Tips When Riding A Motorcycle With A Passenger (aka 2up)

The riding dynamic changes when you are cruising with a passenger. Additional weight, braking distance, and awareness are all affected by riding with a buddy. To make the experience more safe and enjoyable for both yourself and your passenger here's a few tips to follow.

For your passenger:

Make sure your passenger has proper gear. Your pal may not have (or you may not have to lend them) leather riding pants, the newest and greatest textile armored jacket, and a pair of full fledged riding boots - however a certified helmet, a heavy leather jacket, work gloves, jeans, and work boots should be considered as a minimum.

Go over the below rules before your riding partner gets on the bike.

• Your passenger only gets on or off when you say it's okay. (make sure to tell them LEFT SIDE ONLY!)
• Movements must be slow and fluid, ie. no flailing of arms/feet.
• Feet stay on the pegs at all times.

Before heading off onto your trip, find out how they like to hold on by doing a few laps in an empty parking lot or quiet street. Do they like to hold onto the grab rail? you? the seat strap? the gas tank? If you ride a sport bike you may want to have her place her hands on the gas tank to take her weight off of hitting your back. If you ride a cruiser, having her hold onto your waist may be a better option. Make sure they are aware not to switch holding positions when the bike is in motion.

Let them know that if they need to adjust their positioning to do so while the bike is in an upright position at a steady speed (ie. not turning and/or accelerating/braking).

Have them look in the direction the bike is going, also during turns, if they place their head on the inside of yours you will both naturally lean together instead of opposing each others lean. eg. If you're turning left, she should be looking over your left shoulder.

Take things slowly at first. For some passengers who have never been on a bike before it can be a frightening experience even at slow speeds. Periodically ask them what their comfort level is and if they respond with "I thought you said this thing can go fast?" then they are probably ready for you to bump up the throttle a little bit.

For you, the driver:

You may want to adjust the suspension and tire pressures to the recommended settings for passengers outlined by your bikes owners manual.

Remember that your braking distance needed will increase (roughly double than normal) and your acceleration and handling will decrease due to the additional weight she will be adding. When braking, you can use the back brake a little more than when riding solo - this is so you can increase the weight transfer.

Now is not the time to show off. Be safe and considerate of your passenger. You may want to show them how fast you can boot down that long straight road, or they may even be edging you to do it, in either case - keep your riding safe.

You may want to establish a communication method with you and your passenger when talking is not possible. (eg. a tap on the knee means stopping, two taps means you will accelerate hard; hand signals; etc)

Again, take things slowly at first, make sure your passenger knows your rules and that you both have a means of communicating to each other and you will both have a fun safe ride!