Im scared to take anyone for a ride

[McLovin]

It mostly depends on who you do it with. (Thats what she said)

Seriously tho, you ride with a 160 lbs dude, you will hate it. I dont mind riding with my gf who is smaller than me. And there were times that I felt like the bike feels much more planted in turns with her on the back. Adjusting the shock to hardest setting makes a huge difference. Still you lose acceleration and gain braking distance which makes me feel less safe.

If your riding partner is right, and both riders have the right attitude it can be a bonding type of experience. Make sure you have some way of communication arranged before you go riding. It is good to have someone to talk to when you pull over!

 

[Andz]

I just skimmed over most of the replies. My wife is the most fabulous pillion in that I don't know she is there. She sits with her hands on her knees, doesn't hold on to me at all. Total trust. The trick to being a good passenger is, be one with the bike.

If your passenger can't do that, leave them at home.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

The Experienced Rider course used to be offered where you used your own bike, and if you could bring your passenger. This would be the appropriate way to ensure that you and your wife would do the right things, together, on the bike. Trust me, nothing s*cks more for a couple, than to try and teach one of them something........ MUCH easier for an outside party to do so.:rockon:

You can have a passenger on your bike for the ERC! You just have to sign another waiver, one for the passenger.

One other note, how many miles do you have underneath your belt out on the road?

Reason I'm asking, as I tell everyone, you should have enough miles logged so that whenever a hazard is presented to you, will you know exactly what corrective action you need to take in a split second decision? Your passenger's life is depending on you to do so. Better to find out solo than two up!

I say the magic number is to have at least 10,000 riding miles, but thats my personal opinion. I'm sure there are others who differ. But I figure thats about the minimum amount of miles you will need to encounter all of the morons that are out on the road.

Opps! didn't realize you're not from the states. Better check locally. Or maybe our forum friend Boneman, he's our Canadian Motorcycle Safety Instructor.

 

[Kazza]

I drive a (Ahem) Volvo and the risk is obviously decreased by a hundredfold in that,with its multiple airbags etc.
I have at least a couple of near misses each time I'm out and the risk as a parent is just too great to put us both in that kind of danger.
Maybe when the kids have grown up (ones 3 the other 9) then we can go touring together or the like

Fair enough.

You're very brave - admitting to driving a volvo

 

[hot4teach]

I say the magic number is to have at least 10,000 riding miles, but thats my personal opinion. I'm sure there are others who differ. But I figure thats about the minimum amount of miles you will need to encounter all of the morons that are out on the road.

No offense, but I think you could go many more miles than 10,000 and not come even close to encountering everything that could happen on the road. I've put 5,500 on the FZ in less than two years and so far have had only two close calls: first was a dear that for some reason changed directions right before impact, and second was a pick up that pulled out in front of me then stopped in my lane when he finally saw me. I locked up the rear, but managed to let back off and swerve around him.

Anyway, I'm sure there will be more. Riding is risky. A passenger has to be willing to accept some of that risk or they should not get on.

 

[lonesoldier84]

My first passenger I took in my second season. To show off to her I cranked the throttle. Much to my surprise, the bike was more willing to wheelie than I would have thought. The rest of the ride I kept my right hand in check. She was very impressed but little did she know I did NOT intend to wheelie....haha.

Take your time brother. You have ample reserves of it. No rush.

 

[OneTrack]

Although I regularly rode with a "pillion" passenger during my younger years on my Triumphs and BSA's, I have not yet ridden with a passenger in the 3 years I've been riding (again) on my FZ6.
However, the advice that I'd give the OP is that if you're 100% comfortable with riding solo, then you're ready to take a passenger. Until then, don't.
The only coaching that I gave a passenger who hadn't ridden with me before was to "sit there like a sack of spuds" and look over the shoulder that was going into the corner. The worst thing that a passenger can do is to lean into corners as if they are riding the bike. I almost came a cropper a few time due to aggressive leaning by a passenger who was "taking the lead". The next worse thing is for them to attempt to put their feet down when stopping/stopped.
Girls made the best passengers, but only because I told them to hang on to me very tight.

 

[Misti]

Some good advice here and I totally agree that if you are not comfortable then do not take a passenger. Good call to wait.

You want to make sure that your riding skills are excellent before you add a passenger because it can really change the dynamics of your riding. The added weight affects handling and stopping distances, you need to be extra smooth with all the controls and you need to be able to educate your passenger about how to "go with the bike".

I just wrote article on how to ride with a passenger and here is a little paragraph from it. I'll post the whole thing after it is published.

"Be sure to explain to your passenger that the BEST thing she can do while on the bike is remain relaxed and neutral and to “go with the bike.” Doing so is going to make the bike handle and perform the best and it is important that your passenger know this. Tell her to look over your inside shoulder and to not lean away from the bike or fight leaning and tell her not to make any sudden movements."

Cheers!

Misti