2 Up and Anxious
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Tallahassee, Florida
2 Up and Anxious
I've had my '09 Ultra since late February and been getting my moto-legs back. Having dropped the bike once already due to a stupid mistake using the front brake at low speed, one has to be anxious about putting the loved one on for the first time. I had my 185 lb. son come over yesterday for a 2-up ride and no problems. Took the wife out this morning and we had a nice ride, even though some air-head cager turned out in font of us leaving her church parking lot. Gave me a chance to try out my new 128 db airhorns. :0) Got her attention.
Nothing concerns me more than the potential for injury to my life partner, whether it be because of me or someone else. So having said that, I'd like to hear from you 2-up folks with some lessons learned. One lesson I did learn today is, she thought I signaled for her to get off and I was still looking for neutral. No big deal, just wasn't ready.
Please share your stories for the rest of us who are 2-Up and Anxious.
Ride Safe
Nothing concerns me more than the potential for injury to my life partner, whether it be because of me or someone else. So having said that, I'd like to hear from you 2-up folks with some lessons learned. One lesson I did learn today is, she thought I signaled for her to get off and I was still looking for neutral. No big deal, just wasn't ready.
Please share your stories for the rest of us who are 2-Up and Anxious.
Ride Safe
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 765
Likes: 49
From: New Jersey
My wife and I are always talking while riding. I'll always tell her my intentions before I do something whether its telling her to hold before pulling into traffic or bracing herself for a bump. I have to be prepared first before she can get on with her only being barely 5' tall, she has come close to pulling me off the bike while she's trying to get on.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 5
Communication is really important from the getting on/off timing to not wiggling around when you are in the curves or coming to a stop. My wife is a very good passenger, she always waits for a verbal "ok" from me for mounting and dismounting, other than that my biggest problem is having her fall asleep on me without my knowing....with the Ultra its not as big of a deal, but when we were on my Dyna I scared her a couple times swerving around a pothole causing her to kind of jump as she woke up. The single biggest thing is to be more of a defensive driver and more alert.....then enjoy.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 6
From: 50 Miles North N.Y.C.
I rode once with my first wife. That was back in 1971. I had a 1970 Bridgestone 350. Thats all I could afford back then. Anyways we get on the New England Thruway (I95) in Throgsneck section of the Bronx NY. My jacket is zipped at the belt line bad move#1 The wind catches it like a drag chute. But worst then that she gets scared of the Tractor Traiers one one my right side one in the rear. She startes to squirm her whole body from right to rear to left turning her head. Im trying to get to the left as the next exit is a left off exit. The Bike is Real hard to control as the wife moving around scrreaming O my GOD over and over The wind making my jacket like a para sail. Got off I95 safe never took her for a ride again she never asked. She was good on side streets and from light to light was part of the bike but that one time on a interstate forgetaboutit. Allways zipped up the jacket after that.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: U.S.S.A.
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.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
My wife wouldn't ride with me for years and years due to the risk of both of us getting in the accident and kids not having anyone for them. With the kids gone, and off on their own, we enjoy riding together every day we can. It's great! Be careful of course, but take her into account on distances, types of rides, etc. We've done a ton of day trips with Picnics and it's super! She really understands after all these years what I love about riding. It's twice as good with her along. Enjoy, and just ride safe.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 611
Likes: 1
From: Creektown aka Lower Alabama, but not that low
Search for the thread "Need Some Advice on 2-UP riding." I don't know how to link a thread, but we all gave some good advice there.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 33
From: TEXAS
Yeah, I worry more about my wife than I do about myself. She was deathly afraid of motorcyles forever and has finally, ( the last 6 or 7 years ) decided to ride and she does love it. We communicate orally when it is time to get on or off the bike, she asks if I am ready for her to move, that way I know she is ready, and then I confirm that I am ready. I had to get her to understand that going slow on a bike is actually more difficult than going fast, so the slower you go the more still she has to be. She is so relaxed now that on long runs she can take cat naps. It just takes time.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Southern IL
My wife always checks with me verbally before mount and dismount. Only other trouble I've ever had is shes falls asleep and her helmet smacks me in the back of the head when her head bobs forward. Only on long trips though--not a big deal. She wakes up as soon as our helmets collide.
Of course she only weighs 120lbs--much different for some of my buddies with wives 50 pounds heavier.
Of course she only weighs 120lbs--much different for some of my buddies with wives 50 pounds heavier.
