RC51 or 954 ?????

SPY · 03-06-2005, 1:09 PM

Ok i am going to ask you guys! I am looking for a new bike and have been set on the 954. But I really love the looks of the RC51. My questions are how is passenger comfort? My GF loves to ride with me and i have not seen many pics of the rear seat or anybody on the back. I know that the seat is small but is it comfortable?

Next is there a mod to put a bigger or better back seat on it? for those times i do ride with her on the back? well thanks for your insight

Greg

Hammer · 03-06-2005, 1:18 PM

I cannot truly answer your question as I have never ridden on the back of my own bike, but as far as the 2 bikes in question the primary focus of the 2 are performance driven not creature comforts. My wife rides on my 954(on the back only) and states it is ok for short rides but after 200 miles she is done with riding.

ConqSoft · 03-06-2005, 1:20 PM

The RC51's passenger accomodations suck ass completely and totally.

The 954's passenger accomodations suck less.

HondaGalToo · 03-06-2005, 1:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

The RC51's passenger accomodations suck ass completely and totally.

The 954's passenger accomodations suck less.

This is true. They both pretty much suck for passengers; neither bike is designed for it. I wouldn't want to be a passenger on either for more than 30 minutes.

A Sargent seat will make either more comfy, but unlike more sport touring oriented bikes like the VFR, I don't believe they make passenger seats for the 954 or RC. Check Sargent and Corbin to be sure.

Northern RR · 03-06-2005, 1:44 PM

Having ridden on the back of both...I would say that the 954 would be the FAR superior bike...mind you, my a$$ is probably bigger(for your sake I hope so

) than your g/f's, so maybe the RC51 would be alright. I just found the passenger pegs too high and the seat too small on the RC51 Hope that helps.

HondaGalToo · 03-06-2005, 2:09 PM

I agree with Northern RR. If you have to take a passenger, the 954 is better. However, if she wants to do a lot of riding with you you'll just have to purchase a second bike that's more passenger friendly!

l'timbré · 03-06-2005, 5:52 PM

my vote goes for the 954, the girlfreind rides with me often and she survies, on the other hand on long trips my freind who rides an RC will beg to swith bikes his RC is like a rock

Newfie TLR · 03-06-2005, 6:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

snip..........However, if she wants to do a lot of riding with you you'll just have to purchase a second bike that's more passenger friendly!

T-Rex · 03-06-2005, 7:49 PM

I own both bikes and as far as the passenger comfort goes I agree with everyone else. The wife as rode on the back of both and we only made it around the block on the RC before she said she didn't like it. On the 954 we have rode 100 mile rides with no complaints.

deez · 03-06-2005, 8:19 PM

Both suck for passengers IMHO.

SPY · 03-06-2005, 10:54 PM

Thanks I appreciate your opinions! It really helps out alot. Going to test ride a 2003 RC51 tomorrow and see how the GF likes or dislikes it. But i think my mind is made up and i will get the 954. (wont tell the salesman that though...it wont hurt to take the RC around the block a few times!)

JAMI6989 · 03-06-2005, 11:44 PM

Just get the RC. After 1 ride she won't want to ride w/ u any longer and then u can finally ride w/o all that dead weight behind you. And she'll probably want to get her own bike. If ur girl is any bigger than 100lbs, she won't fit on the RC pillion. No one will be comfortable on it, but at <100lbs she'd at least fit on it.

SPY · 03-21-2005, 7:34 PM

UPDATE!!!

I have Bought RRWANTR's 954 !

Thanks for all of your opinions and comments!

Red Rider · 03-21-2005, 7:40 PM

Congrats! Keeeping it in the family...

l'timbré · 03-21-2005, 8:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPY

UPDATE!!!

I have Bought RRWANTR's 954 !

Thanks for all of your opinions and comments!

arcticfox · 03-21-2005, 9:57 PM

This may be a little too late to post, but.... check out Corbin. A buddy of mine just purchased a Blackbird which already had a Corbin installed - 'it came with a wife backrest and a well padded 2nd rider seat!!!'

After checking corbin's website - they do make it for the 954.

Boy did I give him hell for the 'lazy boy' strapped on the back of that bike, but... his wife loves it! (mind you, the back rest comes off and the seat looks fairly normal...)

Scout · 03-22-2005, 10:34 AM

Another route to go for a custom gel back seat on your 954-

Buy the "cover" from Sargent (est. $40), then buy a GEL pad (or Gel bicycle seat which you'll have to cannibalize).

You'll be able to fit the pad directly onto the stock foam, or cut down if you want.

This is not a big job, and pays dividends.

Congrats on your purchase

RRWANTR · 03-25-2005, 1:00 PM

Of course a 954!! LMAO

Crash · 03-25-2005, 1:10 PM

Wait a friggin minute! RRWANTR, you sold your bike? Dude what the heck have I missed?

RRWANTR · 03-25-2005, 1:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

Wait a friggin minute! RRWANTR, you sold your bike? Dude what the heck have I missed?

Yep...

but we shall see........

SpikedLemon · 03-26-2005, 4:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scout

Another route to go for a custom gel back seat on your 954-

Buy the "cover" from Sargent (est. $40), then buy a GEL pad (or Gel bicycle seat which you'll have to cannibalize).

Buy some marine vinyl and re-cover it yourself. Takes 20mins and costs $5.

you can put your custom foam/gel underneath it. The Sargent seat cover is a waste of money unless you're really anal and have to match the Sargent front seat.