Responsibilities when riding with a passenger

[rider101]

the discussion of carring passengers is really enlightening me. I'd always thought that if girls are good at riding on tops of guys, then they would be able to ride with dudes from behind.
P.S. everytime I said something, I always get "Doesn't make any senses" Hopefully not this time.

 

[Enchanter]

the discussion of carring passengers is really enlightening me. I'd always thought that if girls are good at riding on tops of guys, then they would be able to ride with dudes from behind.
P.S. everytime I said something, I always get "Doesn't make any senses" Hopefully not this time.

I can see that you are new to BARF. Please think about what you post. If you wrote this as a type of joke, there are other places on BARF for this type of (questionable) humor. The 1Rider Forum is a very special forum where we focus on important aspects of survival on a motorcycle, sexist humor is not welcome here.

 

[Enchanter]

Tim, do you have suggestions for how to properly communicate helmet bump avoidance techniques?

I wish I had some magical comments that I could give, but I don't. I just made it clear to my passenger that helmet kisses are unacceptable. They quickly stopped. I dunno what they did exactly. Sorry.

 

[deathbug74]

"Helmet Kisses" as I call them, are wholly the passengers responsibility. Once they figure out how to stop them, it is relatively easy to never do it again. Just take the time to explain it to them and tell them to stop.

the one time i rode as a passenger (on an r1, so no grab handles), i found that tucking in behind the rider, but bracing the hand that wasn't locked around the other wrist against the tank worked well.

 

[dwarf]

I used to do most of my riding with my (ex)girlfriend. I was a lot more level headed most of the time because I knew I had to make sure she stayed safe.

We also had safety training and I went over rider/passenger hand signals and taps so we can communicate.

I still have full gear for her. I was too scared to take her anywhere when she didn't have her protection on. That's not something I can live with for my life.

 

[MrCrash]

+1. Helmet kissing is all about the passenger's abdominal strength, proper bracing, and anticipating and following the riders' motion. My more experienced pillions never do it anymore. Tim, do you have suggestions for how to properly communicate helmet bump avoidance techniques?

By leaning forward just a tad under braking and using the rear brake to smooth out the forward weight transfer, I've done alright at preventing the dreaded helmet kiss - even at a fairly brisk pace. If I'm smooth and the passenger is using her hands on the tank to brace herself, it doesn't happen very often.

 

[Nemo Brinker]

Thanks, that's helpful. I do notice that I use a fair bit more rear brake with a passenger on board--seems that the extra weight over the rear wheel would counteract the increase in tendency to break the rear loose.
Hands on the tank works on my VFR, but the shape of the tanks on my 919 and Nighthawk don't allow for the passenger to brace as well, unfortunately. I'll keep working on throttle control, too.

 

[tzrider]

If I'm smooth and the passenger is using her hands on the tank to brace herself, it doesn't happen very often.

As far as things the rider can do, the above is key. Tapering on and off of the brakes and throttle make it much easier for the passenger to control their body. In order to do this, the rider must have attention far enough ahead to anticipate and plan moves.

 

[HiggyB]

And of course as always, keeping everything you do smooth will help your passenger avoid bumping helmets and whatnot. My GF used to do that a fair amount and it was mostly 'cause her mindset was too much of a "I'm a passenger and can zone out" type thing. I've educated her against that but I think passengers still get too prone to checking out the scenery and aren't always ready for a quick braking manuever or even pulling to a stop at a light.

Early, easy braking with a bit more on the rear brake is all solid stuff (or has been in my book).

 

[R3DS!X]

i deffinatly ride different, i take less risks, go slower, let things go, split lanes less and slower, leave more room to stop.

 

[Jack the Smack]

I had one passenger fall asleep, in the middle of a rain storm, while riding on my bike. I didn't know of it till she told me a month later.

I like to pull wheelies cause all the weight in the back makes it much easier to lift the front.

 

[CBRMike83]

How many of you ride differently when carrying a passenger? What do you do differently?

Do you speak to your passenger before the ride to ensure you both know what to expect from each other?

What type of behavior will you not allow from your passenger?

Do you have adequate insurance to cover your passenger?

Would you take a someone for a ride if they did not have health insurance?

Are you able to resist showing the passenger what you can do/what the motorcycle can do?

The Only real big thing i do is Ride Way slower brake way sooner and SO FAR SO GOOD:thumbup

 

[Cycle61]

I like to pull wheelies cause all the weight in the back makes it much easier to lift the front.

:|

 

[CBRMike83]

the discussion of carring passengers is really enlightening me. I'd always thought that if girls are good at riding on tops of guys, then they would be able to ride with dudes from behind.
P.S. everytime I said something, I always get "Doesn't make any senses" Hopefully not this time.

:rofl:rofl WTF:wtf:thumbup:laughing

 

[Nemo Brinker]

As far as things the rider can do, the above is key. Tapering on and off of the brakes and throttle make it much easier for the passenger to control their body. In order to do this, the rider must have attention far enough ahead to anticipate and plan moves.

Visualizing tapering on and off the throttle (thinking 1, 2, 3 or 3, 2, 1...) has helped. Also, I recently adjusted the throttle freeplay on my bikes, and found that that simple adjustment made it much easier to be smooth during on- and off-throttle transitions. My most frequent passenger has been enjoying the difference.

 

[wackyiraqi]

Visualizing tapering on and off the throttle (thinking 1, 2, 3 or 3, 2, 1...) has helped. Also, I recently adjusted the throttle freeplay on my bikes, and found that that simple adjustment made it much easier to be smooth during on- and off-throttle transitions. My most frequent passenger has been enjoying the difference.

It also helps to keep one's chain properly adjusted.

Too much chain slack will cause a bike to lurch no matter how careful one is on the throttle.

 

[juha_teuvonnen]

How many of you ride differently when carrying a passenger? What do you do differently?

I would look further out, leave more of a cushion. Account for different balance and braking. I won't slow down any further, or I get ticketed for impeding traffic flow.

Do you speak to your passenger before the ride to ensure you both know what to expect from each other?

No one gets on the back of the bike without a lecture. The passenger needs to know the risks and what not to do. Agree on signals and what they mean.

What type of behavior will you not allow from your passenger?

No gear - no ride, which is why I don't carry passengers any more. Do not try to shift your weight while riding on the back, it interferes with my control of the bike.

Do you have adequate insurance to cover your passenger?

No, because my insurance does not cover medical. This is yet another reason why I don't carry passengers.

Would you take a someone for a ride if they did not have health insurance?

No way. Absolutely no way.

Are you able to resist showing the passenger what you can do/what the motorcycle can do?

If I decide to show the passenger what me and my motorcycle can do I will let them watch me at the track day Besides, I am too old for showing off.

 

[Bear_San]

I'm still really new to riding, but I feel very comfortable riding. I am not ready to risk a friends life yet just to look cool. Period. Even if I were 'ready', I don't have any spare gear save for a helmet and gloves. Strike two.

 

[cmetzenberg]

I'm still really new to riding, but I feel very comfortable riding. I am not ready to risk a friends life yet just to look cool. Period. Even if I were 'ready', I don't have any spare gear save for a helmet and gloves. Strike two.

But Ronny what if she was uber hot? Look, no chick gets on the back with out a little lecture, the right gear and me slowing down and riding much more conservatively. Two up riding usually sucks anyways, most girls aren't very good at it. Though it is pretty awesome second date move.

 

[MellowYellow]

I ride almost the same with a passenger ( the wife). If it is someone else other then the wife I give instructions on the dos and donts and slowly build speed seeing how they do.

Not all passengers are the same.