The view from the pillion
Can the SX SE tour two-up? RIDE’S long-distance husbandand-wife team give their verdict
GARY AND ANDREA Drake normally do their 3000 two-up miles a year on that paragon of sports touring, Honda’s VFR1200, sporting a full luggage complement of topbox and panniers. Andrea: “Comparing the Ninja H2 SX SE to the VFR overall, the Kawasaki isn’t as comfortable,” she says. “The seat foam is a lot harder and it’s slightly higher. I thought that I would feel more exposed but even so, there’s not a problem with wind buffeting on the H2 and I have a better view than the Honda because I can see over Gary’s head.
“There’s plenty of room between me and Gary but if the Kawasaki ends up with a topbox, it might push me forward. And there’s not a lot of room for my legs or feet either — my calves are actually touching the panniers. Knee angle is roughly the same though.
“On the VFR, the grab rails are better placed because they’re further forward, so when Gary gets more speed on I can brace myself. The Kawasaki’s are more at the side so it’s harder work; you have to use your stomach muscles.
“But the Kawasaki’s ride quality is great. If someone took the VFR away, we could get used to it.”
And from the rider’s point of view? “I love it,” Gary says. “The seat’s not great but the riding position’s good and the controls are excellent. And as for wind-on power, it’s a lot smoother and it pulls like a train. The suspension’s better too – it didn’t need any adjustment to go from solo to two-up. But as a tourer, the Honda has the edge; topbox, shaftdrive, 50mpg all day long two-up at speed (the Kawasaki is around 38mpg).”