Her 1st ride ever, I have one chance
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,363
Likes: 24,227
From: NC, USA
Any sudden accelerations from a stop or passing a vehicle usually freaks out someone who's already phobic about riding. The sissy bar helps but I'd suggest she hang on to you but that's probably already a given. Times like this quiet pipes are best the noise of loud pipes can freak them out until they get use to it.
Good luck, let us know how it went.
Good luck, let us know how it went.
I hate to rain on your parade but im going to be honest. If you are trying to make her want to ride.. DO NOT !!!!!! take her for a 90 minute ride on that stock pillion. I am speaking from experience. My wife loves our new seat but the old one, well, its junk! I went with corbin but actually went to their factory with her to shape and test ride until she was happy. Then covered it. All was good after that. There are other seats available too. Good luck
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 9
From: washington
when i take someone for the 1st i tell them
1) keep feet on the pegs
2) when you lean against the sissy bar, trust it
3) keep the sissy bar planted in the same spot in the back, "you dont have to press it into your back, just keep it in the same spot"
4) when we turn dont lean stay with the angle of the bike, keep sissy bar in the same spot
5)if they have to move, make it small, tiny moves
6) if they have to move their butt tap me on the shoulders with both hands and i will nod my head then they can move carefully
i also have communications between helmets and that helps letting them know what we are going to do
1) keep feet on the pegs
2) when you lean against the sissy bar, trust it
3) keep the sissy bar planted in the same spot in the back, "you dont have to press it into your back, just keep it in the same spot"
4) when we turn dont lean stay with the angle of the bike, keep sissy bar in the same spot
5)if they have to move, make it small, tiny moves
6) if they have to move their butt tap me on the shoulders with both hands and i will nod my head then they can move carefully
i also have communications between helmets and that helps letting them know what we are going to do
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
Riding 2 up is a learning experience for the both of you!
Probably the most important question would be whether or not you have even ridden 2 up. Assuming that you have, I'd keep her first ride short and slow, in and about you neighborhood, lots of stop and go. If you don't have 2 up experience, take it to a lot and practice with her. Let her tell you when she is ready to try out some higher speeds.
My wife's first ride lasted only 5 minutes, around the neighborhood. Her second ride lasted about 15 minutes including a couple of minutes at highway speeds. After that we started riding to destinations, each time further out. She is now a seasoned back seat veteran, complete with her own throne!
Probably the most important question would be whether or not you have even ridden 2 up. Assuming that you have, I'd keep her first ride short and slow, in and about you neighborhood, lots of stop and go. If you don't have 2 up experience, take it to a lot and practice with her. Let her tell you when she is ready to try out some higher speeds.
My wife's first ride lasted only 5 minutes, around the neighborhood. Her second ride lasted about 15 minutes including a couple of minutes at highway speeds. After that we started riding to destinations, each time further out. She is now a seasoned back seat veteran, complete with her own throne!
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 17
From: Ontario Canada
Keep your speed down. Remember leaning will scare a new person on a bike for the first time so slow down and no fast tight corners.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
Best advice I can give is to stop for coffee about 20 minutes into the ride. Take the time to stop and enjoy a cup and ask her how it's going. Spend the time to really communicate. She'll forget about anything with the bike if she's connected to you. But, most importantly, make sure the place you stop at has nice, clean bathrooms. It is crazy how quickly women have to pee sitting on a giant Milwaukee vibrator!!! Your ride will be cake after that stop guaranteed!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Great advise given so far. I really like the shopping suggestion. Takes her mind to a place she is familiar with. LOL
One other very important thing. Ask her to sit absolutely still and not move when coming to a stop. Moving around is fine when underway, and once stopped. But that last split second before you come to a complete stop will give you fits if she moves at all anticipating the stop.
My wife used to do that no matter how much I preached about it. It usually threw the bike off balance to the right so I'd have to take my foot off the rear brake pedal and put it down and then stop the bike with just the front brake. We about tipped over several times until she finally got the message. Holding up your bike won't be as bad as trying to keep a 800# touring bike upright, but it can still be a hand full with a passenger on it also.
Most important thing is to make it fun for her. If she doesn't have fun, she won't want to do it again any time soon.
One other very important thing. Ask her to sit absolutely still and not move when coming to a stop. Moving around is fine when underway, and once stopped. But that last split second before you come to a complete stop will give you fits if she moves at all anticipating the stop.
My wife used to do that no matter how much I preached about it. It usually threw the bike off balance to the right so I'd have to take my foot off the rear brake pedal and put it down and then stop the bike with just the front brake. We about tipped over several times until she finally got the message. Holding up your bike won't be as bad as trying to keep a 800# touring bike upright, but it can still be a hand full with a passenger on it also.
Most important thing is to make it fun for her. If she doesn't have fun, she won't want to do it again any time soon.