Triumphrat

Avatar · 07-04-2006

My GF finally got a helmet and got on the back. She vacationed in Bermuda for a week and had to ride on the back of a scooter with her father. I guess her fears were squashed. We've done about 70 miles 2-up so far. This is very new for me as a driver. It is also new for her as a passenger. We've been through the bog standard 2-up tips in the manuals. I've instructed her on safety and such.

I'm looking for some veteran tips from experienced riders 2-up. Do I have to worry about chain tension with the extra weight?

She's 165lbs 5'10''. I'm 190lbs 6'0''. We don't ride with luggage, yet.

( PS, I'm quite thankful that I just upgraded my suspension. The heavier fork springs help a lot. )

TBSstunta · 07-04-2006

This will make for the smoothest shifting:

When upshifting, slightly back off the throttle before you shift. This will transfer all the weight forward and there will be less chance of bonking helmets. When downshifting slip the clutch more than you normally would as this will easy the power back in, again resulting in less helmet bonking.

When braking hard have her place one hand on the small of your back, just above your waist. The higher up on you she braces the more weight you will feel in your arms.

Use more engine braking when stopping and stop sooner than you normally would.

Have her sit straight up and just look over the inside shoulder in turns.

As far as handling

highcard · 07-04-2006

I just bought the Triumph K & Q seat and the Triumph sissy bar/luggage rack from ebay.

Makes riding 2 up much better...on the stock seat, I was pretty much getting racked as the missus would keep moving forward and pressing me against the tank.

Now she's comfortably seated "on her own seat" and doesn't feel like she's sliding back, since the back rest is right behind her.

BTW, I guess I've had the TBird about 3 months now, after having been bikeless for about 20 years...this machine is everything that I was looking for in a bike...great power, handling and STYLE.

I get comments everywhere I go regarding it's "look" and it really scoots.

JWoodsie · 07-04-2006

My mrs is a very experienced pillion passenger, she tends to reach around me and place one hand on the fuel tank under heavy braking. Normally she just sits there with one hand on the grab bar. I have been riding two up with her for many years, and I guess we dont really think about it much anymore.
She tends to "cuddle" me with her knees under heavy acceleration. Much like gripping a horse with the knees.
Hope this helps some.

rayhyland · 07-04-2006

If you start riding long distances or in the evening, be careful of your girlfriend being tired.

It can get a bit boring on the back sometimes, and there were a few times in the past when we'd had a long day, or perhaps we were coming home from the pub, and she'd had a few more beers than me (since I was in front) and she fell asleep (or partly asleep) on the bike behind me.

Obviously that can get a bit dangerous.

Not something the manuals usually talk about.

Cheers

ray

Rincewind · 07-05-2006

That's great that your GF is ready to try riding. Trust is very important in riding with a passenger. I do some 2-up with my wife, so here's my take:

1. Tell her to act like a sack of potatoes or a backpack. If she's squirmy, it will throw the balance on the bike. It's good if she mimics your body - like if you're leaning forward under hard acceleration, she should, too.

2. Look over the inside shoulder in turns. This keeps them from leaning away from the corner, which can be bad for handling. I tell my wife this, but I think she mostly closes her eyes and hunkers down in the corners, as they give her the willies.

3. She gets on the bike after you, not first. If you've a center stand, it's easier to get it down before she gets on.

4. You're ahead of the game with upgrading your suspension. I'm still on stock, so it gets a little jarring on the big bumps. I tell her to watch ahead for big bumps and lift her bum a tad over them. This helps and gives her something to do. Jarring bumps are her biggest complaint.

5. She can stand up on the pegs to stretch her legs while travelling, but tell her to try and not put her feet down at stops unless she asks first.

6. On 2-lane travel, only do the easy passes, not the heroic ones.

7. Unlike what was said above, I engine-brake less because it seems smoother. Whatever you do, work on smoothness and feather the clutch as needed.

8. My wife and daughter insist on having a sissy bar. Alternatively, a top case would work, too, for comfort.

9. Take lots of breaks whenever she says. My wife also likes to have a snack back there to munch on during trips.

10. She makes a good second set of eyes to scan for hazards, like cops. I was doing an easy but rather fast pass with her over our weekend getaway. She jabbed me mid-pass, and there's a cop with radar right there. I had no choice but to finish the pass, but I slowed it down and luckily didn't get any tickets.

I don't think you need to worry much about extra chain tension, like you asked. I'd recommend getting ahold of some luggage if you start riding further, or do an overnight. You can stuff a lot of clothes in a simple tank bag. Motorcycling is one of the most romantic ways of travelling and it can make for very memorable times together.

TBSstunta · 07-05-2006

Quote:

On 2006-07-05 11:25, Rincewind wrote:
4. You're ahead of the game with upgrading your suspension. I'm still on stock, so it gets a little jarring on the big bumps. I tell her to watch ahead for big bumps and lift her bum a tad over them. This helps and gives her something to do. Jarring bumps are her biggest complaint.

Or you can just tell her that when she feels you stand up a bit on the pegs (in anticipation of a bump) she should do the same. Obviously this means you should lift up sooner than you normally would.

Avatar · 07-05-2006

Awesome! Thanks for the tips.

She may not be riding with me for a while. I got drunk and cat called a woman on the side of the road...in her father's car...with her father present....and with the GF in the back seat....man I'm stupid.

JhuFrank · 07-06-2006

OMFG!!! LOL!

this is one of those subjects that should be on the Wiki.

TBSstunta · 07-06-2006

Quote:

On 2006-07-05 21:06, Avatar wrote:
Awesome! Thanks for the tips.

She may not be riding with me for a while. I got drunk and cat called a woman on the side of the road...in her father's car...with her father present....and with the GF in the back seat....man I'm stupid.

Dude, you should have claimed it was a demostration in irony. You really should practice your spin control. :-D