Triumphrat

99daytona955i · 04-23-2007, 05:31 PM

I am a fairly new rider with a little over 5k miles under my belt. I am planning on taking my girlfriend with me soon, I need some tips/techniques for the both of us for riding two up. She has been on bikes before so she has a little knowledge, I have never had a passenger so all advice is welcome.

Thanks

D

:

miroslav · 04-23-2007, 05:42 PM

Make sure she leans with you through the turns. Every one I know who has wrecked with a passenger on the bike is because she freaked out while leaning into turns and started fighting against him until he lost control.

99daytona955i · 04-23-2007, 05:54 PM

Wow, That one sounds very important. Thanks

TechmanBD · 04-23-2007, 06:20 PM

Braking is alot different. Be prepared to brake earlier and not sure how you are, but when I am by myself I tend to brake harder than when I have a passenger. if I did that with a passenger, I would end up with a helmet in my back.

I would say, if your neiberhood is not too busy, ride around the block a few times, practice braking and leaning and throttle roll.

daytonacharlie · 04-23-2007, 08:33 PM

Before you ride talk about how you will communicate with each other... sounds basic but if she needs to stop and pee and you think she's trying to tell you to speed up... work out some basic signals. Expect the bike to handle completely different, ie. heavier, slower, harder to stop, so take it easy at first through the turns, smooth and easy works best same with the shifts or else you'll have her helmet banging into the back of yours every time you shift or brake. Make sure she's comfortable. She won't last long parched up on the back of that 955 so take a lot of breaks till she's used to it. Have fun, be safe and she'll keep coming back for more.

dc

bradtx · 04-23-2007, 08:51 PM

D, It's something that is best honed over time between the rider and the pillion as it is mostly intuitive.

While she's ridden pillion before, she hasn't ridden with you so in addition to the above advice...

-To keep your pillion aligned with you, let her know that her helmet should overlap yours, front to rear. This will give her a visual reference.

-My daughter likes to ride with her hands resting on the rear of the tank. I told this to my Goddaughter and she thinks it's the most comfortable also.

-Before the pillion mounts, have the bike situated to where you can drive straight off in the direction you want to go.

-Have the pillion mount by placing her hands on your shoulders, putting her left foot on the passenger peg and mounting as much in line with you as possible. You need to have both feet on the ground and the front brake applied.

-Everything happens more slowly...stopping, starting and turning.

-No floppy bags/purses. Backpacks and courier bags are fine.

After a while and concessions made by both, you'll have a great time on the bike together.

Brad

keystonejenks · 04-23-2007, 11:57 PM

Quote:

On 2007-04-23 15:42, miroslav wrote:
Make sure she leans with you through the turns. Every one I know who has wrecked with a passenger on the bike is because she freaked out while leaning into turns and started fighting against him until he lost control.

Actually the easiest way to have this done (so she's not going hog wild or leaning too much) don't have her lean at all. Just tell her to look over your inside shoulder.

This way her weight will be adjusted with you, without her thinking, "I gotta lean." Plus, don't go very fast. You want her first ride to be enjoyable and not scare the bejeezus out of her. :-D

dano · 04-24-2007, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Actually the easiest way to have this done (so she's not going hog wild or leaning too much) don't have her lean at all. Just tell her to look over your inside shoulder.

This way her weight will be adjusted with you, without her thinking, "I gotta lean."

this is exactly what i was going to tell you. if she looks over the shoulder that is on the inside of a turn....a left hand turn, she looks over the left shoulder....real easy to remember.
also..you are the captain....she shouldn't get on or off the bike until...you SAY..."OK..get on/off the bike"...that way you are prepared for the moment that all her weight will move the bike....you want to be ready and holding the bars tightly, and clean ground under your feet...no oil or sand/gravel....

otherwise...be smart and take it slow.....have fun. and all the gear too..ride protected.

fivehundo · 04-24-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

On 2007-04-24 01:34, dano wrote:
and all the gear too..ride protected.

Yes please...

We don't need to see anymore guys with girls on the back in flip flops and tank-tops....

Once is really enough in that regard...

99daytona955i · 04-24-2007, 04:39 PM

Yes gear is a must for me, ALWAYS and I told her that we would have to get her gear before she could ride with me.

D