Two up?

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Did it for the first time today.  Only about a dozen blocks, sleepy suburban neighborhood, the same streets I first learned on. It was the first time for either of us (well, I rode on the back for about 30 miles once when I was 14.. doesn't count), so I was very, very careful. 

The object here is not to make a long (or long-distance) habit of 2-up on the GS, it's just to do enough of it to help both of us decide whether or not the need for 2-up riding should affect my choice for the next bike I own.

Brand-new Pirelli Sport Demons, 41 psi rear, shock pre-load at 7.

Braking was ok, not as much difference as I was braced for... though having another body shifting forward behind me on braking was a bit disquieting. Couldn't say about accelleration, we really didn't get that far into it. Mostly, though, I was surprised at the steering. It just seemed "uneasy" when cornering, less stable. Didn't feel like the rear was weighted so much as it felt like the front was light.

Is this normal? I'm guessing it must be. Is it something you just get used to over time and can compensate adequately for with experience, or might we be courting a tank-slapper or something if we keep trying?

Thanks in advance.

[FearedGS500]

has your 2up person ever 2uped before ? if not that could be alot of the issue . if she/he has never been 2up you need to let them no not to move just go with the bike. dont lean the other way just stay and follow the bike ( what you can do is just tell them to hold on to you and not move when your taking corners . ) works for me . i had that problem .  my finace is use to riding HD (harlye's) so when she got on mine she about freaked  cuz i love corners so the lower the better but with her on there i was not as bad but i was like ahhh dont do that . practice helps . keep at it . and things will get better .start small then go big

[My Name Is Dave]

I just tell Meg two things: don't ever put your feet down or take them off the pegs, and just slightly lean with me through corners. I tell her to look over the shoulder of the direction we're turning (we take a right corner, she looks over my right shoulder). I don't know where I heard this, but it works. I can't feel her on there, as opposed to another girl I took who threw off the entire geometry of the ride.

The things with her bracing herself as you shift and brake will be learned. At first we clanked lids all day long. Now she knows when we're about to change speeds and braces herself.

[hmmmnz]

yep i feel your pain, my girlfriend is a terrible pillion, she leans the wrong way all the time and it makes me have to lean even more.
get your pillion to hold you around the waist not to the bar at the back and get them to move with you.
if they are still crap, then tell them to close there eyes, its amazing how much better a pillion can be if they arn't seeing whats coming up

[Wrecent_Wryder]

First time for both of us.

I really don't think it was her. She's a long-time bicycle rider, leaning is not something new. Just seemed like the front wheel was less stable than before, like it didn't "want" to go straight, but once I initiated a turn, it wanted to go too far.

We'll try again, maybe it wasn't the bike so much as me being over-cautious about leaning, fearing that the bike was topheavy.

[Cal Price]

Tell your passenger not to lean nor fight the lean, just tell them to stay with you. Hold onto you not the bike.
Tell them NOT to make traffic signals or to lean out to see ahead, this can give you a nasty experience. Dont let them wear scarves or anything flapping around, if it gets mixed up with the back wheel it can ruin your day.

Things to check or do it you are going to be doing a lot of pillion passenger carrying.

Tire preasure needs to be increased a little, see guide plate.
Chain may need to be slackened a little. Extra weight elongates the bike.
If night riding you need to drop the headlight angle a little.
Try to brake and accelerate more evenly, if you are clicking helmets something aint right.
Adjust the shock absorber.

This probably seems a lot so don't worry about it unless you are doing it a lot like say giving someone a regular lift to work or whatever.

Most of all have fun, enjoy it!

[MarkusN]

Chain may need to be slackened a little. Extra weight elongates the bike.

That souldn't be necessary. If adjusted within spec it cannot go taut, even in the worst case.

[CirclesCenter]

Chain may need to be slackened a little. Extra weight elongates the bike.

That souldn't be necessary. If adjusted within spec it cannot go taut, even in the worst case.

And the GS is jetted perfectly from the factory, and the stock front suspension is great.

[RVertigo]

Is this normal? I'm guessing it must be. Is it something you just get used to over time and can compensate adequately for with experience, or might we be courting a tank-slapper or something if we keep trying?

I know what you mean...  When you're solo, you can apply an even amount of pressure and continue to lean evenly...  When 2up, you seem to hit a ledge where the bike wants to fall very quickly into the lean...

I've been riding 2up a bit, and I've gotten used to it...  But, it's always a shocker when I first feel that drop off.  The slower you're going, the more the weight seems to want to pull you over on your head.

If your passenger up for it, find a large parking lot to practice slow speed maneuvering...  Be prepared to drop...  ALL GEAR...  Make sure your passenger knows how to sit, what not to do, etc.

Learning to ride 2up is like learning to ride a new bike...  Don't assume it's gonna do what you think it'll do...  Find out what it'll do and how it will react in different situations.

And...  A good passenger makes a BIG difference in the ease of the ride.  Riding with my little wifey on the back is no problem, but when my friend's bike died, I gave him a ride... That sucked.  Just a little shift here and there can make you feel like YOU are the passenger. 

You're doing the right thing.  Learn in safe areas...  Treat it like you're learning to ride again...  And always ride like 2 lives are in your hands ('cause they are)...  Oh yeah, and...  Don't corner too hard, 'cause it's easier to hit the center-stand when you're 2up.  (Oops... yeah, don't ask my wife about it unless you want to see me get smacked again. )

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[j

[RVertigo]

Well...  If you can't convince her to "Practice" with you, then you should find someone (or something) else that will.

Practice makes it SAFER FOR EVERYONE.

And some slow speed practice might just make her more confident about the whole thing...  I know it did with my wife.  It showed her LOTS of things:

1)  I'm serious about being safe and practicing my skills.
2)  Riding 2up is different than solo.
3)  The things she does on the back effect how the bike handles (I came to a stop and told her to wiggle around and lean back and forth to feel what the bike does).

Overall, I'm REALLY REALLY glad that I got some real practice in before heading out on (nearly empty) back streets...  And I'm REALLY glad I rode around on back streets before trying to hit up main streets...  It really is learning to ride all over again...  The bike doesn't always do what you think it's going to do.


....  There's always a way to get some practice in...  If you can't find a person to practice with you, then you can try strapping some heavy shaZam! back there.  30 lbs is not like 100 lbs, but it does make some difference...  Strap a big 'ol backpack on... Or something heavy...

Oh and...  Just a tip...  Don't over stress the whole crash and die thing (unless she refuses to wear ATGATT)...  It just makes them want to ride less.

[Wrecent_Wryder]

J77

[RVertigo]

Just explain it to her...  You need the practice and so does she.

Parking lot... Small figure 8s...  You need to practice swerving AND quick stops too.