Two Up -Who knows ?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
That's what I was trying to say... Rides have smoothed out considerably after that.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
My wife have been riding 2 up for years. In fact, I rarely get out alone.
We'll do 300 mile day trips, or take off for 4-5 days on the bike.
Been to Northern NY into Canada, Nova Scotia, Northern PA into NY and up to Niagra Falls, all on the bike.
This year we're going down through Virginia and West VA.
We are so in sync, I don't even know she's back there sometimes.
I never have to remind her of anything.
She sits still, never puts her feet down, doesn't wiggle around when we're stopped at a light.
Above all, she always says "I'm getting on now, OK?" or "I'm getting off now, OK?"
Ha Ha.....He said "I'm getting off now".....................................
We'll do 300 mile day trips, or take off for 4-5 days on the bike.
Been to Northern NY into Canada, Nova Scotia, Northern PA into NY and up to Niagra Falls, all on the bike.
This year we're going down through Virginia and West VA.
We are so in sync, I don't even know she's back there sometimes.
I never have to remind her of anything.
She sits still, never puts her feet down, doesn't wiggle around when we're stopped at a light.
Above all, she always says "I'm getting on now, OK?" or "I'm getting off now, OK?"
Ha Ha.....He said "I'm getting off now".....................................
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Hilliard,Ohio
Had a bit of a learning curve with my wife. She's not the most petite woman so it makes it doubly difficult. She'd get on and off when SHE was ready and when we'd stop, she'd be leaning all over the place looking around, adjusting etc. First time she did it we were at a red light and i wanted to KILL her when we toppled over. Luckily no damage to anything but my pride. Second time we pulled into the garage and she decided she was getting off before I killed the engine. Over we went again but luckily the trash can broke her fall and again no damage. She's been good ever since.........
Now she tells me she's going to adjust, I TELL HER when to get on and off and tell her to not move unless she tells me she's going to. She's taking the Riders Edge course this spring so she'll quickly learn how much balance is involved.
Now she tells me she's going to adjust, I TELL HER when to get on and off and tell her to not move unless she tells me she's going to. She's taking the Riders Edge course this spring so she'll quickly learn how much balance is involved.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Find one with the biggest *******!
I tell new passenger riders two things:
Don't get on or off the bike before I tell you to. Nothing worse than having someone jump on the passenger footpeg before you are ready and the whole bike goes flopping on its side.
The second thing is just sit there. Don't try to lean into a turn or be helpful. Just sit there, look pretty and enjoy the ride. Oh, and a little reach around doesn't hurt either!
One last thing: if you want to point something out to me you have to tap me on the shoulder on the side you want to to look. Don't just point and say, "Hey, look at that" because I'll have no idea what you're looking at!
I tell new passenger riders two things:
Don't get on or off the bike before I tell you to. Nothing worse than having someone jump on the passenger footpeg before you are ready and the whole bike goes flopping on its side.
The second thing is just sit there. Don't try to lean into a turn or be helpful. Just sit there, look pretty and enjoy the ride. Oh, and a little reach around doesn't hurt either!
One last thing: if you want to point something out to me you have to tap me on the shoulder on the side you want to to look. Don't just point and say, "Hey, look at that" because I'll have no idea what you're looking at!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
What's all the talk about leaning? Possibly what everyone meens is to look in the same direction as the driver? If you have to "leen" over to make a turn, quite possibly you are going to fast, ESPECIALLY WITH A PASSENGER! In my experience it is always better to stay centerd over the bike, exactly like I tell any passenger. When riding normally, not all ***** out, as the bike leens I'll press the turn (countersteer), turn my head in the direction of the turn and let the bike do all the work while staying centered over the bike.
I try not to emphasize the negatives (don't do this or don't do that) in as much as give the passenger some responsibility for their actions.
Never get on until bike is started and I give an OK.
Never get off until I give an OK.
Always hang on - bailing is not an option.
Turn your head the same direction as me.
Enjoy the ride.
Properly executed, 2 up is a lot of fun.
I try not to emphasize the negatives (don't do this or don't do that) in as much as give the passenger some responsibility for their actions.
Never get on until bike is started and I give an OK.
Never get off until I give an OK.
Always hang on - bailing is not an option.
Turn your head the same direction as me.
Enjoy the ride.
Properly executed, 2 up is a lot of fun.
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ
All good advice. The other thing I tell passengers is to make sure to watch out for the exhaust as the get on and off. I just took an old friend for her first ride, and forgot how much difference there is with someone new. She loved it, but held on for dear life and squirmed around like crazy taking in all the sights. Asked her politely to chill out a bit as we come to a stop.
My wife been riding with me so long, I'd forget she's back there. Seldom holds on to me, never fidgets around - until she started learning to ride. Now she's leaning all over the place, and more anxious than ever before now that's she's learning what it takes to ride the bike. We've had to go back to basics regarding being a good passenger! I've come to really prefer us each being on our own ride - even though it is thrilling/terrifying to watch her ride her own!
My wife been riding with me so long, I'd forget she's back there. Seldom holds on to me, never fidgets around - until she started learning to ride. Now she's leaning all over the place, and more anxious than ever before now that's she's learning what it takes to ride the bike. We've had to go back to basics regarding being a good passenger! I've come to really prefer us each being on our own ride - even though it is thrilling/terrifying to watch her ride her own!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 686
Likes: 1
From: KC MO
All good advice. The other thing I tell passengers is to make sure to watch out for the exhaust as the get on and off. I just took an old friend for her first ride, and forgot how much difference there is with someone new. She loved it, but held on for dear life and squirmed around like crazy taking in all the sights. Asked her politely to chill out a bit as we come to a stop.
My wife been riding with me so long, I'd forget she's back there. Seldom holds on to me, never fidgets around - until she started learning to ride. Now she's leaning all over the place, and more anxious than ever before now that's she's learning what it takes to ride the bike. We've had to go back to basics regarding being a good passenger! I've come to really prefer us each being on our own ride - even though it is thrilling/terrifying to watch her ride her own!
My wife been riding with me so long, I'd forget she's back there. Seldom holds on to me, never fidgets around - until she started learning to ride. Now she's leaning all over the place, and more anxious than ever before now that's she's learning what it takes to ride the bike. We've had to go back to basics regarding being a good passenger! I've come to really prefer us each being on our own ride - even though it is thrilling/terrifying to watch her ride her own!
A very good tip, I have been riding up for about 15 years with my wife/girlfriend. I always remind her to get on the bike on the side without the pipe..
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: "Arlen", Tx
I'll tell her when it's ok to mount and dismount. She taps me to let me know she's ready to go after mounting. If I come to a stop dont move around unless I put both feet down.
Her job is to smile and wave at all other bikes and children.
Her job is to smile and wave at all other bikes and children.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
If the passenger hasn't been on a bike before they will be a little tense especially in corners or at slow speeds when the bike feels a little unstable. It's a good thing as long as they don't try to put their feet down or bail off.
My wife rides her own, hates the idea of carrying a passenger. When she is on the back of my bike she looks moves all over. Dances to the music, reaches down to get things out of the guard bags, turns around taking pictures, rubs her t*ts in my back and of course the reach around. Doesn't bother me a bit.
The don't get on or off without me knowing about it is the only instruction needed.
My wife rides her own, hates the idea of carrying a passenger. When she is on the back of my bike she looks moves all over. Dances to the music, reaches down to get things out of the guard bags, turns around taking pictures, rubs her t*ts in my back and of course the reach around. Doesn't bother me a bit.
The don't get on or off without me knowing about it is the only instruction needed.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 26
From: Florida
Lots of good advice. Honestly I think it all comes pretty natural to most people. At least with my wife and daughter who are both the same size, it seemed natural. I think both of them thought they needed to hold on to me for all of five minutes on their very first ride and then immediately realized that they could just sit back and enjoy the ride.
I feel them far less at high speeds.
They don't need to lean or do anything when turning. What did one post say? "Tell her to keep the backrest in the center of her back at all times. Let their weight blend in with the rest of the bike." This is perfect advice. I mean, my fully loaded tour pack doesn't lean when I go through turns. Why is my passenger any different? True, they weigh more. But that is probably more of a reason for them to sit still.
Honestly the biggest risk to me with a passenger which has already been mentioned time and again is when they mount or dismount. You need to be ready for them to throw their weight onto the bike. My daughter was the worst about this. She'd just throw herself on not realizing that she could have knocked us both over because I was not ready for her. My wife, being more naturally cautious didn't do ANYTHING unless she asked me first. This was very helpful for me because sometimes I may overlook something I needed to tell her before we started riding.
I feel them far less at high speeds.
They don't need to lean or do anything when turning. What did one post say? "Tell her to keep the backrest in the center of her back at all times. Let their weight blend in with the rest of the bike." This is perfect advice. I mean, my fully loaded tour pack doesn't lean when I go through turns. Why is my passenger any different? True, they weigh more. But that is probably more of a reason for them to sit still.
Honestly the biggest risk to me with a passenger which has already been mentioned time and again is when they mount or dismount. You need to be ready for them to throw their weight onto the bike. My daughter was the worst about this. She'd just throw herself on not realizing that she could have knocked us both over because I was not ready for her. My wife, being more naturally cautious didn't do ANYTHING unless she asked me first. This was very helpful for me because sometimes I may overlook something I needed to tell her before we started riding.