Two Up -Who knows ?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
My wife has ridden many thousands of miles 2 up with me. We only have 3 rules.
1. Don't get on or off until I you its ok.
2. Put the backrest in the middle of your back and keep it there. It doesn't matter what I am doing, or which direction the bike is leaning, keep the back rest in the middle of your back.
3. If for some reason you start to fall off, do not grab me. Go ahead and fall off, I'll come back and get you. (My wife sleeps on the back of the bike, so you can imagine).
A passenger will change the way the bike handles, especially at slow speeds. Remember that......paul
1. Don't get on or off until I you its ok.
2. Put the backrest in the middle of your back and keep it there. It doesn't matter what I am doing, or which direction the bike is leaning, keep the back rest in the middle of your back.
3. If for some reason you start to fall off, do not grab me. Go ahead and fall off, I'll come back and get you. (My wife sleeps on the back of the bike, so you can imagine).
A passenger will change the way the bike handles, especially at slow speeds. Remember that......paul
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
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!
We ride 2 up 90% of the time and have headsets to communicate. So, as long as your passenger isn't a total bitch, that's something to consider. It makes the ride a lot more enjoyable, IMO.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
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!
. They are both pretty good about it now. I just tell them to let me know if they need to adjust. I tell my wife to tap me on the shoulder in the direction she wants me to look as well. I let my passenger get on before me and off after me with bike on stand unless I am on a wierd incline. I hang on to the handle bars while they do it. It is easier for them to put their leg through the low part of the seat and sit back against the backrest rather than try and throw it over the backrest and my bags plus it keeps them from scuffing them with their shoes as well.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: Wildomar, CA
You may feel a difference in cornering in that the bike is heavier and won't snap over as quickly. Like I said before, if she thinks she going to help you turn by leaning over she's going to F you up big time! Let her know this before you take off 'cause chicks with facial scars and road rash are socially ostracized.
The most noticeable difference is going to be in slow speed maneuvering going around corners or in a parking lot. I have my wife jump off when we pull into a parking lot so I can put the bike where I want it without the extra weight, especially when backing into a spot or if it's on dirt or loose gravel. There is nothing worse than dropping your bike when everyone's watching you!
Last edited by ChiliPepperGarage; Mar 21, 2012 at 01:49 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
And it's better if the passenger doesn't even really lean at all. You want them just to look over whatever shoulder you'r turning into the curve. Keeps things nice and steady.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
What?? So, you don't have to lean your bike to make a turn?? This must be something I have missed in my 45 yrs on the road! Try making a turn without leaning, I'd like to see that! LOL
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
All good ideas. We use headsets also. Makes the ride so much more enjoyable. We were talking the other day about her falling asleep on the back. Is that really possible without falling off? Have an Ultra Classic so the backrest helps there.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
Interesting stuff. Universal too. Took the wife out for the first time on this bike and the second we stop, you guessed it: time so wiggle around and adjust her butt.
Anyway, she knows the rules now. Sit still like a sack of potatoes in turns and don't move when slowing, stopped or taking off.
Anyway, she knows the rules now. Sit still like a sack of potatoes in turns and don't move when slowing, stopped or taking off.