Backseating

[MrMarple]

Anyone out there that is a regular rider ridden as a passanger lately?  I was introduced to motorcycles on a 65 Honda 250 Scrambler when a friend offered me a ride home.  The setting was North Station Boston 1966.  We left the pariking lot and lumbered into the city.  Everything was fine, like being on a bicycle only more comfortable.  Then we turned onto the expressway and he cranked it up.  Whoa, suddenly I was more attentive.  When we came to a sweeper he leaned it over.  To his consternation, I wasn't having any of that and remained bolt upright certain that if I did otherwise we both be sliding down the road.  Eventually we made it to my place.  I felt strangely terrified and electrified at the same time.  Within three months, I had my own bike but to this day I'm not comfortable riding Buddha Loves You with anyone. I've often wondered if I'm the only one who feels this way.

[annguyen1981]

I've never riden on the back of a bike, and I've never had anyone on the back of mine.

[Alphamazing]

I rode passenger on my father's FZ1 for a while. He taught me the best way to ride on the back of a bike too. Just relax, don't grip too hard, lean into the turn, but most of all, RELAX.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I rode pillion on an R1 after I wrecked my bike. It was terrifying. Even though I knew the guy I was riding with was an experienced rider, and an instructor, it scared the crap out of me. I did lean through turns though, he said I was a good passenger... just made me really nervous. Of course, I don't even like being a passenger in other peoples' cars, it makes me feel like I'm not in control.

[annguyen1981]

I rode pillion on an R1 after I wrecked my bike. It was terrifying. Even though I knew the guy I was riding with was an experienced rider, and an instructor, it scared the crap out of me. I did lean through turns though, he said I was a good passenger... just made me really nervous. Of course, I don't even like being a passenger in other peoples' cars, it makes me feel like I'm not in control.

+10 to the not in control...  for some reason, I can' stand riding in the passenger seat...

[CirclesCenter]

Yes I rode passenger, and I have no problems doing it with responsible and sane riders.

[downtime]

I rode passenges in my uncle's old Honda (1972 I think). It was actually me and my two cousins on a small 250cc going through the country road in my country(Philippines). My younger cousin rode in front of my uncle, my other cousin right behind my uncle and I was right behind him, facing the other way. I was about 7 or 8 yrs old and my cousins were younger.

[MrMarple]

I rode passenges in my uncle's old Honda (1972 I think). It was actually me and my two cousins on a small 250cc going through the country road in my country(Philippines). My younger cousin rode in front of my uncle, my other cousin right behind my uncle and I was right behind him, facing the other way. I was about 7 or 8 yrs old and my cousins were younger.

250cc four passenger Honda, cool.  Don't try it in the States.  It looks liike the fear factor is the control issue for most of us.  I think control is way over-rated even if you're at the helm.  Reminds me of my brother.  No matter how many times I tell him it's way safer to ride in a plane than a car he contends he's safer in his cage behind the wheel.  Oh well. 

[RVertigo]

It was a year or so ago...  I dropped my bike off at the shop and one of the shop guys asked me if I wanted a ride to work (they had screwed up the week before by telling me to bring my bike by for work when there really wasn't any time to look at it)...

I said I'd just take the bus...  He insisted that it was no big deal and went on to tell me that it was a common thing and it was nice to get out of the shop.  I asked what he would be driving and he told me "the van."

So...  I hung around while he looked for the van keys...  I missed my bus...  He could find them, but he told me he could just take his bike...  I said no.  He started convincing me and others jumped in to tell me that he rode 2up all the time and that he was really chill.


By this point I was going to be really late to work if I took the bus...  So, I decided to go along with it... 


We got to his bike and he had no grab handle on his sport bike.    I asked what the hell I was supposed to hang on to...  He told me to just put a hand on the tank and that he would take it easy.


Well...  He took it easy for a (clearly) spirited rider...


I enjoyed NONE of it..........  But, I got to work on time.   


I much prefer to ride with someone on the back than ride on the back.



The moral of the story is...  Don't ride on the back of a sport bike with no grab handle... And...  Two guys on a bike is kinda ghey, even if you don't like it.   

[natedawg120]

I rode on the back a couple times long before i ever got my own bike.  It was fun but i couldn't even drive then.  I wouldn't like to do it now cause i don't even like to ride passenger in a car, i am much more comfortable driving my self.  Yup its a control thing

[pandy]

i don't even like to ride passenger in a car, i am much more comfortable driving my self.  Yup its a control thing

+1. I like to be in control of my ride. The only way I'd get on the back of someone else's bike is 1. if the rider was very, VERY experienced and someone I trust, 2. the world was coming to an end, and 3. I had no other choice.  Yes, it's a control/trust thang for me, too.