First Time 2 Up!!!!!

[stp1971]

Alright,,, Saturday was the day!!!!!

I found my first rider to experiment on. Luckily for me she had rode in the past and she said she had experience. I was leary of it to start with,, and it was a little,,,well actually alot,, unnerving pulling out of the driveway for the first time with someone sitting behind me that weighted more than my six year old nephew that I ride around in the backyard with.

I was fortunate enough that a couple of times when I braked a little too hard she was understanding and when I apologized she said no problem and don't worry.

She initially told me she was a little worried to ride with me because of not only my bad accident record (Not my fault,, just bad luck) but the fact I have never rode anyone on the street (just dirtbike in the dirt).

But we ended up riding for about an hour and a half. Went out on the open backroads without alot of sharp curves to start with and after I got the feel of it went into town fro some low speed traffic.

I think it went pretty well,, she said she wasn't scared at all and actually I was a very good and safe driver.

I would like to thank the following:
1. this forum for the advice
2. proficient motorcycling
3. my friends who talked to me
4. finally Suzuki for building the 1500LC I bought,,, if it wasn't for the fact that bike is so good to ride, comfortable (kept her from squirming too much), and the endless amount of power to keep me from upshifting and downshifting,, then I think I would have had to work a lot harder.

The only drawback to my bike was it is already a heavy bike,, with the added 145 pounds on the tail,, it makes stopping a little harder,, but mainly the balancing is not for the weak of knees.

So any other suggestions anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

[Gixxerdale]

Congrats! Bum knees aren't the problem with balancing. She just needs to sit still at a stop. Let her squirm and move around in the straights. Just have her signal you first so you are ready for the weight shifting around.

I'm to the point of walking with a cane, so my wife sits still at the stops, not bad at all.

[bat4255]

Good job.
Having a passinger with experience, is the best way to learn. A passinger that doesn't know what to do, combined with a rider that has never carried a passinger, is asking for a problem. Now you know what to expect from a passinger. When you carry a passinger that doesn't know, you must tell them how to behave on the back. And of course, the general rule, "ride like it's raining" , (slow acceleration and braking). 95% of my riding is 2-up and my wife is an excellent passinger, leans with me, and stays still. She has about 15,000 miles tallied up as opposed to my 30 miles as a passinger.

[stp1971]

Yeah she was a good first for me,,,, she leaned with the bike (didn't try to lean away from the lean),, she kept her tail planted still the whole time,, didn't over squeeze me,, the only time I felt any movement was in the straights. I will recommend to her that if she has to reposition herself to let me know ahead of time.

I guess I did ride like it was raining,, I went slower in the turns,, braked alot sooner prior to the curves as well. Acceleration was slower and smoother. Braking is something I need to practice with,, a couple times she bumped my helmet with hers when we were braking.

As far as re-adjusting the suspension,,, I couldn't find any adjustment for it,,, does the 1500LC have a suspension adjustment? I did lower the bike but overall it dtill seemed to ride level.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by stp1971

Yeah she was a good first for me,,,, she leaned with the bike (didn't try to lean away from the lean),, she kept her tail planted still the whole time,, didn't over squeeze me,, the only time I felt any movement was in the straights. I will recommend to her that if she has to reposition herself to let me know ahead of time.

Good job and congrats.

My wife has never ridden anything before, not even a Schwinn, so she is a terrible passenger. I've gone over all the basics with her, but to no good end. She would always do her shifting around right as I set my line for a corner and roll on the throttle. It made for some interesting turns.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by stp1971

As far as re-adjusting the suspension,,, I couldn't find any adjustment for it,,, does the 1500LC have a suspension adjustment? I did lower the bike but overall it dtill seemed to ride level.

I'm not familiar with your bike, but on the M50's and C50's, you can reach the shock by removing the left side body panel where the tool kit is, then removing the box that houses the tool kit itself, and the shock is right there for you to adjust with the spanner wrench provided in your tool kit.

I don't know if that helps you out. I hope it does. Also, don't forget M.O.M. either!

[Bluejeans]

Congrats! I ride with my son on back. He's 14 and weighs 150 lbs so it's not like riding a kid really, but he's a very good passenger.

He knows the rules and keeps his butt planted at all times. He asks before moving and never makes adjustments without warning. My only complaint with him is he talks constantly. It's like having "talk radio" going on behind me all the time.

He sits still enough that I can really almost forget he's back there (if he'd shut up for a second) and it is a great family activity for us.

[tlwisner]

The best passenger advice I have gotten is to tell your passenger to look over your shoulder in the direction you are turning. This pretty well makes them lean with you and the bike. Another instruction for passengers is to always keep their feet up on the pegs/floorboards and to only mount/dismount when you tell them to do so.

[stp1971]

Cool,,, I will keep all this in mind and in the brain cells,,, I may have to eventually train a new rider one of these days when the model I have starts falling apart,, will have to trade up. (Ok ladies,,, just kidding.) May have to train my nephews how to ride,, they are bugging the crap out of me about wanting to "ride the motor-cicle",, yeah that's how they say it,, more like motor-sickel.