- This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 11 months ago by SunyJim.
On riding 2 up
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May 18, 2010 at 12:11 am #3970TrialsRiderParticipant
I notice some discussion around the topic of riding 2 up, particularly with new riders and feel the topic warrants a thread of it’s own. Here’s a few points to initiate discussion and expect others may have some of their own to add.
Obviously, you should recognize there is a major difference between the handling of a 1 up and 2 up ridden motorcycle, beyond increased stopping distances, and decreased acceleration, the passenger affects weight distribution, center of gravity, steering and directional stability far more than an inexperienced pilot may be prepared for or expect. If your rider is a 90 pound chick who loves to go fast and has been on lots of bikes before, lucky you …probably wont even feel her on the back, ride as normal.
You should recognize there is a significant learning curve for the motorcycle passenger and an experienced pilot will initially determine the passengers weight, previous experience, apprehension and knows to establish some confidence in your abilities as a pilot. Do be prepared for the passenger to transfer their entire weight onto one peg, when they prepare to mount or dismount.
Being a light weight myself, I have piloted passengers weighing near double my own weight and if that large passenger was to become apprehensive on leaning the bike into that first corner, it’s good for a quick trip into the rhubarb from the start. Make sure your passenger understands that motorcycles must lean to go around corners. Assure them they don’t need to put their feet down when you approach a stop, just balance. Stay in line with your body at all times, it’s not cool for them to lean out to one side for a better view.
Even experienced riders can make inexperienced passengers and you need to be working together to keep it together. I have one experienced rider friend that I doubled frequently to motorcycle club meetings, he was 80 lbs heavier than myself and had an uncanny habit of falling asleep on the back. ( I was the designated driver and he was as I discovered, slightly narcaleptic ) I knew he was sleeping when he would lean heavier into my back, so I resorted to riding more aggressive, just to keep his attention. I strongly advise you never passenger alcohol impaired riders.
Seat straps and rear handles suck, passengers should be encouraged to put at least one hand on the pilots waist or hip, that offers the best leverage for the passenger and provides the pilot some feedback if the rider is apprehensive and still on board. The 90 lb gf and younger passengers should always lock their fingers around your waist.
…Oh yeah, No 2 up Wheelies and Never intentionally try to scare a passenger.
May 18, 2010 at 1:35 am #26522briderdtParticipantI have a rear pad that another rider built that takes the place of the grab rail on my SV — sits about 7″ high and gives a nice feel that the pillion won’t fall off the back.
Also, there’s a product out there called a Powermadd that the rider wears over his/her jacket, and adds two sets of handles onto the rider. Perfect! My daughter loves it. Lets her relax a little so that she doesn’t have to lean on me, but gives her a secure place to hold onto.
Here’s one place that has it: http://www.motorcyclegearforkids.com/shop/article_18/Powermadd-Rider-Hold-Tight.html?shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3D18%26
May 18, 2010 at 2:07 pm #26529TrialsRiderParticipantShould call these things love handles lol;)
May 18, 2010 at 3:35 pm #26531briderdtParticipantThere’s another product out there called “Luv Handles” which are essentially huge aluminum D-rings that you put on your belt, providing handles for the pillion. I prefer the Powermadd option by far though.
May 19, 2010 at 11:49 pm #26590streetmasterParticipantIn my opinion NO newbie should even consider taking on a pillion!
It changes the whole dynamics of the bike.
+ if the pillion even shifts their weight when stopped at lights etc, that can bring them both down when not ready for it.
2 years + before taking passengers IMO
Note, I’ve been riding 30+ years & just about seen it all! & before you ask, I’m just here to see whats new as you never stop learningMay 20, 2010 at 12:48 am #26592briderdtParticipantEven now, with my 9-year-old daughter, I feel it in the corners. She’s pretty great about leaning with me, but sometimes she’s a little late on it. At all of 70 lbs, if she leans in late (and kind of abruptly), I get surprised (in a bad way) and have to make a line correction mid-corner. Feels like the back end is stepping out on me.
If that were to happen in my first 6 months, I think I would have (1) run it off the road, and (2) needed new underwear.
May 22, 2010 at 1:32 am #26648owlieParticipantWelcome to the group, streetmaster.
I don’t think that trialsrider is encouraging newbies to ride 2-up, rather he is putting out some of his thoughts on riding 2-up. We welcome people of all experience levels to the group, and since beginner is a relative term, even people who have been riding 2-3 years may still consider themselves beginners.
Why don’t you start a thread in the introduction section and let us know a little about your riding experience? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
May 22, 2010 at 2:08 am #26651SunyJimParticipantI start 2up riding fairly soon after riding. I’d taken the course and ridden a season.
I ride an older 750 shadow.
My son rides with me he’s a big kid 180lb, I’m a heavy guy, lets just say I’m a little over that.
I find my best advice is, ride like it’s your grandma on the back, do the turns very upright. The bike is a LOT more unstable at slow speeds. Then slowly as you quit bonking heads, start leaning more and more into the corners. I prefer to have my passenger neutral on the back of the bike, not leaning with me, not fighting the corner, just only leaning as much as the bike. To me it’s like the bike that weighs 180lbs more. Which I prefer to someone actively controlling the steering with me. -
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