Riding with a passenger

[Gunner1945]

Need some help here. Been out of the sport for 33 years. Got back into the sport in March and have over 16k miles on the bike. I'm also single for the first time in 37 years, so I've been cruising the personal websites. I've met several women in their late 40's and early 50's (I'm 60) and most of them want to ride with me.

My problem is I've not had anyone on the back of a bike since my wife was on the back of my Truimph Bonneville in 1968. Are there any tricks to two up riding? Are there any websites that have videos or such for tips on two up riding?

Sure don't want to put anyone in danger, especially a potential ...... :cool:

[Ken]

To get ready, ride alone as if you have a passenger. Concentrate on making shifts, acceleration, and braking as smooth as possible. This will make your passenger's ride more enjoyable.

Also, it may be helpful to take a lightweight passenger on your first time out. Riding with a 180 pound person on the back (not that your dates are that big mind you!) can be a little unnerving at first.

Be careful with slow speed maneuvers.

Make sure you have a good sure-footed balance on the bike when they mount and dismount.

If they've never ridden before, give them some coaching about leaning in the curves.

Make sure they know where the exhaust pipes are and that they are HOT.

Most of all, have fun!

[sherob]

To get ready, ride alone as if you have a passenger. Concentrate on making shifts, acceleration, and braking as smooth as possible. This will make your passenger's ride more enjoyable.

Also, it may be helpful to take a lightweight passenger on your first time out. Riding with a 180 pound person on the back (not that your dates are that big mind you!) can be a little unnerving at first.

Be careful with slow speed maneuvers.

Make sure you have a good sure-footed balance on the bike when they mount and dismount.

If they've never ridden before, give them some coaching about leaning in the curves.

Make sure they know where the exhaust pipes are and that they are HOT.

Most of all, have fun!

+1 plus make sure she understands that her feet never leave the pegs at stops ;)

[Mark]

If they haven't ridden let them know that in a turn they should look through each turn over your shoulder. This is lots better than them trying to look over your outside should in each turn... :eek:

The 1st time I rode Chris on an ST1100 I found out that you have to have talked through the passenger not moving until you tell them you are firmly planted and ready for them to move....

Good luck!
Mark
P.S.
Also... the title of this thread can easily be misconstrued... :D

[AZST]

P.S.
Also... the title of this thread can easily be misconstrued... :D

LMAO...didn't even occur to me until you mentioned. Must be getting older. :o:

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[Gunner1945]

OK, mind in the gutter boy. Thanks for the tips. I asked my daughter in law if she'd like to go for a ride with. She's 5'10" and a bit chunky. Figure she's expendable. :)

[sherob]

OK, mind in the gutter boy. Thanks for the tips. I asked my daughter in law if she'd like to go for a ride with. She's 5'10" and a bit chunky. Figure she's expendable. :)

ROFL! :eek: Crank up your pre-load :D

[Gonzo]

I'm 63 and SWAMBO is quite the novice at being a passenger.

IMHO, there are 3 things to which to pay attention.
She has to look good. This includes wearing the right gear.
She has to feel secure.
She has to know what to do and what not to do.
The education is mutual here. You have to tell her what you expect AND tell her what she has to expect.

I just took SWAMBO on the freeway the other night for the very first time. For the first 20 minutes she had a death grip on my spare tire, and then she suddenly just relaxed.

Up to that point my wrists were bearing all the weight of both of us. I got to relax then, too.

She's been riding with me for a couple hundred miles so far and she's stoked.

Happy riding to all of you!

Gonzo

[pretbek]

At the beginning when I would give people a ride, I might or might not give them instructions on what to do as a passenger, depending on my mood or gut feeling of their skills.
Then one day I gave a friend of mine a ride, a friend who -as any Dutch person- had ridden bicycles all his life, so I assumed he knew how two-wheelers behave in turns. I did not give him any instructions.

We came off the freeway at 50 mph going towards the 3/4 circle offramp...and almost straight off again; I leaned for the turn but the bike stayed upright and we almost went off straight into the grass!! :eek:
So after some brisk rescueing moves I immediately stopped and kindly enquired from my passenger "What the H*!1 just happened!!?!?!". He responded "I was leaning hard the opposite way. I thought that if I didn't, we would fall over!".
:rolleyes:

Since then I fully instruct every single passenger before taking them on my bike.

[ST/SV]

The biggest deal for me and my wife is the "get on the bike and get off the bike". My wife has thousands of miles experience on the pillion but the closest calls we have had so far (knock on wood) or her mount and dismount. I'm only 5'8" and barely can stand flat footed but she has a bad back so she rocks the bike alot, especially when getting on so we have a sign that she taps my shoulder until I shake my head so I can brace the bike. You don't want to drop it before you go on your ride.

[MidLife]

Are there any websites that have videos or such for tips on two up riding?

Sure don't want to put anyone in danger, especially a potential ...... :cool:

Some of Jim Davis' "Pre Ride Briefing" (http://www.msgroup.org/TIP004.html) advices are useful, here (http://www.hartside.com/pillion.html) also.

David Hough's "Proficient Motorcycling" has a chapter for the "Second Rider".

Also found that a Back Rest goes a long way to help the pillion relax, even if they do not use it!

[Gunner1945]

Thanks again, guys. I've sent some of this to one of the gals who expressed an interest in riding, but haven't heard back. This dating crap sucks. Need to get me a dog and forget women. ;)

[MLRickards]

Depending on your financial state and longer term plans, I'd recommend setting up your helmets with a driver/passenger intercome. I've found that it was much easier to communicate with my passenger and either praise good behavior or provide constructive "don't f'ing lean to the outside on a curve!!!" type of feedback in a more immediate way that wasn't as distracting as trying to yell through helmets.

[Jamie Z]

Like ST/SV, the biggest problem I have is the mount/dismount.

The mount should go like this: She approaches from the left. Puts her left foot on the left footpeg. Holds you and perhaps one of the grab bars in the back. leans over the bike. Lifts herself more-or-less straight up with her left leg, carries the right leg over. Puts the right foot on the right footpeg. Sits down.

What I find happens a lot is the woman will do two things to mess up. First, some women don't stand on the left peg to start. I have to remind them that the hot exhaust is below the peg, and if they forget that, they risk a bad burn.

The other thing they do is to stand up on the peg, lean back, and sling themselves over the bike. It's very important that they lean forward over the bike and then lift themselves straight up. Keeps the bike much better balanced.

Jamie

[Mark]

Hey... my mind is *not* in the gutter...
On this site it is best to read your posts to be sure they can *not* be misconstrued...
Active English readers.. don'tcha know.. :-)

Mark

[STeve1300]

[quote=MLRickards]Depending on your financial state and longer term plans, I'd recommend setting up your helmets with a driver/passenger intercome.... quote]

Absolutely!!! I put Autocom in 3 Helmets... 2 of mine, and one in girlfriends. Tip.... get music too. Also pick up a ladies mesh riding jacket (http://www.newenough.com/ladies_joe_rocket_phoenix_3point0_jacket_page.htm) , large will fit most... for less than $50.00 on closeout at Newenough.com

Tell her she's beautiful & you want her to be protected, skip that learning to ride talk except for the basics, ride slow & easy to that scenic restaurant on a lake etc...

You'll get to keep the helmet, but probably loose the jacket.... priceless???

[Gunner1945]

Hey... my mind is *not* in the gutter...
On this site it is best to read your posts to be sure they can *not* be misconstrued...
Active English readers.. don'tcha know.. :-)

Mark

OK. Just jerking your chain. I have found a passenger I'd like to ride (with), but she's not quite ready. I'll keep working on it. :)

[EagleSix]

Like ST/SV, the biggest problem I have is the mount/dismount.

The mount should go like this: She approaches from the left. Puts her left foot on the left footpeg. Holds you and perhaps one of the grab bars in the back. leans over the bike. Lifts herself more-or-less straight up with her left leg, carries the right leg over. Puts the right foot on the right footpeg. Sits down.

What I find happens a lot is the woman will do two things to mess up. First, some women don't stand on the left peg to start. I have to remind them that the hot exhaust is below the peg, and if they forget that, they risk a bad burn.

The other thing they do is to stand up on the peg, lean back, and sling themselves over the bike. It's very important that they lean forward over the bike and then lift themselves straight up. Keeps the bike much better balanced.

Jamie


I never take on a passenger without some briefing of how I would like the ride to be conducted. What I will do, what I expect them to do and how we will both handle the ride. Explanation and expectations for a new passenger is vital. For the experienced passenger it provides confidence the pilot can handle the ride and for the timid it helps relieve the impending fears of the unknown and sudden changes in bike attitude. The introduction ride should be easy and smooth to allow the pilot and passenger to learn to work together. Not much worse than a passenger fighting the pilots every move.

Jammie I think your instructions for mounting/dismount are excellent. And the pilot can pretty much tell how things are going to go during the ride from how a passenger follows the instructions during the mount.

For the most part I like ring solo. I also like to occasionally take on a passenger. I have an SO who is considerably younger than I (not that it has anything to do it!)….she is petite, she is pretty, she is sexy, and she is smart….she is also a motorcyclist and likes to be a passenger sometimes. I have to admit I feel real good when she mounts up and snuggles up. She is both a good rider and a good passenger. At first she was concerned with not putting pressure on me in the turns, but she has learned how I like her to hold on, to relax, yet have a firm hold when we are putting on the speed and/or in traffic.

I have another SO, more my age (not that it has anything to do it!)….she is my size, she is pretty, she is sexy, and she is smart….she is also a motorcyclist and likes to occasionally ride passenger. She was a natural from the very first ride. She has just the perfect hold on me, secure, relaxed and firm when we need it.

My daughter took her first ride with me yesterday. It was an eye opener to her. She has many miles on the back of her husbands Harley and was a bit miffed at our pre-ride briefing, but listened and learned. She had no concept of the difference in the ride between backseat of the Harley and back seat of the ZX-14! During the beginning of our introduction ride I could feel the tension as she realized what I had told her was true! There is a significant difference between the Harley and the Ninja. Not that a Harley can’t be ridden similar to a sportbike or that the Ninja can’t be ridden similar to a cruiser. The difference was in the pilots. My son-in-law races dirt bikes, but when on his Harley rides like cruisers ride the best…cruising. I on the other hand am a bit more aggressive (maybe more than a bit) and the pace is faster and the lean angles about twice as far. On top of that, on the sportbike the passenger sits higher than the cruiser and the lean angles are more dramatic. By the end of our ride she was more relaxed and having more fun. The eye opener for her I think was realizing she had no idea her father put the bike through that kind of pace. I really enjoyed her as a passenger and she really enjoyed me as the pilot once she gained confidence in the bike and the front seat dude. She has developed an enthusiasm for sportbikes lately and this first ride on a sportbike (kind of sportbike that is) really thrilled her and increased her enthusiasm.

Of all the passengers I have taken on a ride, I think all of them have benefited from the pre-ride discussion of what to expect and how to handle it. It doesn’t take an hour, only a few minutes to explain, and that explanation goes a long way for the enjoyment of both pilot and passenger and above all for their safety.

It is critical for the bike suspension to be adjusted for the extra weight of the passenger and the weight distribution of an increased rear load. It’s important how the passenger mounts as this is the beginning of the ride and a mishap here can pretty much ruin the ride. During the first ride I think is very important the pilot gradually introduce the passenger to the bike, his/her ability to safely operate the controls and allow the passenger to relax and enjoy the ride.

.

[Magna]

+1 on that. My wife always plugs in her intercom before getting on, and asks if I'm ready. Once she's on, don't even know she's there. (135 lbs).
Magna


The biggest deal for me and my wife is the "get on the bike and get off the bike". My wife has thousands of miles experience on the pillion but the closest calls we have had so far (knock on wood) or her mount and dismount. I'm only 5'8" and barely can stand flat footed but she has a bad back so she rocks the bike alot, especially when getting on so we have a sign that she taps my shoulder until I shake my head so I can brace the bike. You don't want to drop it before you go on your ride.

[TexTom]

I just spent 10 days riding with the SO. Everything went well until she discovered the thermometer on the dash. "It's too cold, lets stop and drink coffee." Try to see if they have the same desire to ride as you do, and the same needs. It can be a great time to share with the rider. My SO compares it to scuba, mutually enjoyable for both.
TexTom:06biker:

[pmatulew]

+1 on the intercom. Makes a world of difference.

Plan on re-setting the pre-load. A few spine jarring bottom-outs will remind you if you haven't.

Mounting and dismounting you will have to work out based on personal biometrics. I usually leave the bike on the side stand for extra stability while the short legged wife climbs on and off. I don't have enough inseam to brace against her weight otherwise.

Getting the passenger to relax and be still, especially in low speed manuevers, is another issue to work out. Even though we ride together 90% of the time, and she is very comfortable with my abilities, she still has a bad habit of tensing up suddenly just as I'm setting the bank angle into a turn. I then have to make mid-entry corrections to compensate. It's disconcerting but after a while you just expect it and are ready for it.

[Wolvie]

My 2 cents…

These are the points I teach my students:

1) Passenger never mounts a bike or dismounts a bike until the Rider gives the OK.

2) Passenger should be fully geared up BEFORE mounting. A tip-over during mounting is common and CAN seriously injure you (or worse).

3) No one EVER sits in front of a Rider. If you hit anything then you will see you have replicated a catapult. Small children MUST be able to reach and put weight on the pegs. If they don’t reach, they don’t ride.

4) Rider must mount first and dismount last.

5) Rider levels the bike with sidestand up and passenger puts their hands on the Rider’s shoulders. Passenger then steps up on the left peg and slowly swings over the right and sits down.

6) At no time should the passenger’s feet ever leave the pegs while mounted.

7) If there is no backrest, passenger should either use the grab-handles (if available) or hold on to the Rider’s waist. The passenger should not wrap their arms around the Rider but should use their hands to hold the Rider’s hips.

8) Rider must be extra smooth on all points of riding. Throttle, brake, shifting, etc. must be done as a fluid, progressive motion.

9) The dreaded “Helmet-Bump” will occur because of 2 factors: Incorrect seating position of the passenger or jerky inputs from the Rider. Chances are, if you bump helmets, the Rider is at fault.

10) The passenger must remain as still as possible during low-speed maneuvers. The time for them to adjust their position is at speed in a straight line or at a stop when the rider has both feet down.

11) To keep themselves inline with the Rider’s position during turns, the passenger should look over the shoulder of the rider in the direction of the turn. Left Turn: Look over the left shoulder. Right Turn: Look over the right shoulder.

12) Passenger’s riding gear must NEVER have any loose or dangling ends. They are right over the rear wheel and anything loose can get caught in the wheel. This even goes as far as shoelaces…double-knot them and tuck them into the tops of the boots. If the passenger ties a jacket or sweater around their waist, it is essentially a death sentence. If the passenger has a handbag that cannot be secured in a saddlebag or such, have them wear it across their body so it hangs at or above their waistline.

13) If your bike has preload, adjust it first and then mount with the passenger. Note the sag that occurs when both people are mounted. If it is over 2 inches, dismount and dial in some more preload. Take a short ride before heading out on the main ride to determine that the bike is balanced reasonably well.

14) If you don’t have an intercom, then go over (or invent) some basic hand signals. Common ones are: Slow Down, There is a problem, I’m hungry, Let’s stop soon, I’m cold, I’m hot, Find a hotel right away because you are too sexy and I can’t control myself any longer, I’ve got tone…take the shot, etc.

15) If you generally ride with the same passenger, consider taking the Experienced RiderCourse (ERC) together. Most of the exercises in that course are designed so you can have a passenger with you. The best place for your passenger to experience a swerve or an emergency stop should be on a controlled range under the supervision of professional instructors…not on the interstate.

16) Finally, and this is the big one, you as the Rider must understand that you have this other person’s life in your hands. Check your entire ego at the door and accept the reality that whatever you do and however you react will mean the difference between a wonderful ride or…well…you get the idea.

[Raven]

adjust speed

adjust position

communicate intentions

be very, very nice to passengers b/c ones treated well often become motorcyclists themselves - ones treated poorly become angry cagers

When I have a new passenger I always communicate with them and give them a means of communicating with me. I make a point of being super smooth for starts and stops and minimize speed and lean angles until they've had a little experience. We agree on three signals:
1- This is fun
2- I'm feeling nervous but it's okay to keep going
3- Stop immediately (I let them know in advance that I'll stop as quickly and smoothly as I safely can)

Giving the passenger "control" over being able to stop immediately really makes a huge difference in the passenger's comfort.

[chalayko]

The most important thing we've found for 2 up riding is to ask me if I'm ready for her to get on the bike and ready for her to get off. This avoids a rupture, marking the tip over wings and loads of embarrassment, not to mention the potential for foul language. Don't ask how I/we came to find this out.
Cliff.

[UNTMatt]

If you use an intercom, make sure you know how to turn it off...quickly. This is especially important just prior to a really good twisty road....

Also, make sure you have a good helmet on...one that will protect your head from repedative beatings and a good jacket with a lot of padding in the back. It's also preferable if your jacket fully zips up with your pants. A wedgie is really uncomfortable while trying to ride. :D

[Northeast Rider]

[quote=MLRickards]Depending on your financial state and longer term plans, I'd recommend setting up your helmets with a driver/passenger intercome.... quote]

Absolutely!!! I put Autocom in 3 Helmets... 2 of mine, and one in girlfriends. Tip.... get music too. Also pick up a ladies mesh riding jacket (http://www.newenough.com/ladies_joe_rocket_phoenix_3point0_jacket_page.htm) , large will fit most... for less than $50.00 on closeout at Newenough.com

Tell her she's beautiful & you want her to be protected, skip that learning to ride talk except for the basics, ride slow & easy to that scenic restaurant on a lake etc...

You'll get to keep the helmet, but probably loose the jacket.... priceless???


Thanks Steve - ordered a jacket today - good deal...... no red's left!

[MeiSTer]

It's already been said but I think the two most important things are making sure your passenger does not move around during slow speed maneuvers (I learned this one the hard way) and the mount/dismount procedure (I learned this one the hard way also). I always put the side stand down whenever the passenger mounts or dismounts the bike.