Riding 2-up

[Panthers_Den]

Ok, I've been getting a lot of girls asking me to take them for a ride on the motorcycle but i've never ridden 2-up before. Are there any hints, tips, must-knows that yall can give me before I take anyone riding. Only thing i have discovered from reading posts on here is that the rear shock needs to be adjusted for the 2nd person, just not sure how to do that or how much to adjust it. but i figured that part would be trial and error.

I swear, that motorcycle picks up girls almost as well as a puppy does. LOL

[mathbeak]

Always check with the mothers of the girls - you have to get their permission. At my age, I often find that the mothers can be pretty darned attractive, and they don't need anyone's permission to ride on motorcycles.

nb. When I WAS young, and GIRLS did want to go for a ride (or whatever) I was getting," Can you take me for a ride on your Honda?" I was riding a Triumph 650 four-speed! Boy, did Honda have that advertising-campaign thing down right! :razz:

[Panthers_Den]

hehe, actually by girls I meant females and not actually 'girls' per say ^_^ all the females the have been asking for rides have been in their mid to upper 20's so I don't have to worry about getting permission hehe.

[CityRide]

Yeah, I can think of a few right off the top of my head.

1- DON'T! They just want to suck the fun out of your life. Ride away as fast as you can and do. not. stop. ever.

Seriously, 2up riding is something that never ceases to amaze me. Perfectly good riders don't think twice about letting a completely inexperienced passenger climb on behind them. Would you share a lane with her on her own bike? If not, you probably ought to think about a few things before she climbs on behind you, because it's just as dangerous. An inexperienced passenger can get you killed.

The best thing you could do for yourself and every passenger that will ever climb on behind you is to learn how to ride 2up with an experienced rider as your first pillion. (even if it's a big-'ol hairy biker dude) An experienced rider will know what NOT to do and you will see how it should be done. Learning the right way a passenger should mount, lean, tuck and dismount will make all the difference. (if you've ever gotten the Kansas City clutch at freeway speeds, you know what i mean)

2- Your big smelly 'ol leftover helmet from 8 years ago is not proper safety equipment for someone else's daughter, PERIOD. Either she brings her own, or buy her one that fits. If she's not worth a helmet, you shouldn't trust her behind you, right? Besides, you don't want her main memory of the ride to be old helmet smell and a too-loose helmet rattling around on her head. A good jacket is also better than a bikini in this situation... ;-)

3- First ride together? The lecture. Every single time. A few minutes spent explaining how to mount, how to stay tucked in behind the rider at speed, Why it's a bad idea to put your foot down as a passenger, etc. is time well spent. Never assume they know already.

I've seen guys going down the freeway at 80+ with someones little girl wearing little or no safety gear holding on for dear life. Usually her knees are out like a drag chute and there is pure terror in her eyes. Most times the guy is dressed to ride and it would seem, totally oblivious to his pillions discomfort. Betcha they didn't have The Lecture...
Contrast that with the couples you see that are serious riders/tourers- They're both dressed to go and they ride like a team. I spent at least an hour on twisty roads behind a couple on a BMW one day. They moved like a single organism and it was more graceful than any dance I've ever seen.

[triumph_955_st]

Here's a good page for you to read.

[Panthers_Den]

that's some good points there. I did ask one of the females if she had any 2-up experience and she said she rides 2-up with friends all the time. but I like that idea of finding a friend that knows how to 2-up and having them show me how it's done first. I still have a few more excuses i can use to hold off on riding 2-up. so i'll have to see about getting that experience in soon. ^_^

[DaveM]

Hi Panthers_Den,
I do a lot of brisk two up riding with my partner. She is the best pillion I have ever taken on the back of a bike. A good friend of mine recently told me we were the fastest pair he'd ever met. I should qualify that by saying last weekend a BMW 1200S one of those new 163hp jobs left me behind on one of my favourite roads! There is always someone better!

My advice about pillions;

1) do not take anyone on the back without the same safety gear you wear;

Boots or solid footwear, good armoured jacket, preferably armoured pants, gloves, full face lid.

2) If they are not en experienced pillioj go easy and don't scare the***** out of them, they may never want another ride if you do.

3)Who ever it is even if another rider (doesn't mean a good pillion) take it easy until the pillion and you are comfortable over a few rides with what and how you ride. If they aren't a good pillion and panic all the time maybe they shouldn't be on a bike at all.

Taking a pillion requires a more smooth riding style, allow more braking distance if travelling quickly and be aware things that scrape are more likely too with the extra weight.
If you are going to have a bit of a race remember you have someone elses life in your hands.

I could dribble on for ever about this so I'll give you all a rest and shut up.

In short some people can pillion and some can't.

enjoy your ride.

davem

[mdgore]

There is a chapter on 2 up riding in Lee Parks book, "Total Control". The book is great and it's cheap on Amazon.com.

[dolson]

2nd. The area in Lee Parks book.

I don't do really any 2up. The only one that's been back there is my buddie's wife. She's the one I allude to that was the pillion in the stoppie to avoid Mrs. Soccermom and her cell phone.

She was peeping and saw the scene and her hands went from my waist to the tank to keep her weight off me and give me some working room. Great rider, though a bit too eager. She really gets into the twisties and once we had a peg dragger coming up that she was familiar with and she actually started to hang off. I got a little miffed. My buddie was behind us and saw it. We stopped and I was polite but my buddie really got on her about it and told her to tone it down.

She still taps me on the right shoulder to go faster.
The reason she gets behind me is on long rides their bike isn't that comfortable for her.

BTW her main ambition in life is to be a Side-hack Monkey at the IOMTT.

As has been said. Do not let them on before a lecture. One miscue and you'll both be eating pavement. And full protective gear always.

Don

[RedMick]

My wife is a great pillion, given that she insists on the top box being fitted, which is fair enough, she is ultimately in charge of overall speed.
I respect her wishes and on her part she adopts the 'sack of potatoes' position on the bike, not leaning with or against any motion, just going with the bike.