Riding with a passenger - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Dwayne Hicks · 01-16-2004, 05:35 AM

Hi,

My mother is coming over from the UK for my wedding, and I am borrowing a helmet for her to wear so I can take her to the mall etc. Is there anything I need to know about riding with a passenger i.e. handling of the bike, what the passenger should and should not to, communication etc? Will only be going for 15 minute rides at a time or so - nothing long distance.

Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Dwayne

**Louis** · 01-16-2004, 07:33 AM

You sure 6 HP is enough????

Seriously, in my class, our instructors allowed to to try a few lapse with a passenger. Man, that's totally different. Be careful man. First question to ask is "have you ever been on a bike before?". If no, explain he physics a bit, especially when approaching curves.

I'm not a big guy (140lbs 5'8"), my passenger was about 180lbs. It was tough when it "jumped" on the bike.

bat4255 · 01-16-2004, 08:17 AM

Practice with an experienced rider First !!!!!
If you haven't given a ride yet, do it with someone who knows what might happen and, maybe they can help you.

**Clint** · 01-16-2004, 05:40 PM

If you have the opportunity, do practice with an experienced rider, as mentioned above. Here are my suggestions:

1. The passenger should not attempt to balance the bike by leaning. They should look over your shoulder to the inside of a turn. Explain to her that leaning up in a turn requires you to lean the bike further, putting traction at risk.

2. Ask that they move slowly, and not stand hard on one peg or the other while in motion. If possible, have her hold a sturdy spot behind her with one hand to prevent helmet collisions when braking.

3. Suggest some hand or 'tap' signals ahead of time for "hey, look at that" or "stop that you fool!"

4. Don't make the situation too grim with a long lecture. Mention these few points, then ask that she relax and enjoy herself.

What you should expect:

1. Your suspension will squat more. Make sure you have the sag set appropriately for you alone, and consider cranking the spring up a notch or two for 2-up.

2. The extra weight stabilizes the bike. This means that most actions occur more slowly, including turning, accelerating, and braking. Be prepared for this by riding conservatively.

3. If you EVER want her to ride with you again, don't wheelie!

01-16-2004, 08:27 PM

I don't think we have to worry about Dwayne doing any wheelies.

**Uncle Bob** · 01-18-2004, 05:38 PM

Dwayne, shell out the bucks and rent a car for a couple of days. Not the best time to be llearning how to ride with a passenger especially if the passenge is nervous.

Jonathan · 01-19-2004, 10:41 AM

I agree with Uncle Bob. The first time I had a passenger with me, she caused me to tip on corner turns and "jump" at the little things, because she was scared. It was the a bad experience for me.

Once I had about a year under my belt, I felt easier with passengers.

Dwayne Hicks · 02-09-2004, 09:51 AM

Thanks very much for the tips guys

It was actually a great success. I told her where to sit, where to hold on, and what to do when going round corners. I never went over the speed limit (60 km/h in suburbs & 70 on main roads) and she was actually enjoying it by the last time we rode together..

Regards
Dwayne

**Uncle Bob** · 02-10-2004, 12:01 AM

You do realize you've now been between your mother in laws legs.

Bad Visual !

jabroni · 02-10-2004, 01:40 AM

i thought it was his mother?

Dwayne Hicks · 02-10-2004, 03:35 AM

Thanks very much Uncle Bob! That is going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

And Jabroni, yes, it was my mother...

Regards
Dwayne

**Uncle Bob** · 02-10-2004, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwayne Hicks

Thanks very much Uncle Bob! That is going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

And Jabroni, yes, it was my mother...

Regards
Dwayne

God that's even sicker than my first thought !.

**Clint** · 02-10-2004, 06:32 PM

Of course, he was born that way.

**Uncle Bob** · 02-10-2004, 07:26 PM

But it's a one way street, you don't go back, you just don't!

01-16-2004, 05:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dwayne Hicks Sprocket Pilot Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: 2003 Honda CGL 125 Location: South Africa Posts: 857	Riding with a passenger Hi, My mother is coming over from the UK for my wedding, and I am borrowing a helmet for her to wear so I can take her to the mall etc. Is there anything I need to know about riding with a passenger i.e. handling of the bike, what the passenger should and should not to, communication etc? Will only be going for 15 minute rides at a time or so - nothing long distance. Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated. Regards Dwayne __________________ I live in my own little world. But it's OK. They know me here. Its 106 miles to Chicago. We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, its dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hey, psycho, we're not getting back together. Now get out of my Van Halen t-shirt before you jinx the band and they break up.

01-16-2004, 07:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,657	You sure 6 HP is enough???? Seriously, in my class, our instructors allowed to to try a few lapse with a passenger. Man, that's totally different. Be careful man. First question to ask is "have you ever been on a bike before?". If no, explain he physics a bit, especially when approaching curves. I'm not a big guy (140lbs 5'8"), my passenger was about 180lbs. It was tough when it "jumped" on the bike. __________________ Louis

01-16-2004, 08:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
bat4255 Squirrel Target Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: Burgman 650 K3- 29,100 miles as of 10-20-08 Location: Dodge Co. Wisconsin Posts: 663	passanger Practice with an experienced rider First !!!!! If you haven't given a ride yet, do it with someone who knows what might happen and, maybe they can help you.

01-18-2004, 05:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Joined: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 107	Dwayne, shell out the bucks and rent a car for a couple of days. Not the best time to be llearning how to ride with a passenger especially if the passenge is nervous. __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

01-19-2004, 10:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jonathan U.B's LoveChild Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: Rescued and being repaired Location: Altamonte Springs, Florida Posts: 1,223	I agree with Uncle Bob. The first time I had a passenger with me, she caused me to tip on corner turns and "jump" at the little things, because she was scared. It was the a bad experience for me. Once I had about a year under my belt, I felt easier with passengers. __________________ Noticing small changes early, helps you adapt to the bigger changes that are to come. - Anonymous

01-16-2004, 08:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
pa.storm Guest Posts: n/a	I don't think we have to worry about Dwayne doing any wheelies.

02-09-2004, 09:51 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dwayne Hicks Sprocket Pilot Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: 2003 Honda CGL 125 Location: South Africa Posts: 857	Thanks very much for the tips guys It was actually a great success. I told her where to sit, where to hold on, and what to do when going round corners. I never went over the speed limit (60 km/h in suburbs & 70 on main roads) and she was actually enjoying it by the last time we rode together.. Regards Dwayne __________________ I live in my own little world. But it's OK. They know me here. Its 106 miles to Chicago. We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, its dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hey, psycho, we're not getting back together. Now get out of my Van Halen t-shirt before you jinx the band and they break up.

02-10-2004, 12:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Joined: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 107	You do realize you've now been between your mother in laws legs. Bad Visual ! __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

02-10-2004, 01:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
jabroni In Training Joined: Sep 2003 Location: East Lansing Posts: 148	i thought it was his mother?

02-10-2004, 03:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
Dwayne Hicks Sprocket Pilot Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: 2003 Honda CGL 125 Location: South Africa Posts: 857	Thanks very much Uncle Bob! That is going to haunt me for the rest of my life. And Jabroni, yes, it was my mother... Regards Dwayne __________________ I live in my own little world. But it's OK. They know me here. Its 106 miles to Chicago. We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, its dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hey, psycho, we're not getting back together. Now get out of my Van Halen t-shirt before you jinx the band and they break up.

02-10-2004, 07:26 PM	#14 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Joined: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 107	But it's a one way street, you don't go back, you just don't! __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

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