second rider

[darb85]

When Going with a second rider is there anything that I should change?  I mean i Know the balance will be a bit diffrent but The person im giving a ride to has never been on a bike. 

ya ya probably a stupid question but still any help would be great

Thanks

[jordan172005]

Since there will be more weight on the bike especially the rear end you should probably stiffin the rear shock a notch or two. I dunno though thats the only thing I can think of.

[AGSlife]

tire pressure.  And just remember it is going to take looooooonnnnnnggggeeeerrr to stop.

[scottpA_GS]

Coach your passenger so they know what to expect.. some inexperienced pilions get VERY scared when cornering and can cause you some problems... be sure that they know to lean INTO the turn and not away    Hopefully you are secure in your riding skills and your passenger should trust your skills as well.  Guy or girl they should hold on to your waist firmly follow your moves and watch for helmet to helmet colisions when braking  As stated tire pressure can/should be adjusted, also be prepared, braking will be a bit slower and down hill can be hard on the family jewels  TAKE IT SLOW AT FIRST even try riding 2 up on a side street or parking lot for a bit untill you are both comfortable. Be sure you and your pilion have proper gear on as well 

have a nice ride 

[dgyver]

Make sure they hold on. It sucks loosing a passenger.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Brad, you're not really contemplating going 2up already, are you?

I had 5K miles before I took a passenger.. still made me nervous as hell.

My rules for passenger:

Not drunk/high/stupid

Gear. (Even if I have to give up my own... but that's only in an emergency.. if it's a pleasure ride, full gear for both riders.. good thing I now have 2 full sets of gear)

Hold on tight.

I have final say in who gets a ride.

There are more.. but I'm tired. night.

[annguyen1981]

I've got a little more than 12,000 miles under my belt, and I STILL haven't gone 2 up yet.  Still nervous about it.  It's bad enough I've got to worry about MY life when I'm riding...  I don't want the added stress of worrying about ANOTHER life.

[LPC2104]

I rode with a passenger after about 3K.  Like anything else on the bike, don't be stupid and it's fine.  Adjust your tire pressure/shock.  Go over hand signals and give her the basic gist of what to expect.  Start slow and don't try to show off.  It truly does take a lot longer to stop, that's the biggest thing I noticed.

[ohgood]

Google for info, and read for a weekend. There are lots of things to glean.

1) The sticker shows tire recommendations and spring settings IIRC.
2) Forget the stupid preload tool. Weld it into a bottle opener so it's actually usefull and use a loooooooong 1/4" socket extension instead.
3) Sloow down, ride smooth and explain that BOTH OF YOU CAN DIE.
4) Did you check your tires, brakes, chain, engine oil level, head bearings, SELF, mirrors, handlebars, throttle cable, riding gear, helmet, BELT, weather, and 1,000 other things befor even considering a ride ?
5) Practice in a parking lot first.

I didn't ride two up (except a 30 ft circle in the grass the first week) until I had almost 11,000 miles under me. I still didn't care for it at first.

[darb85]

wont be going 2 up for at least 2 months but she keeps talking about wanting a ride so when she comes up to visit i want to be ready for it and be prepared. (im a long term planner)  But thanks for all the tips, I love this board.

[pbureau69]

I've got a little more than 12,000 miles under my belt, and I STILL haven't gone 2 up yet.  Still nervous about it.  It's bad enough I've got to worry about MY life when I'm riding...  I don't want the added stress of worrying about ANOTHER life.

try it out in a parking lot first... so they get used to  stops starts and leans.... do it 30 mins it will get you better feel for it.
if they dont lean with you in turns, your rear wheel is going to get squirley on you....(most common mistake of 2nd up riders.

[Sicarii]

Come on guys, its not THAT hard.  Just take things slower than normal and let her and yourself get used to it.  Go on some easy  back roads and get a feel for it.  It really is not as bad as these posts make it look!  (or maybe my wife is just a good pillion, I dunno?)
Actually one thing that does make a difference is the weight of the passenger compared to yourself.  The lighter they are the less they can do to counteract you even if they tried.  I've driven my wife's little sister around and you have to keep checking to make sure she's back there!

[Gookie]

Yeah, it's not that bad 2 up.

Couple mistakes I made my first time 2 up.

First and foremost. Yes it takes a lot longer to stop. If you have stock springs in your fork, prepare to be bottomed out the entire time stopping 
Second, but, still part of the first and foremost. If your passenger is hanging onto you instead of the little handle thing at the back, prepare to have your testicles MASHED into the gas tank each and every time you stop... Ugh. I know it's safer having the passenger hang onto the rider, however, it's also much more painful.

Second mistake, literally. Dunno if this has ever happened to you solo, may have happened to me once or twice while not 2 up. You get to a stop sign/light transmission is HOT, and you upshift into what you think is first. However, when you go to take off, it's 2nd... Not so much a problem when you're solo, it's just a REAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALY slow start. 2 up, the  bike bogs and bucks like hell, if it doesn't stall out completely. Scared myself and passenger pretty bad... In hindsight, I most likely didn't get first gear because I was distracted by the intense pain coming from my testicles, and just thought, well, that feels like 1st. 

Still, it's a kick for me to give someone who doesn't know how to ride, the thrill of being on a motorcycle. 

[CBR JOCKEY]

and the lastly.....always make sure the passengers asks you if its okay before she or he dis-mounts the bike....

[Wrecent_Wryder]

[i6