Passenger Getting on Bike

[jgeier]

Hey all,

I'm curious of what technique you guys use for the passenger to get on/off your bikes.

Last week, my girlfriend and I were going somewhere. Like I always have, I got on the bike, and kicked up the kick stand. My girlfriend, standing on the ground, through her leg over. While she was doing that, she got her leg caught and fell down. I was facing forward and did not see what was going on. I didn't have myself braced enough and the bike was pulled over as she fell. Luckily, she wasn't hurt, but the bike received a some scratches.

From that point, I told her to stand on passenger peg when she gets on the bike.

Anyone ever have this or have any advice on how best for a passenger to get on the bike?

Jon

 

[Fred W]

I leave the bike on its side stand, get on first (from the left side) sit down and brace the bike. She won't attempt to mount until I give her the go-ahead. She mounts from the right side of the bike by standing up on the passenger foot peg and then swinging the left leg through the space between my back (leaning forward a little) and the Givi trunk on the back. Mounting from the high side of the bike makes it easier to thread the leg through. After she is all settled, the kickstand goes up and we're good to go.

Try it!

 

[huron52]

Here check this out ....

https://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,71629.0.html

I discovered from riding two up on the WR I get on first side stand up then my pillon gets on.

On the FJR the pillon gets on first with bike on sidestand (me steadying it) and then me.

That's what works for me. Oh and I almost never ride a passenger on the back of the FJR with out the trunk on.

 

[azitlies]

The key thing, imho, is for her to stay "centered" over the bike at all times. Be it getting On or Off.

Explain very clearly: you can balance the bike, with her on it, but not if she's leaned way over to one side or the other.

Sometimes if there's a curb nearby that can help too...

 

[wmadoty]

I mount on the left side. Brace myself, signal for my passenger to mount on the left side, raise the side-stand. When it is time to dismount, I put the side-stand down, brace the bike, and signal for the passenger to dismount on the left side. I dismount after my passenger dismounts. Wife, stepson, and I don't really even think about it anymore.

 

[lnewlf]

Best guess as to how much of a GF the passenger footpeg can take??

 

[JR'SFJR]

Side stand and/or center stand up, I make sure my feet are firmly planted on a good surface and only then let them get on or off. My wife doesn't ride often, but knows to ask first, so there aren't any surprises.

 

[pmspaul]

She won't attempt to mount until I give her the go-ahead.

Try it!

I'll try, but usually it's me who won't attempt to mount until she gives me the go ahead...

On the FJR the pillon gets on first with bike on sidestand (me steadying it) and then me.

I ride 2-up about 60% of the time and this is what works best for us.

 

[Road_Runner]

I always make sure my sidestand is fully erect before she mounts. That way nothing gets bent out of shape.

 

[Auburn]

I mount on the left side. Brace myself, signal for my passenger to mount on the left side, raise the side-stand. When it is time to dismount, I put the side-stand down, brace the bike, and signal for the passenger to dismount on the left side. I dismount after my passenger dismounts. Wife, stepson, and I don't really even think about it anymore.

I use the same technique. Ride 2 up about 95% of the time.

 

[Bigbeavk]

I mount on the left side. Brace myself, signal for my passenger to mount on the left side, raise the side-stand. When it is time to dismount, I put the side-stand down, brace the bike, and signal for the passenger to dismount on the left side. I dismount after my passenger dismounts. Wife, stepson, and I don't really even think about it anymore.

I use the same technique. Ride 2 up about 95% of the time.

Same here as well. The key being for us is she puts her left foot on the left peg, left hand on my left shoulder, steps up and swings her right leg over the backrest and right hand goes to my right shoulder. If I had a rear trunk my bet is she would do the same only step through with the right foot. Always with the side stand down and if I have to lean a little to the left to make sure it stays there.

 

[wnyfjr]

As someone else stated earlier, I steady the bike while my wife gets on first (left side) and then I get on. I also typically have the Givi installed when my wife rides. Once we're both settled, sidestand up and off we go. Dismount is me putting the side stand down and signalling to her to go first, and then me.

The only difficulty with this method is that I have to sort of 'goose-step' that right leg up over the seat between her and the stupidly-massive tank bag I use. I tend to make a lot of odd noises while performing that maneuver...

 

[FJRBandit]

I can't imagine the passenger mounting first on the FJR with only the side stand down. Center stand, ok, but not on the side stand only. But, if it works for you then good on you.

The first thing I taught my wife about getting on and off the bike is that she must communicate with me her intentions and receives an affirmation that I am ready for her to mount or dismount. This way, it allows me to stabilize the bike and not have any surprises. To mount, she places her left foot on the left rear peg and her left hand on my shoulder then steps through the opening between me and the top case. Then sits straight down. To dismount, it's merely a reverse of the same process. We practiced our method several times before we ever left the driveway the first time and have never had a problem, that is, as long as she follows the rules.

 

[Auburn]

I can't imagine the passenger mounting first on the FJR with only the side stand down. Center stand, ok, but not on the side stand only. But, if it works for you then good on you.

The first thing I taught my wife about getting on and off the bike is that she must communicate with me her intentions and receives an affirmation that I am ready for her to mount or dismount. This way, it allows me to stabilize the bike and not have any surprises. To mount, she places her left foot on the left rear peg and her left hand on my shoulder then steps through the opening between me and the top case. Then sits straight down. To dismount, it's merely a reverse of the same process. We practiced our method several times before we ever left the driveway the first time and have never had a problem, that is, as long as she follows the rules.

The bike on the side stand creates a larger triangle which gives you more stability then the center stand does.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

I mount on the left side. Brace myself, signal for my passenger to mount on the left side, raise the side-stand. When it is time to dismount, I put the side-stand down, brace the bike, and signal for the passenger to dismount on the left side. I dismount after my passenger dismounts. Wife, stepson, and I don't really even think about it anymore.

+1

 

[Fred W]

The reasons for having my pillion mount from the right side are:

#1 - Her weight initially on the right side passenger peg doesn't add any weight to the kickstand, it actually takes weight off of it.

#2 - Her helmet headset wiring is on that side of the bike, so she gets connected up first before mounting.

 

[FJRBandit]

The bike on the side stand creates a larger triangle which gives you more stability then the center stand does.

While I understand what you are saying, I would contend that with the bike on the side stand the bike is at a lean angle that then can be tipped to the right much easier than if the bike is sitting stable on the center stand. However, the point of my comment is more directed to the whole question of the passenger mounting first. Clearly, the most stable way for the passenger to mount the bike is with the driver already on the bike, stabilizing the bike with six points of contact, two wheels, two feet and two arms. If others find it easier for their pillion to mount first then more power to them.

 

[gixxerjasen]

Same here as well. The key being for us is she puts her left foot on the left peg, left hand on my left shoulder, steps up and swings her right leg over the backrest and right hand goes to my right shoulder.

I've never done the side stand down method before. My wife puts her hand on my shoulder and waits for me to nod my head. I have to be really ready because of my shorty legs (30" inseam) and she knows to wait. Then she steps on the passenger peg with her left foot and swings over. I've taken many a pillion for a ride and I am proud to say that she's gotten quite smooth at it and is the easiest to have get on the bike.

Just recently I took her grandfather for a spin for Fathers Day. His knees don't bend well and walks with a cane. This was by far my most challenging pillion ever. I got on with the bike on the centerstand and then he got on. Easy peasy. Then I couldn't get it off the center stand so my wife and father in law assisted and helped me stay upright after coming down. When we got back they helped him get off the bike. I had to use every single bit of strength to hold the bike upgright as he got off because he just couldn't move easy and was on the left side for what seemed like forever. My leg and arms were cramping from the strain but we got him down off the bike and all was good.

 

[jgeier]

Thanks for all the feedback!

I had to Google "pillion". Can't say that I'd ever heard that term before.

I think I'll use the technique of having her stand on the left-side passenger peg and get on from now on.. while I'm already on. We always communicate clearly, which is a big help.

I don't want to end up on the ground again. I was a bit horrified as it was happening, but I can't blame her, it was my own lack of form that allowed it to happen.

Jon