Passengers?!?!

Nick9011 · 03-31-2008, 07:58 PM

Now being that i am pretty new to the scene here I have a simple, so i think, question regarding passangers. As of right now there is no way in hell i am taking a passanger on, but what would be a sign that you know you are ready for a passanger?

When was the 1st time you guys rode with one? How did you work your way up to it?

coupe · 03-31-2008, 08:01 PM

After the bike becomes an extention of your body.

UberGoober · 03-31-2008, 08:03 PM

I rode a passenger on my bike on the freeway very the day I bought my first bike. I needed someone to drive my car back and I had to go pick him up. Pretty stupid really, considering how new I was.

I think the main thing is that you want to be totally comfortable and totally capable of handling the bike on your own before you add another variable to the mix.

juicey69 · 03-31-2008, 08:05 PM

IMO unless you feel totally comfortable and capable of handling the bike don't do it.

Nick9011 · 03-31-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coupe

After the bike becomes an extention of your body.

deep, but i get it.

yeah i def wasn't ready the 1st day and I'm getting used to the bike pretty quick just because i had a couple of nice days in a row.

Currently I am practicing on hills such as creeping slowing up hills, pulling out turning both ways etc.

not to many hills in the philly area but as soon as i go home to where i am originally from, the poconos area, i am bound to run into some, such as the top of my street haah

UberGoober · 03-31-2008, 08:19 PM

One of the main things to think about when you are riding a passenger is the slow speed stuff. Most bikes are stable at higher speeds so if your passenger shifts on the seat a little it isn't too bad. If that happens in a parking lot it can get pretty ugly.

That makes starts and stops a problem too. If you jerk the bike when you accelrate, it makes your passenger grab you or, if you catch them off guard and they start to go off the back they will probably take you with them. When you brake hard, especially on a sportbike, a lot of time your weight and their weight ends up on your wrists so being smooth is a must.

Also, when you make a full stop, put both feet down and use your handbrake to hold the bike. You never know which way the bike is going to move if the passenger shifts around and if they decide to get off on the wrong side it will take a second to get your foot down. In that one second, the bike may already be too far over to stabalize and -whamo- you're on your side.

Nick9011 · 03-31-2008, 08:24 PM

wow thats a good point, the slow very detailed movement I can see being a problem at this point. I had my fiance sit on the bike the other day on the passager seat wtihout me on it in a flat spot in our parking lot, and she said it was kind of scary, so i def don't wanna have her extremely nervous and shifting all around

Anthonyd5189 · 03-31-2008, 08:28 PM

I think it was a month or two before I even had the thought of having my girlfriend on the back.

bush · 03-31-2008, 09:02 PM

New riders and passengers don't go together well in my opinion.

I took my first passenger way too early. Main thing to keep in mind is that your braking distances will increase and your low-speed handling will be tricky, like ubergoober said.

Nick9011 · 03-31-2008, 10:10 PM

agreed, thanks guys im bitchin out and headin to bed, im sure ill have another question tomorrow during work or have my 2 cents about something ahaha im a real producer at work.

c-ya!!!

Aceldama · 03-31-2008, 11:27 PM

The book Total Control by Lee Parks has a good section on 2 up riding. I'd suggesting reading it yourself, and having your passenger read it.

I've only tried putting around my block 2 up once and like everyone has said, it isn't bad at speed but all low speed maneuvers require lots of extra care.

Aero540T · 04-01-2008, 11:00 AM

just took my girlfriend on mine the first time a couple days ago. I started riding last July and rode until November. Now I got the bike back out finally. It is definitely different in slow speed maneuvers, I went in a big parking lot and did a few low speed circles and it felt like it was steering from the rear wheel a lot harder...that doesn't make sense probably but that's what it felt like.
Honestly though, it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, we both feel pretty comfortable on it. Just make absolutely sure you can accept the responsibility of another person on your bike.

Saidin270 · 04-01-2008, 01:21 PM

It is always awkward at first. I rode my first passenger a little early maybe after 3 months of riding. It was hard and took me awhile to get use to the added weight and handling of the bike. Eventually you get use to it though and it becomes second nature. I would hold off untill you have about 1 riding season under your belt.