Let’s Ride!

Norm

Keep both wheels on the road.

Norm

I am getting back into riding after 25 years of raising a family and it is great!
What’s even better is my son just bought his first bike so now I have a live in riding
buddy. Sharing this info with him will help his mom sleep at night.

All the best.
G

From one passenger to other potential passengers, I wish someone told me this stuff before my first ride:

Watch the road! It’s tempting to relax and enjoy the ride, especially since you can’t see the road with the driver’s head blocking 80% of your view — but you still need to be aware of what situations the driver will be reacting to.

Whenever the driver unexpectedly slams on the breaks, your momentum will push you into his back. Depending on how the seat is set up on the bike and how you typically sit, your face can literally slam into the back of his helmet. That hurts … So if you stay alert with the road & traffic situation, you can brace yourself for sudden brakes and avoid slamming into the driver.

Anytime the bike hits a bump in the road, remember that you’re sitting over the rear wheel. If you don’t brace yourself for the bump, you will be launched several inches into the air. At high speeds, the bike will slip out from under you. Don’t count on a backrest to catch you — I was almost launched over one. Pay attention to the road and brace yourself.

Before getting on the bike, ask the driver what you can and can’t hold onto in an emergency. For example, on most Harley’s there is a “grab strap” across the seat that looks tempting for the passenger to hold onto. But those can snap easily, and your driver may have better suggestion for you.

Remember that passengers were an afterthought in the design of most motorcycles, so don’t expect to be comfortable. If there is a passenger seat, it may be the size of a business card. The foot pegs may be located centimeters away from melting hot pipes (think of the Softail Deuce — they put the right passenger foot peg UNDER a pipe, guaranteeing a pipe burn …). And even if there is a windshield on the bike, expect to be blasted mercilessly anyway — those were designed for the driver.

But riding as a passenger can still be lots of fun. I love it. Really, I do 🙂

(But I probably won’t love it anymore when I get my own bike!)

Thanks again for the article and tips — it’s all a great help!

Happy Riding 🙂