Hauling a Passenger - Need Advice!

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by jayzonk, Aug 26, 2011.

  1. jayzonk

    jayzonk New Member

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    Hey Guys, believe it or not, I've been riding on the street for over 16 years now, and I haven't had a passenger on the bike in a long, long time.
    Now, my wife and I are going to ride two-up to Port Dover on Saturday as a sort of mini-trip on the viffer, and I'm just wondering if anyone had some good rules for how the passenger should ride on the back. Mainly, I'm concerned about how much she should lean into the corners on the highway.
    From the small 'round-the-block trips we've taken so far, my advice is going to be to lean with me into the corners, but not quite as much as I do. But definitely don't lean away from me. Is this correct?
    I'm also wondering about whether or not she should use the grab handles on the back, or if she should just keep her arms wrapped around me. Just concerned that she may get thrown off the back if she's holding the grab handles and I happen to accelerate a little too much.
    I know this thread sounds a little juvenile, but I really think that there should be some clear guidelines for two-up riding.
    Thanks,
    J
     
  2. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    Not juvenile at all.

    Just tell her that when you turn left, to look over your left shoulder. When you turn right to look over your right shoulder. This will place her in the correct position for 2up riding.

    Make sure she hangs on! I prefer that she hangs on to me, not the grab handles. That way I know where she is at. If I feel her slipping or loosening her grip under acceleration, then I can just roll off the throttle or hit the brakes and she's back on top of me.

    She can use her legs to squeeze your hips just like you use your legs to squeeze the tank.

    Some passengers think they will hurt you or impede your riding if they hang on too tight. I had this discussion a few times with my wife before she could really accept the fact that she wasn't hurting me.

    When you take off with a passenger make sure to really ease out the clutch. It might not be such a big deal with the 1200 as it is with my 800.

    How far are you going? You will want to come up with a way for her to tell you to stop or pull over. Two taps on the left leg or something like that.

    Have fun!
     
  3. Cundalini

    Cundalini New Member

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    The best advice about riding 2 up, is dont do it!

    That said:


    I cant tell you what you should do, but as someone that has carried plenty of passengers, I can only tell you what works for me.
    I am 5'8" and 165 lbs, so I am pretty small, and carrying someone my size or heavier SUCKS.

    Grab handles also SUCK. I think that maybe if I had a dude on my bike and was feeling homophobic, then I would want them using the grab handles instead of "snuggling up to me"? I dunno. What I DO know is I want my passenger leaned forward into me, not the other way ( when they have used the grab handles, they leaned back away from me, and made the bike feel like the back tire wanted to wash out when cornering.
    I have told them to lean into the corners with me, and then its like they wanted to "over lean" and that was no good either.
    The last 2 people I had on my bike, I told them DO not try to lean into the turn, and do not get scared and try to lean away from the turn. Hold on to me very close. I just wanted them to lean forward into me, and it worked out just fine. If I leaned left, they leaned forward into me, and when I leaned left, they leaned slightly to the left, just naturally following my body. These girls were lighter then me, 1 of them by 70 lbs ( 14 year old daughter ) and one by 30 lbs. It was perfect, when they just leaned forward into me, that way, they leaned slightly in whichever direction I leaned. So, the instructions that I will now give my next passenger will be:

    Do not get on or off the bike until I tell you its ok. ( straddling your bike pulling on gloves, and then the passenger puts all the wieght on the right peg, with no warning, can cause you to go down fast, if you are small like me )
    If I tap your leg, it means that we are about to speed up, so hang on!
    Tap me on the arm or shoulder should we need to stop.
    Be prepared for us to speed up or brake hard without warning, always be ready to hold on tight, traffic is unpredictable.
    I will lean when we go around corners, do not lean into or out of the corner with me. DO not fight the lean, just hold on and forward into me as best you can.

    I have no idea what other people do, but this is what works for me. The more people that post, the more ideas you can read and apply.

    Good luck, and please ride safe with your passenger. AGATT!
     
  4. jayzonk

    jayzonk New Member

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    Hey thanks DeadSmiley. Great information for me. I also found this site that covers a lot of points:
    TIPS FOR THE MOTORCYCLE PASSENGER
    Funny you should ask about signals! I just finished telling my wife that if there is an urgent issue (ie a car coming that I didn't see, or a dog darting out, etc.), to quickly slap my left side twice. But DON'T do that if you just need to talk to me. Instead, tap my left shoulder and I'll pull over.
    All in all, it should be a good trip. It's an hour each way to Port Dover from here, so we'll likely stop halfway there and halfway back.
    I think she should wear layered clothing as well, as it's starting to cool off here at night a little.
     
    Last edited: Aug 26, 2011
  5. jayzonk

    jayzonk New Member

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    Hey Thanks Cundalini, great advice all around as well. I'm going to try your way, and have her lean into me, and not lean into the turns. Rather, just look over the shoulder of the direction I'm turning.
    I'm also going to tell her not to get on the bike until I give the o.k., as you suggest.
    I was going to post a picture of a gigantic fat chick on here, and tell everyone that that's my wife, but I just can't do it!!
     
  6. FoothillRyder

    FoothillRyder New Member

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    I'm going to throw this out there because it is a different point of view, at least vis-a-vis grab handles. My wife, who is by far the best passenger I've ever ridden with, *ONLY* holds onto the grab handles because she doesn't want to interfere with my operation of the bike. I'm not gonna brag (much); but we've had solo riders on sportbikes who couldn't hang with us 2-up on my Triumph Trophy 3, so we're not just putting along.

    But here's the deal... if you're just going for a cruise, having those arms wrapped around you can be nice. Not to mention the orbs pressing into your back....

    Good inputs on signals, etc. Be safe out there!
     
  7. AZTraveler

    AZTraveler New Member

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    Large movements by the passenger can disrupt the rider - have them enjoy the scenery with their eyes and slight head movements, not by moving their bodies. This is especially disconcerting when leaned over in a corner.
     
  8. FoothillRyder

    FoothillRyder New Member

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    I'm going to comment on this because I think it's important. It is definitely true that a passenger moving their body while leaned over in a corner will be disconcerting; but when you are leaned over in a corner the passenger better not be 'enjoying the scenery' unless you are riding very slowly through that corner!

    To simplify: A passenger on a motorcycle should be no less 'involved' in the ride than the pilot is. :cool:
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2011
  9. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    I usually just say, "keep your helmet behind my helmet." It seems to work out ok. I take off slower and start stopping sooner also.
     
  10. UR2CLOSE

    UR2CLOSE New Member

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    My dear wife puts her arms around me for a bit of a cuddle and also onto the end of the tank to stop pressing into me too hard. I am 6 foot and she is 5 foot 6 inches
     
  11. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    I am 5' 8" and my wife is 4' 11". She just kind of took to it with very little instruction.

    Here is us riding 2up at the Burkesville, KY closed road ride.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. FoothillRyder

    FoothillRyder New Member

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    Great example of 'turning right - look over the right shoulder' as recommended above.

    Some people just take to it (my wife isn't 4'11"; but took to it easily all the same).
     
  13. Cundalini

    Cundalini New Member

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    That is a Good pic, Smiley, and shows exactly how I would want my passenger positioned.
    As I mentioned earlier, I have a much easier time carrying someone smaller than me.
    Dont get me wrong, I love me some fat chicks, just not on the back of my bike :)
     
  14. Spectre

    Spectre New Member

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    1) As the photos above illustrate, outfit your wife with full riding gear: ATGATT: All the gear, all the time.

    2) Instruct her that in general (as shown above), she should always be looking in the same direction as you are, especially during turns. In other words, she should look towards and through the turns just as you are. Where your head and helmet turns, so should hers. She must not space out and lose concentration, since 2-up riding is a collaborative adventure.

    3) Whenever she mounts or dismounts the bike, you must first stabilize the bike with both of your feet firmly planted on the pavement, with the hand brake applied. Same as you, she should always mount/dismount the bike from the left-hand side, and only after you've given the nod. Her left foot goes on the left rear peg, she swings her right leg over the saddle, and then plants her right foot on the right rear peg. Allow time for her to settle in and get comfy.
    When she dismounts the bike, reverse this procedure. That is, she should dismount only after you have stabilized the bike with your feet firmly planted on the ground, with the hand break pulled in, and only then you give the nod that it's safe for her to dismount by placing her body weight firmly on the left peg, then extending her left leg enough so that she can swing her right leg up and over the saddle. Her left foot should remain planted on the left peg until her right foot is on the pavement, and only then should she remove her left foot from the left peg. Moreover, and in general, her feet should remain planted on the rear pegs aside from stretching her legs while riding. If she finds herself wanting to extend a leg in order to help you to keep the bike from falling on its side during low speed maneuvers, you are not well qualified to take on the enormous responsibility of a passenger.

    4) Hugging the rider has its merits, but hugging too closely is an invitation to not watching the road ahead, as well as helmet "turtle kissing" in which the front of her helmet bumps up against the back of yours, typically during quick-stops, so you should practice quick-stops with her in safe places such as a parking lot, with the goal being to learn to avoid turtle-kissing.

    5) If you haven't already done so, teach her that bikes turn by leaning them over. Teach her through practice runs how to correctly and smoothly lean with you and the bike. Also teach her that she must not anticipate upcoming leans by prematurely shifting her body weight in the direction of the turn before you do, because doing so will cause the bike to begin to turn before the front rider's intentions, which could result in a mishap in which the front and rear rider are at cross purposes and fighting each other in terms of weight distribution, lean, etc.

    6) As she becomes accustomed to 2-up riding, strongly consider the installation of a top-case which includes a lumbar back support/rest. And for that matter, install an aftermarket seat which offers good pillion comfort.

    7) Pay close attention to the bike's kickstand. After she has correctly dismounted the bike, it would be pretty lame and uninspiring if you happen to drop the bike on her toes because you forgot to make absolutely sure that the kickstand is fully deployed and the bike is stable.

    8) Suspension settings: 2-up riding on bikes like the VFR requires adjustments to the front and rear suspension settings which take into account the added weight, including luggage, and the same goes for tire pressures.

    9) If you want to get your partner really hooked on 2-up riding... the value, convenience, and luxury of a helmet-to-helmet intercom system, such as Autocom, can't be understated.

    10) With 2-up riding, common sense should prevail. For example, if you weigh 185 lbs, but your proposed passenger is very heavy, think twice.

    11) Unless you possess the riding skills of someone like Reg Pridmore, taking someone who is new to 2-up riding is not the time to attempt to show-off by going fast, leaning the bike heavily, etc.. Take it easy, and always be considerate. If you scare your passenger with stupid antics, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

    12) When riding 2-up, keep in mind that the bike will be much more top-heavy with a full tank of fuel.

    The following is worth repeating : ATGATT!
     
  15. UR2CLOSE

    UR2CLOSE New Member

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    We have six children, as reported befroe my wife took to it with very little instruction. lol
     
  16. FoothillRyder

    FoothillRyder New Member

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    nice coverage by Spectre! :clap2:
     
  17. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    Spectre nailed it. :cool:
     
  18. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    When I give my wife suggestions of how to ride with me, she says "Fuck off. I'm not getting on that thing!"

    Otherwise, this is how I do it:

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Proving that some daisy chains are more fun than others.
     
  20. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    And they are all dragging Patella to boot! Far out picture fer sure.

    Riding double - grab rails suck, pillion gota hold onto the pilot, gota use more rear brake to equalize dah bike.
    Cheers
     
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