My wife is ready to start riding with me, and I plan some practice with her getting on and off the bike and some short rides in the neighbohood streets and an empty parking lot. Any advice from you guys that do two up all the time would be appreciated
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Gunner22
08 Ultra

 

Make sure you know *when* she get's up on the backseat or when she gets off. When my wife rides along she always waits with getting on or off until I say it is ok. I want to have both feet on the ground and the front brake blocked first.
It is very easy to be thrown off balance when she gets on or off without telling you!&nbsp\\;
Good luck and have fun!
Dries

 

tell her to be quiet

 

DONT DO IT!!!! You will NEVER get a chance to ride ALONE again!!!!!!!!!
I also set bike up...Not running...Kick stand down....Front brake on....Wife gets on my Left side after i tell her OK.....AFTER SHE QUITS SQURMING AROUND in the seat....I start it...Put up kick stand...put in gear....Tell her she is the love of my live......TURN UP RADIO.....And drop her off at the closest MALL so i can get in some serious rideingGood Luck.Ride Safe..R.W.

 

Always be completely ready to ride before she gets on.&nbsp\\; Fumbling around with the radio, your gloves, etc, is a pain when you need to watch for someone else.&nbsp\\; I've seen two guys lay their bikes down when they were trying to back out of a spot with a girl on the back. She might also feel better with boots, jeans that fit, a jacket, and a full face helmet.&nbsp\\;

 

Just remenber that with the extra weight sitting higher WILL make the bike handle way different. Slow parking lot turns can be a new learning experience.

 

My better half (her description) prefers to get on from right side. I get all ready to ride with bike straight up (running or not) and then turn my head and nod to her to get on. Once she is comfy she tells me "ready" and off we go.
You have the right idea to make some practice runs especially in the empty parking lot, Interstate or traffic is not a good place to "practice".
Best way she can help you is to sit tight on the scoot and go with the flow and not try and drive the bike for you or over lean in turns. As silly as it sounds get her used to being one with the bike and then you just have to compensate for the added weight and not the extra movement (which she will do and you will have to adjust to).
Oh and get you a small piece of rubber&nbsp\\;cushion&nbsp\\;material and glue it to the back of your helmet cause once she gets all comfy with the ride then one day you will tap the brakes and feel her helmet tap the back of yours, thats how you know she is nodding back there

 

&nbsp\\;My wife gets on 1st and off last. Be careful when stopping as the added weight propels the bike a few extra feet so clamp down a bit more on the front brake just as your feet touch the ground. Keep the handlebars straight cause if you let it lean you have a bit more weight to hold up.

 

We tried her getting on first with the stand down, she didnt like it, she likes to get on with me already on bike in an upright position. Getting on and off is one thing, but manuvering in a parking lot is some of the trickiest and hardest areas to manuver. Keep the bike moving until your front end is strait and dont make any sudden stops. You might want to cruise a non-busy neiborhood first and make some stops and get the feel because the handleing is different. I try to make the least amount of sharp turns and stay away from inclines esspecially sideways until she is more comfortable. Enjoy yourself ,be safe!!

 

I did my first ride with my wife the other day.&nbsp\\; Make sure she pays attention to your starts and staps. Lot of helmet taps for first 1/2 hour. Make sure she doesn't suddenly turn and move to look at something that she passed on the road.&nbsp\\; Too much shifting.&nbsp\\; Good news was she loved riding on "her new kitchen".&nbsp\\; Enjoy and only do what feels safe and comfortable. Practice, practice, practice...