A+ Passenger Skills
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 1
From: Douglasville, GA
A+ Passenger Skills
Not me, the wife. We took a ride up to Helen, GA yesterday to enjoy the weather and have a look around. I've never given a lot of thought about what it takes to be a good passenger before but she made me think. I always give a little lesson to people who have never been on the back of MY bike before, general stuff about leaning, getting on and off, keeping feet on pegs and off pipes,etc.. We both talked about the route we would take but she served as a good navigator by reminding me of the upcoming turns as I tend to blow by them first and have to turn around. She knows not to shift her rear end during a curve, but even on the striaght aways she would tell me when a major body position was needed and give me time to prepare. But here's the big one; leaving Helen we pulled into a gas station for a drink and as we were turning into a parking spot a cager began backing out, and before I could thumb the horn and begin to swerve the wife shouts at the driver, not frantic but with purpose. Thank God the car's brake lights come on and we're able to swerve around and into the parking spot. Off the bike and a few deep breaths later I ask the driver why she didn't look before backing out and get a deer-in-the-headlights look and a mumble about not seeing us. Anyway, collision avoided and another lesson learned. But my point is that passengers can't be just sightseers, they have to be an active part of the ride and assume some responsibility for their saftey too.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 760
Likes: 4
From: Plano, Texas
RE: A+ Passenger Skills
I also take my backseat rider to bike practice. If I need to practice my slow speed manuvering skills, I will benefit from having her on the bike. It also gets her used to doing these manuvers.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg Florida
RE: A+ Passenger Skills
My wife also does all of those things and then some but her skills did not come naturally. She has been riding with me since she was 15 years old and that was over 43 years ago. She is probably the main reason I am still around to ride.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 759
Likes: 7
From: Western KY
RE: A+ Passenger Skills
Sounds like a keeper. Oh and Helen is a unique town, interesting..
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From:
RE: A+ Passenger Skills
I too, have an excellent passenger. We ride 2up almost everywhere we go. Only time she flinches is when I drag the kickstand, Then she'll squeeze the love handles just to let me know I spooked her. Always a great navigator(till I bought a gps). She would read the mapquest direction and tell me when I needed to get ready to turn and I watched out for the cages. I've talked to guys that can't stand to ride their women because they can't set still or don't lean into the curves. If you like to ride 2up and have a good rider, then your lucky. I always thank my wife when we ride for being a good passenger.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BuzzCap7
General Harley Davidson Chat
28
Sep 5, 2012 02:47 PM