leg in a straighter position if holding one position for a period of time. Having done some research there are some passenger aftermarket pegs that would help solve straigntend leg issue, but the leg mobility issues cause her to wonder if mounting the bike from the right side instead of the left wouldn’t be better. I know that there is no “law” or “rule” that states that this is not possible but are there know issues with mounting the bike from this direction other than convention?
