Riding Two Up.....
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Centerville, Ohio
I do trips about half the time with my gal and I only have a couple rules for her (she has many more for me 
). 1) if I'm running 60 MPH, she can do about whatever she wants back there but if I'm running 6 MPH, I want her to stay still and 2) check with me before she gets on or off.......other than that, I never know she is back there, which is a compliment to her in my view of the world .
As far as packing, I agree with the Kury Tour Pack (fits on the luggage rack) bag. I give it to her and tell her to put whatever she wants in it. I carry my stuff in the left saddlebag, rain gear etc. in the right bag and leathers & helmets & misc. in the tour pak. Take bungies for whatever ya need to tie on. I always carry a small tool pack with me and it goes in the tour pak. I've been traveling for 2-3 weeks at a time for a lot of years and find I take pretty much the same amount of stuff for 3 days or 3 weeks and I usually still find that I didn't need it all so ask yourselves if ya really gonna use it before ya pack it. Main thing, just enjoy the ride and remember if ya forget something or find ya really just gotta have something, I'll bet ya can buy it on the road. Safe journey!
). 1) if I'm running 60 MPH, she can do about whatever she wants back there but if I'm running 6 MPH, I want her to stay still and 2) check with me before she gets on or off.......other than that, I never know she is back there, which is a compliment to her in my view of the world .As far as packing, I agree with the Kury Tour Pack (fits on the luggage rack) bag. I give it to her and tell her to put whatever she wants in it. I carry my stuff in the left saddlebag, rain gear etc. in the right bag and leathers & helmets & misc. in the tour pak. Take bungies for whatever ya need to tie on. I always carry a small tool pack with me and it goes in the tour pak. I've been traveling for 2-3 weeks at a time for a lot of years and find I take pretty much the same amount of stuff for 3 days or 3 weeks and I usually still find that I didn't need it all so ask yourselves if ya really gonna use it before ya pack it. Main thing, just enjoy the ride and remember if ya forget something or find ya really just gotta have something, I'll bet ya can buy it on the road
. Safe journey!
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
Make sure you spend some time with her on the back before you attempt a long trip. T-Bag makes good bags for just about anything. Plan on having a day you wash cloths or bring old stuff throw it away and buy new along the way. If you don't want to do that there is the UPS store to send dirty cloths home.
Pack raingear where you can get at it. There is a ton of info on this forum to help you.
Find out what her limit is and don't go to far past it. An unhappy passanger makes for a unhappy trip.
I have traveled thousands of miles with my wife and would not trade it for anything. You will have someone to share the experiances of the road good or bad. How do you explain a view or a road that was fun to ride?
Have fun
Moe
Pack raingear where you can get at it. There is a ton of info on this forum to help you.
Find out what her limit is and don't go to far past it. An unhappy passanger makes for a unhappy trip.
I have traveled thousands of miles with my wife and would not trade it for anything. You will have someone to share the experiances of the road good or bad. How do you explain a view or a road that was fun to ride?
Have fun
Moe
Wife and I have ridden for years...I'm allowed to take an extra pair of jeans and a couple of t-shirts along with all the essentials and she gets the rest of the space...truth is we've gotten pretty good at not taking much and quite enjoy it. We pride ourselves on still having space left by the time we get home after a couple of weeks on the road.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Yorkshire,England
Due to an earlier "mishap" I let my wife hop on the back from the left side and with the kickstand down,just in case.
She also knows that if she headbutts the back of my crash-helmet with hers she's walkin' home. That way she pays more attention to the road/traffic etc. and not the store windows.
I did'nt use to let her ride on the back but it was so sad watching her run behind for the first mile or so.
Love her really.
RIDE SAFE.
She also knows that if she headbutts the back of my crash-helmet with hers she's walkin' home. That way she pays more attention to the road/traffic etc. and not the store windows.
I did'nt use to let her ride on the back but it was so sad watching her run behind for the first mile or so.
Love her really.
RIDE SAFE.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Due to an earlier "mishap" I let my wife hop on the back from the left side and with the kickstand down,just in case.
She also knows that if she headbutts the back of my crash-helmet with hers she's walkin' home. That way she pays more attention to the road/traffic etc. and not the store windows.
I did'nt use to let her ride on the back but it was so sad watching her run behind for the first mile or so.
Love her really.
RIDE SAFE.
She also knows that if she headbutts the back of my crash-helmet with hers she's walkin' home. That way she pays more attention to the road/traffic etc. and not the store windows.
I did'nt use to let her ride on the back but it was so sad watching her run behind for the first mile or so.
Love her really.
RIDE SAFE.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Yorkshire,England
BTW,sadly Ian Towler,Aire Valley HOG founder member passed away 30th Dec.
Funeral yesterday,about 40 of us escorted him on the last ride.
Dave Terry,Aire Valley R/C.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Peoria
Due to an earlier "mishap" I let my wife hop on the back from the left side and with the kickstand down,just in case.
She also knows that if she headbutts the back of my crash-helmet with hers she's walkin' home. That way she pays more attention to the road/traffic etc. and not the store windows.
I did'nt use to let her ride on the back but it was so sad watching her run behind for the first mile or so.
Love her really.
RIDE SAFE.
She also knows that if she headbutts the back of my crash-helmet with hers she's walkin' home. That way she pays more attention to the road/traffic etc. and not the store windows.
I did'nt use to let her ride on the back but it was so sad watching her run behind for the first mile or so.
Love her really.
RIDE SAFE.
Keep the shinny side up!
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 10
From: Shreveport,La
Truer words were never spoken.
1. You'll learn about packing. Put everything on bed you both NEED & start from there. you'll learn quick what you can do without.
2. As someone stated, heavy items in saddlebags so weight is low.
3. The recommendation of Kuryakyn bag is good.
4. Make sure she ALWAYS informs you of when she is going to shift her weight or position. Nothing like doing 70 MPH and all of the sudden she decides to move around some.
5. Pack items you might need quickly(i.e. warm gear, rain suits, etc.) where you can get to it QUICK.
1. You'll learn about packing. Put everything on bed you both NEED & start from there. you'll learn quick what you can do without.
2. As someone stated, heavy items in saddlebags so weight is low.
3. The recommendation of Kuryakyn bag is good.
4. Make sure she ALWAYS informs you of when she is going to shift her weight or position. Nothing like doing 70 MPH and all of the sudden she decides to move around some.
5. Pack items you might need quickly(i.e. warm gear, rain suits, etc.) where you can get to it QUICK.
On number one above, after you put everything on the bed you think you need.......divide it in half and put that back up. Don't forget you will probably buy tee shirts while on the road.......HD shirts or tourist town shirts so figure you will need at least a couple less shirts packed when leaving.
You might mention to your co-rider to keep her eyes level with the road while leaning into curves also. This will reduce that feeling of falling over that new riders get in curves.
Always remember........momma ain't happy..........nobody's happy!! So always give her some room for input on what you plan, where to eat, where to stay, what you want to do, things like that. Now I am not saying let her make the decisions here, just let her have a say in it. This has worked for me and mine for the last 15 years of touring.
Last edited by Watchfuliz; Jan 13, 2009 at 02:13 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 929
Likes: 1
From: Blue Springs, MO
When my wife started riding with me 2 1/2 years ago I told her "your my shadow" that is it and she does. I get on the bike first then she gets on, and when we dismount I get off then she does the reason for this is I can keep my eye on her feet so that nothing get scratched.
Now as for packing like they said it will take a few time to figure it out but I made sure that she was happy but only needed enough for the trip. I rolled everthing tight then packed it. Now I use a trailer no more thinking just put it in and go. Good luck and ride safe.
Now as for packing like they said it will take a few time to figure it out but I made sure that she was happy but only needed enough for the trip. I rolled everthing tight then packed it. Now I use a trailer no more thinking just put it in and go. Good luck and ride safe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 5
From: Wisconsin
One tip I have for packing. Start out with some old shirts neither of you care about. Turn them into rags for cleaning the bike and throw them away.
Your new shirts from Rally's or tourist stops will give you fresh shirts on the way back home.
Your new shirts from Rally's or tourist stops will give you fresh shirts on the way back home.