Took a passenger & came to a conclusion

[OreoGaborio]

I will not ride w/ noticably more gear on than my passenger

here's why... if i have a passenger on the back that's not wearing the proper gear... well.. first of all, they won't be on the back.. i require at least jeans & a helmet, preferably close toed shoes. but if they're not wearing a jean jacket & boots or something, i'm not gonna throw on my boots, jacket, gloves etc because then i'll feel safer than my passenger & won't be as concious of their vulnerability... it'll put a little more reason in the back of my head as to why i should ride as safe & conservative as i possibly can. also, if i hop on the bike wearing 100% of my gear my passenger will probably think "hmm.... should i be wearing all that stuff too?" Taking someone for a ride isn't about making them nervous... it's about making them feel as comfortable as possible & showing them that riding on the back is safe & fun.

anyone else feel the same way?

Anyway, this comes up from yesterday when i took my aunt out for a little jaunt. (heh... "aunt for a jaunt".... i just noticed that) i loaned her a pair of jeans & my extra helmet, but other than that she was wearing a t-shrit & birks on her feet... i wasn't about to throw on my boots, gloves & jacket for the reasons stated above... we went out, did some nice empty back roads at a very easy pace & she had an absolute blast... she used to ride on the back of a bike when she was young, but it was the first time she had been on a bike in like 30 years. She was on top of the world when we came back... that's what i was aimin for

[bigred875]

ya I hear ya..I feel the same way.. lol I just bought a pair of ridding pants and I don't wear them when my girl is on the back.. I figure it isn't fair...the cap'n should go down with the ship right....

next step is for her to get some of her own....


As for other people I do not allow anyone on my bike without jeans, closed toe shoes(pref - boots), jacket, gloves and (obviously) helmet... I can usually provide the helmet, gloves and jacket... I MAY for go the jacket and gloves thing for a breif outing...but not usually...I'm actually a little bit of a dick about it...

[oreo_n2]

after riding through Cooter's accident with Christina on the back, i was hesitant to let her on the back at all, she was helpless in a situation like that and completely in my realm of responsibility. We got real lucky that day.

After that, the passenegers on my bike have to have lots of gear to be on there at all, regardless of what i am wearing.

[Honclfibr]

What are you wearing, cookie?

[bemused]

Originally posted by Honclfibr
What are you wearing, cookie?

"protection", hopefully...

[benVFR]

Not only is your passenger usually not protected, but the bike is probably undersprung for two people, and your braking and swerving capability in an emergency seems to be severly compromised.

I carried someone last week and and it reminded me again of how cautious you need to be unless you're really prepared.

Ben

[slingblade]

I understand your reasoning, but its still not worth it. What happens if you do go down, and you aren't in good enough shape to do your passenger any good by getting help?

There is someone on the back, their holding onto you should be enough of a constant reminder.

I'd still throw on the boots; just say "it helps with shifting" and jacket because "I'm in front and I get hit with rocks/bugs" and finally gloves because "I have sissy hands and will get blisters from the grips"

If they think "maybe I should be wearing all that stuff"... Well they'd be right.

[oreo_n2]

Originally posted by Honclfibr
What are you wearing, cookie?

your mom's thong, wanna return for me?

[tooks954]

I have been bitten by the MSF class. I took it years ago which leads me to go over all the safety tips (how not to lean, look over my shoulder, tap me if you are scared, blah blah blah). I make sure that anyone thats on the back has on close toe shoes, sturdy pants or leather and definately a long sleeve shirt or jacket. It gets kinda hot in the warmer months but it supports the last thing I say to myself before getting on any bike..."This is what you will be wearing when you go down, so dress smart."

[benVFR]

So you only go 130 with the ipod blasting as opposed to 160?

[HBerry]

No he told some of us he went 140 shown with a passenger and that was the fastest it would go. I think this was pre-ipod time though

[Thrill]

Not a problem.... my 03 Aprilia RSV Mille R is setup for racing.... not passengers.... no seat or foot pegs for a passenger

But if I did carry a passenger, I would still wear all my shit and I would try to get my passenger to wear as much protective gear as possible....

Hey no reason for both of you to get fucked up if you ever bite the bullet

[mostly.lurking]

I have only ridden 2 up once on a street bike so this was a learning experience. She had my spare helmet, jeans, running shoes, and I gave her my leather coat to wear. I had no desire to explain why I had leather and she got road rash should there be an unscheduled dismount.

[02SuperHawkRdr]

I've ridden two-up quite a bit with my wife. She wears top-notch gear. Some of her stuff is actually better than mine.

Nothing pisses me off like some of the crap I saw out there today. I saw a group ride go by me the other way (I was in the cage) and a bunch of young-looking guys went blowing by me. Many of them had passengers who were wearing nothing more than short sleeved shirts, jeans (it wasn't a great weather day), and sneakers. Some of the guys wore (minimal) gear...some didn't.

What kills me is that they were all riding the latest supersport bikes. Shit guys, if you can't afford good gear, you can't afford the bikes.

Alright...*rant off*

[PatSV650]

I'm sure I'm stating the obvious here, but, having someone who rides thier own bike as a passenger is a big plus when you've never ridden 2-up before. I just went on my first 2-up jaunt last week (quick ride down for ice cream) with the wife who has her own bike. We both were in full gear, wouldn't have it any other way with any passenger. Aside from the obvious changes in handling, it was a decent ride. I didn't adjst my suspension like I know I should have, but, it was a short ride and wanted to see what it'd be like. Next time it's a planned ride, I'll crank up that rear spring!