Tips for Riding With A Passenger

Want to boost your motorcycle riding experience? A great way to do that is to hit the road with a buddy.

To help you make the most out of riding with a passenger, we’ve created the following guide. For all your motorcycle needs, come on down to Rivercity Motorsports & Trailers. We are based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and also serve those in Sudbury,

Passenger Gear

All motorcycle riders should wear proper gear before heading out - and that includes your passenger. Start by doing an inventory with your passenger to find out what items they already have, then get the ones they don’t already own. 

The most necessary item for two-up riding is a helmet. A full-face helmet will offer the best protection. If it doesn’t have a face shield, they should wear sunglasses or goggles to protect their eyes. Don’t borrow an ill-fitting helmet as that won’t provide good enough protection in the event of a crash. Instead, invest in a good helmet.

Next, get proper outerwear. Full-coverage clothing will save their skin from the sun’s rays and also in the event of a crash. They should wear a sturdy riding jacket and a pair of riding pants. If you want to be really prudent, they can bring waterproof outerwear in case it rains.

Prepare Your Motorcycle

To alleviate any troubles you may encounter once you’re on the road, it’s necessary to prepare your bike. Start with the usual pre-ride check you hopefully go through before you get on your motorcycle: inspect the tires, fuel and fluid levels, and make sure all components are fully functioning.

Prepare Your Passenger

If your buddy is new to riding motorcycles, try to do a few test rides before you hit the road. This makes the both of you more comfortable with two-up riding. It also helps your passenger get a sense of their endurance limit. Riding a motorcycle is an athletic activity that engages little-used muscles. You don’t want to plan a two-hour ride only to realize that your passenger gets tired after half an hour. 

Before you both head out, settle on a method of communication. Decide the cues for slowing down, pulling over, taking a food break, a bathroom break or heading home. If you’ve got helmets with Bluetooth communication, this will be easy. Otherwise, use hand signals.

Two-up Riding

As with everything else, practice makes perfect. There are some things your passenger can do to make the motorcycle ride smoother. They should hold on tight so they won’t end up slamming into you if you make a sudden stop. When you take a turn, they should keep their torso straight and not lean against the turn. If they look slightly over the driver’s turn-side shoulder, the weight redistribution will help keep the turn tight. During stops, the passenger should keep their feet on the pegs. When dismounting, the passenger should wait till the driver is ready and then get off.

We hope you enjoy thrilling two-up motorcycle rides! If your motorcycle needs maintenance before the next ride or you want to shop motorcycles for sale, visit Rivercity Motorsports & Trailers. Our dealership is based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. We also proudly serve those in Sudbury, Ontario.