Riding 2-up for the first time...
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
Lots of good advice here. The only thing I would add is that you will most likely get into trouble on low speed turns. I always make sure the bike is out of the parking space and pointed in the right direction before she gets on. She gets off the bike before I back it up. I'm also very careful at gas stations because there can be fuel/oil spills, and sometimes the islands are built up a bit, which can be tricky at low speeds.
We have a rule, she never get's on or off until I tell her I'm ready. And I aways wait until she pats me on the shoulder to let me know she's ready before I take off.
We have a rule, she never get's on or off until I tell her I'm ready. And I aways wait until she pats me on the shoulder to let me know she's ready before I take off.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
I've found that when dealing with a new passenger it helps to explain the leaning part like this...as they don't always understand what I mean
:
They should respond to curves/leaning like a sack of potatoes sitting on the back of the bike! A sack of potatoes neither fights the riders lean nor helps it...it just goes with the flow.
If the passenger fights your lean you end up needing more lean to make the curve....or you don't make it at all.
If the passenger "HELPS" you in the curves you can end up with too much lean and unable to control it...then you go down.
If the passenger acts like a sack of potatoes then you are in full control of the curve and lean angle and can respond with appropriate inputs. All is good.
Someone told me this a ways back when I was having trouble explaining it to a passenger on a ride and I've used that ever since. Somehow they get it then.
:They should respond to curves/leaning like a sack of potatoes sitting on the back of the bike! A sack of potatoes neither fights the riders lean nor helps it...it just goes with the flow.
If the passenger fights your lean you end up needing more lean to make the curve....or you don't make it at all.
If the passenger "HELPS" you in the curves you can end up with too much lean and unable to control it...then you go down.
If the passenger acts like a sack of potatoes then you are in full control of the curve and lean angle and can respond with appropriate inputs. All is good.
Someone told me this a ways back when I was having trouble explaining it to a passenger on a ride and I've used that ever since. Somehow they get it then.
A new passenger should also be told that they are to become a part of the backrest. NO LEANING! Under any circumstance! Leaning in will tighten your turn, & leaning out will mean you CAN'T turn. The person on the back can actually control the bike. If the person on the back leans hard enough the rider CAN NOT turn in the opposite direction. If you don't believe me, try it............
Harder to do is convince the rider that if you should seem to be going down the only thing they should do is swing their low-side leg out from the knee down. On the low side the bike will slide off their leg & leave them separate from the bike. More useful at low speed than at high speed. My wife & I have proved this a couple of times in the last 30+ years............<shrug>
We also have a rule that the passenger can turn/look/lean/point/etc. above 40 mph. Below 40 she stays put! Above 40 the gyro effect of the wheels allows some motion. Below 40 the passenger movement becomes steering effect. Helpful or not, you don't need to be surprised by it.
The most valuable part of your life will be sittin' behind you! Keep that in mind with everything you do while riding!
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,954
Likes: 148
From: Augusta, GA
You are going to need more than 50 miles to get comfortable with the handling. Just wait till you are confident handling the bike in slow manuevers before you get her on the back. Don't won't to scare her by dumping it. JMO
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Two things I added that were a great help while riding 2up were an intercom and passenger grab handles. The grab handles made my wife feel more secure and helped her to know how to lean with the bike. I also taught her to keep her eyes level with the horizon while leaning so that the sensation was not so much like we were falling over. The intercom solved a couple of issues. My wife wasn't nearly as bored, and since she could easily communicate with me she was more inclined to stay properly seated rather than leaning forward and to one side or the other to talk to me.
One problem that I haven't fully solved yet is that my wife seems to get more active in the passenger seat at the exact wrong times. Usually when we are slowing for a stop or during parking lot maneuvers. This most often occurs when we are riding with a group. I will sometimes ask my passenger to dismount in a convenient place if I know I have to maneuver into a tight or awkward space. I don't think most passengers realize just how much they affect the handling of your bike, especially during slow speeds.
But regardless of the problems, I enjoy riding that much more when my wife rides with me.
One problem that I haven't fully solved yet is that my wife seems to get more active in the passenger seat at the exact wrong times. Usually when we are slowing for a stop or during parking lot maneuvers. This most often occurs when we are riding with a group. I will sometimes ask my passenger to dismount in a convenient place if I know I have to maneuver into a tight or awkward space. I don't think most passengers realize just how much they affect the handling of your bike, especially during slow speeds.
But regardless of the problems, I enjoy riding that much more when my wife rides with me.
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