Advice for first 2up Ride...

[tomgir]

I was reading the thread about the people who hate ridin' 2up, and I can totally understand why they feel that way. I definitely like the feeling of being alone on my bike, its kinda what brought me to motorcycling.

BUT...

I've got a friend coming to visit me here in Australia from Canada in the next two weeks, and she's been talking about getting on the back of the bike since I got it. I have never done a 2up ride and I've already told her that I'll try it so long as she bares with me while I ride around the side streets here to get used to the extra weight.

I was hoping that all you who hate 2up riding and maybe those of you who do, could help me out by giving me some pointers on what to do and how to take this on for the first time.

What I'm most concerned with is making sure that she/we stay safe. I've got some gear for her, not a full kit, but I've borrowed the essentials (helmet, gloves, jacket) but I just wanna make sure that I take all the precautions I can before taking her onboard.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Tom

[ddusseld]

When I ride with a passenger I always ask them to do a few simple things that makes both of our lives easier. First is finding out how they like holding on. Put the bike on a center/paddock stand and try it out. Does she feel more comfortable holding on to you? Do you have passenger grab rails? I've had one passenger who liked leaning forward and putting her hands on the tank. None are better then the other it is just a comfort factor for the passenger. I then let the passenger know the a few rules. They must keep their feet on the pegs. If they feel the need to shift body position I ask them to do this while we are not cornering. I ask them to always look in the direction we are going. Some passengers tend to lean the wrong way in corners. This can be very disconcerting for the driver. I have found that if I can get the passenger to put her head on the inside of mine during a corner that they will automatically lean correctly. I also let them know to never mount or unmount from the bike until I tell them it is ok. The first time with a given passenger I'll let them know that I'll periodically give them a thumbs up question to gauge how things are going. If they give me a thumbs up back then I keep on doing what I was doing. If not I pull over and ask what they found wrong.

One of the things you can do to make the ride more pleasant is to adjust your suspension knowing you will have a passenger. The really can make things better.

I was reading the thread about the people who hate ridin' 2up, and I can totally understand why they feel that way. I definitely like the feeling of being alone on my bike, its kinda what brought me to motorcycling.

BUT...

I've got a friend coming to visit me here in Australia from Canada in the next two weeks, and she's been talking about getting on the back of the bike since I got it. I have never done a 2up ride and I've already told her that I'll try it so long as she bares with me while I ride around the side streets here to get used to the extra weight.

I was hoping that all you who hate 2up riding and maybe those of you who do, could help me out by giving me some pointers on what to do and how to take this on for the first time.

What I'm most concerned with is making sure that she/we stay safe. I've got some gear for her, not a full kit, but I've borrowed the essentials (helmet, gloves, jacket) but I just wanna make sure that I take all the precautions I can before taking her onboard.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Tom

[hammer886]

When I ride with a passenger I always ask them to do a few simple things that makes both of our lives easier. First is finding out how they like holding on. Put the bike on a center/paddock stand and try it out. Does she feel more comfortable holding on to you? Do you have passenger grab rails? I've had one passenger who liked leaning forward and putting her hands on the tank. None are better then the other it is just a comfort factor for the passenger. I then let the passenger know the a few rules. They must keep their feet on the pegs. If they feel the need to shift body position I ask them to do this while we are not cornering. I ask them to always look in the direction we are going. Some passengers tend to lean the wrong way in corners. This can be very disconcerting for the driver. I have found that if I can get the passenger to put her head on the inside of mine during a corner that they will automatically lean correctly. I also let them know to never mount or unmount from the bike until I tell them it is ok. The first time with a given passenger I'll let them know that I'll periodically give them a thumbs up question to gauge how things are going. If they give me a thumbs up back then I keep on doing what I was doing. If not I pull over and ask what they found wrong.

One of the things you can do to make the ride more pleasant is to adjust your suspension knowing you will have a passenger. The really can make things better.

I'm with him. Also, add extra tire pressure.

[suprPHREAK]

Make sure she sits still. This is probably the most important thing there is, since every move she makes, left and right, will affect what your bike does.

Also, make sure she understands to lean as the bike does. ie: remain upright relative to the bike. Same reason as before, but this is where you can really get into trouble. For example, you go to lean into a corner, and she opposes the lean, and angles herself towards the outside of the corner: your bike will take a REALLY wide line. Also, if she drops her head into the corner, then you will turn really tight (this can be fun tho!).

I am not sure what kind of bike you have, but if it is a sportbike, or similar, have her sit with her arms around you, with her palms on the tank. This does a couple things:
-when braking, her body weight isnt squishing you, forcing you to use your arms to stay sitting up, which means you have less flexibility for steering.
-it forces her body to do what yours does, as far as leaning goes. So, if she tries to oppose a corner, as long as her arms are still around you, then she cant lean far enough to really screw you up.

If it is a more standard bike, then have her put her arms on your waist, which should keep her in the right line, and when you do a panic stop, her forces go on your lower half, rather than slamming your torso over.

If it is a cruiser, or you have a backrest for her, then tell her to just sit back and enjoy!

[stevex]

tell her shes allowed 2 free helmet smacks. 3rd one means you pop the clutch at 11,000.

[spankayf]

I was surprised the first time I took a passenger was the difference in braking distance and handling be alert for it

[ZiN]

Pretty much what everyone else has stated but it is important to educate every new passenger before they get on, it will make for an all around better ride.

Like others I have three simple rules;

1. Feet never leave the pegs unless instructed too
2. Hold onto the tank, my waist or a combination of those with seat strap.
(Reason for this is if you hammer the throttle she doesn't fly back and find herself grasping for something to hold onto)
3. Lean with you! Where your head goes, her head goes. Nothing worse then going into a corner and finding out your passenger is sitting upright.

I find as long as these three things are followed, everyone has a great ride.

All the best and post how it went.

[lil red bird]

when riding 2up you find that the bike will handle like a pig. It will double your stopping distance and you will also notice it's pick up is much slower. I always felt that it made the bike act as if i was on a bike with half the displacement. Keep in mind i ride a blackbird.

[Howard2k]

I did my first 2 up ride recently too. As has been noted, the big will turn and brake much differently.

I laid out a few guidelines/groundrules first.

1 - Don't get on or off the bike unless I instruct. If she gets on/off at the wrong time it could affect your balance and you could drop the bike.

2 - If she needs to move around, adjust her seat position etc, do it while the bike is moving at speed in a straight line. Try to minimize movement at the lights and on the approach to/from etc.

3 - Don't bang the helmets. Her head is suddenly much bigger now.

4 - When cornering, look through the corner on the inside, never look thorugh the outside of the corner. (if you're turning left, she should be looking over your left side, not right side).

I'd certainly do a few small rides to allow you both to get used to the idea, rather than starting off with a long ride.

[petieboy]

when riding 2up you find that the bike will handle like a pig. It will double your stopping distance and you will also notice it's pick up is much slower. I always felt that it made the bike act as if i was on a bike with half the displacement. Keep in mind i ride a blackbird.

True. Be careful passing cars against oncoming traffic as the acceleration just isn't there when riding 2up.

For leaning just tell her to plant her boobs on your back and make sure they stay there through the turn.

[911R6]

tell her shes allowed 2 free helmet smacks. 3rd one means you pop the clutch at 11,000.

lol yeah my g/f does that all the time.. After riding 2 up alot, I would suggest they ride with you, " go with the flow" avoid sudden jerky movements..

[87gtNOS]

tell her shes allowed 2 free helmet smacks. 3rd one means you pop the clutch at 11,000.

That's brilliant!!LOL!! I used to get side jabs from my ex-g/f on my snowmobile if I was doing something she didn't approve of!!


So anyways..a couple things I do when riding 2 up....
1) I tap her on the left knee if I am about to accelerate harder than usual (which happens a lot!) so that she can hold on tighter!! Maybe she should just hold the heck on all the time!!

2) I had to tell her the first couple of times to lean WITH me...as she was keeping herself straight up as I turned and leaned!!

[blue22rom]

tell her shes allowed 2 free helmet smacks. 3rd one means you pop the clutch at 11,000.

*LMFAO*

That's so true...and for some reason blondes usually end up smacking up into my helmet a lot more than anybody else...just kidding!

First off, I don't give rides just to anybody - mainly my girl or my close friends if they need a ride to their bikes! I've been riding for 6 years and I realized that a BAD PASSENGER can get you into a lot of trouble.

I have a short chat with them before which includes all of the points that everyone's made so far. The only two things I have to add are that ONE I ask them to put their hands on the tank and NOT ME when stopping (saves my wrists over a long ride), and TWO if there are any kids waving at us she/he HAS to wave back!

~Paul.

[rz5guy]

tell her shes allowed 2 free helmet smacks. 3rd one means you pop the clutch at 11,000.

She should sit freely and not slide into you.
Lean with your body.
If you're planning on high speeds she could cross her fingers around your waste.

On my R6 I don't even know there's a passenger

[noobinacan]

some of this may have been already said - here goes

For you:
1) I don't ride with anyone over 140lbs (sorry, but it just gets harder to control the bike..plus my balls hate me)
2) your stopping distance is going to greatly increase and so will acceleration times etc...be ready. take it easy
3) Plan out a route. Roads you know like the back of your hand and easy turns. No funny turns + inclines etc...
4) Ask her at stop lights how she's feeling...and if all is well back there.


For her - tell her the following:
5) don't ask her to lean. but when turning left, look over your left shoulder and when turning right, look over your right shoulder.
6) when you brake, she should put her hand/palm on your back. this will keep her from sliding into you every time you brake.
7) she can put her arms around your waist or one arm around waist and one arm on shoulder.
Assure her that you're not going to go fast. and that she should expect jerk back when you move/accelerate from a stop and slide when you brake.
nothing more to it.

by the way, did she just say "she wanted to ride ?"
cause you can give her a ride and then get on the bike. LOL

[Carpe Diem]

I think everything has been covered from the above....major points...1) no jerky movements 2) absolutely no leaning and 3) tell her to hold and tight and enjoy...Im sure there has been a lot covered. She aint ready dont force the issue time will come.

Enjoy!

[evang]

don't do this


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ClvgCurFnM

[rhcpmk]

tell her shes allowed 2 free helmet smacks. 3rd one means you pop the clutch at 11,000.

lmfaooooo yessss. one time i took a girl on my dual sport and was borrowing my buddy's helmet and ****ed it soo badly every time i even let of the ****ing gas this girl was like jello man.

[Triple]

tell her shes allowed 2 free helmet smacks. 3rd one means you pop the clutch at 11,000.

I might have to use that with my wife! My second helmet (passenger helmet) has numerous scratches on the visor from her headbutts!

[Kokla]

tell her shes allowed 2 free helmet smacks. 3rd one means you pop the clutch at 11,000.

Epic.

EDIT: This post gained me a beautiful negitive rep, so I tought I would put more thought into the post:

I found it quite funny at the time, that qoute, being about "dumping" a friend. Short and sweet was my goal, give my view in as few words as possible. Sadly enough, it was not constructive and I see that now.