2 Up For The First Time
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
Also, and even though she is doesn't weight that much, you're stopping distances have increased so you need to slow down sooner and apply the brakes sooner. It's usually best if you can come to your final stop using your rear brake and then simply put your left foot down. If you're short like me then you end up having to use the front brake to come to your final stop since you have both your feet off the floor boards preparing to support the bike when it stops.
Last but not least, give her some creature comforts. I've put passenger grab rails http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...0&default=none and adjustable foot rests http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US . She is short and will appreciate having foot rests.
Also, remember she has put her life and safety in your hands and experience. While you may feel comfy at higher speeds, ask her often if she's okay. After awhile she'll trust you and you'll know what she likes and more importantly, what she doesn't like. It's fun to ride by yourself but it's great to share memories with someone that enjoy riding as much as you do.
Last edited by JJHOG; Jan 1, 2012 at 11:22 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
Last but not least, give her some creature comforts. I've put passenger grab rails http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...0&default=none and adjustable foot rests http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US . She is short and will appreciate having foot rests.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 381
Likes: 1
From: East Coast
Great suggestions here. I always tell a new passenger to look over my down/inside shoulder in a curve. That prevents them from trying to sit up straight (which will make the bike lean more to compensate). I've heard of riders taking a passenger for the first time and really hotdogging it, showing off. This is not a time to be scraping your boards. If you scare her, you might never get her back on. Slow starts, smooth acceleration, and gradual and smooth stops will make her ride enjoyable. Leave the foolishness for when you're alone. Ride extra defensively - there's a lot of nuts out there
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Leaning with you is the most important thing. My wife would lean with me so well, I could hardly tell she was there, at least as far as the bike handling was concerned.
I felt the weight mostly at starting, stopping and moving slowly.
I felt the weight mostly at starting, stopping and moving slowly.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
with your size and her lack of size,u got it easy,most of the time u won't even know she's there and won't notice much if she's leaning the wrong way(if she is its not a big deal as long as u know she does it) i use a mustang super tour and have no issues,as far as the rider backrest u should be ok with her small size,u can also move the tour pack back,stock is usually set forward,look underneath and u will see another groove for mounting the tour pack.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Marquette MI.
With your size difference she can do cartwheels on the back of the bike and you won't know it. Your very lucky. You won't have to worry about your backrest either. When the passenger is larger than the driver it will add some new challenges.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: N.E. Ohio
I always get on stand the bike up, then have her put her left foot on the passenger foot board and step thru. Always found this easier than trying to put the stand up after she was on. I'm 5'9" about 185 and the wife is also 5'3" and not much bigger than yours. I don't use the rider backrest so I can't comment on that but she says she has plenty of room with the tour-pak in the stock position, and has said she is happy with the foot rest placement. This has already been mentioned and can't be stressed enough that she needs to sit perfectly still when starting and stopping, that also means don't wave your arms around.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Just from a bit different view. I always get on first, leave the stand down and have her put her left foot on first and step over. I haven't yet forgotten raise the stand!!
I agree with the others that some shifting is no problem but if she needs to really shift a lot for whatever reason I always tell her to just tap my helmet., that way I know what's going on.
The first time I ever rode 2-up was with the daughter of my best friend. He had his wife on his scoot and had originally planned to ride 5 miles, drop of the wife and come back. I just volunteered and he didn't hesitate for a second. We actually ended going for about a 2 hour ride and it was no problem. She had been taught well how to be a good passenger.
1HarleyGuy1
I agree with the others that some shifting is no problem but if she needs to really shift a lot for whatever reason I always tell her to just tap my helmet., that way I know what's going on.
The first time I ever rode 2-up was with the daughter of my best friend. He had his wife on his scoot and had originally planned to ride 5 miles, drop of the wife and come back. I just volunteered and he didn't hesitate for a second. We actually ended going for about a 2 hour ride and it was no problem. She had been taught well how to be a good passenger.
1HarleyGuy1
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
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
If your petite wife can get on and off ok and sit back there without the backrest hitting her in the stomach, then leave it on. My wife is a little more "healthy" in some regards, so I remove the Mustang backrest to give her more room. I suppose I could get one of the tour pack relocation kits, but I don't ride two up enough to bother. BTW, get her the Mustang tour pak back rest. My other half says its much more comfy than the stock backrest, plus the arm rests are longer.