Two Up -Who knows ?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 44
From: Keizer, Oregon
I had one passenger early in my riding days fight me in a turn. The more I had to lean the bike, the more they fought it. This was heading us right into the curb corner. I had to throw out my left grip hard to miss the curb and then I immediately pulled over after making the turn to have a talk with them. They said I didn't need to get so close to the ground and I told them to walk the couple of blocks back to their house. Some people just don't have it in them to ride. I think most do but some are just too scared to let themselves enjoy the ride.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 40
From: New York
Thanks for the advice from everyone, I can see it's all real world wisdom.
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!
So learning ruined it 
I hope she stays safe on her own, you don't seem too sure.
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!
I hope she stays safe on her own, you don't seem too sure.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 40
From: New York
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
I ride 2-up with my wife all the time. The queen's throne is an awesome 2-up accessory, because it keeps her dead center and comfortable with no conscious effort required. I notice a 20lb bag of ice in the tourpak more than I notice her. It gets a little top heavy with all our gear and luggage, including a tourpak rack bag; which makes maneuvering in parking lots a bit interesting, but you get used to the weight pretty quick. My '09 FLHTC actually handles really good for a bike as big as it is.
I need to be sure and up the pressure in the rear suspension though, because it will bottom out if I don't and it really improves handling on rough roads.
My wife is an awesome passenger and knows to wait for me to be set (and we don't even have to say anything to eachother any more, because we have a routine for mounting and dismounting) before getting on or off. The only thing she does that I have to say anything to her about still is to: be still when we are at a stop. It is hard enough dealing with the off camber angles and sideways wind gusts without having to put up with her adjusting her bra or trying to fix her unfixable hair.
Other than that... 2-up riding is easy. One tip I would give is...
Our routine for mounting is that she always mounts from the left side and I lean the bike slightly to the right. It gives her a better angle to stand up on the floor board and it puts her near the center of gravity; so she is feather light to me. Dismounting is the reverse, but is much easier. She likes to use my arm as a handhold, which can be a problem if you are not ready for it, but I have learned and I always have a firm grip on the bars with my left hand and my body braced for her so that can swing on me like a monkey bar.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
I told my girl to put the back rest in the center of her back and keep it there, no matter what I do. With her weight blended into the bike's, I don't even hardly notice it. When someone starts trying to lean with me is when I get nervous. Their timing and level of commitment to the movement effects the stability more in my opinion. If they stay with the bike, it's never an issue.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
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.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 934
Likes: 10
From: Alberta
I always tell my passenger - if you are going to mover, or re-adjust yourself, you need to tap me on my right shoulder three times. When I nod you can move.
I agree with everyone else too; have them become part of the bike.
I agree with everyone else too; have them become part of the bike.