Riding Two-Up

[ponchopirate]

So I've been riding for about six months.  I feel comfortable with the bike, but definitely have things to improve (always do).  Anyhow, I was wondering what changes in the bikes behavior are to be expected when riding two-up?  I know turning, breaking, etc. are effected, but how much?  I plan on doing some parking lot practice first.  Any tips?  Thanks.

[1998_GS500]

There is a large difference when riding two up then riding solo.  The bike is more sluggish... allow more time to accelerate, slow and turn.  Just take it easy and you will be ok.

Chris

[callmelenny]

Is your passenger a novice rider?

Make sure he/she understands that moving around and leaning can cause control problems. I even had someone try to put their feet down at a stoplight!

You definitely want to spend some time in the parking lot. You will be training yourself and your rider.

[Roadstergal]

My 200+lb 6'+ friend, who has been riding for many years, told me to practice 2-up with my 90-lb, 5' friend until I feel comfortable with that, rather than starting with someone heavier than I am.  Makes sense to me.  Now I'm trying to convince my 90lb friend to get on the bike.

[Caravan]

:lol: My 90 pound friend wanted to ride behind me....at least until the last crash!

Riding with someone about the same weight or less is a good way to start.  Good luck!

Ride safe.

Gene

[weaselnoze]

what i found on my bike is that the passanger slides forward which in turn crushes your goods if u know what im saying.  its quite annoying.  

[John Bates]

Don't forget to add 5# air pressure to the rear tire.

[sprint_9]

Two up riding really kind of stinks, unless you have a good lookin women riding with you .  Even then it can be a hassle.  I had one girl that found she need to fix her hair damn near constantly, she would be moving around while cornering and what not, it is an extremely bad feeling when you have someone moving around on the back of the bike when taking a corner.  Stress to them that it is important to remain still and not to figit around.  You also need to use a heck of a lot more brake, was mentioned already but you would be suprised, I was.

[Flash]

what i found on my bike is that the passanger slides forward which in turn crushes your goods if u know what im saying.  its quite annoying.  

As long as they make it up to you later I guess its not a bad trade off :lol:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All kidding aside, here are some relatively easy rules to follow:

#1) Passenger should lean with the rider (not away, which is the normal tendency). In other words, be as one with the rider.

#2) If you need to break rule #1 (i.e. adjust your body at a stoplight), then always communicate to the rider that you are about to do so.

#3) The rider should inform the passenger at least the first time they 2-up of the location of the (hot) muffler; this might sound trivial, but I've seen it too many times where the passenger gets on/off the bike and ends up with a baseball size 2nd degree burn on their calf. It's not pretty, but it is definitely permanent.

#4) Wait for permission from the rider before you get on and get off the motorcycle; remember: (s)he has to brace both the bike and body for your entrance/exit.

#5) Under no circumstances do you try and show boat (i.e. wheelie) with your passenger; if you must be a bonehead and put them in jeopardy, then make sure they consent and understand that they they are as big a bonehead as you are before memorizing rule #5.

#6) HOLD ON TIGHT & DON'T LET GO (click here to see what happens if you don't) and please agree on where and how they are going to hang on (i.e. waist, grab rail, other means ); if somebody thinks its "ghey" to grab your waist, then there are devices you can buy that strap around your waist and offer the passenger something stable to hold on to.

Hope this helps.

[MR_PINK]

tons imho.. My wife got on the back of mine and shes not a large woment by anymeans 110lbs and it was like a different bike.  Turning, braking, accelerating are dramatically affected.  Also ajust the rear suspension for the added weight, but i didn't so that may be why i noticed it more.  

BTW great ride on sunday dude...sorry i couldn't ride longer, but my in-laws are in town this week so im looking for any reason to get outta the house.  Up for a long ride on 9 sat or sun weather permiting?

Cool

Kevin

[Roadstergal]

I had one girl that found she need to fix her hair damn near constantly, she would be moving around while cornering and what not

No helmet?  

[red_phil]

It can be a good idea to give your pillion a set of signals so they can communicate with you.

I use these ones.
me to them:
- Squeeze their knee means , ' For F*&ks sake stop letting go and hold on'
- tapping their knee twice (whilest stationary) means ' once I'm stood up and I nod you can get off'
- Heavy shrug of shoulders means, ' have you got a clue where I should go now?'

Them to me:
- tight squeeze around chest, 'EEEEEk stop that!'
- squeeze left thigh or shoulder, 'next left'
- squeeze right thigh or shoulder, 'next right'
- Knock on helmet (when stationary), 'can I get off'

You can come up with you own as you see fit.
I found it made a nervous passenger better if they felt they had some control, not that they ever used the signals much.

[crash]

my biggest problem, while practicing in a parking lot, was balancing.  having someone perch on the tail made the bike feel a hell-of-a-lot heavier and balancing became a real issue during stopping or going very slowly

[dyran]

To reduce the 'nut crushing' effect during braking, have the person wrap their arms around your waist and hold their wrist with one hand and put the other on the tank so that you don't have to support them when you're stopping. It makes you forget that someone is there sometimes.

[Dom]

Remember that the harder you brake, the harder their helmet will slam into yours.

[Daniely]

Ill just wait till I have a larger bike to handle myself and the passenger. Granted the GS moves me around fine (6'1" 220lbs), I'm not sure how it would do with the added hundred pounds or so of a female passenger (I have a no guy rule unless its an emergency)

[mrblink]

I really don't like riding w/passenger.  My GF only weighs about 105 LBS, and the bike sucks ass with the added weight on the rear.  It gets all squishy and sluggish, and you definitely gotta brake hard.  She rides too, so she's a good passenger, and it still sucks.  We would only do it in emergency situations.  It would probably be better on a heavier touring bike with a big motor and adjustable shocks.  My 89 isn't adjutable...

[pixelmonkey]

Ill just wait till I have a larger bike to handle myself and the passenger. Granted the GS moves me around fine (6'1" 220lbs), I'm not sure how it would do with the added hundred pounds or so of a female passenger (I have a no guy rule unless its an emergency)

6' 2"  and 205 here. girl on the back around 135.

just have to realllly take your time, and forget about making any turn / stop fast. it makes the bike feel like the front would wash out at the first sight of a 60 degree plus lean.

communication is the important part!!! if she needs to move while you're on the road, i have her tap my chest a couple of times, or make sure we will be at a stop for more then a second or 2.

if she's the quite type... she isnt getting on with me!

i likea the screamers!
chris<pixelmonkey>

[Cal Price]

If you are going to be two-up for a long trip or regular rides you need to increase preasure in rear tire, make sure the chain has enough slack to cope with the extra weight, more weigh will slightly elongate the wheelbase. Check you headlight adjustment if you are going to be riding in the dark, check your mirrors they may need adjustment. Braking and accelerating will be different, "normal" braking is probably about 90%/10% front wheel biased two-up 75%/25% is often quoted but try it somewhere safe do what you are comfortable with. You may even need to adjust the brakes. Lastly you may have to adjust the shock depending on the combined weight and your handling expectations. If your passenger is experienced they will know not to fight "the lean" nor indeed should they lean, just follow the bike and rider. Lastly it's a bit like group riding, avoid getting competetive and showing what the bike will do! at least until you have the experience.

If it's a one-off or just an occasional thing just take it easy.

[se7enty7]

I really don't like riding w/passenger.  My GF only weighs about 105 LBS, and the bike sucks ass with the added weight on the rear.  It gets all squishy and sluggish, and you definitely gotta brake hard.  She rides too, so she's a good passenger, and it still sucks.  We would only do it in emergency situations.  It would probably be better on a heavier touring bike with a big motor and adjustable shocks.  My 89 isn't adjutable...

Whaddya mean your 89 isn't adjustable? My rear shock is adjustable... and I have an 89..