ATG Motorcyclists - Riding with passenger? Looking for tips/info!

[Fenixgoon]

So I told a friend of mine I'd take her for a ride on my bike. I've never ridden two up before, so I want to be as safe as possible and get as much info beforehand.

As far as the bike itself goes, the owner's manual recommends increasing the tire pressure. Simple enough.

She's getting a helmet from a friend of hers, but I wasn't sure if I should just pick up some cheapie gear for her (gloves/helmet). I told her having a denim jacket/pants at minimum, and full-length boots would be good if she has them, would be good ideas, since I want my passengers to be as safe as I am (within reason. Shorts/Tshirt/flip flops are no-goes). It's not like she's gonna go out and spend $600 on gear just to ride with me once.

As far as actually riding the bike, I figure I'll start out relatively easy that way we can get a feel for how it handles and go from there. Obviously I'm not gonna do any stupid shit (not that I do to begin with), but I'm looking for tips since I've never done it before.

FWIW I have about 1000 riding miles experience (newbie, I know) with most of those being on my current bike (2009 Yamaha FZ6R).

What things should I be looking for, and what tips do you guys have for riding with a passenger?

 

[JulesMaximus]

You get on the bike and then steady it for her to get on. Tell her to remain straight up when riding straight and lean with the bike when turning...make sure she doesn't counter lean or you could end up in the ditch, or worse, in oncoming traffic. Stopping will take longer and acceleration will be less, but you won't be racing anyone anyway. I rarely ride two up but the few times I've done it it hasn't been a problem.

Tell her to make sure she hangs on to you tightly.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Over-the-ankle boots are very important. Believe it or not, the most common motorcycle injuries are ankle injuries.

Jeans are OK, and she really ought to have at least a thick denim jacket. Definitely gloves as well, just as a precaution since they're inexpensive.

Helmet, IMO, is a must. I'll defend someone's right not to wear one, but I personally won't ride without my helmet and I won't cart passengers who don't wear one either.

As far as the passenger, here's what I tell the women who've ridden with me:

- Do not get on the bike until I tell you it's OK, because I need to have it steady and be sure that I won't let it tip before you start getting on.
- Do not get off the bike until I tell you it's OK, because I need to have it steady and be sure that I won't let it tip before you start getting off.
- Do not, under any circumstances, put your feet down when I stop unless you have told me that you are planning to get off and I've got the bike steady.
- Hold onto my waist firmly.
- Just let yourself lean with the bike, if I'm going left, look over my left shoulder, if I'm going right, look over my right shoulder.
- You are in control. If you want to stop, let me know and we'll pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.

As far as things for the bike:

- Increase the rear tire pressure.
- Increase the preload on the rear springs.

For you:

- Slow and smooth. It can be difficult to stay on a passenger seat if you accelerate hard; you don't want to dump your passenger onto the road.
- Smooth. Yes, this is the second time I mention this. It's important. When you're riding alone, you don't notice gearchanges, but with a passenger, you'll notice them a lot more. If your passenger's helmet bonks the back of yours when you're shifting, that's your fault, not the passenger's.

ZV

 

[Greenman]

It's a hell of a lot more comfortable for your passenger if you have a sissy bar, they just feel safer. My daughter rides with me often, and the only time she hangs on is if I nail it getting on the freeway (never over 70 with the kid on board). She's an excellent passenger, except that every now and then she gets a bit aggressive in the corners and anticipates my moves. It's strange to go around a corner with the pegs scraping when I haven't moved from the upright position.

 

[Fenixgoon]

It's a hell of a lot more comfortable for your passenger if you have a sissy bar, they just feel safer. My daughter rides with me often, and the only time she hangs on is if I nail it getting on the freeway (never over 70 with the kid on board). She's an excellent passenger, except that every now and then she gets a bit aggressive in the corners and anticipates my moves. It's strange to go around a corner with the pegs scraping when I haven't moved from the upright position.

sissy bars = grab rails? my bike has them. they're plastic, but they're not exactly big.

also, i'm guessing riding solo with the increased tire pressure (for short distances) isn't much of an issue? i mean it will definitely affect the handling, but it's not like it will be harmful in any way? i figure i'd fill the tires up at a gas station before i picked her up.

 

[lavaheadache]

You dont need to increase tire pressure or change the preload on your springs for a short ride(100 or so miles) with a passanger. Just make sure you have sufficient air pressure to begin with. Do you guys also rush to the gas station to fill up your car tires when you have 2 people in the back?

Now if you were someone that was inclined to ALWAYS have a passanger then changing your spring load out would be wise. Also if you were 350 pounds, the stock suspension wouldn't likely be set up for you either


Otherwise, zenmervolt hit the nail on the head

 

[Zenmervolt]

You dont need to increase tire pressure or change the preload on your springs for a short ride(100 or so miles) with a passanger. Just make sure you have sufficient air pressure to begin with. Do you guys also rush to the gas station to fill up your car tires when you have 2 people in the back?

Actually, I keep my tire pressures at the full GVWR pressure all the time. The lower pressures are optional for comfort purposes and actually tend to reduce grip slightly.

As far as preload goes, it's definitely a must. Unless you want to be bottoming out the shocks. Adjusting preload takes 30 seconds at most; it's not like it's complicated or difficult to reverse. Distance doesn't matter; you can hit a dip that makes an overloaded suspension bottom out at any time.

Remember, you're adding 100-130 pounds directly over the rear axle; that's probably the equivalent of a solo rider gaining 120-150 pounds overnight since passenger weight has more leverage on the rear axle. That much of a difference and you ought to adjust the preload regardless of distance. Of course, I suppose it's possible that some people like the feeling of bottoming out the rear suspension over bumps and I'm sure the woman will love thinking that she weighs enough to overload the suspension.

ZV

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Actually, I keep my tire pressures at the full GVWR pressure all the time. The lower pressures are optional for comfort purposes and actually tend to reduce grip slightly.

ZV

Wha? Lower pressure is for comfort and reduces grip? Lol! I guess when I was at a track day I should of told the instructor he was crazy for recommending we run 30psi in both tires. The lower pressure gives better grip. When the tires air pressure is high it has no give and can lose traction much easier.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You dont need to increase tire pressure or change the preload on your springs for a short ride(100 or so miles) with a passanger. Just make sure you have sufficient air pressure to begin with. Do you guys also rush to the gas station to fill up your car tires when you have 2 people in the back?

Now if you were someone that was inclined to ALWAYS have a passanger then changing your spring load out would be wise. Also if you were 350 pounds, the stock suspension wouldn't likely be set up for you either

Otherwise, zenmervolt hit the nail on the head

Most bikes are set up for riders weighing around 160lbs. If you weigh 210 you'll probably want to make some changes if you're going to be pushing a sport bike anywhere near the limits especially if you track it. The stock suspension on entry level bikes is pretty soft and generally only allows preload adjustment.

If I was just going for a short ride with a passenger on a one off occasion I probably wouldn't bother making any changes but if I were riding two up all the time I definitely would.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Op just air your tires up to 40-42 psi before leaving the house and you'll be fine by yourself riding back. You'll lose grip with the high air pressure but as long as your not tryin to drag a knee you'll be fine.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Wha? Lower pressure is for comfort and reduces grip? Lol! I guess when I was at a track day I should of told the instructor he was crazy for recommending we run 30psi in both tires. The lower pressure gives better grip. When the tires air pressure is high it has no give and can lose traction much easier.

I was responding to his comment about car tires. Running higher PSI in automotive tires reduces rollover, increases effective sidewall stiffness, and increases grip (up to a point, obviously). In autocross, most people run 6-10 PSI above factory recommendations to improve grip. In automobiles, lower pressure is strictly a comfort concession (with the obvious exception of drag racing and wrinkle-wall slicks, etc).

And yes, you should have told the track day instructor that he was crazy for making a universal 30 PSI recommendation. You just can't make a blanket recommendation like that. Some tires have reinforced sidewalls which can accommodate lower pressures. Some don't. Running lower pressure in tires without the reinforced sidewalls will cause excessive sidewall flex and you'll get wallowing which slows you down a lot more than whatever increase in grip you might see.

For most people with street tires in most situations, handling will improve with the tires inflated to the recommended pressures for a fully loaded vehicle.

ZV

 

[SViper]

ZV hit the nail on the head with his 1st post.

Having them lean with you is very important. I almost kissed a curb with a passenger because they were leaning counter to our turn. Took it way too wide.

Also, pay attention to your shifting and braking when riding. I had a hard shift and brake habit, but I knew it was coming and naturally braced for the jolt. Well my passenger doesn't know it's coming, so our helmets connected a few times starting out. When you are riding by yourself, focus and practice on making smooth shifts and brakes.

 

[Occ]

Set up some simple hand signals/movements for "slow down" and "im ok lets go faster" and "stop" so you and your passenger have some basic method of communication.

 

[Greenman]

sissy bars = grab rails? my bike has them. they're plastic, but they're not exactly big.

also, i'm guessing riding solo with the increased tire pressure (for short distances) isn't much of an issue? i mean it will definitely affect the handling, but it's not like it will be harmful in any way? i figure i'd fill the tires up at a gas station before i picked her up.

Nope, a sissy bar and a grab rail are different. A sissy bar is more along the lines of a back rest, it comes up behind the passenger seat so they can't slide off when you hit it. My wife flat out refused to get on my bike till I had one. I don't know if they make them for sport bikes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Nope, a sissy bar and a grab rail are different. A sissy bar is more along the lines of a back rest, it comes up behind the passenger seat so they can't slide off when you hit it. My wife flat out refused to get on my bike till I had one. I don't know if they make them for sport bikes.

They don't.