Hmm, I had posted about this in "riding advice", but guess no one really looks there. ?? Its been years since I've had a passenger, and looking for some "do's and dont's". I'm not a knee dragger to begin with, so I'll be taking it easy. What's the best pieces of advice to give a passenger (as well as myself), that will help both of us be safe and comfortable? Where are the best places for a passenger to hold on at different times of the ride? (And I know the comments are going to stream in, but keep in mind this is my daughter I'm talking about, ya' sickos!!!). For cornering, I seem to recall that telling the passenger to look over the shoulder of the direction we are turning helps keeping the bike balanced. Is this correct? We'll be starting with quick jaunts so that we can both get used to this, and to make sure that she's OK with being on a bike. The obvious applies - we'll both be ATGATT. Only have stock suspension (5th Gen). Should I crank front and rear all the way down? (Me at 230, her at 120). I usually keep my rear at 4 of 7 and front is almost all the way down; got a little bit to spare. Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
passenger should just stay centered on the bike, and hold on to you around waist. or hold on to your belt if young and squeeze with hips ( like you squeeze tank to keep you from going forward when braking ) If you have grab handles, she can use those as well ( it takes some time to get used to handles says my step son but he thinks they are the best option now ) as far as suspension goes just keep it the same for first few rides might want to go up 2 in rear preload if bike feels funny. once your passenger starts to feel comfortable it is a good idea to do some hard braking for passenger to get used to feeling that if you should have to panic stop for some stupid car. ( parking lot works best ) I have 6th gen and low speed ( under 30 mph ) is kind of a handfull w/ 2 up - you will get used to this in a short time.
So, I ride 2 up almost all the time. My wife rides pillion some, but my daughter (15) rides pillion almost all the time with me. We ride with a sportbike club every Monday night, weather permitting, and we ride pretty hard when we do. First, I'll assume you know how to set your sag, if not look it up, it's easy and all about pre-load. At anyrate, I've set mine to the harshest or smallest sag that is within limits, as I almost always have a pillion rider. That has made a huge difference in handling, much more stable in corners specifically. Second, my daughter uses the grab handles while we are just tooling along, which is better for me. But when we ride hard, she holds around my waist, because she feels more secure that way. The grab rails are better for me though, because she stays off me more. When ridding hard, your pillion will often slide forward (breaking into the corner) and put much more weight on your arms, so be careful. My recommendation would be to try to get her to use the grab handles, if she's at all comfortable with them; and to learn to arch her back to try to keep from leaning on you so much during braking. Also, I have very basic rules; get on and off ONLY when I've given the thumbs up to do so; lean with me at all times; try not to crowd me as much as possible; only adjust your hold or position at a stop, and do it quick before I leave; balance when we're at a stop, don't lean; pat me on the shoulder if you need my attention, and know we'll stop because I can't talk with you over my shoulder while riding, and no sudden movements. Also, you'll want to rev more before leaving a stop or you'll stall, and you'll want to be as smooth as possible on the starting/stopping/shifting, at least until you're both comfortable. There you go, our thoughts.
Recently took a trip with my sister. Through mountain passes she would hold onto me with one arm, and brace against the tank with the other - worked well for keeping her from sliding forward, and I still had enough room to move around. On the more low key roads she preferred the grab handles. In addition to the tips above, one thing to help her be more comfortable and to be safer with a higher load is to concentrate on smoothness in everything - squeeeeze the brake lever, roll on the throttle a little more slowly, and try to make your shifts as smooth as possible. Not banging helmets makes everyone happy.
The two of us I almost never ride a passenger.....just me and I have my reasons.If I do ride a passenger they must put arms around and grip the tank.And have a nice rack.:biggrin:
The first thing I'd say, is if you are going to make riding two up a regular thing is get an intercom. Makes life soo much easier. Also having a top box helps no end, my wife hardly holds me atall (when on the bike) but uses the rack rails and the top box. I find it easier for her to shift her balance / stretch legs etc when moving steadily, and with the intercom we can talk about when its convenient. Other than that all the advice so far seems good.
Scala Q2 or Blueant systems are dandy (handy). Ours had made all the difference to us either riding together on my bike or apart on each our bikes. Get's a little noisy over 60 mph so might consider modding the factory helmet speakers to ear-bud type.
My advice for passengers are always: - Don't move around while approaching a stop. Make sure the passenger waits until the bike is at a full stop, and the rider has their feet firmly planted on the road supporting the bike before they decide to shift their weight around. Same can be said while leaving from a stopped position. - If slowing down, have them brace themselves by your lower back, and using their legs. This will stop their weight from transferring down your wrist if they were to brace on your upper body like most do instinctively. - Ride smooth. Everyone who has road 2up, will have had the back of their helmets hit by the passengers helmet one time or another, caused by hard deceleration. Also comes with that, the slide up on their seats, crowding the Rider, which puts more weight for the wrist to take. - Have the passenger follow you when you lean into corners. Its critical if they have to shift around in the back, only do it when bike is upright, going straight. It should be natural feeling to them. - Stiffen the suspension. - Invest in a backrest/trunk. It really does allow a sense of security and riding freedom, knowing if you decide to accelerate hard, the passenger won't go flipping off the back end of the bike. The position of the grab rails tend to make the passenger lean back, which is the wrong body weight position if you accelerate forward, as they will have the feeling of falling of the back. - Invest in a comm system. Being able to communicate to the passenger that you are approaching a stop, accelerating, bump, or even its safe to get off of the bike really makes life easier, and much more enjoyable. Plus you have someone to talk scenery with along your rides.
I have recently been doing some 2 up riding. The woman I am dating told me she didn't like bikes. Then I showed her the VFR and CBR in the garage. I glossed over the CBR and directed her attention to the VFR. She liked it, so I told her if she ever wanted to go for a ride just let me know. The next time she came over she was dressed for riding. The first time I out we putted around my small town to where we could get out to the country roads. Then I upped the pace very slightly. I really took it easy. When we got back she told me she felt very safe with me and that she liked riding a lot more than she thought she would. We rode a few more times, then last weekend we went to the Burkesville, KY closed road ride. It's a small stretch of road (maybe a mile) that is very twisty with some nice elevation changes. I upped the pace to where I felt was comfortable with two riders and kept it there. I was scraped my toe on one left-hander more than once, so we were leaned over plenty far. She said that made her toes curl, but she loved it! I do have a question for the more experienced 2-up riders. She is very short, about 5" even. I am not sure she can use her legs to squeeze my hips She does tend to press into the middle of my back on during harder braking, I don't mind it, but it seems that she isn't able to hold on as well as I would like her too. She has been holding on to the grab bars be I am pretty sure that this isn't comfortable for long rides. Shouldn't she be holding on to my waist?
I'd say let her decide. My daughter likes to hold around my waist when we're just tooling around, but when I pick up the pace, she uses the grab handles. Oddly enough though, when I really turn it up, she goes back to my waist. Frankly I've recently been thinking about how cool it would be for a bike jacket to have handles sown into the front-sides of the jacket, so the pillion could have good holds. Your post made me think of a belt that could be made quickly that would serve the same purpose. I don't think there is a "should" here, whichever works best for her is the right answer, as long as she's comfy and safe. As I've said before, I ride mostly 2-up, with either my wife or daughter; both do agree the grab bars are not real comfy for longer rides. I only let them switch when we're stopped, at a light or stop sign. They tap my shoulder to let me know they're changing up. But my advice would be just ask her.
I only have a couple pieces of advice when I take someone with me. 1. Do not put your hands on my shoulders. (you can use waist or grab handles) 2. Your helmet follows my helmet. (If you see my head go left you stay right behind it). It's worked for me for years, and keeps it easy for them. If their head follows yours, they'll be in line with you and not leaning opposite or trying to pull you. If their hands are on your shoulders, they can steer so that is not cool. I always cut my pace 30% or so with a pillion rider.
This is a good thread! I just recently started riding my girlfriend around on the 86 vf500, anyone in here ever take a passenger on one of these? No grab handles so I was wondering if anyone could give any advice or any good holding places for her. Considering investing in a new seat that has alittle more contour for her so she doesnt slide up and crowd me as much.
I put the top case on when the wife wants to go for a ride. She feels secure having a back rest to lean on, or just know is there. Also, an intercom (I use a Scala Rider G4 and Q2 combo) makes for a better riding experience. Beats the hell out of hand signals and various thumps on the back, arm, leg, waist, and head. Reach arounds are always permitted, though.
There are plenty of these on the market, here is an example (albeit from a UK supplier): http://www.getgeared.co.uk/HELD_3314_Contigo_Handle_Kidney_Belt
