I very, very rarely carry a passenger nowadays, its something that I do not mind doing, it more that my wife hates being on the back, so its something that I hd fogotten about...

Last night I took a friend to the (not so) local bike night, and suddenly remember much of the stuff that I take for granted....

1) Before you take anyone on the back, make sure that they are dressed for the occasion. This is Leathers, Boots, Helmet, Gloves, sturdy Jeans at minimum.

2) Give them a pep talk. there are a few things that they need to know..

2.1 Never put your feet down, even at a stop.
2.2 Never attempt to get off, unless I am aware that you want off, especially never try to get off when we are moving.
2.3 Look THROUGH the corners.
2.4 Never fight the lean, but do not over-lean too. Keep yourself upright in relation to the bike.
2.5 NEVER fidget or move about in corners
2.6 Don't panic

I then arrange a seating position, my wife like to place one hand on the tank, and one behind her to brace against the acceleration and braking.

My friend from last night prefered the arms wrapped tight around me - both work well.

Work out an "I'm scared" signal - wife headbuts me, my friend thumps my chest images/icons/smile.gif

Then there comes the actual ride.

First off the extra weight screws up the performance, my rule of thumb is to take it 2-3K higher in every gear to compensate, and generally be in one gear lower than normal around town.

Braking distances are extended, and cornering ability is impaired, so generally you are going to be rider slower, leaving bigger gaps, and having a more slugish machine.

Next on the list is your attitude....

Traffic filtering (if you live in CA) is fun, but scares the shit out of passengers even if you have told them that it is legal, filtering on the I5 at 140mph will get you a slap images/icons/smile.gif

Remember that most people are used to car acceleration, so keep it down initially at least, because they will simply not be prepared for it.

Again Braking on a bike is vicious compared to a car, so they will not be ready for it.

Gear changes are a difficult thing when you have a passenger, clutchless will be smoother, assuming you are good at it already. Otherwise you need slower more labourious ones to cushion your passenger a little.

Finally, when you get to your destination, ask them what they liked, and did not like, and learn from the feedback.

Good luck

great write-up on a topic often overlooked! graemlins/thumbup.gif

hmm...do you let the passenger get on the bike first, or do you get on first?

Originally posted by genetix:
hmm...do you let the passenger get on the bike first, or do you get on first?<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">If you can figure a way of getting the passenger on first, I want to see the video images/icons/wink.gif

That was a very good write...i learned some stuff (i guess thats all that really matters) But cause i aint that experienced i dont want anyone riding with me for a long time.

nice write up graemlins/thumbup.gif
everyone ride safe graemlins/cheers.gif

Awesome write-up... I think this should be a sticky! graemlins/thumbup.gif Mods?

One other thing that I have noticed that works for me with a passenger on is to use the rear brakes first to slow the bike down some then finish braking with the front. This will lessen the inertia the passenger feels and not throw them forward onto you.
When I first rode a passenger and having her body weight push against me from behind almost made me lose my balance.

take a minute to show your passenger how to put one or two arms around you and where to place them on the heel of the tank for braking.do this a few times before you move.even a 125 pound person pushing there weight on your back when braking hard seriously impairs your ability to manage the controls i.e. handle bar input.years ago i had a gal who let her hand slip off the grab bar during hard braking (to avoid a stray dog)and the immediate increase of weight supported by my arms seriously hampered my ability to swerve.she had her license at the time and also was a experienced driver. just a momentary lapse not even a rookie mistake. take all the time necessary to make your passenger feel comfortable and make sure they understand what YOU expect

Originally posted by fRaGgLe:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by genetix:
hmm...do you let the passenger get on the bike first, or do you get on first?<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">If you can figure a way of getting the passenger on first, I want to see the video images/icons/wink.gif </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">If they are a fairly small light passenger they can get on first with the kickstand down. Not exactly great for the stand but if they are fairly light it shouldn't be an issue.

Originally posted by fRaGgLe:
Gear changes are a difficult thing when you have a passenger, clutchless will be smoother, assuming you are good at it already. <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">now, i will sometimes not use the clutch on a car, and I've wondered about bikes, and I'm interested in trying it...is there anything special to think about?

Is it similar to shifting in a car?

I use the clutch very little, its even easier on a bike (I rarely use it in the cage too).

when you are almost ready to change, apply pressure, back off a tiny amount, welcome to the next gear images/icons/wink.gif

Going down the box is pretty easy too - blip the throttle a little AFTER applying pressure, and you are suddenly in the right gear again images/icons/wink.gif

With a passenger its all the more important to be smooth, and IMHO its easier to be smoothe clutchless (up the box) than by using it.....

Going down the box with a passenger is a different matter - at least for me, I tend to use more engine breaking with a passenger, so clutch control becomes more important....

fRaGgLe said:






My friend from last night prefered the arms wrapped tight around me





http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/nono.gif I hope is a female friend (J/K)

Hey bro my wife dont like to ride. I kinda wish she would ride with me on some short trips in the area.

2001 Blue/White gixxer 1000 no mod yet http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif

yeah my girl friend gets scared as hell riding on the back but its kind of good cause i dont really like riding with a passenger anyway. ive only been riding for like 4 months and have logged about 2.5 k miles but im a pretty decent rider by myself and can handle my 99 600 pretty well. but when i ge the girl on the back (about 120 lbs 5'9") my bike feels like shit. its hard to turn and come to a stop without a little bit of wobble. maybe just cause im new it feels that way. oh and i let my cousin ride on the back one time (160lbs) and my little 600 felt like a XR50. it was so damn slow i couldn't believe it. i think ill need a 750 to carry passengers.


im bored and just thought id share.

Remember a couple more things:
[list]
DO NOT give rides until you can ride youself. Just because you can ride around the block does not qualify you to give rides.
Always when giving a ride to anyone (male or female) their arms need to be around you. I have seen people fall off holding on the that "grab rail" under normal accelleration, if having another guys arms around you makes you feel gay you don't need to be giving him a ride. that "grab rail" acts as a fulcrum (pivot point) and their body will rotate right around it.
Adjust your suspension for the added weight of the passenger. It should be set up for you so riding passengers means adjusting the rear shock and forks.
On Sport bikes like ours have your passenger wrap their arms around you and place one hand palm down on the tank and grasp the wrist of that hand with the other. this allows them to put pressure on the tank under braking instead of your back and also keeps the dings out of the back of your 600.00 helmet.
Have them look over you inside shoulder when going through turns. It helps with the proper lean.
Have fun! Keep the Stunts for Solo riding. Nothing is worse than picking sombody off the ground cause they where trying to impress some girl with how well they can wheelie at 70+mph and they have to go to the ER cause they did not have the right gear on and are now covreed in road rash.
Bones

good post~!!!!!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif

Excellent Post!!!! Good deal!!! This should make my wife feel alot safer about riding with me. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/squid.gif

i just dont give rides...dont care how cute a chick is, or how much a friend begs.. i figure if i crash im doin it alone!

I hate riding 2 up. Before I didn't mind and I don't do it anymore. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/nono.gif

Another big thing is to remind your passenger to take off any rings, wathces, braclets etc... they scratch the hell out of the tank!

Great thread. I am with you, i would just assume have that seat empty and keep the seat off of mine. My wife only wants to ride sometimes because we always eat good while riding. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif

fRaGgLe said:

I use the clutch very little, its even easier on a bike (I rarely use it in the cage too).

when you are almost ready to change, apply pressure, back off a tiny amount, welcome to the next gear

Going down the box is pretty easy too - blip the throttle a little AFTER applying pressure, and you are suddenly in the right gear again




Fraggle,

I have a couple of questions (sorry for the stupidity everyone, but just trying to get a grasp).

1) You referenced using the clutch very little in "the cage". What is "the cage"?

2) For the rest of your information, you are saying that when we're ready to change [gears], that we apply pressure and then back off a bit (upshifting), now are you talking about the clutch (applying the pressure and backing off) or the actual shifter to change the gears? If it's the shifter, won't it grind going into the next gear under a certain amount of a load? I mean, I know to shut the throttle down when shifting, but still there is torque on the gears, correct?

I mean, on MX bikes I've speed shifted and gone clutchless but I'm wondering if it's different on a street bike. Seems to me there is a lot more torque upshifting on a street bike, ya know? I'd just be afraid of grinding the gears and/or hitting the next gear and the bike taking off like a rocket cuz I didn't think it would shift gears.

Just figured I'd ask. Only way I'll learn is to ask, right? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

MX_Demon said:


fRaGgLe said:

I use the clutch very little, its even easier on a bike (I rarely use it in the cage too).

when you are almost ready to change, apply pressure, back off a tiny amount, welcome to the next gear

Going down the box is pretty easy too - blip the throttle a little AFTER applying pressure, and you are suddenly in the right gear again




Fraggle,

I have a couple of questions (sorry for the stupidity everyone, but just trying to get a grasp).

1) You referenced using the clutch very little in "the cage". What is "the cage"?

2) For the rest of your information, you are saying that when we're ready to change [gears], that we apply pressure and then back off a bit (upshifting), now are you talking about the clutch (applying the pressure and backing off) or the actual shifter to change the gears? If it's the shifter, won't it grind going into the next gear under a certain amount of a load? I mean, I know to shut the throttle down when shifting, but still there is torque on the gears, correct?

I mean, on MX bikes I've speed shifted and gone clutchless but I'm wondering if it's different on a street bike. Seems to me there is a lot more torque upshifting on a street bike, ya know? I'd just be afraid of grinding the gears and/or hitting the next gear and the bike taking off like a rocket cuz I didn't think it would shift gears.

Just figured I'd ask. Only way I'll learn is to ask, right? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif



heh heh

1) The Cage is my car - an ancient BMW, I rarely use the clutch going "up", and only about 50% of the time going down the box. After 80,000 miles of this "treatment" its still "sweet".

2) Pressure is on the shifter, just before you want to shift, apply pressure to the shifter, back off a little, and the shifter will shift the gear for you. I too have ridden dirt bikes for a long time, its pretty much the same, except that you are a little gentler...

yes - its cool to ask http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cool, thanks for letting me know...just practiced the shifting today..but on my MX bike (on the track of course) heehhehe...so I'll just relate that to the Gixxer when I pick it up next Sat.

This is going to be the longest damn week of my life....I HATTTTTE WAITING!!!!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Hehehe

Thanks for the info Fraggle!

PS If you still MX in So-Cal, let me know..maybe we can meet at the track sometime. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif

First time somebody rode with me on a streetbike.....I can still remember my nuts getting crushed when I depressed the brakes.....their helmet slamming in the back of mine when I upshifted or downshifted.....Good stuff and good editorial.

Sometimes, I find that passengers (unless they've piloted bikes before), don't understand what it is to 'look into a turn'. That is precisely the advice to give, but I word it as: "When we go into a turn, look over my shoulder in the direction we are turning." That seems to take a lot of the wobble out of the curve because they aren't trying too hard to lean for me. But I have to admit that riding in Sacramento (as anywhere, I suppose) is so damn dangerous that I realy dislike carrying passengers.

i always thought that the passenger was supposed to lean a little in the opp. direction of turning. like im leaning right and they look over my left shoulder so not to add extra weight to the lean? i would think this would be safer but am i wrong?

o well im tryin to gte the woman to get a bike so i dont have to haul her on the back. i feel so vulnerable w/ a passenger and i cant do shit cause i got a extra 120 lbs. on the back.


i would never ride w/ any 1 else on the back though. the girl is the only exception.

Sig said:

&lt;/font&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial"&gt;quote:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;hr /&gt;&lt;font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"&gt;Originally posted by fRaGgLe:
&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/font&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial"&gt;quote:&lt;/font&gt;&lt;hr /&gt;&lt;font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"&gt;Originally posted by genetix:
&lt;strong&gt;hmm...do you let the passenger get on the bike first, or do you get on first?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;hr /&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"&gt;If you can figure a way of getting the passenger on first, I want to see the video &lt;img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;hr /&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"&gt;If they are a fairly small light passenger they can get on first with the kickstand down. Not exactly great for the stand but if they are fairly light it shouldn't be an issue.



at gas stations and stuf my ex gf would stay on the bike while i got off

You want the girl to lean in the opposite direction? Wouldnt that counter any force that you were generating by leaning? I always felt like the bike turned much easier if the passenger helped me a little with the leaning duty but in the same direction that I was leaning in.

Yeah, any weight that gets transfered over the center axis of the bike will initiate a positive or negative force depending on your point of view. If I am entering a left-hander and my passenger looks over my left shoulder (and I have put pressure on the left bar like I'm supposed to), all force vectors are aiding me in the turn. If however the passenger is gawking at the scenery and is leaning or looking right, I'll have to counter those forces. If a passenger leans (I mean putting weight towards the left side of the bike) it can throw the pilot off a bit, so I understand the concern there. This is precisely why I have them "look" instead of "lean". I tend to brief my passengers to look over my shoulder, but to keep their body right over the center axis of the bike. And all this trouble is why I hate taking passengers. Luckily the other half is usually out-gunning me up the road... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

yeah i didnt mean actually leaning the opposite direction but sitting somewhat upright like if we wree going straight and not leaning in ANY direction. i feel that when the pass. i sleaning with me im at greater risk of falling cause 2 people leaning instead of 1 is more force put on the bike . but thats just how i think. i could be wrong but o well----------------

Great posts!!! They have all been VERY informative http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

what you said is what i was trying to explain to my girlfriend who is gets scared and confused about what to do. I ll be sure to show her this. THANX!

I am in the same boat as a few of you by the sounds of it, in that I do not like to ride with a passenger. I had my ex-girlfriend on the back (GF at the time) and she decided to put her foot down going through a decreasing radius left-hander in town running about 35 or so. Luckily I never felt the jerk when her foot hit. She told me that she had put her foot down when we got to the gas station, needless to say I wasn't very happy. She was not new to riding on the back, she just said that she wasnt paying attention....something for everyone to keep in mind when hauling a passenger.

fRaGgLe said:



Traffic filtering (if you live in CA) is fun, but scares the shit out of passengers even if you have told them that it is legal, filtering on the I5 at 140mph will get you a slap &lt;img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /&gt;





What do you mean by "traffic filtering" ?

Ive taken my girl on some good rides...She seams to have gotton over the fear of the turns ok....I did notice when she put her hands on the tank instead of around me...the breaking was much easier on me....Its still fun and she loves it.....

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif

good stuff. its all the things i wanted to tell my human luggage, but never knew how to word them. keep that stuff comin. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

I have ridden with with many different girls on the back and I find that a quick 2 minute convo pointing out all the stuff fraggle mentioned helps a lot. A couple quick bullet items before a ride can be the difference when keeping the rubber side down http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/burnout.gif. Thanks fraggle http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif Good Write. I find that with carrying a passenger, the closer the better - not sitting upright, hands behind, etc. If their chest is on your back, they will lean with you, and as far as you do, arms around works great, but then abrupt accelleration doesn't allow those behind you to view your shirt ("If you can read this the B!%@h fell off). The only thing to keep in mind is under braking situations, often you will have a portion of their weight pressed against you (isn't inertia great), so make sure you're hands (those things grabbing the clutch and brake lever, exerting precisely monitored pressure on the clamp ons to guide you around the driver who just realized "OH, THIS IS MY TURN") aren't compromised. Obviously, in a perfect world all of our (us men at least) passengers would be stacked babes in bikinis we'd love to have hanging on to us for dear life... But occasinally a brother will need a ride. Don't be macho, ride safe, and keep the shiny side up.

I tend to disagree with the flush against my back routine. I usually tell the rider that either is acceptable since I want them to be as comfortable as possible becuase I can deal with either arms wrapped tightly around me or sitting up with hands on my hips. The last thing I want is a passenger freaking out and not knowing what to do... That is a spill waiting to happen http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif

The reason I prefer them not to wrap tightly aroung me is for the guys downstairs. Whenever someone completely wraps their arms around me and sits flush on my back they forget to put their hands on the tank to brace while braking. This ends up scrunching your nuts and yielding a painful result.

When someone is sitting semi-straight up on the back and I go to brake their first instinct is to put their hands on the tank to brace themselves.

Also, it's always helpful to tell them not to lean in either direction, as you don't want them going too far or throwing their weight in the opposite direction of the turn. If they simply "look" over the shoulder you're turning towards it should be fine. One last thing before I end this is that you should have some basic communuication signals if you don't have a radio communication system in your bucket (I personally don't like them becuase I am not interested in a conversation while I am riding). I usually just tell my passenger to tap me on the chest if they need to stop for any reason. Works out well since you can't hear them yelling... no matter how hard they try. Happy riding http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/burnout.gif!!
cheers! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Actually one last thing that ticked me off the other day while riding on the beltway around DC. Please don't showoff with someone riding bitch... No need for stunts and tricks with someone on the back http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/nono.gif Again, another spill waiting to happen http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif

mdumpert said:

Actually one last thing that ticked me off the other day while riding on the beltway around DC. Please don't showoff with someone riding bitch... No need for stunts and tricks with someone on the back http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/nono.gif Again, another spill waiting to happen http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif



Funny you should mention this. I was riding lead on a main street in town along with my GF (on her TLR) the other day when we caught up with a slow-moving pair on an R6. I guess the guy had been waiting up for us by the number of times he'd been checking his mirrors. On the back was a girl with both a beautiful body and beautiful skin. I can make this statement because she was wearing a titty shirt and capris and sandals. Being CA she did have on a helmet. Her adoring beau was wearing riding boots, jeans, helmet and leatehr riding jacket.
As we pulled even in the number 1 lane, this guy proceeded to pull several stunts (in 50mph traffic) with this girl on the back. Ya know, he was pretty good at stunting - shitty judgement as to place, circumstance, and a sense of responsibility, but i would expect that from the guy who lets his GF go bare while he wears the jacket...
Anyway, I started over to say something to him as we got to a red light - but my GF pulled up to him and let both of them have both barrels about all of the above issues. I don't stunt, but I still hate assuming the burden of safety for more than myself on a bike. Maybe it's just me. I 'm not 20 anymore, I have recognized my own mortality, I guess.

Hey thanks for the pep talk! Noobie right over here! Well my guy seems to think that putting hands/pressure on the tank messes w/ the bike and affects how it handles. I've got the hard acceleration down just fine, but the stopping is such a stress w/o the tank! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Any suggestions?? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/idea.gif

Put your hands on the tank it dosn't affect the bike at all. It just gives you more control over your body shooting forward.

Hands on the tank. Doesn't do anything to the bike and it will save you a lot of pain and discomfort from when the passenger uses you to stop their weight too. You will hurt your balls on the tank when they come forward into you and you will get off with a sore back, knees and arms if you are dealing with all their weight as well. Use the tank... doesn't hurt the bike. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

mdumpert said:

Hands on the tank. Doesn't do anything to the bike and it will save you a lot of pain and discomfort from when the passenger uses you to stop their weight too. You will hurt your balls on the tank when they come forward into you and you will get off with a sore back, knees and arms if you are dealing with all their weight as well. Use the tank... doesn't hurt the bike. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif



Though you better tell the rider to take her rings off. Wonder if wearing a cup will carrying a passenger will ever become common practice?

I always have my passengers where riding gloves. this way even if they have rings on it won't mess up my tank. also, there is less of a chance of their hands sliding off in the event of a hard brake.

Hey guys I know about the rings but there is one small problem w/ what y'all are saying. Commonly, when we come into turns, a series of motions that causes hard, de-stabilizing braking occurs. These situations are when I get yelled at for putting my hands on the tank. Apparently when I do that, it screws up the turn. But I have no choice, I can't relax and lean properly into the turn without any support in front of me, you know? I am totally stuck because our other friend who rides w/ his girl all the time has a grab bar on the back. The gixx has a shit little strap in the front....and I'm at a loss man.....it makes rides difficult for me, as the strength needed in one arm to stop my inertia is pretty intense. Although I noted the post about both hands, locked on the tank. Nice idea, except my guy is 5'10" and about 230lbs. All around his middle. This creates a little trouble w/ that notion.....I can't get my arms all the way around him!!! LOL

I always had a problem with passengers so I don't do it. For me to learn the proper way, should I take someone that is already skilled on a motorcycle?

i took my 220 lb friend on the back for a ride one day, we got about a block and he was begging me to let him off to walk home. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

OK, had to throw my own two cents in here.

First of all, I've been both a passenger and a rider. In response to the last post - I think riders can be better passengers (sometimes!) I've ridden two-up (on the back) on the track and the street, and most drivers say I'm the best passenger they've had. I'm not super light, so I don't think it's that, but it does help if the passenger doesn't weigh more than the driver. I've had several track riders drag knees with me on the back.

Here's what works for me:

If you're a passenger:

1. WEAR GEAR!!!!! You may look cute in those hot pants, but the road rash really ruins the tan. It drives me insane to see a rider in gear and a passenger in none. However, gloves with those metal studs in the palms are NOT good on the tank.

2. Only ride with people who you TRUST. No matter how cute he is, or how much you want to impress him, or get your hands on his (or her) body! Being almost dumped off the back of a R1 when the a$$ole popped up the front end at 70 MPH was not cool, and taught me a big lesson. If you don't trust the rider's judgement and responsibility, don't get on. You are putting your life in his or her hands.

3. Work out a signal to tell the rider when you're uncomfortable with the way he's riding, or anything else. I usually use a pat on the thigh. That then turns into a smack if he's not listening.

4. Put both arms around the driver, but brace one hand on the tank. That way you are set up for both acceleration and braking. If you are riding with someone who is riding very aggressively (like on the track) I've found it helps to think of sinking your heels into the passenger pegs when braking, it keeps your feet from slipping off the pegs.

5. Like many people have said, in turns, look over the shoulder of the driver in the direction you're turning.

6. Don't squirm around! Every little movement you make is amplified into the bike. If your driver has short legs (like me!!!!) and is at a stoplight and you start figiting around, it's hard to keep the bike upright! The more still you can be, the easier for the driver.

7. Sit close to the driver. It makes your weight more part of them, and you're be more prepared for acceleration and braking.

I have to say that girls are usually better passengers. =) I've had guys on the back of my bike - riders - and I've had to stop after a few blocks and tell them what NOT to do, because they are making very hard for me to ride with them on the back!

RIDERS: Stunts are all well and good, but until you've been on the back for a few wheelies and stoppies, you can't appreciate that they are a lot scarier on the back! Something to think about! Also, unless you're Gary Rothwell, you're probably not good enough to be stunting with your g/f on the back. Again, it's her life in YOUR hands.

A short note - I love riding my own bike, and mostly do that. Occasionally though, it's nice to get on the back, and enjoy the ride. Plus, it's kinda sexy to be on the back with a good rider...men in leather are hot!!!

Traffic filtering (if you live in CA) is fun, but scares the shit out of passengers even if you have told them that it is legal, filtering on the I5 at 140mph will get you a slap


http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wtf.gif WTF is traffic filtering????? Do you mean you can go between the cars during traffic?? IS THIS LEGAL IN FLORIDA? Cause it would sure help me out. Please someone explain... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

SRT said:



Traffic filtering (if you live in CA) is fun, but scares the shit out of passengers even if you have told them that it is legal, filtering on the I5 at 140mph will get you a slap


http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wtf.gif WTF is traffic filtering????? Do you mean you can go between the cars during traffic?? IS THIS LEGAL IN FLORIDA? Cause it would sure help me out. Please someone explain... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif



In the US, its only legal in California http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

fRaGgLe said:
In the US, its only legal in California http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif



DAMMIT... lucky Californians.

fraggle yo uare the man...thanks for all the good advice

genetix said:

hmm...do you let the passenger get on the bike first, or do you get on first?



I get on and tell the passenger to let me know when they are getting on, so that I can hold the bike from falling over. Sorry most girls do not know how to load a bike. RESPONSABLITY, that is the most responsabilty that I have ever had, if somethings happens to that passanger that your ass. Now that I said that, wheelie come up easier with a passanger on the back. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Tha Chain

I can't spell, SO LEARN TO READ http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Be Safe, Wear a Helmet. The skin that is exposed is the skin you will LOSE.

k, love having a passenger when im not riding with the boyz.
She's good company.
but when im with the boyz.... sorry sugar.... "i'll call U" http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
harry http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Here is a question- How do you handle slow turns? I took my dad (experienced motorcyclist) for a quick trip around town, but when I wanted to pull into a store parking lot and slowed down, I lost all of my confidence. I could not do a 90 degree turn so I ended up going into the other car's lane. How does counter weighting work? Is there a trick to doing a slow speed turn with a passenger? Will it straighen out if I give it more gas?

I abhor riding 2 up. The first day I pick up my new 1K the rear pegs are toast.

I would like to suggest one tip I feel is invaluable for 2 up riding that has not been mentioned so far.
On highway/freeway rides where communication with your passenger is impaired, a quick reach back with your clutch hand to apply a tap to their leg is a great way to alert them to a quick lane change, an abrupt application of throttle or brakes that you're about to make.
Often they're admiring the scenery, or have even dozed off as I have done any number of times on long freeway rides at night.
This provides them the opportunity to prepare for the maneuver. Two taps, a lane change, one for some throttle, whatever works for you.

PinkPanther said:

Hey guys I know about the rings but there is one small problem w/ what y'all are saying. Commonly, when we come into turns, a series of motions that causes hard, de-stabilizing braking occurs. These situations are when I get yelled at for putting my hands on the tank. Apparently when I do that, it screws up the turn. But I have no choice, I can't relax and lean properly into the turn without any support in front of me, you know? I am totally stuck because our other friend who rides w/ his girl all the time has a grab bar on the back. The gixx has a shit little strap in the front....and I'm at a loss man.....it makes rides difficult for me, as the strength needed in one arm to stop my inertia is pretty intense. Although I noted the post about both hands, locked on the tank. Nice idea, except my guy is 5'10" and about 230lbs. All around his middle. This creates a little trouble w/ that notion.....I can't get my arms all the way around him!!! LOL



I would recommend putting one hand on the tank and on the opposing hip. you are ready for anything in that position. If that doesn't work for you, as a rider, the next best place for me would have to be to have my passenger grab onto my waist. NOT THE TORSO! This way even if you're pulling pretty hard you are doing it lower on my body and it is less likely to caue a problem than if you were to pull abruptly on the uppoer torso.

See you in the wind. Always live to ride another day... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

Well, as a passenger only (at the moment) here's what I do:

First, proper gear of course. . .
I ride with both of my hands on the tank, and the balls of my feet on the pegs. My trick is I do the majority of riding using my leg &amp; back strength. I can handle whatever Joe does riding this way. However, it can be physically demanding. . . you've got to already be in shape or you can't sustain this kinda riding. When I get on that bike, my top priority is Joe's comfort not mine. He should be able to do whatever he needs to do without my presence interferring.

Of course, I credit my bike passenger abilities to showing horses all my life. I was born to ride, so to speak http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I always ride by myself!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

My wife hates to ride http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I never take off the cowl. It looks better with it anyways http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Peace
Dumax

what i do with my GF on the back when coming into a corner fast, i will tap her hands onto my stomach, which means hold on tighter, my gf only weighs 55kg and in corners, if i had my leathers on I could scrape a knee if i wish too.. great passenger, no squirming around, when we stop at lights. she will re-adjust her self on the seat if she feels the need to..

What about tire pressure...does it matter?

It should tell you suggested pressure settings in your M.O.M. along with any other suspension changes that might be useful.

IT tells you the tire pressure on your swingarm... also in the owners manual for both two and one up riding. I've had both good and bad passangers ride with me... and a passanger seems to control the bike if they are bad... a good passanger hardly feels like she is on there.

Ya'll pretty much covered everything...but here are a few more little tips for going 2up...

-DO NOT allow your passenger to hang on to that crappy little vinyl strap on the passenger seat, they are known to break off.
-If your passenger is tall enough and your helmet is expensive, don't brake hard if you want to save your lid from getting chipped.
-When I'm on the back, I find it helps to put plenty of weight on the foot pegs, I use my knees to grip the tail, then I put one hand on the tank and the other one around the rider's waist. That way, I'm pretty much "one with the bike" instead of bobbing every which way, and my boyfriend says he can barely feel even feel that I'm there.
-Working out some signals is always a good thing, like touching your passenger's wrist when you're about to do something abrupt, or shimmying the bars just a bit to tell her there are twisties coming up. And don't do stoppies without warning your girl, unlike my ass of a boyfriend.

Excellent write up. I prefer not to care anyone. I do not like being responsible for their safety. Same thing applies to a car though too.

I've never rode 2up on a sportbike. All the same stuff applies pretty much with my cruiser. The backrest is great, gives a passenger something to stop themselves with and not ram up into me. The roomy seat helps too. Maybe I'll just save the cruiser for riding A1A and carrying passengers when I finally get a GSX-R or other sportbike.

I like the one had on the tank and the other around my waist method during city driving. Once on an open road I personally prefer both arms around my waist. I tell my passengers that if I tap them on the hand it means to hold on a little tighter. That way I know the passenger is ready for any accelerations. The passenger is intrusting her life in my riding, so I feel the responsibility to ensure she is always ready for what is going to come.

Good write up, only thing I would add is watch out for the wheelies. With the extra traction my bike pops up even under moderate acceleration. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Looks like all is coverd imo. I think we all need to make sure and tell a pass what there in for. I allways lay down a long list of rules. Starting with take your dam rings off. lol And covering pretty much everything said. But as far as just taking ppl for rides in general i used to realy enjoy it when i was 16 and the such. But after major back and neck injurys carrieng a person on the back just plain kills me now. I luv the look of a shell but i meen what single person with a bike wants to cut themselvs off like that all the time. lol I go 50/50 with and without it. My main thing is when stopping, having at least one hand on the tank is a must. And using more eng decel as well insteed of the front brake throwing her over me. Im like some others tho i realy dont like taking someones elses life in my hands because i honestly dont care if i die as long as its quick and painless but if i hurt someone else i would never forgive myself period! Ride safe and lay off the stunts unless in a controled env with pro's and full gear.. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Nice thread and i hope we all take the time to think about what we are doing when someone else's life is on the line as well! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Took my girl out for her first ride the other day and she was completely impressed. I was suprised at how well she did follow the rules and didn't screw it up. She will most definitely be going again. And the list of things that the beginning of this post is exactly what I told her, so thanks for the advice, it made her experience great.

My husband and I just got a 1000 this weekend, and I must say, being a passenger on this bike is difficult. There is no place on the bike I can hold on to to secure myself. I am not new to this. My dad had my brother and I on bikes as soon as we could sit up, so I'm well aware of what to do and what not to do. The inertia problem was covered in the first post of this topic...I'm having a huge problem with sliding around...It's like I have butter on my butt. I squeeze my knees around either the bike or my hubbie's hips in an effort to prevent the sliding. I know his stops aren't aggressive, but it sure feels like it from where I'm sitting. I'm wondering if there is a grab handle available for the 2004 gsxr1000's or if a grab handle from an SV1000s or SV650s will work. The bolt patterns seem to be the same. Also, will the grab handle even help my situation. Also the wind I am catching is incredible. Even at 5'1" I am getting an awful lot of wind and find it necessary to huddle down behind my husband, especially on quick downhill sharp turns. The sliding is the worse thing. I have bones in my rear and the backs of my thighs that I had forgotten about until this weekend. I know I will have to get used to riding this type of sportsbike versus the bmw that we had prior to this bike, but there has to be something I can do to make the ride more enjoyable. BTW there is a way for the passenger to mount first, but it makes my husband nervous, so I always mount after he's on and securing the bike now. Thanks in advance for any advice!

I tell ya guys what, if i wouldnt have read this post i'd probably be one less gixxer right now. My first passenger was probably the worst kind, several inches taller then me, and about 220lbs. the trip wasnt that far, but i told him everything before we even left, i barely even noticed him getting on the bike (besides it squatting), but before we left i was leaning gently on each side to see how it would feel with someone on the back, and we took off no problem, except everytime i let out of the throttle he would hit his head on my helmet. We rode a short distance with only 3 turns, the first two were very unsteady, but the 3rd was alright. I told him everything i read on here ahead of time, otherwise we both would have had some road rash. Thanks guys! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

OK ive actually done a riding course on carrying a pillion - It was cheap and fun. On this course i carried a pillion that weighted almost the same as me, it was the second or third time id every carrried a pillion and the first time i wore the chicken strips off my tyres, flying around a tight closed track.

The one thing that stands out between that training and these post is all this talk of the pillion bracing themselves against the rider, tank, grab rails, etc. Any sudden bracing will affect the bike and nobody could maintain a continuously braced position for any significant length of time.

What we were taught on the course is that the pillion should hang on with their legs (sqeezing the riders hips), just like the rider, and keep their upper body loose and relaxed, just like the rider. They should put there hands on their legs or on your hips/sides, but only as a place to rest them, not to hold on.

If the pilion is watching whats happening, rather than sight seeing, then they'll brace movements with their legs and stomach muscles, like the rider does. This removes pillion actions from affecting the rider, provided the pillion isnt trying to counter your lean.

This isnt theoretical bullshit. My mates girlfriend does this and she's happy to spend a whole day (500mile) in the pillion seat with corner apex speeds of over 100mph and almost knee dragging lean angles.

Try it, it works and makes life easier on the rider.

Oh and a click or two of rear preload helps, as does having your pillion in leather, which doesnt slide on the seat so easy.

Great write-up! I'll humbly offer that I like them to lean on me. At first they're reluctant because they're thinking I've got to hold them up with a push-up when in actuality the tank is holding both of us up. That's so much more comfortable than being nailed in the back, during an unexpected deceleration, by a passenger who is keeping a gap between the two of you . Let me clarify that this is for female passengers only. I'd rather offer a guy friend $20 for a cab and avoid the 'man hug'.

I also remind passengers that dirt, gravel, grooved pavement and speeds under 10 mph are not times to re-adjust. If they're riders they already know this but if they're not, they'll think a slow point is a good time to re-center their (_!_)

Passengers suck. Sometimes you wanna be free riding alone, moving through traffic. I only disapprove when newbies in less than a month try to ride passengers. I hear newbies i know drop bikes on stop lights with passengers or spill on turns. Not a good idea.

I am just learning how to ride by myself right now. I have had a ton of people ask abou tgoing for a ride and I have told them all that when I am ready for a passenger I wll let them know. I got some great tips here that I will use when the time comes. Thanks

Great that you're telling them to wait till you're ready. You'll also hear most people in here talk about helmets, leather jackets, boots and gloves. Making sure your passengers are properly dressed will probably cut the number of people that asked for a ride down to next to none. Just cause you have an extra helmet doesn't mean that girl in the tight shorts, tank top and flip flops should ride with you. I know ... I know ...it's tempting as hell, but think of what her distacting a$$ will look like with road rash on it.

Once you're comfortable, take an experienced rider for your first passenger and make the ride really short. That limits the number of mistakes before your first critisism and suggestions talk. It's all about making yourself and your passenger comfortable. Good luck!

The biggest problem someone has on the back with me was the wind if i wack it on the highway. I never go faster than 110-120 with a pillion on.

All very good points you bring up. I hope more people will read this and learn from it. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif

So sorry if i seem like a squid here, but what is the policy you guys adopt with gear for passengers? I made more than a few 'aquaintances' when i was traveling in a cage, but now that my bike is my primary mode of transportation, i dont know what to tell them. I definately dont want them riding on the back without gear, and i always suit up whenever i go anywhere, but how do you deal with girlfriends? or changing girlfriends? Surely someone must have something figured out. I had planned on just buying another helmet and jacket, in i guess an average size. But i know how important it is for a helmit to fit well ( not as much for a jacket but within reason) and im kinda stuck. I cant ask them all to buy sets of gear to just chill out with me, and i cand afford a helmet for each one, any ideas guys?

Well, I've been tagged as a gear nazi in here already so I won't make the mistake of saying they need to gear up again. What I will say is that you're the driver and responsible for the safety of both yourself and your passenger. You can tell anyone what they need to wear on your bike and refuse to ride anyone for any reason.

Experienced riders are safer in either seat so taking out a bunch of newbies isn't exactly a safe idea. Unless you're dating in bike circle, I'd let them drive you places in their cage until you've had time to discuss gear and passenger riding skills with them.

OutOfMyDepth said:
What we were taught on the course is that the pillion should hang on with their legs (sqeezing the riders hips), just like the rider, and keep their upper body loose and relaxed, just like the rider. They should put there hands on their legs or on your hips/sides, but only as a place to rest them, not to hold on.

If the pilion is watching whats happening, rather than sight seeing, then they'll brace movements with their legs and stomach muscles, like the rider does. This removes pillion actions from affecting the rider, provided the pillion isnt trying to counter your lean.

This isnt theoretical bullshit. My mates girlfriend does this and she's happy to spend a whole day (500mile) in the pillion seat with corner apex speeds of over 100mph and almost knee dragging lean angles.

Try it, it works and makes life easier on the rider



I've been riding like this since I got on the back of my hubby's bike, except I usually keep my hands on the tank for aggressive riding. I ride using my whole body. . .but I'm an experienced rider (horses) and I think that made bike riding a very easy thing for me. My husband has scraped peg with me &amp; never has to worry. I always pay attention to our surroundings and listen to the bike for downshifting, etc.

As for gear . . .well, most of our guy friends had a typical black Bell helmet for whatever chic they chunked on. I say have a helmet, and make sure they wear jeans, a good leather jacket, and boots. Yes, this includes during the summer. . .safety over trying to look good. I wouldn't let them on otherwise, if I were you http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

great post i love riding and im bikeless, i should be getting a 600 soon and my g/f's allready on me about riding. i told her not to get her panties in a tangle and she was pissed but i told her that she had to buy her own helmet and that ended the convo....she doesnt have a job lol makes it hard to buy a 500 dollar shoei

This is very very good reading, i don't know how to ride yet (im gettin my cousins dirtbike to learn)(last time i rode was about 10 years ago, i was 8 and held on for my life) befor i go out and get my gixxer. My gf doesnt even want me to have a bike so i have nothing to worry about giving her a ride

Great write-up, learned some things from this.

First off- Do NOT ride with a passenger until YOU are comfortable with the idea and you are comfortable with the bike itself!!

I carried my first passenger 2 days before my accident, 2 months into riding experience. My best friend always talks how she could ride with me or alongside me on her own bike (if she had one). So I told her to hop on and we'll see how difficult it is! lol.

For being a girl that weighs 110 and not much muscle, and my friend weighs about 120, the bike handled just fine!!! It was alot slower starting off, and you definitely have to slow down to a stoplight-stopsign a lot sooner.

Turning was quite a bit different, especially when the passenger likes to look over your shoulder to see where you're going, I had to keep adjusting the bike.

Everytime I would take off, I'd tell her to hold on because I don't want her to NOT hang on then I take off and she flies off the back. I know you're suppose to warn your rider of everythig you do, and it's common sense why.

I probably only rode around the block and back with her, just so I could get the feel of what it was like if I ever wanted to cart a passenger with me (well, at least her... not my boyfriend! lol. He weighs 230, don't think that'd be an easy task for me).
----

Just be sure they wear the proper gear, just like you would. Whether i'm riding a mile or over the highway, all my gear I own is ON! The same should apply to the passenger. It's just like riding in a car. Some people do not put the car in drive until all passengers are buckled in. Just apply it to a bike!


http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

GixxerSugar said:
... not my boyfriend! lol. He weighs 230, don't think that'd be an easy task for me
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http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif



230 pounder ridin' bitch? Thought that only happened on Harleys? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

He builds his own choppers so I shouldn't even have to think of carting him, hehe

GixxerSugar said:
He builds his own choppers so I shouldn't even have to think of carting him, hehe



Yeah, doubt he'd ever get caught on the back. Too many customers/friends to let a sight like that go quietly. Course, he sounds big enough to woop their butts if he gets tired of their comments. I'd certainly wait till he wasn't looking to point and laugh weighing only 155. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Thanks for all the great tips! They will be of much help the next time. Quick question to anyone out there. If my passanger is tall ~ 5'11, 6'0, is her height going to cause a problem? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bounce.gif

Really depends on her. If she stays right behind you and is tall enough to see over your head she might make it easier on you. If she uses her high center of gravity against you it'll be hard. It really depends on the rider. I wouldn't call it teamwork because you don't want her doing anything, but there is a sort of bond that forms between riders once they're familiar with each other. She'll get more subtle with her movements as she gets used to you, you'll gain more confidence as you get used to her. Eventually there is symmetry. About that time she’ll like it so much she’ll want off the back and onto her own bike. Then you’ve got it made cause you'll ride more comfortably when she's on her own bike. Unless she gets a bike faster than yours... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wtf.gif

Cheese said:
Yeah, doubt he'd ever get caught on the back. Too many customers/friends to let a sight like that go quietly. Course, he sounds big enough to woop their butts if he gets tired of their comments. I'd certainly wait till he wasn't looking to point and laugh weighing only 155. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif


There was a thread in this forum (I don't remember where), some of the guys were asking if they'd have to ride bitch once their girlfriends got a bike. One of the comments made in that thread was "Well look at it this way, you could be playing with her titties the whole ride!" http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Joegsxr04 said:
Thanks for all the great tips! They will be of much help the next time. Quick question to anyone out there. If my passanger is tall ~ 5'11, 6'0, is her height going to cause a problem? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bounce.gif


As long as she doesn't sit straight up and on the end of her seat. You have to pretend that the passenger is your backpack, they need to be sittign right up there behind ya.

GixxerSugar said:
There was a thread in this forum (I don't remember where), some of the guys were asking if they'd have to ride bitch once their girlfriends got a bike. One of the comments made in that thread was "Well look at it this way, you could be playing with her titties the whole ride!" http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif



Nah, I'm an ass man so I'll ride my female passengers up front like a tank pad. I'm usually humping the tank anyway, might as well let them benefit from the way I ride. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif No danger of them flying off the back when I give it a bit and if I hard brake they just have to wrap their legs around my waist. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Thanks for this post, made my first and 2nd passenger experience go smoothly. I also told my wife to lean up right against me, prevents helmet bashing when slowing down or a rough shift. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

I learned something. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

90gsxr1100 said:
Thanks for this post, made my first and 2nd passenger experience go smoothly. I also told my wife to lean up right against me, prevents helmet bashing when slowing down or a rough shift. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif



I'm not sure how far you're riding but if she can learn to arch her back she'll bump her fun bags against you instead of her helmet when you're braking or shifting less than smoothly. Much softer and more fun for both of you. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Could get uncomfortable for her on a long ride though.

Lots of go0d info.

Good write up, I woundered how it would be different with a passenger.

I take my girl every once in a while but i try to avoid it because everything is sacrificed from stability to visibility and comfort. But of course we have to please the lady.

good tips.....now come to tokyo and throw a passenger on back,,,,and I'll show you how to scare a passenger!!!!!!!! yellow is green and red is optional.......

Great write up. You learn something new everyday. The "scared signal" is something most of us probably over look. Being prepared for everything makes a ride so much smoother. Thanks!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Well done. I learned a lot from that, thanx. I've been riding for about 7 months and my wife keeps asking me when she can ride with me. I told her as soon as I feel comfortable riding by myself. Just got a K5 600 about 6 weeks ago. Figured I'd get used to the raw power before I killed us both.

200+ pounder passenger on a sportbike sucks! Ok going fast but shitty trying to manuver slow turns. Hard on the knackers too! Lightweight passenger can be fun. So don't go given Queen Latifah a ride.

I never ride on the back. Don't care who's driving. That is the worst feeling there is.

I never drive with a passanger. If something happened and my passanger ended up seriously injured I dont know how I could live with myself.

My girlfriend rides fine, it's my wife that has trouble!! he he he http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Seriously, the girls who use mainly their legs are the best riders. Plus, that eliminates them having to use so much force aginst you or the tank. It does tire them out faster, but keeps their legs and ass in great shape!!! (Total ass man also!) http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

Work out an "I'm scared" signal - wife headbuts me,

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rotflol.gif

I never drive with a passanger. If something happened and my passanger ended up seriously injured I dont know how I could live with myself.



This is my thoughts exactly... My girl loves my bike, but I refuse to let her ride with me... If something was to happen to her, I would probably do a swan dive of the closest building...

Sportbikes are not meant for passengers... Cruisers are!!

Oh and to the people who let the girls ride with them with a pair of shorts and a tank top, yeah she looks good, but she wont if there is an accident... Just something to think about.... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

I never drive with a passanger. If something happened and my passanger ended up seriously injured I dont know how I could live with myself.



This is my thoughts exactly... My girl loves my bike, but I refuse to let her ride with me... If something was to happen to her, I would probably do a swan dive of the closest building...

Sportbikes are not meant for passengers... Cruisers are!!

Oh and to the people who let the girls ride with them with a pair of shorts and a tank top, yeah she looks good, but she wont if there is an accident... Just something to think about.... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif



Amen. full riding gear for all. The skin that is exposed is the skin you will lose. Girls look hot on the back of bikes, there is no doubt about that. But how do you think they will look if we are irresponsible enough to allow them to ride in anything less than full gear. Ride hard and ride safe. See you guys in the wind...

I don't think it looks hot at all to see a girl riding with little clothes on. Posing for pictures is a different story. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif But if she is the operator or the passenger, I don't think "look at that hot chick on that bike", I'm actually thinking "look at that idiot girl trying to look hot and that asshat operator who lets her ride like that to look cool" http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/nono.gif

If you can figure a way of getting the passenger on first, I want to see the video




http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/spit.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rotflol.gif Ditto!!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif

I don't think it looks hot at all to see a girl riding with little clothes on. Posing for pictures is a different story. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif But if she is the operator or the passenger, I don't think "look at that hot chick on that bike", I'm actually thinking "look at that idiot girl trying to look hot and that asshat operator who lets her ride like that to look cool" http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/nono.gif



+1 http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif everytime i see a girl on the back of a bike(9 times out of 10 with no gear) i can't stop thinking about how dumb she looks and how much more of an idiot the guy is for letting it happen http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif

hmm...do you let the passenger get on the bike first, or do you get on first?

If you can figure a way of getting the passenger on first, I want to see the video

If they are a fairly small light passenger they can get on first with the kickstand down. Not exactly great for the stand but if they are fairly light it shouldn't be an issue.



I'm probably sticking my nose in a mousetrap, but I have two questions:

1. Why would you want to put your passenger on first??? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

2. Regarding the effect on the sidestand... have you ever performed a sidestand/stunter pivot or swivel???

(call it what you will... it involves hoisting the weight of the entire bike onto the sidestand and pivoting it around, in order to change directions in a tight spot or just to show off.) One of my riding buddies performs this maneuver in his garage every time he goes out.

I never drive with a passanger. If something happened and my passanger ended up seriously injured I dont know how I could live with myself.



This is my thoughts exactly... My girl loves my bike, but I refuse to let her ride with me... If something was to happen to her, I would probably do a swan dive of the closest building...

Sportbikes are not meant for passengers... Cruisers are!!

Oh and to the people who let the girls ride with them with a pair of shorts and a tank top, yeah she looks good, but she wont if there is an accident... Just something to think about.... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif



Amen. full riding gear for all. The skin that is exposed is the skin you will lose. Girls look hot on the back of bikes, there is no doubt about that. But how do you think they will look if we are irresponsible enough to allow them to ride in anything less than full gear. Ride hard and ride safe. See you guys in the wind...



...want two more of my cents?

<font color="red">Bikini/Shorts&amp;tanktop clad chics... with nice tight round arses and arched backs and big hooters and... THEY ALL LOOK GREAT IN PHOTOS!!!</font>http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/ott.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

You rock for sharing that with the masses, Bro!!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif

i just keep the solo cap on and tell my friends its a 1 seater lol

Ok, I have a problem I'm trying to deal with right now. My girl is a quad chick at heart, but she loves bikes. I love her a lot and don't want anything to happen to her BUT would it be better to let her ride on the back of my bike or let her get her own cuzz she is itching to get one and I keep envisioning her spilling...which makes me sweat like a whore in church!!!



This is my thoughts exactly... My girl loves my bike, but I refuse to let her ride with me... If something was to happen to her, I would probably do a swan dive of the closest building...

my wife just started riding her own bike n i have to try to stay behind her or i ride in my mirriors.its a scary feeling at first but im getting better with it.she is a smart rider n makes her own pace n ALWAYS wears full gear no matter how hott

^^^ Has she ever been on a bike before or any motorized vehicle? My girl has been on quads forever so I'm glad she has the respect for the beast. Did you guys take a safetly course first or together? What are her opinions of riding by herself next to you, behind, infront??? Scared, confident, still learning, etc

Great post...

I have yet to ride a passenger on my bike...seriously been frightened to do so...I will deffinately be lookin for hot honies to ride with me when I get back from the Desert tho http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

If you are scared to have a passenger on the bike, dont do it. Remember you have their life in your hands.

Anyways, I havent read any of the other posts on here or maybe I have before but its been so long I've forgotten. But I never minded passengers. It was funny when I would give some of my female friends rides and they would scream and get all scared, LOL. Not a good idea to really scare someone tho, could make for a bad accident. But after the first time a few wanted to ride w/ me again and for longer rides. I had a guy on the back once and at at least a foot taller than me it was pretty funny. He said everyone was laughing at him. I was like, dude, youre riding w/ me, they're not laughing, they just wish they were you, LOL.

great read and wonderful feedback from the group

but wouldn't you think with all of the years of motorcycling and the severe issues that passengers bring with it.
one would think that they would offer a class for it.
the msf offers classes for new riders, and experienced riders, but none for passengers. why not?
if you know of any msf coaches ask them. and maybe we could get a good thing started.

great read and wonderful feedback from the group

but wouldn't you think with all of the years of motorcycling and the severe issues that passengers bring with it.
one would think that they would offer a class for it.
the msf offers classes for new riders, and experienced riders, but none for passengers. why not?
if you know of any msf coaches ask them. and maybe we could get a good thing started.


The best passengers are riders themselves. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
If you have someone who rides as your passenger regularly, get her/him into a rider course. I can't even tell my girl's back there anymore. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/punk.gif

If you are scared to have a passenger on the bike, dont do it. Remember you have their life in your hands.

Anyways, I havent read any of the other posts on here or maybe I have before but its been so long I've forgotten. But I never minded passengers. It was funny when I would give some of my female friends rides and they would scream and get all scared, LOL. Not a good idea to really scare someone tho, could make for a bad accident. But after the first time a few wanted to ride w/ me again and for longer rides. I had a guy on the back once and at at least a foot taller than me it was pretty funny. He said everyone was laughing at him. I was like, dude, youre riding w/ me, they're not laughing, they just wish they were you, LOL.



Well the main reason I was frightened was because I didn't really know how to go about doing it right without getting us both hurt...but with the advise begining this thread I'm sure I can handle it...of course I will go easy with it at first and deffinately not go about scaring ppl at all...Got to man up http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Great post, but seeing as I just got of jail, and won't have a license until 2015 because of what happened back in 2001 to my passenger and I, there will never be another passenger on any bike I'm on.

^^^ that doesn't sound to swell

Good write up...I'll tell this to a passenger, if I ever let her ride on my bike.

To put it in perspective Corrado, I walked away and she did not..................

thanks for all the advice. i have learned a great deal.

I would never do it. If something was to happen, I couldn't live with myself.

I would never do it. If something was to happen, I couldn't live with myself.



I think that is an important point.

You must tell the passenger that there are risks, and how tom minimise them, I always do, and have put people off. I also insist on gear - thats sturdy jeans, boots, leather jacket, GLOVES and a lid.

You must ride differently, slower, more cautious, more aware even than when you are on your own maybe.

However, my life is hellish important to me, and I consider it an added risk to my own safety to take a passenger. I consider it an extra rick when I have a passenger in my cage too, but maybe the seriousness when you are driving is less than riding ?

I can honestly say that living with yourself after something happens is not very easy at all, my passenger did not make it, and to think that someones life was ended because I was unable to regain control is not an easy thing to live with. I can tell you first hand, as much fun as it is to ride with a passenger unless you and your passenger are willing to live with what could happen do not put some one on the back........

i ride solo f-everyone who wants a ride ,. let em get there own bike

my 2 cents... my now ex gf used to ride with me everynow n then.. the 1st time she was on was a scary ride.. i told her what to do n hang on, dont put ur feet down etc etc, but still scary as she fought me on leaning n stuff.. but she insisted that she enjoyed it n wanted to learn more.. so i took her out more n more often, n after about 7-8 rides she was really good.. she'd sit up away from me when there was little chance of me braking, stopped at lights she;d sit up, n soon as i gave the bike a sharp rev she'd hang onto me again.. (i was stupid n let her ride without gear, only a helmet)n she'd lean with me into corners, if i had to lean further then she was comfortable with, shed just stay at the same angle but she wouldnt stop the lean.. then standing it back up, we get back to the same angle, n she'd follow my body back to upright.. she was a great passenger.. i think she'd make a good rider as well... but i dont mind taking passengers... as long as they kno the risks, n wear at least helmet, gloves, jeans, n some sorta heavy jacket.. but that 1st time that there on the bike really really sucks... but havin there tits pressed into u n the hug is good :D (n my ex used to let her hand wander a bit futher south when we were on an open straight road... ;))

You should not take a pass. until you know your bike. I see too many guys who just got there bike and want to show of for the girls so they take them for a ride around town. Not a good idea until you get the feel of the bike and have experiance riding in traffic

highway riding with a passenger is all and good and everyone should be able to do it. city or in town riding is where you need expierience. the constant braking for lights, then the acceleration. if i ride by myself, i'm good for hours. if i've got a passenger, 20 minutes and I'm worn out. i've got an '03 gixxer 1000, so there's no grab bars (which suck anyways), so my wife wraps her arms around me. really works your arms out cause no matter how they hold on, you're gonna be using more force with your arms when stopping, countering their weight against you.
and the fidgeting on the bike is something it took forever to get into my wifes head. i kept explaining to her, even the smallest movement she makes i have to counteract and balance out. she now knows to tap my chest before making any sort of "out of the blue" movement.

also........1 good thing to remember. always tell the passenger to be holding on with at least 1 hand around you at all times. my wife has been known to do this in the past. she'd lean against me, then use both hands to mess with her helmet shield or whatever.
it only takes one pothole and the forthcoming unexpected throttle jerk and if they're not holding on, byebye.

I like to get on the bike first and steady it, then when you have a good steady hold, let the passenger climb on

good topic, i gave my girlfriend her very first motorcycle ride so its very good to go slow and be very maticulous with your riding, i know that if i was stupid about it, i would have no riding pardner today, its good to have signals and to make sure to do what the passenger wants, if they want you to pull over, PULL OVER!! Imagine your first time on a bike, i remember mine, i was terrified but excited, i know that patience and care were the things that had me wanting a bike of my own later!!

great write up

Good read :thumbup

Goo read. thanks a lot.

i liked it, thanks. my advice is, ride, ride, ride. around the block, down the street. simple rides can get you passenger feeling more comfortable and feeling safe.

My advice is scare the living daylights out of them!

That way you'll have more time to throw the bike around on your own. Bikes were meant to be ridden solo. Great read though. :)

good ass post man i will have the wife read this maybe this will keep her from rippin my chest apart around corners ha ha.

Good write up.

Thanks,
Ryan

MY fiancee has this thing she likes to do as we are coming to a stop. She fidgets, I have explained this to her a million and one times but she doesn't seem to get it, the slower the bike goes the less you need to be moving I tell her wait til we are completly stopped and my feet are on the ground then situate. DO NOT SITUATE when we are slowing getting ready to stop and we are going 5 to 10 mph, she scares me everytime its hard enough to keep a bike balenced with a passenger but when she is moving around at the 5 mph mark its nuts. Anyone have any suggestions, my buddy jokingly said well next time she does it lay the bike down, yes this would teach her a lesson but who wants to hurt there bike right. lol

MY fiancee has this thing she likes to do as we are coming to a stop. She fidgets, I have explained this to her a million and one times but she doesn't seem to get it, the slower the bike goes the less you need to be moving I tell her wait til we are completly stopped and my feet are on the ground then situate. DO NOT SITUATE when we are slowing getting ready to stop and we are going 5 to 10 mph, she scares me everytime its hard enough to keep a bike balenced with a passenger but when she is moving around at the 5 mph mark its nuts. Anyone have any suggestions, my buddy jokingly said well next time she does it lay the bike down, yes this would teach her a lesson but who wants to hurt there bike right. lol
I wouldn't say lay it down to teach her a lesson :scratch unless you got mad cash laying around to fix it. A simple brake check to get her to slide forward unexpectedly usually works, just make sure you're braced for it. Munchie is a really good passenger when we ride, she's like a statue when we're slowing down and doesn't resituate herself until we're stopped. If we're riding and she needs to move we have a signal she gives me to let me know to brace for her movement and it works well for us. Before we ever started riding together tho, I gave her the do's and dont's brief of being a passenger and the reasoning behind it. I know you said you told her a million and one times but try again and try and use something she can relate it to when explaining it to her. Sh!t, get her to let you ride passenger on a bicycle and when she starts going slow fidget all around and watch her try and keep control of the bike. :lol

She probably hates it when you take off like a bat out of hell so tell her that until she starts listening to you that you are going to do the same type of shit to her.

I Have The Same Problem With My Girlfriend She Doesnt Move The Whhole Time But When I Go In To Stop She Just Has To Fidget Around

From a passengers point of view…I thought it was extremely important to know when and when NOT to move around and sh!t…You figure if anyone has commonsense they will listen, unless uR down w/ eating it, getting hurt, causing an accident, or knowing the frame sliders will “save you and your bike” (hoping the power commander doesn’t kick in- ha ha ha ha what an idiot:lol ) Just tell her if she likes riding with you, cut the sh!t out...:mad and if not… don’t let her ride with you. The signals RJM and I use work really well. :cheers

+1
good post
Definitely a good read for those interested in taking passengers

I get on my bike first and stand up (or just put my right foot on the ground) and let my passenger use my left peg to let them swing their right foot over to their passenger peg, then I sit and we go.

when braking get the passenger to put their hands on the tank to take pressure off of you>

when braking get the passenger to put their hands on the tank to take pressure off of you>


^ and off of your nads OUCH!

nice write up...that really helps

that was very well thought out and everyone should know this also give it at aleast 2000 miles if you are a nubie

Hey guys... I'm a newbie.. been riding for about a year and loving it... I ride my daughter all the time. At first I was a little scared, but it helped that she rode with her dad (who has a busa) and she knew how to lean and all the single that we made up....

I like the idea of using the rear brake so the passenger is not thrown forward, Good idea.

my girl wanted to go for a ride with me and my buddy . we went up to a local canyon place in LA , threw the canyon I was just taking it easy cause I really hate ridding a passenger , She fought me in corners tried to lean opposite to keep the bike up and kept putting her helmet right behind mine so I couldn't look into corners with out being handcuffed . Anyway we got to a stop and all I hear is heavy breathing , I turn around and my buddy said dude pull over she is going to pass out . I pull over and it turns out she is hyperventilating and not telling me shit . I briefed her about all the rule yet she didn't listen to 1 . I told her I would go even slower to accommodate her fear and don't worry , we tried another ride and she did everything I told her and after she hated it cause she said she could only look down and was uncomfortable if she had to ride the way I asked her , We were about to buy her a good Helmet and she said its ok she doesn't want to ride to much . she said she will go on small cruises but nothing big . well I SAID " no babe come with me " but in my head I was thinking . "hell fucken yeah" , I took my pegs off about 2 weeks ago and put on my solo seat and she hasn't noticed . LOL ..

maaan i have girls beggin me for a ride... and i have them hop on first i never tried it the other way around

maaan i have girls beggin me for a ride... and i have them hop on first i never tried it the other way around

:shifty You have them hop on first????

We were about to buy her a good Helmet and she said its ok she doesn't want to ride to much . she said she will go on small cruises but nothing big . well I SAID " no babe come with me " but in my head I was thinking . "hell fucken yeah" , I took my pegs off about 2 weeks ago and put on my solo seat and she hasn't noticed . LOL ..

I am STILL WAITING for that to happen to me, lucky you ;)
nice write up. My gf likes to ride with me, and she does everything i ask, so she's a good passenger. :thumbup
i swap to solo seat 10 seconds after she gets off the bike. She doesn't mind, she knows i like riding solo better. She's looking into getting het first 125cc to ride on her own... :)

my chick loves to ride on the back, and when we go out with our friends to hit up the twisties, we still dust them, even though we are the only bike w/ a passenger. PRICELESS!

BTW, this is totally the WRONG thing to do. Still fun though......

haha, i didnt even think about sum of that stuff, nice..

my chick loves to ride on the back, and when we go out with our friends to hit up the twisties, we still dust them, even though we are the only bike w/ a passenger. PRICELESS!

BTW, this is totally the WRONG thing to do. Still fun though......

Mine to..

Great post, lots of great information

Great post! Think I'll have my boyfriend read it! He is much less experienced riding, so when we hafta go 2-up, he rides bitch. :lol Picture it -- me, 130-lb, 5'7" woman / him, 200-lb, 5'7" weightlifter. People on the road look like Linda Blair in the Exorcist, they're head-turnin' so much!

Great post! Think I'll have my boyfriend read it! He is much less experienced riding, so when we hafta go 2-up, he rides bitch. :lol Picture it -- me, 130-lb, 5'7" woman / him, 200-lb, 5'7" weightlifter. People on the road look like Linda Blair in the Exorcist, they're head-turnin' so much!
:lol:lolThats awesome

Great post! Think I'll have my boyfriend read it! He is much less experienced riding, so when we hafta go 2-up, he rides bitch. :lol Picture it -- me, 130-lb, 5'7" woman / him, 200-lb, 5'7" weightlifter. People on the road look like Linda Blair in the Exorcist, they're head-turnin' so much!

Lol. You definetly need to post up a pic of that!

Lol. You definetly need to post up a pic of that!

You got it! We'll get that up this week.... :cheers

im kinda scared to ride with a pas. now i hit gravel at 20mph with a pas and got a lil wobble and she freked out leaned the wron way down we gooooo

being new i wouldnt trust myself with someone on the back


but damn some girls look damn fine while they're on there

I am STILL WAITING for that to happen to me, lucky you ;)
nice write up. My gf likes to ride with me, and she does everything i ask, so she's a good passenger. :thumbup
i swap to solo seat 10 seconds after she gets off the bike. She doesn't mind, she knows i like riding solo better. She's looking into getting het first 125cc to ride on her own... :)

I hope you have patients if she gets a 125cc :-P

i hate riding chicks. they always move around to much and almost launch ya off the road. i just keep my seat cowl on nowadays so they cant even ask.

Excellent write up for those who ride with passengers.

Excellent write up for those who ride with passengers.
:cheers

yeah thats right about the acceleration and braking lol my mate holds onto me whilst riding on the back and he usually uses me as a stop haha we got caught in a snow blizzard a couple of months back and i managed to ride on snow with him on the back without coming of! only been riding my gixxer for bout 3-4months aswell

wicked i love biker girls i see a girl riding a blade through dereham often hehe its sooooo good

this was a very informative post

MAKE SURE YOU TELL EM NEVER TO PUT THEIR FEET DOWN EVEN IF THEY FEEL LIKE FALLING AND TO LEAN WITH YOU IN THE TURNS... The only hard part ic is when im stopped and my gf goes hey look at that annd points and leans and shit... and she's a fucken stick with an ass.. weighs like 100 lbs.. maybe its because she's so high up on the bike!

good writing ,learn something new every day.

MAKE SURE YOU TELL EM NEVER TO PUT THEIR FEET DOWN EVEN IF THEY FEEL LIKE FALLING AND TO LEAN WITH YOU IN THE TURNS... The only hard part ic is when im stopped and my gf goes hey look at that annd points and leans and shit... and she's a fucken stick with an ass.. weighs like 100 lbs.. maybe its because she's so high up on the bike!


Yea. That's bothersome. Like when they try to make conversation and your in "the zone" to try and get to point B safely. Ahhhhhhhhh.

ridin w/ a passenger isn't bad, i love when my girl rides w/ me...but there is a catch she has to know HOW to ride on the back...lean with you, never opposite...hold on when i touch her leg, and use her hands on the tank so she doesn't lean on me the entire time smashin my balls...

Great post really helps me being that I am taking my wife on her first ride this weekend...thanks

Great tips! Thanks :)

A few notes I'd like to add that no one will read because it's so far back

1. Remind them that normal acceleration and deceleration feels like a car going wide open throttle.
There is no cage around you, no seat back behind you, the high RPM and the general nature of the beast. You shouldn't be riding like a jackass in the first place so promise them you'll be accelerating/braking/cruising at the same rate as a your would be in a car.

2. If you go through a right hand turn, tell her to look over your right shoulder and vice versa. It will fix any counter lean and target fixation issues.

Great Tips!!

good write up thank you

That was a great write up. A big +1 to letting your passenger put her hands on the tank. When riding with my ex on long runs all the extra pressure on my arms from the breaking force can be really uncomfortable. Also a in helmet communication system mite be helpful. And always be super careful!!!

my girlfriend places her hands on the tank and puts her weight 90 percent of the time. I always have to tell her when she complains about her arms being tired that when we aren't slowing down or turning that it's okay to hold onto me. Esp in a turn!. Remember to go slow at first and they'll love u for it. U might get a long-term passenger, like in my case. She told me today "I want to get on the bike again, it's been awhile"- it's been two weeks :cheers. I always laugh and she asked me why, all I have to do is tell her how great that is to hear considered I ride my bike more than my Jeep

Quick Question: If you are giving another Guy a ride and he has a bigger build then you do what would be some tips on maintaining control?

Well my bike is my only form of transportation so I end up driving my girlfriend all most daily.

A few things I've picked up over time that are definitely helpful, is using that back break a lot, unless you like your nuts smashed against the gas tank. And you gotta make sure to tell them not to wiggle! She used to wiggle around on the back seat while I would be slowing down for a light and it throws the balance everywhere... after a good "you do that again and you're walking home!" took care of that tho. And I wouldn’t recommend WOT at all, the front tire likes to come up with that extra weight on the back, and if it does come up, it comes up fast.

The bike you ride makes a huge difference, my old 600 was shit for riding a passenger compared to the K8 1000, it’s like a hole different ride, and it doesn't bother me at all, but the 600 sucked.

lmao @ another dude on the back...




like one guy kinda mentioned, a biiiiiig thing to do is take it easy when first starting...you don't wanna throw your girl on the back and rip a wheelie or hit a buck 20...stay in town ride slowwwww....then move up from there til you can go on a full ride with her on the back and hit 150 easily...it's allll good

Wife doesn't ride, rear pegs are deleted and seat cowl is on. Makes her feel better about nobody riding but me.

Quick Question: If you are giving another Guy a ride and he has a bigger build then you do what would be some tips on maintaining control?

i dont have a bike yet, but even i know the 2 rules:

1) number of balls per bike = 2 balls per bike
2) NO nut to butt...EVER

am i right? or did i get it wrong? :dunno

Quick Question: If you are giving another Guy a ride and he has a bigger build then you do what would be some tips on maintaining control? :spit :spit :spit
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/turbo26tsi/may%2031st%20and%20june%201st%202008/gaybikers.jpg

lmao @ another dude on the back...




like one guy kinda mentioned, a biiiiiig thing to do is take it easy when first starting...you don't wanna throw your girl on the back and rip a wheelie or hit a buck 20...stay in town ride slowwwww....then move up from there til you can go on a full ride with her on the back and hit 150 easily...it's allll good

:wtf :dissapointed :gtfo

I don't think this was mentioned, but make sure your insurance coverage is right. I saw a court case where a passenger fell off the back and they held the driver negligent for two reasons - he didn't prepare her properly and he didn't ride responsibly. Therefore, dude ended up coming out of his pocket because his dumb passenger hit the assphalt.:wtf

Ive ridden as and with a passenger. Not my cup of tea, so no buddy seat on my SRAD.

My wife loves it. But Id rather go alone....

Haha I just prefer solo riding! Nothing else to worry about except you and the road. Plus, I get too many women asking if they can have a ride and half of them arent competent enough to ride along. Its annoying! So I just keep the seat cowl on and I took my back pegs off to put a stop to all that

Eh, I don't mind riding with a passenger NEAR as much as when I first started. At first, I absolutely HATED riding a passenger...It is much more difficult as opposed to riding by yourself.

Good article my x girlfriend didn't like being The back so I really do like the article thank for tips since it's been a while I rode with a passenger

The one and only girl that rides with me trusts me and knows what to do so
no explaining needs to be done. I ride the same with her on or off.

I've gotten some good angle with her on. She rides too so it's all good.

That's the one thing that's bad with taken a new passenger. The trust factor.

Well said.......good pointers. The most important thing is taking it down a notch, ride a little slower, I believe the best method is arms around the waist and the passenger can move one hand to the tank when they sense we are braking. As a former MSF instructor of 9yrs, I always told my students to have at least 3000 miles under thier belt before taking another person for a ride.

I agree. Arms around waist and holding snuggly. But, I prefer to ride alone.

only one thing to say about riddin 2 up NO NUTS 2 BUT

only one thing to say about riddin 2 up NO NUTS 2 BUT

bahahaha :lol .. never heard that one before..

agreed riding a passenger sucks....i do it occasionally but it makes your night suck cause you cant buck out and ride with the pack like you normally would. I only make exceptions if i shes hot and i know im getting ass later!lol:drool:drool

agreed riding a passenger sucks....i do it occasionally but it makes your night suck cause you cant buck out and ride with the pack like you normally would. I only make exceptions if i shes hot and i know im getting ass later!lol:drool:drool

how do you know in advance you gonna get ass ?

Guaranteed Ass Contract

Hummm.. I don't mind people riding with me as I have done it a lot, but this one time was terrible. A friend of mine wanted me to take his girlfriend on a short ride so he could convince her to let him get a bike.. yea he was whipped. I said sure. Later that week they came over to a small party I was having. This chick..or beast.. was at least 240 (easily more)..I am only 135-145. I should have been mean and been like fuck no, but I didn't and decided to take her on a short ride. I almost killed the bike trying to take off... I had to launch at about 10,000 rpm in order to get moving..not kidding.. After the initial battle of getting the bike to actually move, I then realized this monstrosity was going to freaking crush me whenever I had to stop. I managed, but could hardly support the weight of her and the bike when stopped. I immediately turned around in the next big parking lot I seen and took her back. I didn't want to do any more harm to my poor clutch or suspension. Some of the other people got a damn good laugh out of it after he and the beast left, but told me they could never have done it, and I was deemed badass for the night.

Hummm.. I don't mind people riding with me as I have done it a lot, but this one time was terrible. A friend of mine wanted me to take his girlfriend on a short ride so he could convince her to let him get a bike.. yea he was whipped. I said sure. Later that week they came over to a small party I was having. This chick..or beast.. was at least 240 (easily more)..I am only 135-145. I should have been mean and been like fuck no, but I didn't and decided to take her on a short ride. I almost killed the bike trying to take off... I had to launch at about 10,000 rpm in order to get moving..not kidding.. After the initial battle of getting the bike to actually move, I then realized this monstrosity was going to freaking crush me whenever I had to stop. I managed, but could hardly support the weight of her and the bike when stopped. I immediately turned around in the next big parking lot I seen and took her back. I didn't want to do any more harm to my poor clutch or suspension. Some of the other people got a damn good laugh out of it after he and the beast left, but told me they could never have done it, and I was deemed badass for the night.

:lmao:lmao:lmao good story dude thanks for sharing

Turk

No problem..lol.

this thread is invaluable. :cheers some very good pointers are outlined here. i have come pretty close on a few occasions riding someone and its something that i dont enjoy doing UNLESS the girl (if you are riding a guy, you're a fag unless you and he both are in DIRE straits regarding your situations) knows how to:

A. listen to the rules you tell her before she gets on
B. knows how to be completely still.
C. ...ride, from experience.

my gf Jen had never rode a bike before i got my GSX600R a few years back and i told her how to ride and no lie, she did EXACTLY what i told her and honestly, i enjoy riding through the turns MORE with her and the little extra weight a passenger brings than i do going in alone. i feel like the bike just grips the road better when i have her on it and plus she really enjoyed it as well. i plan on riding her alot when i get this new GSXR as well.

Great thread!:punk

Guaranteed Ass Contract

LMAO! :lmao:cheers

i plan on riding her alot when i get this new GSXR as well.

what?

When i first met my girl she never had been on a bike. I sat her down and gave her specific instructions on what to do. After that we went to a parking lot and practiced the slow speed stuff so we could acclimate her and myself to the handling characteristics. ( Not my first time with a pass just her) Once she felt comfortable and i was comfortable with her level of competence we hit the open road. After about a month or two of very relaxed riding we started stepping it up a little each ride. Before i had to sell the F4i we were getting very impressive lean angles and would walk away at times from my buddy riding solo with less riding experience. Did scrape a peg one time but that was the most lean she ever saw and loved every second of it. You just need to be positive they understand what you tell them and do it exactly as you said. If you start out and she is figgiting around or not performing as she should I would turn right back around and say sorry no go at this time. The parking lot is a life saver! Just my .02 but I enjoy riding solo more but at times i loved riding with my girl on the back cause I know how much she enjoyed it! Either way be safe and take things slowly.

Remember a couple more things:
[list]
DO NOT give rides until you can ride youself. Just because you can ride around the block does not qualify you to give rides.
Always when giving a ride to anyone (male or female) their arms need to be around you. I have seen people fall off holding on the that "grab rail" under normal accelleration, if having another guys arms around you makes you feel gay you don't need to be giving him a ride. that "grab rail" acts as a fulcrum (pivot point) and their body will rotate right around it.
Adjust your suspension for the added weight of the passenger. It should be set up for you so riding passengers means adjusting the rear shock and forks.
On Sport bikes like ours have your passenger wrap their arms around you and place one hand palm down on the tank and grasp the wrist of that hand with the other. this allows them to put pressure on the tank under braking instead of your back and also keeps the dings out of the back of your 600.00 helmet.
Have them look over you inside shoulder when going through turns. It helps with the proper lean.
Have fun! Keep the Stunts for Solo riding. Nothing is worse than picking sombody off the ground cause they where trying to impress some girl with how well they can wheelie at 70+mph and they have to go to the ER cause they did not have the right gear on and are now covreed in road rash.
Bones

Good Post! :cheers

Riding 2-up is ALWAYS a no-go with me.
I hate it with a passion! If I was to carry someone, I'd get a Goldwing with a sidecar!

i did this with my wife...I gave her the brief with every sentence ending in were going to fall if you do that!

i did this with my wife...I gave her the brief with every sentence ending in were going to fall if you do that!

:twitch Bet she loved that :lol

Thanks for the write up. I'll definitely make sure I utilize this info... and research clutchless shifting :D

Good Post! :cheers

+1:biggrin

I just want to say I revert back to this EVERYTIME I know I'm going to have a passenger and I don't think I've ever paid my respects to the OP.

Thank you for writing up such a simple yet very concise write-up about passenger riding, those 5 little tips to say before we ever get on have probably saved me, and her, on numerous occassions...

thanks again.

dont like riding with a passenger, but its good to have one when taking a curve.

This thread is the very first one that I've read since joining the site about a half an hour ago. Great thoughts and input people. Now I'll know what to expect when I take a rider with me in the spring time.

Cheers

:cheers

When i first bought my 04 gixxer 600 in vegas, my lady tagged along and it waz fun as hell!!!! We even took it down the strip to show off :) She loves being on the back of the bike :) we go everywhere together. I have gotten use to having a passenger on the back. She knows how to corner with me, what to do when i accelerate/decelerate. our combined weight comes out to about 270 (both she and i arent really big people) so my gixxer does juss fine. The speed limit is 70 on hwy 95, she says dats way to slow for the bumble bee!!! and im like what???? ure gonna get us killed. dat waz after i took her through death valley (what a fitting name lol) goin a buck thirty. most of u guyz are gonna think im stupid for doin that i m sure... but she insisted...

perfect write up from 2003 lol...i will def utilize all this info and make my wife read all 12 pages

I messed up and took my wife out for the first time without reading something like this and she will not get on the back anymore. Here first time on the bike I accelerated really quickly and it must've of freaked her out because when we got back she was in tears. Now mind you I wasn't traveling at even remotely close to triple digits but I guess getting up to 60 or 70 for her felt way to fast. She even asked me to sale my baby! WTF? NEVER unless I'm upgrading.

some good info here , thanks
my girl wants to ride this summer, i always thought i would never try 2up

On rare occasions I'll carry a pass. Every one of them experienced or not gets the " if you don't do this right we WILL eat pavement" after every sentence.

i've done it a few times...and I won't do it again. As you would guess the few times were girls and yes it was nice and all but honestly I can't be responsible for someone else's life like that.

The only way I would consider it is if the passenger was a rider themselves. My riding buddy and his gf always ride together and she used to have a bike so she knows the proper etiquette and how to lean with him and all of that so I am ok with that I suppose but honestly...sport bikes really aren't made to be carrying passengers. If you want to do that, be smart and get a touring bike instead.

i absolutely hate riding with passengers, even very experienced ones. Thats why I took off my rear passenger foot pegs and seat. The girl has to be pretty damn hot in order for me to give her a ride. No buffalos on my shit. lmao

Fraggle Rock- thanks for the post my man, just got my first bike and thats something i have been thinking about a lot since people have asked for rides!!!

I got on this post to learn and i thought it would be fairly ambiguous.
I'm going to have to say not only is it thorough and in depth but, it's simply explained in many different forms. My confidence was high with giving my wife a ride however, now it's through the roof. I can't wait to ride two up with her. Ladies and gentlemen thanks a whole bunch.

UPDATE!!! Not only did all these suggestions work it made me look as if i was matt mladin and what not. Got me some boooooooty from the wife instantaneously. Please believe i put a few deep for the ones who made the suggestions.

Went out for my first 2 up ride on the weekend. This thread was invaluable. We were out for 2 hours, county roads (100KM/H), small towns, speed bumps, start/stop, big sweeping corners, and she loved it and I did too. Always swore I'd never ride with a passenger. It's going to add another dimension to my relationship, and I already have 2 bikes, 3 helmets, 6 coats, 6 pairs of gloves, I'm thinking there won't be any more "well don't you have enough gear or bikes". Her birthday is coming up and I'm going to take her and kit her out with full gear, can't wait.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their stories, tips, tricks, jokes and thoughts.

CB

Here are some things I noticed about carrying a passenger.
First off this forum/thread helped out a lot to give you a basic structure of how you should communicate to your passenger to give them a visual picture of WHAT they need to be doing at all times.
Here is what I told my passenger
"Sit perfectly still, especially when coming to a stop and when going into corners."
"You look the direction that I am looking when going into the corners, dont look over my opposite shoulder"
"Always get on and off the left side of of the bike, by tapping my left shoulder when u are getting on and off."
"Never push the bike lower in a corner using your own weight, you look ahead in the corner, where we would be 5 seconds from now."
"When I lean forward you better hold on tight"
"When we have to stop fast, keep your strongest arm pressed against the tank and your weakest arm around my waist."
"if you have an emergency, hit my chest 3 times"
"Scoot back on your seat after bumps/stops using good judgement."

I had never had a passenger for the 2 years that I have been riding, up until about 2 weeks ago and I've put about 10k miles on my bike...

My personal experience is this, "It's very simple if your passenger understands what I stated above." My first passenger had never ridden on a sportbike before but rode on harleys and stuff, and she was looking over my opposite shoulder when we got low in corners, believe it or not I didnt even notice that she was doing it until my buddy riding with us told me. She is only 100 lbs and I was able to overpower her weight easily. (I'm 150)

I also noticed that going over bumps are completly different with a passenger, it feels way more cushioned and planted to the ground, which for me gave me confidence going into corners at highway speeds incase there was road imperfections during the corner.

I do have a 600 and it didnt feel super sluggish but u could tell it was slower... the biggest thing to notice is braking... be nice to your bike and give yourself twice the amount of braking distance than u would riding solo.

Also Scoot back about a fists length away from the tank so you dont get your nuts crushed if your passenger somehow screws up and flys into your back :(

Also it makes it easier for them to grab onto you if they are short since the passenger seat is pretty far back.. at least on 06/07 models.

I now understand why people call passengers "Backpacks" because they really aren't as bad as you think.. unless u are carrying a passenger that is over 150lbs... well that will suck unless u are riding a 750 or 1000

As for me, I am not so sure about carrying a passenger.

Thanks for the tip, Swbd4L.
Very well said!

I'm mixed on carrying passengers. My girlfriend loves sportsbikes, and has been pillion on machines piloted by riders vastly more experienced than me, so I barely feel her perched back there.

While she follows the advice spelled out by Swbd4L to the letter, I just dislike how my bike feels. Most of this has to do with the fact that there is additional load on the suspension, which makes the bike less agile in the twisty stuff. The next is an impediment of mine, but I also don't move around as much when she's with me, so while I enter a corner at the same speed as I do on my own, it can lead to some white knuckle moments because my movements and the anticipated result are different when I have a pillion.

Admittedly, I also get the odd smack upside the head when I've settled down because I tend to wave the front at the sky. Same throttle, an extra 60kg over the rear wheel...hello wheelie :dunno

I'm thinking that something I can do is the following. I plan on getting new internals for my front shocks, and will have a look at some rear suspension options. While having the bike set up for me, I may just take my girlfriend with me, and have a second setting found that I can adjust to at home for two up riding. Or buy her her own GSXR600 :biggrin

I dont think I will ever carry a passenger. It's hard enough looking out for yourself on the road when your on a bike.

This is an excellent post, I recently picked up a 98 gixxer 750 and I've only had it a week, I've only had my license for like 3 months! So riding the 750 is completely different the my old cbr125, my girl is constantly fighting with me because I won't take her out on my bike! I told her maybe next year when I feel a little more comfortable on my bike and my own girl is calling me a pansy, maybe I'll have her read a few things in this forum and show her a few crash videos, maybe then she will realize I'm pretty much saving her life and mine lol, great post!!!

I have no issues with 2 up riding, and have given my wife rides on various bikes many times. She knows all the rules, she is generally a very good passenger, but one time she freaked the hell out of me.

I took her for a ride on a gentle country road about a month ago. It had been a while since she was a passenger. I ran down the rules just for good measure, and we took off. Just a nice gentle ride. There is a nice straight on this road so I opened up. All of sudden the bike starts to go into a harsh wobble at 80mph. I thought I had a flat, the back of the bike was all over the place. So I pulled over, bike was fine. Cause of the wobble..... wife was getting a wedgie, and tried to adjust her undergarments. :twitch She knows that all she has to do is tap my shoulder and I will pull over. But yeah, lapse of logic.

Wow a lot of good info... I've had my bike for two weeks and feel good on it. i dont have a lot of experience but everyday I ride I get better. I really want to take my wife for a ride but wll wait till I get more experience. A lot of really good posts. Anybody that's a squid should read this thread before giving rides.

I see two up as a chore more than anything. If they're a good friend or I know I'm gonna get some later, then I don't mind, but I'v only suggested it twice ever.