2 Up and Anxious
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 3
From: Southeastern Michigan
With my Wife and I it seems like every time we ride some doofus seems to get our attention.
One of our more notable: A couple years ago while riding through the West Virgina Mts. on a wide, sweeping E-way, behind a Semi, doing about 65, on a downhill, I decide to pass. We changed lanes and got to the trailers tires when POW - one of them blew
- sending 10 foot long shredded chunks of rubber everywhere! My wife - completely freaked out by the noise grabbed a hold of me - tight - not knowing what it was, as I was watching those chunks flying in my rear view mirrors. Luckily she didn't see what just happened.
She never upset my riding capabilities, but I know that if I had waited another 2 seconds to pass we would have been toast!
Needless to say I was pretty rattled too.
Just one of many......
One of our more notable: A couple years ago while riding through the West Virgina Mts. on a wide, sweeping E-way, behind a Semi, doing about 65, on a downhill, I decide to pass. We changed lanes and got to the trailers tires when POW - one of them blew
- sending 10 foot long shredded chunks of rubber everywhere! My wife - completely freaked out by the noise grabbed a hold of me - tight - not knowing what it was, as I was watching those chunks flying in my rear view mirrors. Luckily she didn't see what just happened. She never upset my riding capabilities, but I know that if I had waited another 2 seconds to pass we would have been toast!
Needless to say I was pretty rattled too.
Just one of many......
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: New York
Wife and I ride many miles together like many others here. Couple things she's learned along the way:
1. Always ask if it's "ok" to get on or off
2. Anticipate the road ahead with me, helps her be in a position to react when I do, have a sense for when I'm gonna shift, brake , etc. (cager, debris, animal, helmet smack, etc)
3. Always pee before we leave
4. Pack lite (she can fit a weeks gear in one saddlebag & half a tour pack)
5. Always keep some change and the EZPAss in her outer leather so it's easy to access when needed
6. EZPass works at tolls, not border crossings (this one still has me laughing)
7. Rather do 400 miles in a day than 800
8. Waterproof mascara (got off after a heavy rain onetime...image still gives me nightmares)
9. Better to be warm, than look cool
10. They're many ways you can make your man happy on the road
Ride at her pace and take it ez when 2up, remember it's the journey.
1. Always ask if it's "ok" to get on or off
2. Anticipate the road ahead with me, helps her be in a position to react when I do, have a sense for when I'm gonna shift, brake , etc. (cager, debris, animal, helmet smack, etc)
3. Always pee before we leave
4. Pack lite (she can fit a weeks gear in one saddlebag & half a tour pack)
5. Always keep some change and the EZPAss in her outer leather so it's easy to access when needed
6. EZPass works at tolls, not border crossings (this one still has me laughing)
7. Rather do 400 miles in a day than 800
8. Waterproof mascara (got off after a heavy rain onetime...image still gives me nightmares)
9. Better to be warm, than look cool
10. They're many ways you can make your man happy on the road
Ride at her pace and take it ez when 2up, remember it's the journey.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: South Bend Indiana
2009 FLHRC Black
My lady was injured in a motorcycle wreck 20 years ago and swore she would never ride again. I have worked hard to gain her confidence and make the ride most pleasant. Things I have learned
ATGATT
1 Take it easy.... if She dos'nt like speed and hot moves.
2 Let her have an entire saddle bag for her stuff...
3 Stop ....They need to pee and powder alot.
4 No Booze or dope ...not even a beer
5 Tell her on every ride.... If somthing is bothering you please tell Me...
6 Ask " How are you doing " often
My lady was injured in a motorcycle wreck 20 years ago and swore she would never ride again. I have worked hard to gain her confidence and make the ride most pleasant. Things I have learned
ATGATT
1 Take it easy.... if She dos'nt like speed and hot moves.
2 Let her have an entire saddle bag for her stuff...
3 Stop ....They need to pee and powder alot.
4 No Booze or dope ...not even a beer
5 Tell her on every ride.... If somthing is bothering you please tell Me...
6 Ask " How are you doing " often
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: NB, Canada
I think there's another post around here about stupid 2-up antics to avoid. From the start of your message, I thought you were going in a different direction. For me, I get a little nervous have both my wife and me on the bike in case of a crash. Two parents with dependents, two breadwinners, etc. I don't worry about me getting killed, hell -- life gets harder as I get older anyhow, but the thought of both of us going gives me pause sometimes.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 929
Likes: 1
From: Blue Springs, MO
+1 then I make sure her boots do not hit anything. She will wait for me to tell her to mount up also. I always told her just be my shadow on all turns and that has worked out great for the last 3 years. She loves the turns and switch backs. Communication is always best for both of you. Ride safe
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Illinois mid-weatern side
Just saw a friends 08 ultra hit the rocks. He was parked and his wife decided to get on the bike before he did. She got on and scooted around a little and down went the bike. Some people get away with it and some don't. I always get on first then when secure I let the wife know it is OK to mount. We communicate about every move. She puts her hand on my shoulder when we stop or when I make a maneuver to let me know that she is paying attention. When she needs to adjust her seating position she tells me then puts her hand on my shoulder and I tell her OK. You can not talk enough about what you are doing or going to do. After a while you will be able to anticipate what is happening but after years of riding together the wife still puts her hand on my shoulder to let me know she is paying attention.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA area
My wife rode with me for a couple of years. When I first got back into riding I made sure I had a few thousand miles under my belt before I would let her on. I do miss her riding behind me as it was nice to chat with her and be able to squeeze her leg when the urge hit to do so. There was always that what if worry though in not wanting to orphan both kids in an accident. After riding with me for a couple of years she decided it was boring and she took the safety class and got her own bike. She is now on her second and I don't think she will be back riding behind me anytime soon.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,761
Likes: 22,963
From: North Carolina
Congrats on te new bike and believe me I felt the same as you when we got our bike last June.
My wife really understands bikes and likes to ride which is the most important thing. I feel that even if they don't care to ride by themselves that they should take the Riders Edge class to better understand what is going on and how to be a plus and not a negative.
Teach your wife what you want her to do to both mount and dismount the bike. You should have a system and do it the same way every time.
She needs like you to be watching where you are going and looking through curves. She is also an extra set of eyes that can help keep you out of trouble.
The best thing is for her not to panic in a panic situation because you have enough to deal with trying to save your hide and keep a bike up or simply get out of the way. You do not need her making tings worse.
If she is not interested in the course at least get the "motormans" videos for her to watch.
Then like you the more you ride the easier it is for both and you will feel more comfortable with her on the bike. We ca never get ride of the fear and I would hate to have an accident that hurts her but she accepts it the same as I do and we enjoy it together.
We just got back home around 6PM yesterday from a 1300 mile round trip ride to Florida and we make a pretty good team.
Enjoy
My wife really understands bikes and likes to ride which is the most important thing. I feel that even if they don't care to ride by themselves that they should take the Riders Edge class to better understand what is going on and how to be a plus and not a negative.
Teach your wife what you want her to do to both mount and dismount the bike. You should have a system and do it the same way every time.
She needs like you to be watching where you are going and looking through curves. She is also an extra set of eyes that can help keep you out of trouble.
The best thing is for her not to panic in a panic situation because you have enough to deal with trying to save your hide and keep a bike up or simply get out of the way. You do not need her making tings worse.
If she is not interested in the course at least get the "motormans" videos for her to watch.
Then like you the more you ride the easier it is for both and you will feel more comfortable with her on the bike. We ca never get ride of the fear and I would hate to have an accident that hurts her but she accepts it the same as I do and we enjoy it together.
We just got back home around 6PM yesterday from a 1300 mile round trip ride to Florida and we make a pretty good team.
Enjoy
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
As said, communicate everything beforehand if at all possible. Her getting on and off the bike is one of the trickier things at first but once you've got it right then it's easy. Give her the OK before she starts on or off, brace the bike with both feet and have the brake lever squeezed as she does it.
In turns, lane changes, etc do everything more deliberately and smoothly. Make sure she's aware not to squirm around during turns, curves, stops, etc. Let her know whenever you can of your intentions to turn, etc helps too.
In general do everything smoothly and be extra-defensive in your riding style. Just go ahead and assume other drivers will do exactly the worst and stupidest thing you can imagine and be ready for it, that way when it happens you're not even surprised.
In turns, lane changes, etc do everything more deliberately and smoothly. Make sure she's aware not to squirm around during turns, curves, stops, etc. Let her know whenever you can of your intentions to turn, etc helps too.
In general do everything smoothly and be extra-defensive in your riding style. Just go ahead and assume other drivers will do exactly the worst and stupidest thing you can imagine and be ready for it, that way when it happens you're not even surprised.
Last edited by Arizona; May 4, 2009 at 12:10 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Tallahassee, Florida
EZLIFE & bob46371 : I like your views. Practical and common sense. You are right. It's the journey, not how fast you get there. Peeing is way up there on the priority list. :0)
Last edited by ssw; May 4, 2009 at 07:06 PM.