Tips for riding with passenger

[rwjjr]

Im no new rider ,Ive rode on and off (on road and off) for around 10 years.I just got my first real bike and am slowly geting comfortable on it weather permitting.My wife loves my new bike and is wanting to ride with me in the spring and summer months,shes already picking out a new seat ,anyway we wont be riding long haul trips just buzzing around town mainly.The problem is Ive never rode with anyone on the back,I think I will do fine but any advice ,tips ,etc would be great.

[prettyponyofdoom]

Some of the best advice you can give your passenger is "dont touch that pipe!"
a shoe on the pipe will leave a nasty mark, and an ankle...well... ya know....
Other than that, HELMETS and sturdy clothes. Good luck man!

[Danny3nose]

Have a set of non verbal hand signals worked out so you can communicate over the sound of the engine. For example, my ex would tap/rub my thigh to let me know she was ok, two taps on the shoulder meant she wanted to pull over for a break, etc.

Also, I would recommend taking the bike to an empty parking lot with her on it and practice some figure 8's, turns, stops, etc, just to get the feel of it before getting in traffic.

MSF course wouldn't hurt either, especially the advanced course.

[Fourcats]

Drive her to the H-D shop for some shopping...gloves, helmet, jacket, boots, ect.

Make sure she understands to get on/off the bike when YOU say to.
To look over your inside shoulder in turns, NO leaning.
Keep her feet on the pegs at all times.
I have passengers hold on to the backrest. Some have them hold on to the drivers waist.
Don't drive like an idiot.

[XL O.C.D.]

Everything Fourcat said, especially:
1: Tell her DO NOT GET OFF THE BIKE UNTIL I SAY SO. PERIOD. You will drop the bike and you will be pissed and you will look like the idiot.
2: Easy on the throttle, especially off the clutch, or that front end will come up and surprise you.
3: I like having the wife, or any fine woman for that matter, 'hug' me loosly while we're riding. (oh, how cute) That way I know right where her body is, some don't prefer this.

[rshute4]

I would say get VERY comfortable on the bike, by yourself BEFORE you add a passenger (as with any bike/ATV) do the empty parking lot by yourself a few times lots of turns and panic stopping... then do it with her on it ALOT and don't hold back

OK with that being said THATS COOL YOUR WIFE IS EXCITED! when i got mine she didn't even want to look at it, let alone get on the back. We got her the sundowner and a tall sissybar... we went on our anniversary trip on it now i cant get her off! shes always asking when were going riding again!

just make sure she knows the "RULES"

1. On and off the bike only when told to by the rider (you)... bike in neutral, brake in, feet planted firmly and jiffy stand up.

2. NO pulling while getting on the bike, keep her weight centered... almost sliding her leg over then sliding her ass on. (remember you have to balance her and the bike)

3. Feet on the pegs AT ALL TIMES, she doesn't need to help you hold it up

4. Lean w/ you in the turns tell her to stay right with you, if she fights the turn it can get bad

5. Work out hand signals or some form of communication...so you know when she wants to stop ect...

6. NO SQUIRMING! every time she moves her butt, the bike will react! not good with feet stretched on the pegs and one hand on the throttle at 80mph

7. Wave at passing bikes!!! (I'm still working on this one with my wife)

8. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE... HAVE FUN, RIDE HARD, AND GET TO WHERE YOUR GOING ALIVE and SAFE!

I got lucky my wifes ridden before on the back so i didn't have to train her to much, riding together is the best time you will have together without talking! riding 400 miles and only talking when you stop to get gas is awesome, and she will enjoy it too!

[gymrat523]

Originally Posted by rshute4

I would say get VERY comfortable on the bike, by yourself BEFORE you add a passenger (as with any bike/ATV) do the empty parking lot by yourself a few times lots of turns and panic stopping... then do it with her on it ALOT and don't hold back

OK with that being said THATS COOL YOUR WIFE IS EXCITED! when i got mine she didn't even want to look at it, let alone get on the back. We got her the sundowner and a tall sissybar... we went on our anniversary trip on it now i cant get her off! shes always asking when were going riding again!

just make sure she knows the "RULES"

1. On and off the bike only when told to by the rider (you)... bike in neutral, brake in, feet planted firmly and jiffy stand up.

2. NO pulling while getting on the bike, keep her weight centered... almost sliding her leg over then sliding her ass on. (remember you have to balance her and the bike)

3. Feet on the pegs AT ALL TIMES, she doesn't need to help you hold it up

4. Lean w/ you in the turns tell her to stay right with you, if she fights the turn it can get bad

5. Work out hand signals or some form of communication...so you know when she wants to stop ect...

6. NO SQUIRMING! every time she moves her butt, the bike will react! not good with feet stretched on the pegs and one hand on the throttle at 80mph

7. Wave at passing bikes!!! (I'm still working on this one with my wife)

8. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE... HAVE FUN, RIDE HARD, AND GET TO WHERE YOUR GOING ALIVE and SAFE!

I got lucky my wifes ridden before on the back so i didn't have to train her to much, riding together is the best time you will have together without talking! riding 400 miles and only talking when you stop to get gas is awesome, and she will enjoy it too!

I agree with all the above except telling her to lean into turns, they really should just look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn and go with the flow, when you tell people to lean into corners it can be as bad as people fighting the lean to stay upright. You will find when they look over your shoulder into the corner everything happens naturally they should not be thinking I need to lean into this corner it makes most women uptight.

[jalldredge]

I just hate it when a passenger wants to snuggle and push their helmet against mine. May it just me, but it really disturbs my wa and balance.

[rshute4]

[QUOTE=gymrat523]I agree with all the above except telling her to lean into turns, they really should just look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn and go with the flow, when you tell people to lean into corners it can be as bad as people fighting the lean to stay upright. You will find when they look over your shoulder into the corner everything happens naturally they should not be thinking I need to lean into this corner it makes most women uptight.[/QUOTE]

You are correct! i just couldnt find the right way to say it!

[wildwill8]

The only rule you need is Never zride with a passager if they want to enjoy a ride on a motorcycle tell them to got by one. But there is a but to the Rule 1
Hot drunk chick at the bar strap her to the bike and home you go. just dont crash or no ass for you.