Discussion: Two-up riding
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Cardboard Box
Story time... My oldest brother died when I was 15 years old (17 years ago, so no worries on the condolences and all that). He and his son were at a little league game when a massive storm came out of nowhere so everyone booked it for their cars. Thinking he was doing the right thing by waiting out the devastating rain, he and his son sat in his car without leaving. A few minutes went by and lightning struck the tree next to his car, splitting it in half, dropping the non-standing half directly onto his roof. He was killed instantly, his son lived because he was so short.
The point is that you never know what is going to happen, and sometimes doing what is perceived as "safe" can get you killed just as fast as the dangerous things.
My OL is a grown woman and she knows the risks. I try to be as cautious as I can when I have her on the back, but I respect that she chooses to get on the back and she knows what the deal is. I didn't start riding yesterday and I have been without a car at multiple points in my life so I have enough miles that I have learned a lot about the road. I am not impervious, invincible, or any other stupid ****, but I am experienced and I feel that I have enough of that experience to safely ride the OL on the back.
The point is that you never know what is going to happen, and sometimes doing what is perceived as "safe" can get you killed just as fast as the dangerous things.
My OL is a grown woman and she knows the risks. I try to be as cautious as I can when I have her on the back, but I respect that she chooses to get on the back and she knows what the deal is. I didn't start riding yesterday and I have been without a car at multiple points in my life so I have enough miles that I have learned a lot about the road. I am not impervious, invincible, or any other stupid ****, but I am experienced and I feel that I have enough of that experience to safely ride the OL on the back.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 17
From: Ontario Canada
I don't know how you guys can do it...
When I first got into riding (around 1985) I had several smaller Japanese bikes and never thought twice about putting someone on the back.
I got married in 1990 and my wife never expressed any interest on hopping on the back of any of the bikes I had throughout the early years of our marriage.
I got my Harley in 2007 and not long after my wife said, "When are you going to take me for a ride?"
So one Saturday, she got on the back of my badlander seat and we went for a short ride to the local HD dealer.
When we arrived, she "made me" buy a sissy bar.
A couple of rides later she decides, "I want to learn how to ride."
She took the PA Safety Course, got her license, and bought a NEW Honda Shadow... all in about a 3 month period.
I've NEVER owned a new bike...
Anyway, I would occasionally still ride two-up with her or with either of my two teenage kids.
Of course I've had my share of close calls on motorcycles as I'm sure we've all had, but one day it hit me...
Although I was willing to take my life in my own hands with the inherent dangers of riding a motorcycle (being at the mercy of the cars and trucks on the road)... I was absolutely no longer willing to... "take anyone else with me"... if you know what I mean.
Without much hesitation, I switched to a solo seat and removed the passenger pegs. I also sold the badlander seat and sissy bar soon thereafter.
This is my story and I'm sticking to it.
Thoughts or comments...
PS: The Honda Shadow was replaced a year or so later by an 883 Hugger
When I first got into riding (around 1985) I had several smaller Japanese bikes and never thought twice about putting someone on the back.
I got married in 1990 and my wife never expressed any interest on hopping on the back of any of the bikes I had throughout the early years of our marriage.
I got my Harley in 2007 and not long after my wife said, "When are you going to take me for a ride?"
So one Saturday, she got on the back of my badlander seat and we went for a short ride to the local HD dealer.
When we arrived, she "made me" buy a sissy bar.
A couple of rides later she decides, "I want to learn how to ride."
She took the PA Safety Course, got her license, and bought a NEW Honda Shadow... all in about a 3 month period.
I've NEVER owned a new bike...
Anyway, I would occasionally still ride two-up with her or with either of my two teenage kids.
Of course I've had my share of close calls on motorcycles as I'm sure we've all had, but one day it hit me...
Although I was willing to take my life in my own hands with the inherent dangers of riding a motorcycle (being at the mercy of the cars and trucks on the road)... I was absolutely no longer willing to... "take anyone else with me"... if you know what I mean.
Without much hesitation, I switched to a solo seat and removed the passenger pegs. I also sold the badlander seat and sissy bar soon thereafter.
This is my story and I'm sticking to it.
Thoughts or comments...
PS: The Honda Shadow was replaced a year or so later by an 883 Hugger
I would be a nervous wreck if my wife wanted to ride her own bike. She is not a good car driver by her own admission.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
I used to ride 2-up and think nothing of it. But after a friend of mine was killed while riding solo, who was the most cautious rider Ive ever known, I will never take someone else's life into my hands. It took a long time to be able to feel comfortable riding solo after that.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 513
Likes: 15
From: Denmark
my lady was on one trip on my old vstar.. she dident seem to enjoy it to much..
I plan on getting a great seat with backrest and som sissybar so she can sit better.. hoping she will enjoy it then .
I plan on getting a great seat with backrest and som sissybar so she can sit better.. hoping she will enjoy it then .
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 175
From: Los Lunas, NM
I have about 27 years riding experience and my wife used to ride with me quite frequently. Wasn't her "thing" per se. But we enjoyed the time together. After we had a baby together, she quit riding, and won't even consider it. I have tried to talk her into it, but told her I will never force her to ride. Even though I really enjoyed riding with her. She keeps saying she will never ride because she worries we would leave our child without parents. I know and have told her that can happen driving, flying etc. But she sees the bike as a threat now, and that sucks...
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