I've had my Ultra about 4 months now and am real confortable on it now. I preacticed a lot with the ride like a pro DVD, did a lof of short hops on it and have taken a couple of 300+ mile trips on the weekend. My wife hasn't been very interested in riding until this weekend because a rally is going on about an hour from us. Now she has the fever.
My gut feeling ,and from all I've read and listened to on this forum is her first ride shouldn't be a 100 mile trip to the mountains, and coming back at night. but we should start small in a parking lot , then around the neighbor hood, then start working on trips. Being a retired Army First Sergeant, I tend to think way too logical sometimes, but that thinking kept my soldiers safe in very dangerous situations before.
Feel free to express your opinions.

 

Take her for a 4o mile ride with one stop, she should know how she likes it, most love it so much, they always want to go. I just got back from a tribute ride for a fallen biker, and it was way over 100 miles Not one complaint from any of the women.

 

Taka an AMA 2-UP Safety Course. Those hours are worth their weight in gold.

 

i also suggest that you get settled on the bike then on your command have her climb onboard. also she should stay seated until you have planted feet are ready for a weight shift then have her stand up on the floorboards and dismount. most try to touch the ground from a seated position and cant so they pull you to one side. another tip is to mount bike from same side so you get used to the weight transfer.
start with an easy ride 25 to 50 miles no heavy twisties maybe out to lunch and back. remember first experience will set the tone for her riding future

 

Take a short hop first, like the others said, out to lunch and back. Get used to the slow turns w/a passenger they are the hardest to get comfortable with...
Buzz

 

I would definately take her to lunch or dinner some place. It is fun to ride together, and it will be at a different "pace" than you riding solo. I love to ride solo, but riding with my honey is the best. We go everywhere and have a blast. We rode to the beach 75 miles or so and took off the jeans/boots and had our suits on underneath. We got the best parking spot and I had a few brews, slept, then ride home.

Let her know how to get on, off and ride. Be nice, it will pay off when you both arrive home in one piece you handsome biker stud.

 

Nice Scoot!

 

a side note. passenger should sit uprite and not lean with the driver as most think. have her just enjoy the ride and as she gets comfy the lean will come

 

I think you're on the mark Gunner. 100 miles to the mountains and return home at night is not what I would do for my first 2 up ride. When the wife rides with me, I use the RLAP techniques more than riding solo. Torquing up the rear wheel will add amazing stability when hauling a passenger around. Once at a fuel stop, it was like an obstacle course getting away from the pumps, crossing the parking lot and getting into the street. I couldn't have done it without using the friction zone and dragging the rear brake. I started with a short 50 mile trip and worked up to a 270 mile day with my wife.
-Bill-

 

We just got back a couple hours ago from our first extended getaway...took our time, our destination was just over 200 miles, total trip was 580 miles. We've been 2 up riding for a couple years, but only on the Ultra since early spring. No matter how long you've ridden, it is definately different with the passenger (especially one that weights more than 100 lbs., which probably is the majority of us over 40) and loaded with enough essentials for 3 days. The slow turns, starts and stops are all different that what you're used to solo, don't feel bad or get embarresed if a few of the slow manuvers are less than perfect, as we all run into a lot of different unexpected situations that are impossible to practice for and must react quickly. The wives understand (at least mine does) that fully loaded, it's a handful and is always quick to help and willing to be that extra set of eyes. We had a great ride/trip and were able to re-visit a location we used to spend a lot of summer vacations with our children when they were young. The attached photo was one of the locations...the "payoff"