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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
Loading Passenger
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.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Coastal Georgia
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 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,639
Likes: 2
From: Scottsboro
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.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 0
From: East Northport, NY
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
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 6
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
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.
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.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 10,499
Likes: 0
From: San Diego/Tj mexico
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.
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.....
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 2
From: Back in Oz M8
2 up riding, I let the pillion get on when bike is vertical and neutral.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 1
From: CA
As long as both my feet are on the ground and I'm aware she's about to get on, no problem.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
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.....
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.....
Last edited by oct1949; Nov 17, 2009 at 11:43 AM.