Guidance for a passenger

rbentnail · 02-07-2005

Here's the deal: my girlfriend, who has never been on a motorcycle in her life, and has never been interested in getting on one, asked me yesterday if "we" were gonna get her a helmet before we went on vacation in March

. My question to y'all is this: has anyone ever seen listed anywhere the dos and don'ts for the passenger? I've begun listing all I can remember, but it's been a VERY long time since I've had a passenger. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**2WheelFun** · 02-07-2005

I found this using Google:

By Chuck Hawks

Riding on a motorcycle with a friend is one of the most fun things you can do. It can be an even more enjoyable experience if the passenger understands and follows a few simple rules. To be the kind of passenger riders want to ride with, remember the following:

1. Wear clothing that will give you some protection in the unlikely event of a spill. As a minimum, you should wear the following to protect yourself:

Footwear that protects your feet and your ankles (hiking boots are good).
Durable pants--leather is best; lacking leather, you will have to make do with jeans, work pants, or something similar.
An abrasion resistant jacket that zips or buttons up close to the neck (again, leather is best if you have it; a nylon flight jacket or parka are satisfactory, and a Levis-type jacket will do in a pinch).
Durable gloves.
Eye protection--ideally, the helmet you borrow or own should have a face shield for comfort as well as protection. If it does not, goggles are good, and glasses (dark or prescription) will do.
2. You should also attempt to dress appropriately for the weather. If you have not ridden very much, you probably do not realize how hot or how cold it can be on a motorcycle. If it is hot, it will feel a lot hotter while you are riding; if it is cold, it will feel a lot colder while you are riding. Ask the rider for advice about dressing for the anticipated conditions, but don't compromise your minimum level of protection as described above.

On hot sunny days, one trick is to wear an extra large white shirt over your jacket. It will reflect a lot of heat and help keep you cool. In general, it is easier to dress safely and comfortably for a cool day than for a hot one. Lastly, don't wear anything loose and floppy (like a long scarf or bell bottom pants) that could get caught in the rear wheel, sprockets, drive chain or belt, or any other moving part of the motorcycle. You could injure yourself, and might cause an accident.

3. Wear a securely fastened helmet that fits properly. Most riders have extra helmets and will be glad to loan you one. A helmet should be a snug fit; it should not be possible to twist it around on your head. The strap should be pulled as tight as you can get it. You can test for fit, and to see if the strap is tight, like this: grasp the chinbar of a full coverage helmet, or the edge of an open face helmet directly over your forehead, and try to pull the helmet backwards off your head. If the helmet winds up on the back of your head, tighten the strap or get a helmet that fits.

The rider can show you how to put on your helmet properly and easily (you kind of roll it onto your head from the front). If you ride often, you will eventually want to buy your own helmet. Just about any motorcycle shop can help you pick out a suitable helmet that fits you correctly.

4. Before you attempt to mount the motorcycle, make sure that the passenger footpegs are down. (They fold up when not in use, and it is easy for the rider to forget to put them down for you.) If you don't know where the footpegs are, have the rider point them out to you.

Also, beware of the hot exhaust pipes. Make sure you know where they are, and don't let your leg or any part of your body touch them as you mount or dismount the motorcycle. They can give you a severe burn right through the heaviest pants.

5. It is customary to get on or off the motorcycle from the left side. Always wait for the rider to tell you it's okay to mount or dismount. If you start to clamber on (or off) when the rider does not expect it, the sudden motion of the motorcycle will be disconcerting. You could even pull the motorcycle over, a big no-no.

6. Here is the best way to get on a motorcycle, and the method almost all passengers should use: extend your right leg over the seat, and then slide gently up onto the seat. Put your feet on the footpegs and you are onboard!

If you are not able to do that because you are a tiny person or a child, this will work: put your left foot on the left passenger foot peg, lean your body way over the motorcycle, and gently step up until you can swing your right leg over the seat and ease yourself down. You must keep your body low and lean over the motorcycle as much as possible while you get on, to help the rider keep the motorcycle balanced. The weight of your body, if it is too far out of line with the weight of the motorcycle, could pull the bike over, still a big no-no.

A person reasonably close to normal size (male or female) should not need to use this method to mount a motorcycle, and a heavy person should not attempt it under any circunstances. It is all a question of balance; the rider is not strong enough to force a big motorcycle to stay upright if you cause it to get out of balance.

To dismount, just reverse the process you used to get on. With a little practice, getting on and off will become second nature.

7. Once you are on the motorcycle, plant your feet on the passenger footpegs and keep them there. You absolutely do not want to bring your foot into contact with the rear wheel, drive chain or belt, or the hot muffler. Never attempt to help the rider hold the bike upright when it is stopped. Keep your feet safe by keeping them on the foot pegs at all times.

8. Place your hands on the rider's hips. That is the best way to hold on to the rider, and it keeps you in touch with the rider's movements. Keep your weight centered over the motorcycle. Try not to move around any more than is necessary, particularly when the motorcycle is stopped, as it affects the balance of the motorcycle.

9. Motorcycles turn by leaning (banking like an airplane), not by steering like a car. So don't be alarmed when the motorcycle leans over to go around a corner. To position yourself perfectly for a turn, just look over the rider's shoulder in the direction of the turn. If the motorcycle is turning right, look over the rider's right shoulder; if it is turning left, look over the rider's left shoulder.

You don't have to do anything else; looking naturally over the rider's inside shoulder will automatically put your weight right where it belongs in a turn. Keep your body in line with the rider's body to prevent the motorcycle from leaning more than the rider intends. (When going straight, it doesn't matter which shoulder you look over.) Never lean out of a turn; you could cause an accident that way, which is another big no-no.

10. When the rider puts on the brakes, it causes a forward weight transfer. If the rider is forced to break hard, as in an emergency, this forward weight transfer is very apparent; you will be forced against the rider, and you will start to slide forward on the seat. Don't panic. Try to keep back, away from the rider. Resist sliding forward by pressing your feet against the footpegs; use your thigh muscles to control your position on the seat.

If you slide forward, you force the rider forward, reducing the rider's control over the motorcycle. It also moves the weight distribution of the motorcycle forward, reducing the weight on the rear tire and therefore the traction of the rear tire, making it more likely that the back tire will start to skid. Obviously, none of this is desirable.

11. You can be an active participant in the ride by staying alert and being prepared. Help the rider look for potential danger, and be prepared to hang on and hold yourself back if you anticipate a need for sudden braking. Likewise, if the rider is forced to swerve the motorcycle to avoid a hazard in the road, you need to be prepared for the sudden lean and change of direction.

You can also help the rider scan for animals that may run into the road. Dogs and deer are particularly unpredictable, and you may see a deer on a hillside above the road, or a dog in somebody's front yard, before the rider. (After all, the rider is concentrating primarily on the road.) If you spot a hazard of any sort that you think the rider is unaware of, rap the rider on the appropriate shoulder, and point at the hazard in a way that brings it to the rider's attention.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/motorcycle_passenger_tips.htm

JTpaintball70 · 02-07-2005

I'm gonna have to remember all that, I've got a friend whos a girl that wants to go riding with me someitme... and I've already got two helmets and shes got heavy duty clothes for PB, so thats not a problem

rbentnail · 02-07-2005

Yep, that's exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks w.c. I'd forgotten about the sudden braking/sliding forward part, and the look over the shoulder in the direction of the turn part.

**2WheelFun** · 02-07-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbentnail

Yep, that's exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks w.c. I'd forgotten about the sudden braking/sliding forward part, and the look over the shoulder in the direction of the turn part.

Your welcome!

I'm sure there may be subtle differences depending on if your riding a sport bike or a cruiser....but the principles would apply in either case.

meanie · 02-07-2005

The general rule of apparel and safety for the rider applies for the passenger, that's a given. Once those issues have been met, the general advice for a passenger is keep feet/legs on pegs at all times and lean with the bike and rider.

*ispeed77* · 02-08-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by meanie

the general advice for a passenger is keep feet/legs on pegs at all times and lean with the bike and rider.

took the words right out of my mouth !

nice list Whistle !

ChevelleSSLS6 · 03-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbentnail

Yep, that's exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks w.c. I'd forgotten about the sudden braking/sliding forward part, and the look over the shoulder in the direction of the turn part.

My gf doesn't like riding with me on the 650r... as under even gentle braking she tends to slide forward, then holds herself back by putting her hands on the fuel tank. Any advice other than to hold herself with the footpegs?

I looked at a corbin seat, but that's $$$. If it helps though, it may be worth it.

*likearock4x4* · 03-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevelleSSLS6

My gf doesn't like riding with me on the 650r... as under even gentle braking she tends to slide forward, then holds herself back by putting her hands on the fuel tank. Any advice other than to hold herself with the footpegs?

I looked at a corbin seat, but that's $$$. If it helps though, it may be worth it.

Are there any hand holds that she can use to hold herself back?

gdhugh · 03-11-2009

Also rbentnail, it appears you don't have a sissy bar so take offs need to be smooth and easy. You would be amased at how easy it is to loose your passenger. Your passengers grip on you will not be strong enough to hold on durring quick accelerations or even at high speeds. At high speeds, one gust of wind is all it takes.

*ispeed77* · 03-11-2009

just for reference, Russ posted this over four years ago, so i am pretty sure he worked out the bugs. he is also onto a new bike.

*likearock4x4* · 03-11-2009

Why do you say that? You making assumptions again??

*ispeed77* · 03-11-2009

i do that from time to time

vulcan_dude · 03-11-2009

I recently posted a first time 2-up post, it may be worth reading my comments and those of others who chimed in. What 2wheelfun posted is very good, it looks like the same source I looked at when looking for information.

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...xperience.html

rbentnail · 03-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ispeed77

just for reference, Russ posted this over four years ago, so i am pretty sure he worked out the bugs. he is also onto a new bike.

Yeah, the bugs were eventually worked out some 4 yrs ago. She went for a ride and hated it. Never went for another. One of the reasons I ended up with the bike I have now is that I never had to consider a passenger's comfort. It's all good.

*ispeed77* · 03-12-2009

if you ever did, the FJR is a very comfortable ride for a passenger, at least that's what my wife said after spending most of a day on mine.

rbentnail · 03-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ispeed77

if you ever did, the FJR is a very comfortable ride for a passenger, at least that's what my wife said after spending most of a day on mine.

I've had a few sportbike passengers check it out. All of them really liked it. But against what they sit on I'm sure it's not a fair comparison.

*ispeed77* · 03-13-2009

yes, i would have to agree with that.

cjp91068 · 03-13-2009

I've seen a belt with handles on the sides that the forward rider wears so the passenger has something to hold onto. I've also come across a set of handlebars that bolts onto the gas tank (for sportbikes). If anyone is interested in these, I will find and post links here.

hamdizle · 03-19-2009

ahh tell her to put her helmet on and lean the way I lean.....thats the most important thing and enjoy the ride...

02-07-2005	#1 (permalink)
rbentnail Economic Plankton Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Asheboro, NC Posts: 5,158	Guidance for a passenger Here's the deal: my girlfriend, who has never been on a motorcycle in her life, and has never been interested in getting on one, asked me yesterday if "we" were gonna get her a helmet before we went on vacation in March . My question to y'all is this: has anyone ever seen listed anywhere the dos and don'ts for the passenger? I've begun listing all I can remember, but it's been a VERY long time since I've had a passenger. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

02-07-2005	#2 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 32,670	I found this using Google: By Chuck Hawks Riding on a motorcycle with a friend is one of the most fun things you can do. It can be an even more enjoyable experience if the passenger understands and follows a few simple rules. To be the kind of passenger riders want to ride with, remember the following: 1. Wear clothing that will give you some protection in the unlikely event of a spill. As a minimum, you should wear the following to protect yourself: Footwear that protects your feet and your ankles (hiking boots are good). Durable pants--leather is best; lacking leather, you will have to make do with jeans, work pants, or something similar. An abrasion resistant jacket that zips or buttons up close to the neck (again, leather is best if you have it; a nylon flight jacket or parka are satisfactory, and a Levis-type jacket will do in a pinch). Durable gloves. Eye protection--ideally, the helmet you borrow or own should have a face shield for comfort as well as protection. If it does not, goggles are good, and glasses (dark or prescription) will do. 2. You should also attempt to dress appropriately for the weather. If you have not ridden very much, you probably do not realize how hot or how cold it can be on a motorcycle. If it is hot, it will feel a lot hotter while you are riding; if it is cold, it will feel a lot colder while you are riding. Ask the rider for advice about dressing for the anticipated conditions, but don't compromise your minimum level of protection as described above. On hot sunny days, one trick is to wear an extra large white shirt over your jacket. It will reflect a lot of heat and help keep you cool. In general, it is easier to dress safely and comfortably for a cool day than for a hot one. Lastly, don't wear anything loose and floppy (like a long scarf or bell bottom pants) that could get caught in the rear wheel, sprockets, drive chain or belt, or any other moving part of the motorcycle. You could injure yourself, and might cause an accident. 3. Wear a securely fastened helmet that fits properly. Most riders have extra helmets and will be glad to loan you one. A helmet should be a snug fit; it should not be possible to twist it around on your head. The strap should be pulled as tight as you can get it. You can test for fit, and to see if the strap is tight, like this: grasp the chinbar of a full coverage helmet, or the edge of an open face helmet directly over your forehead, and try to pull the helmet backwards off your head. If the helmet winds up on the back of your head, tighten the strap or get a helmet that fits. The rider can show you how to put on your helmet properly and easily (you kind of roll it onto your head from the front). If you ride often, you will eventually want to buy your own helmet. Just about any motorcycle shop can help you pick out a suitable helmet that fits you correctly. 4. Before you attempt to mount the motorcycle, make sure that the passenger footpegs are down. (They fold up when not in use, and it is easy for the rider to forget to put them down for you.) If you don't know where the footpegs are, have the rider point them out to you. Also, beware of the hot exhaust pipes. Make sure you know where they are, and don't let your leg or any part of your body touch them as you mount or dismount the motorcycle. They can give you a severe burn right through the heaviest pants. 5. It is customary to get on or off the motorcycle from the left side. Always wait for the rider to tell you it's okay to mount or dismount. If you start to clamber on (or off) when the rider does not expect it, the sudden motion of the motorcycle will be disconcerting. You could even pull the motorcycle over, a big no-no. 6. Here is the best way to get on a motorcycle, and the method almost all passengers should use: extend your right leg over the seat, and then slide gently up onto the seat. Put your feet on the footpegs and you are onboard! If you are not able to do that because you are a tiny person or a child, this will work: put your left foot on the left passenger foot peg, lean your body way over the motorcycle, and gently step up until you can swing your right leg over the seat and ease yourself down. You must keep your body low and lean over the motorcycle as much as possible while you get on, to help the rider keep the motorcycle balanced. The weight of your body, if it is too far out of line with the weight of the motorcycle, could pull the bike over, still a big no-no. A person reasonably close to normal size (male or female) should not need to use this method to mount a motorcycle, and a heavy person should not attempt it under any circunstances. It is all a question of balance; the rider is not strong enough to force a big motorcycle to stay upright if you cause it to get out of balance. To dismount, just reverse the process you used to get on. With a little practice, getting on and off will become second nature. 7. Once you are on the motorcycle, plant your feet on the passenger footpegs and keep them there. You absolutely do not want to bring your foot into contact with the rear wheel, drive chain or belt, or the hot muffler. Never attempt to help the rider hold the bike upright when it is stopped. Keep your feet safe by keeping them on the foot pegs at all times. 8. Place your hands on the rider's hips. That is the best way to hold on to the rider, and it keeps you in touch with the rider's movements. Keep your weight centered over the motorcycle. Try not to move around any more than is necessary, particularly when the motorcycle is stopped, as it affects the balance of the motorcycle. 9. Motorcycles turn by leaning (banking like an airplane), not by steering like a car. So don't be alarmed when the motorcycle leans over to go around a corner. To position yourself perfectly for a turn, just look over the rider's shoulder in the direction of the turn. If the motorcycle is turning right, look over the rider's right shoulder; if it is turning left, look over the rider's left shoulder. You don't have to do anything else; looking naturally over the rider's inside shoulder will automatically put your weight right where it belongs in a turn. Keep your body in line with the rider's body to prevent the motorcycle from leaning more than the rider intends. (When going straight, it doesn't matter which shoulder you look over.) Never lean out of a turn; you could cause an accident that way, which is another big no-no. 10. When the rider puts on the brakes, it causes a forward weight transfer. If the rider is forced to break hard, as in an emergency, this forward weight transfer is very apparent; you will be forced against the rider, and you will start to slide forward on the seat. Don't panic. Try to keep back, away from the rider. Resist sliding forward by pressing your feet against the footpegs; use your thigh muscles to control your position on the seat. If you slide forward, you force the rider forward, reducing the rider's control over the motorcycle. It also moves the weight distribution of the motorcycle forward, reducing the weight on the rear tire and therefore the traction of the rear tire, making it more likely that the back tire will start to skid. Obviously, none of this is desirable. 11. You can be an active participant in the ride by staying alert and being prepared. Help the rider look for potential danger, and be prepared to hang on and hold yourself back if you anticipate a need for sudden braking. Likewise, if the rider is forced to swerve the motorcycle to avoid a hazard in the road, you need to be prepared for the sudden lean and change of direction. You can also help the rider scan for animals that may run into the road. Dogs and deer are particularly unpredictable, and you may see a deer on a hillside above the road, or a dog in somebody's front yard, before the rider. (After all, the rider is concentrating primarily on the road.) If you spot a hazard of any sort that you think the rider is unaware of, rap the rider on the appropriate shoulder, and point at the hazard in a way that brings it to the rider's attention. http://www.chuckhawks.com/motorcycle_passenger_tips.htm __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

02-07-2005	#3 (permalink)
JTpaintball70 has a surgically implanted keyboard Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 3,034	I'm gonna have to remember all that, I've got a friend whos a girl that wants to go riding with me someitme... and I've already got two helmets and shes got heavy duty clothes for PB, so thats not a problem __________________ Nathan My Photobucket 2007 ZX-6R 2007 Ninja 650R aka Shion - STOLEN 2-4-08 2001 Jeep TJ NM EMT-Basic

02-07-2005	#6 (permalink)
meanie Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern Detroit Subs, Michigan Posts: 701	The general rule of apparel and safety for the rider applies for the passenger, that's a given. Once those issues have been met, the general advice for a passenger is keep feet/legs on pegs at all times and lean with the bike and rider. __________________ Thin skinned whiners need not participate.

03-11-2009	#10 (permalink)
gdhugh PColaFl V2K LT Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pensacola, Florida USA Posts: 3,175	Also rbentnail, it appears you don't have a sissy bar so take offs need to be smooth and easy. You would be amased at how easy it is to loose your passenger. Your passengers grip on you will not be strong enough to hold on durring quick accelerations or even at high speeds. At high speeds, one gust of wind is all it takes. __________________ David 2007 V2K Classic LT VROC#23977 SCRC#164050

02-07-2005	#4 (permalink)
rbentnail Economic Plankton Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Asheboro, NC Posts: 5,158	Yep, that's exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks w.c. I'd forgotten about the sudden braking/sliding forward part, and the look over the shoulder in the direction of the turn part.

03-11-2009	#11 (permalink)
ispeed77 RIP Deron Harden :-( Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 32,523	just for reference, Russ posted this over four years ago, so i am pretty sure he worked out the bugs. he is also onto a new bike. __________________ David - Moderator 2002 Suzuki DRZ400 2003 1500 Meanie, scraping pipes and frame :-) In loving memory of Deron Harden, forever in our thoughts :-(

03-11-2009	#12 (permalink)
likearock4x4 Thanks to all Veterans!!! Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: PGR Member #7955 O'Fallon, Illinois (Near St. Louis) Posts: 16,758	Why do you say that? You making assumptions again?? __________________ Looking hard for Satisfaction. I think I'll find it in July. (Update, I DID FIND IT!!!)

03-11-2009	#13 (permalink)
ispeed77 RIP Deron Harden :-( Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 32,523	i do that from time to time __________________ David - Moderator 2002 Suzuki DRZ400 2003 1500 Meanie, scraping pipes and frame :-) In loving memory of Deron Harden, forever in our thoughts :-(

03-11-2009	#14 (permalink)
vulcan_dude Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Merced, CA Posts: 777	I recently posted a first time 2-up post, it may be worth reading my comments and those of others who chimed in. What 2wheelfun posted is very good, it looks like the same source I looked at when looking for information. http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...xperience.html __________________ - Albert 2009 Vulcan 900 Classic - VROC# 29006 www.berto.zenfolio.com

03-12-2009	#16 (permalink)
ispeed77 RIP Deron Harden :-( Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 32,523	if you ever did, the FJR is a very comfortable ride for a passenger, at least that's what my wife said after spending most of a day on mine. __________________ David - Moderator 2002 Suzuki DRZ400 2003 1500 Meanie, scraping pipes and frame :-) In loving memory of Deron Harden, forever in our thoughts :-(

03-13-2009	#18 (permalink)
ispeed77 RIP Deron Harden :-( Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 32,523	yes, i would have to agree with that. __________________ David - Moderator 2002 Suzuki DRZ400 2003 1500 Meanie, scraping pipes and frame :-) In loving memory of Deron Harden, forever in our thoughts :-(

03-13-2009	#19 (permalink)
cjp91068 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst BTK Expert Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chelsea, MA Posts: 1,673	I've seen a belt with handles on the sides that the forward rider wears so the passenger has something to hold onto. I've also come across a set of handlebars that bolts onto the gas tank (for sportbikes). If anyone is interested in these, I will find and post links here. __________________ Chris 2008 Triumph Daytona 675 If I give you a cookie, will you go away?

03-19-2009	#20 (permalink)
hamdizle Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: minneapolis Posts: 54	ahh tell her to put her helmet on and lean the way I lean.....thats the most important thing and enjoy the ride...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)