Tips for 2 up riding sought - been a while, so looking for advice

[sportsguy]

OK, so it's been a long time since I last rode two up. Tonight saw my wife and I getting that last of her riding gear, so now that she's ATGATT'd, it's on the Black Barge for some seat time.

Beyond the usual "lean when I lean" and "I get on first and she gets off first" stuff, anyone have words of wisdom worth sharing?

...and yes, I'm going to make sure the suspension is cranked up a bit and set to "HARD", too...

My only other thought is to keep this initial ride short - like under and hour, and build up to longer rides.

Open to other ideas...

 

[SkooterG]

Don't crash. Or do anything else stupid. Stupid hurts.

 

[rockmurf]

I hope you have some kind of backrest so she doesn't go off the back. Have her pay attention to when you are stopping so you don't do the infamous helmet bang. Other than that tell her to hang on and have fun. You may also need to do something with her seat if you haven't already. A comfy seat keeps the bitching to a minimum.

 

[FRJ Jc]

Ear plugs are a Huge pluss for me. Keep things nice and quiet.

 

[Mount Rainier]

You'll want to lean forward a bit further than usual Duane. That’s to keep from getting hit in back of the helmet as she transfers the whip from side to side.

Keep Going!

 

[wfooshee]

When she's getting on the bike, she uses you to climb on, not the top case, side bags, etc. Left foot on the left peg, hands on your shoulders or arms, stand on the peg, right leg across, foot on the right peg. She should be standing behind you, never having touched the bike itself with her hands, and then just sits down.

While all that's going on, you have both feet on the ground, at least shoulder width, front brake clamped hard, bike not running yet. If for some reason the bike is running, it's in neutral.

Getting off, again you hold the bike, front brake clamped, and she use you for handholds as she stands on her pegs and then steps off.

Riding, she should look through the turns just like you, over your inside shoulder: left shoulder in left turn, right shoulder in right turn. She can move around all she wants to get rid of fanny fatigue as long as the bike's moving or stopped. When running slow, she has to be still, and when stopped she should warn you first. While riding straight she'd have to do something really outlandish to upset the bike.

She never mounts or dismounts without your ready signal.

 

[happyPuppy]

Get some communication for the helmets. I used to get the pound on the left shoulder for too fast, right for a pit stop, hurts after awhile. Mostly I find it is just keep your feet on the pegs all the time. I find it easiest to tell them to line up helmets vs, leaning. Same thing but they pick it up easier.

 

[Old Michael]

...as she switches the whip from side to side.

:rofl:

Get some communication for the helmets.

Are you nuts?

 

[fjrchooser]

...as she switches the whip from side to side.

:rofl:

Get some communication for the helmets.

Are you nuts?

I made that mistake once. The perfectly good MotoComm unit sits in its box on the top shelf of the front closet. She thinks it's broke. :lol:

 

[BackintheSaddle]

When she's getting on the bike, she uses you to climb on, not the top case, side bags, etc. Left foot on the left peg, hands on your shoulders or arms, stand on the peg, right leg across, foot on the right peg. She should be standing behind you, never having touched the bike itself with her hands, and then just sits down.
While all that's going on, you have both feet on the ground, at least shoulder width, front brake clamped hard, bike not running yet. If for some reason the bike is running, it's in neutral.

Getting off, again you hold the bike, front brake clamped, and she use you for handholds as she stands on her pegs and then steps off.

Riding, she should look through the turns just like you, over your inside shoulder: left shoulder in left turn, right shoulder in right turn. She can move around all she wants to get rid of fanny fatigue as long as the bike's moving in a straight line or stopped. When running slow, she has to be still, and when stopped she should warn you first. While riding straight she'd have to do something really outlandish to upset the bike.

She never mounts or dismounts without your ready signal.

******************************

Had to add this....wife used to wiggle around in corners. It's a little disturbing especially in a fast sweeper or at highway speed! :dribble:

 

[dustyrains]

Swiped this off a BMW site. Thought it was pretty good.

1) Make sure she knows how to brace herself from behind so she doesn't come planting herself on your back during an emergency (not a "panic") stop. You *have* practiced emergency braking, haven't you?

2) Make sure she knows to look over your shoulder to the inside of the turn; i.e. when turning left, look over the left shoulder, and vice versa.

3) Make SURE she knows to keep her feet ON THE PEGS at a stop. You don't need her "helping" you to keep the bike upright.

4) At low speeds (or stops), make sure she remains neutral; don't lean either way.

5) If she needs your attention, let her know it's ok to be clear: as the article said (bad paraphrase ahead) "if you need to go to the bathroom, say 'Stop at that Texaco!' Don't say 'If you see a place to stop in the next 30 minutes or so...'"

6) Learn her how to mount the bike: from the left, foot on the peg, hand on your shoulder, and after clearance from you, swing on.

7) If you haven't already done so, take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider's course. Every two years. You will learn something new every time.

8) Be extra careful: you're riding for two now. It will take longer to stop, accelerate, do anything. Keep that in mind.

9) Tell her to enjoy herself. It can be some of the best times you'll have together.

Best regards,

Rick Rohlf

Round Rock, TX

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

When she's getting on the bike, she uses you to climb on, not the top case, side bags, etc. Left foot on the left peg, hands on your shoulders or arms, stand on the peg, right leg across, foot on the right peg. She should be standing behind you, never having touched the bike itself with her hands, and then just sits down.
While all that's going on, you have both feet on the ground, at least shoulder width, front brake clamped hard, bike not running yet. If for some reason the bike is running, it's in neutral.

Getting off, again you hold the bike, front brake clamped, and she use you for handholds as she stands on her pegs and then steps off.

Riding, she should look through the turns just like you, over your inside shoulder: left shoulder in left turn, right shoulder in right turn. She can move around all she wants to get rid of fanny fatigue as long as the bike's moving or stopped. When running slow, she has to be still, and when stopped she should warn you first. While riding straight she'd have to do something really outlandish to upset the bike.

She never mounts or dismounts without your ready signal.

+1, just what I was gonna chime in with. Getting on and off, critical to any ride. Develop/discuss some signals for her to use on/with you to signal what she may need or stops. That way she wont panic and whop you on the helmet if something comes up.

Ride safe

 

[Beamer Reamer]

I do all my recreational riding two-up :

1) You can still use all the tire God intended you to use in the corners (but you probably ought not to)

2) Get the comm gear if you don't want wacked every time she wants your attention

3) Discuss the rules that she needs to follow, you can do whatever you want.

4) She should be able to get some great pics, get the right camera

5) Practice the mount and dismount when no one else is looking, do it with the kick stand down. She should make sure your ready first.

6) No beverages for the passenger, bathroom stops should be at the will of the driver

7) If you get the comm gear, make sure she isn't cold

8) If you get the comm gear, don't scream when you scare yourself

9) Should be easier to to a wheelie, practice when no one else is looking

10) Inspect all packing for non essentials when riding with the fairer sex. Really.

 

[Old Michael]

8) If you get the comm gear, don't scream when you scare yourself

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Bugnatr]

I do all my recreational riding two-up :
6) No beverages for the passenger, bathroom stops should be at the will of the driver

Oh sure... "sorry honey but you will have to wait until we need gas in a couple hours". Let me know how that one works for ya.

 

[dustyrains]

I do all my recreational riding two-up :
1) You can still use all the tire God intended you to use in the corners (but you probably ought not to)

2) Get the comm gear if you don't want wacked every time she wants your attention

3) Discuss the rules that she needs to follow, you can do whatever you want.

4) She should be able to get some great pics, get the right camera

5) Practice the mount and dismount when no one else is looking, do it with the kick stand down. She should make sure your ready first.

6) No beverages for the passenger, bathroom stops should be at the will of the driver

7) If you get the comm gear, make sure she isn't cold

8) If you get the comm gear, don't scream when you scare yourself

9) Should be easier to to a wheelie, practice when no one else is looking

10) Inspect all packing for non essentials when riding with the fairer sex. Really.

Pretty funny, esp #8, wink wink, nudge nudge. Did you just make those up or did you swipe them?

 

[Beamer Reamer]

I do all my recreational riding two-up :
1) You can still use all the tire God intended you to use in the corners (but you probably ought not to)

2) Get the comm gear if you don't want wacked every time she wants your attention

3) Discuss the rules that she needs to follow, you can do whatever you want.

4) She should be able to get some great pics, get the right camera

5) Practice the mount and dismount when no one else is looking, do it with the kick stand down. She should make sure your ready first.

6) No beverages for the passenger, bathroom stops should be at the will of the driver

7) If you get the comm gear, make sure she isn't cold

8) If you get the comm gear, don't scream when you scare yourself

9) Should be easier to to a wheelie, practice when no one else is looking

10) Inspect all packing for non essentials when riding with the fairer sex. Really.

Pretty funny, esp #8, wink wink, nudge nudge. Did you just make those up or did you swipe them?

Just did a 1 day 700 mile dealio with my hottie - the above are all personal experience from that or other memorable trips.

 

[mhc]

Explan that she will burn inside leg if she put her foot down. The pips are HOT and burn even

if good leg padding. I have had this happen more than one time. stand up on pegs then get

off. Do not help at a stop.

 

[jhinderliter]

i dont know how it works for you guys, but with the side bags and my trunk my wife has to get on first while i hold the bike...