As many of us have discovered, the ladies (and perhaps even some gents) love riding pillion. Any pointers for better setting up the bike for longer rides?
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Dec. 11, 2011 2:17 a.m. MitchellC SuperDork
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Dec. 11, 2011 2:35 a.m. EvanB SuperDork
Make sure you have a helmet and jacket ready for them?
I had my girlfriend on the back of my SV numerous times with no setup for the bike.
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Dec. 11, 2011 7:36 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork
My wife is more comfortable when I put the top case on back, something to lean on.
Dan
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Dec. 11, 2011 8:02 a.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork
A comfy seat will go a long way to reduced biatching. Comfy foot pegs (or floor boards) as well. Set tire pressure and suspension for max load.
Of course, my wife is such a bad back seat driver that I bought her her own bike.
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Dec. 11, 2011 9:37 a.m. RealMiniDriver Dork
914Driver wrote: My wife is more comfortable when I put the top case on back, something to lean on.
Yes, that helps, if not just a sissybar.Dr. Hess wrote: Of course, my wife is such a bad back seat driver that I bought her her own bike.
Mine, too. -
Dec. 11, 2011 12:34 p.m. CarKid1989 Dork
From my experiences:
Have a jacket and helmet for them. Gloves are optional but not a bad idea. Make sure they are dressed right for the ride. Its the worst when your all ready but passenger is not dressed enough or what have you. Have em dress like you and youre off to a good start.
Go over basics with them at first and time to time. Look into the turn with you and all that kinda stuff. I can tell as a driver when my gf is not doing that.
Dear god please have them hold on to SOMETHING! Your waist, grab bars, your belt? something. Nothing bothers me more then when i accelerate or brake and gf is not holding on...i get slammed into or get nails through my heavy jacket through my skin and bones because she is "gonna fall off."
Have fun. Two up riding has brought thousands of miles of fun to myself and the girlfriend. Its fantastic scenery, and adventures, and cool site seeing and you get to share that with your riding buddy. If its not fun dont do it.
Lastly, and i am still working on this one. I am trying to figure out a camera system that she can hold and take pics en-route. I have a couple cameras i could use but need a tether system or like power feed for it so it wont eat batteries. Pics on the bike or bike trips can be breath taking.
Have fun. Stay safe.
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Dec. 11, 2011 4:56 p.m. 44Dwarf Dork
Proper gear to me is a given to me. On my suzuki C50 i have to add one knotch to the rear shock preload adjuster or under big pot holes it will bottom out but riding one up its to stiff.
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Dec. 14, 2011 8:20 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork
Most of my riding has been two-up, and I recommend a good communications system. Mine is a Bluetooth model, so no wires to get tangled. The miles go by much faster when you have someone to talk to. You can also discuss all the wonderful sights, and she has given me a few heads-ups that I really appreciated. Two sets of eyes is always better than one.
Have a way to secure two helmets for when you park in a dodgy area. I'm not talking about the ghetto, I mean a busy area where they can get snatched, knocked off, bumped, scratched, etc.
A backrest of some sort is crucial. Gives a sense of security when accelerating.
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Dec. 14, 2011 10:25 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork
I've always advocated having my passengers wrap their arms around my chest when we ride. It really helps.
They feel very secure. As opposed to trying to hang onto your waist, where they tip and wobble.
They are secure, so they lean with me as I lean. No sudden changes on their part while in the middle of a turn.
Yes, I know the myth about them panic squeezing the air out of you. I've never had a problem pulling over and getting stopped before having to deal with any death grip across my chest.
And lastly, but perhaps most importantly, take it easy and make it fun for them. Do scare them or do anything that will keep them from getting on again with you.
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Dec. 15, 2011 3:57 p.m. MitchellC SuperDork
Thanks for the advice everyone! I have had passengers before, but never for more than a few miles. We covered about 60 miles of country roads yesterday, and she really enjoyed it. No deathgrips or anything else of the sort.
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Dec. 16, 2011 10:49 a.m. Enggboy New Reader
Check on rear tire pressure for longer trips. I know my former bike gave a list of tire pressures for different situations: solo, solo high speed, dual and dual high speed.
The passenger sits directly over the rear wheel, so it adds a large percentage of the weight right on the rear tire, which may need to have a few psi added. Short trips I didn't worry about it, longer (over 1 hour) I would top up before we left.
