Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
My wife has ridden with me maybe three times. Each time, she says it was fun but she isn't exactly begging me to take her out again and again. Longest ride has been around 45 minutes.
My question is for pretty long time passengers - what do you really like about riding on the back of a motorcycle? Dislikes? What have you done about any dislikes? How can a pair of newbies like us work up to longer rides?
I'm thinking if she reads the input from lots of other passengers, she'll know she's not alone with some of her complaints and maybe start to accentuate the positive things she reads about.
Thanks everyone!
My question is for pretty long time passengers - what do you really like about riding on the back of a motorcycle? Dislikes? What have you done about any dislikes? How can a pair of newbies like us work up to longer rides?
I'm thinking if she reads the input from lots of other passengers, she'll know she's not alone with some of her complaints and maybe start to accentuate the positive things she reads about.
Thanks everyone!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Just west of Tahoe
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
My wife has ridden with me for 32 years and has no desire to have her own bike and here's why:
1) she gets to tour the country and look around.
2) She can party all she wants and not worry about it.
3) She has no desire to try and keep up with me when were traveling at 85-90mph.
4) We can converse with each other. She can point things out to me that Imay miss or just mention the change in temperature or how good it smells.
1) she gets to tour the country and look around.
2) She can party all she wants and not worry about it.
3) She has no desire to try and keep up with me when were traveling at 85-90mph.
4) We can converse with each other. She can point things out to me that Imay miss or just mention the change in temperature or how good it smells.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 212
Likes: 5
From: South Central, Pa
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
Not having been a passenger myself I can only speak about my wife and daughter and the experiance. Both enjoy the ride and sometimes fight to go with me on short trips. The key I have found in all this is to include them on purchases, i.e. better extended floor boards, better seating instead of the typical stock seat, tour pack for the long ride. Also get her involved with like minded friends. I am fortunate in that I haveextended family that ride. Also as you ride on longer trips make sure you stop, let her streatch out and get the legs extended again. I ride two up for1.5 hours at a clip or 120miles if we are on the superslab. Remembershe has to feal comfortable. You add to the comfort in theway you drive. My wife sometimes falls asleep on the back and is very comfortable in the ride. She also takes pictures while back there. Make her feel like a contributing part of the adventure.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: Modoc County,California
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
Well--I'm not a passenger but I can list a few ideas for a passenger as my wife does like to ride.
1. When you want to ride she might not feel like it at the moment but maybe later--so don't make her feel guilty for not riding ever time YOU want to.
2. Make sure she's comfortable on the bike and don't scare her by riding the way you might if you were by yourself.
3. Go places that SHE would enjoy--it's not all about you.
4. Take lots of breaks while riding--don't make her sit back there for 100's of miles without takin a break ever now and then.
5. Give her something to go on the ride for--mine likes to take pictures so I share looking for places that would make a great picture.
6. Plan special places to stop and eat--they all seem to like that!
Make her your co-pilot in the fact that you share the ride--together.
These are just a few things to think about. Ask her where she would like to go and what she would like to do along the way.
My .2 cents--I know it does sound like more than .2 cents worth heehee
1. When you want to ride she might not feel like it at the moment but maybe later--so don't make her feel guilty for not riding ever time YOU want to.
2. Make sure she's comfortable on the bike and don't scare her by riding the way you might if you were by yourself.
3. Go places that SHE would enjoy--it's not all about you.
4. Take lots of breaks while riding--don't make her sit back there for 100's of miles without takin a break ever now and then.
5. Give her something to go on the ride for--mine likes to take pictures so I share looking for places that would make a great picture.
6. Plan special places to stop and eat--they all seem to like that!
Make her your co-pilot in the fact that you share the ride--together.
These are just a few things to think about. Ask her where she would like to go and what she would like to do along the way.
My .2 cents--I know it does sound like more than .2 cents worth heehee
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
My wife got a Honda Rebel to learn on so she could ride a motorcycle too. After 3 months she came to me and told me to sell it. Her reasons were many and most were likes about riding 2-up...
-She can't sightsee when she isdriving
-I amnot there to block the wind and bugs
-Wecan't talk to you
-She likes making other girls jealous becaues the wish their man would ride a Harley
-She can't sightsee when she isdriving
-I amnot there to block the wind and bugs
-Wecan't talk to you
-She likes making other girls jealous becaues the wish their man would ride a Harley
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Mill Hall, PA
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
As a passenger with my hubby my reasons for liking it are
1. I can look around and see things that I wouldn't if I were on my own bike.
2. I like having him there to catch most of the bugs and wind.
3. I wouldn't want to be alone for a hundred miles or more and not have anyone to talk to.
4. I like being close to him when we ride, meaning I feel safer behind him, then alone on my bike.
Things you should consider for your wife's comfort.
1. The seat
2. Sissy bar
3. Pegs or floorboards
4. Have her wear flat boots (no heel) after a while on a ride, with heels, her legs will fall asleep
5. Always keep in mind her comfort, or she will stop riding with you.
Hope this helps.
-Christine
1. I can look around and see things that I wouldn't if I were on my own bike.
2. I like having him there to catch most of the bugs and wind.
3. I wouldn't want to be alone for a hundred miles or more and not have anyone to talk to.
4. I like being close to him when we ride, meaning I feel safer behind him, then alone on my bike.
Things you should consider for your wife's comfort.
1. The seat
2. Sissy bar
3. Pegs or floorboards
4. Have her wear flat boots (no heel) after a while on a ride, with heels, her legs will fall asleep
5. Always keep in mind her comfort, or she will stop riding with you.
Hope this helps.
-Christine
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
My wife has always loved riding on back, and on long hauls has actually fallen asleep.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 0
From: Just south of Chicago, Illinois
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
Morgan, what kind of bike do you ride? If she's new to riding and you ride a softail standard with a badlander seat then 45 minutes is pretty good. After 45 stop and take a breather and let her rear have a rest. Massage it for her! If you have a bagger with a big back rest and a comfy seat then maybe riding long rides isn't for her
It's still early in the season, maybe she needs some time to 'get in the spirit'.
It's still early in the season, maybe she needs some time to 'get in the spirit'.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 630
Likes: 400
From: ont.canada
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
+1
Make sure she is comfortable. She will get to sight see while your are doing all the work!I don't know your driving habits, but don't freak her out with speed.It's all about confidence.It will come
Make sure she is comfortable. She will get to sight see while your are doing all the work!
I don't know your driving habits, but don't freak her out with speed.It's all about confidence.It will come
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
RE: Passengers Only - Likes/Dislikes of Riding
You don't mention whether you're riding alone or in groups, but I would suggest if you're riding alone try to have at least one other 2-up bike along for the trip. My wife enjoys riding alot, often suggests rides, but she has the best time when there's are a few couples along to share the experience with.