Learning how to ride 2-up
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
From: A Boston Yankee in Surrey, England
Learning how to ride 2-up
Question for you folks experienced with riding 2-up. I'm a new rider, only a few months and about 4,000 miles on. I think I'm an OK rider but not as smooth as I'd like to be sometimes.
The question is, how did you learn to ride with a passenger? I kind of feel like I'm risking the life of anyone I might ask to go for a ride while I learn how to ride 2-up.
What advice have you got for learning how to confidently and safely ride with a passenger?
Any help very much appreciated!
Cheers
The question is, how did you learn to ride with a passenger? I kind of feel like I'm risking the life of anyone I might ask to go for a ride while I learn how to ride 2-up.
What advice have you got for learning how to confidently and safely ride with a passenger?
Any help very much appreciated!
Cheers
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: NC
RE: Learning how to ride 2-up
1st rememember to stop sooner because it is harder to stop. 2nd dont make sudden forward or breaking movements because you will bump heads. Those two were just a few things and others will give more I am sure.
Practice with someone if you have anyone that is experienced riding with a driver 2 up. If not start with your lady but DONT SPEED GO SLOW and build up. You will scare her if you dont start that way down a lonely country road with little traffic and she will never ride with you again. 2nd for you dont do fancy turns or anything like that. If you have to turn around and do anything slow turning have your feet off the pegs ready to push the bike up right if you need to while continueing to move forward. Pushing the bike up with you stopped and wheel turned is a beast. Get the feel of the bike going 2 up then work on your turns. All you got to do is practice. If your a good rider with 4K on you riding single practice like you did when you were learning to ride 1 up riding 2 up and you should be fine. RELAX and drive the bike dont get nervous. I know you will at first but after 20 miles you should feel comfortable. REMEMBER the bike reacts differently but not that much different 2 up. Enjoy and make sure your lady is comfortable so you can enjoy her company riding 2 up for many years to come.
Practice with someone if you have anyone that is experienced riding with a driver 2 up. If not start with your lady but DONT SPEED GO SLOW and build up. You will scare her if you dont start that way down a lonely country road with little traffic and she will never ride with you again. 2nd for you dont do fancy turns or anything like that. If you have to turn around and do anything slow turning have your feet off the pegs ready to push the bike up right if you need to while continueing to move forward. Pushing the bike up with you stopped and wheel turned is a beast. Get the feel of the bike going 2 up then work on your turns. All you got to do is practice. If your a good rider with 4K on you riding single practice like you did when you were learning to ride 1 up riding 2 up and you should be fine. RELAX and drive the bike dont get nervous. I know you will at first but after 20 miles you should feel comfortable. REMEMBER the bike reacts differently but not that much different 2 up. Enjoy and make sure your lady is comfortable so you can enjoy her company riding 2 up for many years to come.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
RE: Learning how to ride 2-up
Csbreeze pretty much covered it. Practice. Everything needs a little more patience and a little more room than riding single but it's not hard. Go on short rides and increase the distance until you're confident.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: Modoc County,California
RE: Learning how to ride 2-up
ORIGINAL: csbreeze
1st rememember to stop sooner because it is harder to stop. 2nd dont make sudden forward or breaking movements because you will bump heads. Those two were just a few things and others will give more I am sure.
Practice with someone if you have anyone that is experienced riding with a driver 2 up. If not start with your lady but DONT SPEED GO SLOW and build up. You will scare her if you dont start that way down a lonely country road with little traffic and she will never ride with you again. 2nd for you dont do fancy turns or anything like that. If you have to turn around and do anything slow turning have your feet off the pegs ready to push the bike up right if you need to while continueing to move forward. Pushing the bike up with you stopped and wheel turned is a beast. Get the feel of the bike going 2 up then work on your turns. All you got to do is practice. If your a good rider with 4K on you riding single practice like you did when you were learning to ride 1 up riding 2 up and you should be fine. RELAX and drive the bike dont get nervous. I know you will at first but after 20 miles you should feel comfortable. REMEMBER the bike reacts differently but not that much different 2 up. Enjoy and make sure your lady is comfortable so you can enjoy her company riding 2 up for many years to come.
1st rememember to stop sooner because it is harder to stop. 2nd dont make sudden forward or breaking movements because you will bump heads. Those two were just a few things and others will give more I am sure.
Practice with someone if you have anyone that is experienced riding with a driver 2 up. If not start with your lady but DONT SPEED GO SLOW and build up. You will scare her if you dont start that way down a lonely country road with little traffic and she will never ride with you again. 2nd for you dont do fancy turns or anything like that. If you have to turn around and do anything slow turning have your feet off the pegs ready to push the bike up right if you need to while continueing to move forward. Pushing the bike up with you stopped and wheel turned is a beast. Get the feel of the bike going 2 up then work on your turns. All you got to do is practice. If your a good rider with 4K on you riding single practice like you did when you were learning to ride 1 up riding 2 up and you should be fine. RELAX and drive the bike dont get nervous. I know you will at first but after 20 miles you should feel comfortable. REMEMBER the bike reacts differently but not that much different 2 up. Enjoy and make sure your lady is comfortable so you can enjoy her company riding 2 up for many years to come.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 597
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Learning how to ride 2-up
Longer stops. Slower starts. Remember to brand in their head to lean with you or don't lean at all. Take your time, ride back roads you know like the back of your hand. Practice them getting on and off and make sure they always do it the same side and ONLY when you tell them to get off.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 5
RE: Learning how to ride 2-up
All good advice....
+1 on the leaning...passenger will raise the center of gravity and sticking their leg out can make you do a laugh in...You may be to young to remember "Laugh In", but when slowing to stop, you lean a little, passenger sticks leg out, adding to the weight and down you go.
+1 on the leaning...passenger will raise the center of gravity and sticking their leg out can make you do a laugh in...You may be to young to remember "Laugh In", but when slowing to stop, you lean a little, passenger sticks leg out, adding to the weight and down you go.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Learning how to ride 2-up
ORIGINAL: zoopman
+1 also remember to make sure she leans with you in the turns and not the other way. In other words when say you are making a left turn--make sure she stays upright on the bike or perhaps look over your left shoulder--in effect leaning WITH you into the turn.
+1 also remember to make sure she leans with you in the turns and not the other way. In other words when say you are making a left turn--make sure she stays upright on the bike or perhaps look over your left shoulder--in effect leaning WITH you into the turn.
As said above your stopping distance will increase and you do need to plan ahead and make predictable movements for the benefit of your passenger.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Wilmette, IL
RE: Learning how to ride 2-up
One thing I try to ask them to do is to sit still as much as possible - especially when you're going slow. This can really throw your balance off.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
RE: Learning how to ride 2-up
A good passenger really helps.
Tell her/him:
1) Watch where you're going, so you can anticipate when to lean with the rider.
2) Sit still when stopped, and keep your feet on the pegs.
3) Watch out for the pipes when getting on/off.
Then tell yourself:
1) Watch where you're going and plan your moves/turns as much as possible. Avoid sudden/sharp movements.
2) Sit still when stopped (or you'll get your passenger squirming, too), and keep your feet on the ground.
3) Get on first, and get off last.
Kind of an addition to the warning about leaning too much: try to stop in a straight line as much as possible; don't try to come to a stop while turning. This is good practice when you're riding solo, and pretty much necessary when riding two-up. You'll fall right over if you don't.
Tell her/him:
1) Watch where you're going, so you can anticipate when to lean with the rider.
2) Sit still when stopped, and keep your feet on the pegs.
3) Watch out for the pipes when getting on/off.
Then tell yourself:
1) Watch where you're going and plan your moves/turns as much as possible. Avoid sudden/sharp movements.
2) Sit still when stopped (or you'll get your passenger squirming, too), and keep your feet on the ground.
3) Get on first, and get off last.
Kind of an addition to the warning about leaning too much: try to stop in a straight line as much as possible; don't try to come to a stop while turning. This is good practice when you're riding solo, and pretty much necessary when riding two-up. You'll fall right over if you don't.
