I'm an old HD rider but new to 2-up riding. My new wife loves to ride so we always ride together. My (stupid?) question is what is the best way to have the passenger get on the bike? If it is upright and in gear, it is easier to take off, but less stable when she gets on. If it is on the kickstand, the bike might be more stable, but it is harder to raise it and put in gear while you're trying to balance. I am going from a softail to an Ultra Limited, so there is 150 pounds more weight to deal with.

 

What I do on my 09 Electra Glide Standard is I'm on the bike with it in gear and upright. My girlfriend is not to get on until I tell her I am ready. The bike is stabilized with my legs and like is said is in gear. Once I am ready, my g-friend get's on as smooth and steady as possible. I just brace of any unexpected shift in weight. My bike is about 130 pounds heavier than the past, so yes, it does take some getting used to. You will get it, and enjoy having her with you. Ride safe

 

We do the same except: everything is unspoken. Wife knows when I am ready (from experance) Mounts and we pull out always slowly.

 

I do the same, except I put it in neutral.

 

Wife knows when iam ready usually and also the key is in being ready and also the wife or girlfriend knowing not to pull you to the left as she climbs on but to get on smooth and evenly with out pulling on you or the bike.

Also i leave the bike in neutral that way if something were to happen and i need to take my hand off that clutch lever the bike doesn't also lug forward.

But it has alot to do with the passanger getting on if they can get on in a nice fluid like move it goes easy if they pull on you or the bike it just puts more weight to the left of the bike and you have to be ready for it.

 

I ride 2 up 99% of the time and we like it that way.....

 

2 up riding, I let the pillion get on when bike is vertical and neutral.

 

As long as both my feet are on the ground and I'm aware she's about to get on, no problem.

 

thats what i do .she always ask ,are you ready .then she pops on smooth and quick

 

I like the Roy Rogers get back bout 20ft and run and jump on from the Rear........




J/K... It really depends on her Agility and weight, (ooops, I mean size)...which U provided neither...

WE ride 2 up 95% of the time, so we have a system...

I get on the bike and warm it up a while if the motor is cold, or if it is already warm I just get on, I am first either way.....
Then I upright the bike, get my balance and good footing, good grip on bars and squeeze the front brakes, then she steps on the left rear floorboard and swings her right leg over and sits down in her pillion seat.....My wife is very Agile and only weighs 112#'s, so she does it easy...

She also waits till I say OK, or she will ask me if I am ready BEFORE she gets on... if I am not ready, she waits till I am..
Then, if the motor was warm I start it and idle a few secs and the put in gear and go.
If Its at the start of a ride the motor is already warmed for a couple minutes and I just put it in gear and go as soon as she says OK after sitting down and settling in.....