Originally Posted by
Tricklidz
1. Set front and rear sag correctly (if you don't know the numbers, look it up) for solo rider.
2. Have passenger get on the bike with you and set sag to the same figures as above.
If #2 cannot be set the same as #1 then your bike will not handle well with a passenger!
didn't do
3. Put tire pressures at max reading of tires.
didn't do
4. Have her sit "neutral" on the seat, in line with your body. Tell her to "never" make any body adjustments when cornering--and do not anticipate the turn! She can't help you turn the motorcycle...if uo F-up, there's nothing for her to do. The only thing she should do is turn her head to the right for right hand turns, left for lefts!
did do
5. DON'T SCARE HER!!--take the corners easy at first--and don't hang off!
just cruised down 119 with minimal throttle/brake inputs
6. Her hands on the back of the tank for heavy braking--around your waist "lightly" for cruising or on her knees if she's comfortable.
did do
7. Learn to shift gears!!!--That's right, learn to shift quickly and smoothly--when done right, your passenger should not even feel the shift...no head banging!!
was very smooth
8. Practice! Practice!!
I'm old, and I've ridden almost all of my street miles 2-up. mostly with the best passenger there is--Mary!
And the way I taught her originally was to "NOT" teach her anything....I pulled up to her house on my Ducati Paso, threw her a helmet (that she realised later was never strapped on)... told her to just sit still, and rode at my regular spirited pace, concentrating on be as smooth as possible (like rain riding)! She had never been on a motorcycle before, so had not preconcived (sp) notions of what was right or wrong..all she knew was- "This is how we're gonna ride" and that was that. And it's been that was for over 20 yrs. I've given her some points of advice over the years---(once she anticipated an upcoming turn and leaned the wrong way, forcing us into the oncoming lane...but that's the extent of our mistakes.
She has her own little habits--like using my peg to mount and dismount, once the bike is running in neutral, sidestand up and I'm ready---I give a head nod.
Intercoms are a good idea too--and earplugs!!
Enjoy.
and ATGATT for her...you care, right?