Two up riding things I learned today.

[CruisingRam]

Takes about 30 minutes to get used to the wieght on the bike, the wiggling of your passenger in corners, the long distance needed to brake compared to one up (feels like damn near double!)

If you don't ride 2 up often, take some time to get used to it and give yourself plenty of room and distance for emergencies- more than usual now!

[IntruderCruiser]

also have a discussion with the passenger before ever getting on the bike as to what you expect them to do -- and what they can expect them from you

[xmardoc]

What do you tell them you expect of them?

[CruisingRam]

My safety briefing is well rehearsed and every time, no matter experiance level

"please dont get on or off the bike until I give you the exact word to do so, don't assume I have said to get on or off the bike, if you don't clearly understand, please ask. Hold on to me, not the bike. This is no time to question your sexuality (if it is a guy) or no time to wonder if I want to have sex with you (if you are a girl)- holding on to me is more important than any feelings of embarrasment you may have, as you could die if you don't.

don't worry about leaning, if you hold on to me, my leaning will force you to lean correctly.

Tap me on the helmet if you wish to pull over, quickly, for any reason. Tap me on the shoulder if you see a road hazard you wish to warn me about, and then hold on.

Don't wiggle when I am going around the corner, wiggle all you want and stretch or whatever when we are going straight.

Above all, have fun and don't be stupid.

[IntruderCruiser]

I go over
1) how to get on and off the bike
2) how to lean
3) moving around if they become uncomfortable

and anything else I think they might need to know -- to be a good passenger

[inspiron]

Actually, I learned that the passenger shouldn't hold onto the rider, but should instead hold onto the bike, especially when braking. If I hit the brakes and the passenger is holding onto me, (s)he is going to push me forward into the tank - a painful thought. If the passenger is told to reach around me and brace themself against the tank, my best friend and his two buddies are going to make it home without any damage.

[D_Klein]

In addition to what was already mentioned, I usually make a point to tell them that they should be as attentive as a passenger as an operator would be. A sudden evasive maneuver or bump in the road can be dangerous if the passenger doesn't anticipate it.

[bat4255]

Along with what has already been said, crank up the rear preload. This will make the bike less squirrely at higher speeds.

Increase tire pressure as well.

Ride like it's raining.

[xmardoc]

OK, let's get a concensus..should the passenger hold onto the bike or the rider.

[IntruderCruiser]

doesn't bother me to have them hold on to me

[black_boxxx]

when we are just driving i say hold on to me, but when we are stopping i tell them to grab onto the bike, it saves a lot of uncomfortableness.

[Ext1jdh]

depends on how cute she is.

[bajaraider]

dont try to take corners like you would solo. Almost learned the hard way... Never thoguht about whether to hold the bike or rider. Also even as far as hard braking. If the rider/driver is quite a bit bigger than the passenger, then holding on to the rider wouldnt be a problem. but if they are the same size then I could see some problems there.

Great tips folks. Thanks

[mike-s]

I've taken my girl on the back of my old bike a number of times. She is an excellent pillion and aside from her gripping my thigh's with her knee's i'd barely know she was there.

She gripped onto my ventura rack (now on the new bike she'll have to grip onto the pillion bar, but its HUGE so no worry) and pretty much did what i asked her to "be a sack of potatos and move with the bike, dont move with me".

The only thing i do is if i think some evasive maneouvering is going to be needed shortly (lots of idiots on the road/dicy conditions/planning a kickdown& wind-on overtake, etc) i give her a quick swipe on the left knee to let her know and she braces so that any swerving/braking/accelerating doesnt make us knock lids or catch her off-guard.

She has told me she nearly fell asleep once, but her bum getting sore kind of woke her up from that. (One reason i upgraded the bike... she couldnt handle riding for over an hour at a time without going crazy)

[Nico]

I find upping the rear tire pressure makes a world of difference on my Virago. I usually run 33 psi in the rear, and bump it to 36psi for 2 up.

[IntruderCruiser]

actually, I run my bike on higher pre load setting for single riding also, so I don't need to bump it for 2 up.

and you really don't lose that much cornering speed when riding 2 up -- the acceleration is slower

[mike-s]

I find the same thing, higher preload for by myself so it's responsive, but its an appropriate setting for when im two up.

[viper94bite]

Originally Posted by xmardoc

OK, let's get a concensus..should the passenger hold onto the bike or the rider.

i stress that they hold on to me even when stopped. never know when you might have to suddenly get on the throttle to avoid being rearended. Might not be as critical if you have a backrest.

[Louis]

I've heard stories about passenger hanging on the bike. All hell broke loose and at one point the rider threw himself off the bike hoping his passenger would follow... hanging on to the bike, she didn't feel him jump and finished her course on the tree by the roadside...

Passenger should touch you always. What I suggest to my passengers is to have both arms around me, one hand touching me and the other on the tank to avoid crushing the boys as inspiron mentions above.

[dragbar]

always evaluate your passengers so you know what you'd prefer them to do based on your ride style. On a cruiser, someone 5' and $1 won't make much of a difference in feel of the bike. Someone 5'7 will way more obviously and normally makes more of a difference.

I like my passengers to lean with me especially since I tend to lean off the bike alot, if they aren't leaning with me, their weight works against me.

Know your own skills, your riders skills or lack there off and ride accordingly.