[Ben]

I recently fell into some extra gear, since I basically have 2 sets of everything I asked my girlfriend if she wanted to go for a ride. Surprisingly she said, “Sure!”, and after a little instruction we were off and running!

2-up riding is definitely a different beast compared to riding by yourself! In the beginning it was a bit wobbly at low speeds, but I made sure I didn’t take the corners too fast for her at first. The surprising thing is after one turn she was like, “ahhhh! We leaned so far over!” which was shocking since that’s only about a 1/5th of what I usually lean in that turn! I’m no speed racer so leaning must be something that you have to get used to.

There was only one moment that was a little sketchy, and that’s when I went to turn right at a curve and I took it at almost the speed I would have if I were by myself. Well she got a little scared and did not lean with me, so halfway through the turn the bike wobbled and started to pull out of the turn out of no where! I was a little spooked and at the next light I told her to lean with me while we were negotiating curves. She agreed and the rest of the ride was smooth sailing!

I’ve ridden on the back of a motorcycle once when I ran out of gas and a fellow rider was kind enough to stop and give me a lift to a gas station to get a gas can and some fuel, so I had somewhat of an idea of what she was feeling. Having no control over what the pilot is doing can be a pretty scary experience at first. One thing that probably helped is I have a givi topcase on my motorcycle so she was in no danger of falling off the back like in that infamous youtube video. I think tomorrow or the next day we are going to try it without the topcase to see how she likes it.

Next ride i’m going to post up some pics!

Ben

[megaspaz]

heh heh… pretty soon, she’ll be pestering you to go bike shopping with her… for her own bike… o/

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[RydRy]

so ou did the “ill show you” rathe rthan tell you- sounds like she liked it- I agree beware or that car fund will go towards her bke fund soon!

[smadaakram]

sounds like u had a fun time! i’m still a ways away from feeling comfortable riding 2up, but it sounds and looks like fun for sombody who’s comfortable with it.

//@R!<

[NewTroski]

Hey, I’ve been reading as much as I can in preperation for getting back into riding… I saw this and decided I had to stop lurking

My Dad was really into motorcycles, so I’ve literally been riding two-up since about 6 years old, or whenever I could fit into the smallest helmet we had – when I was real little my Dad would be put me on the tank in front of him, but that would probably be frowned on now-a-days.

I’ve had to run through “the list” with people who are new to motorcycles, and I think you should go through this with every potential passenger:

1. Get on/off the bike from the bike’s left side.
2. Get on/off the bike only when the driver tells you it’s OK
3. Keep your feet on the pegs at all times – only the driver puts their feet down at a light for instance
4. Hold on to the passenger handle or the driver
5. Lean with the bike -or- stay straight up in relation to the bike, not the road
6. When you’re doing 130 down the back straight of Mosport, don’t stick your head up (your helmet strap will choke you)

Okay, maybe #6 isn’t for everybody…
You should also come up with some kind of tapping system in case of an emergency, etc.

Other things you might not want to scare people with right away are: if the driver stands on the pegs, you probably want to as well, and if the bike goes down, get off.

It’s stuff that you might not think of with only driving experience, but it makes for happier passengers in the end

[Matt]

I’ve seen that list many times before, except of course #6

You should include your bit about standing on the pegs in the numbered bullets. I’ve never seen it mentioned before, but it sounds like pretty good advice.

[ShannonG]

I have a girlfriend who is all excited about my having a motorcycle. I told her a long time in the future when I’m really good on it, I’ll take her for a ride, but only if she wears low cut jeans with a thong hanging out the top. It’s kind of our running joke now. Every time she’s shopping and she sees a pair of racy underwear she calls me and describes it to me in detail.
So add that to the list; female passengers must wear panties that coordinate with the bike.

[AaronMerlot]

I agree with the matching panties. But my GF and I are still learning to ride 2up so we are practicing every night in the parking lot down the street, and I make here dress in full gear. She is not so keen on the knee armor but it makes me feel bit better, and I did buy her the puple flower helmet she wanted.

[WendySkeleton]

There are helmets with purple flowers? WOW. I want one now. Extra points if you can match the underwear AND the helmet with the motorbike.

I don’t know if I could ever give my friends a ride. One of them is really squirmy and she’ll probably be screaming about the wind being too cold or something. And then it’ll end in a lawsuit.

[ShannonG]

Wow, nothing says quality time with friends like everyone hiring a lawyer at the end of the day!

[ShannonG]

Wow, nothing says quality time with friends like everyone hiring a lawyer at the end of the day!

[Anonymous]

#3 – I modify that one a little and say – keep your feet on the pegs at all times unless (we’ve come to a stop and) I’m obviously struggling to keep the bike from falling over. That one’s happened a few times when the bike’s been off-balance when I’ve stopped on a hill or uneven road and a quick stomp of the foot by the passenger has saved the day (and the bike).

#5 – Stated another way, when we corner, look over my shoulder in the direction of the turn. I.e. veering right, look over my right shoulder and vice versa.

#7 – Sit still. Don’t shift your weight around or make rapid swings of your head to look at stuff.

#8 – As I have a UJM (standard) seating position and no windscreen – If I lean forward, then lean forward with me. If I sit back up, then sit up with me.

[Author]

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