Riding 2up/Double [Archive]

Badbob

01-17-2007, 07:18 AM

Water Warrior 2

01-17-2007, 07:06 PM

Gotta agree with ATGATT. Dress for the crash or suffer the consequences if Fate strikes you down. We did some two up shortly after getting the Strom in 05 but I was never really comfortable as I was still a little at odds with the bike. I really think a rider should get in a long season and lots of miles ridden safely before doing two up. And above all, talk to the passenger about sitting still and not unbalancing the bike. Communication can be a problem also. Develope a system of touches, pokes or squeezes to communicate. This seemed to work better than trying to hear in traffic with helmets on. We did try a com set but it was useless due to self generated noise after 30 mph. We did have some good rides though. After a top box for Lynda to lean back on she was much more comfy and actually nodded off a few times on the highway. A back rest for the passenger is a must in my opinion as they will be feeling more secure and not thinking of flipping backwards onto the road.

Bill

01-17-2007, 07:27 PM

This is an excellent topic that should be pursued with more detail with regard to the passengers responsibility. I don't ride 2-up and neither does my wife. We have our own bikes and neither of us will take riders nor will we be a passenger unless there is a serious emergency that would require it and only if no other transportation is available.
I'm sure there is a website that discusses this issue but I just don't know where. If anyone knows of a website maybe they could put in a link or paraphrase the information.

Thanks for getting this important topic started Badbob. I see too many (especially younger less experienced) riders taking passengers that do some dangerous riding in and out of traffic. Most of the time it is their girlfriend who enjoys the thrill but has no concept of how to be a safe passenger.

Cheers!

Dupo

01-17-2007, 09:29 PM

I took the wife last summer on my GZ. First time for me and first time ever for her on a bike. Nervous? Sure i was lol. But, i did explain to her to not move back there and just hold on to me and lean with me as we go around turns. Took it VERY slow through town, not that you can go above 25mph anyways. Went very well. Told her if there was any problem to just tap me.

Only problem we initially ran into was that she wasnt holding me close enough. Every time i shift it would jerk her back then forward into me, bumping helmets lol. Told her to hold tighter and we were good to go from there.

Badbob

01-18-2007, 06:52 AM

I thought this might be of interest to some of you. :cool:

I have a set of rules for passengers around here some where. I'll see if I can dig it up. I have also seen some good discussions else where on other forums if I can just remember where they are I'll post some links.

Badbob

01-18-2007, 06:53 AM

I might be interesting if we could get get some post from the passengers perspective.

Jordan310

03-17-2007, 03:18 AM

I know I shouldnt, but I let my wife ride on the back sometimes in and out of town.
I have an extra helmet, and its as big as the moon, but I always ride much much differently when shes on back.

Slower, more cautious, and I notice that I get a little edgy, because no matter how much I tell her, she never seems to be holding on as tight as Id like her to.
Her helmet bumps into mine a lot unless her head is tilted to one side, and I just prefer to ride solo. Thats all I need, to have a spill with a passenger on a little 250cc bike.

Weight does seem to be sort of an issue.

The bike is light, and with both of us on it, if she wobbles, we both really wobble.
Ill ride alone as much as possible thanks.

At least untill I have mastered riding a larger bike.

Bill

03-17-2007, 07:27 AM

Have you BOTH taken the motorcycle safety course? Even if she is not going to take the bike out by herself it is still a good idea. It will give the passenger a better perspective on what is necessary to keep the bike under control, how to balance, etc. Heck, its just a good idea in case of emergency and no other means of tranportation is available.

I have never had a rider on the back of my bike. I'm just not comfortable with that responsibility. It has to do partly with past experience (many, many, many, many years ago), and partly because my wife has her own bike and would not take kindly if I had another woman rider O_o .

To avoid any requests for a ride I replaced the passenger seat with a rack and have the bike set up solo.

IMO the GZ250 is a little small for anything other than short trips around town when riding 2-up. If you do eventually go for something larger then your wife will have a nice bike to ride with you that can go most anywhere safely other than interstate. It is a cruiser and it can go all day at 55 to 60 just fine.

Cheers!

Badbob

03-17-2007, 11:07 AM

To avoid any requests for a ride I replaced the passenger seat with a rack and have the bike set up solo.

Now that's an idea. I don't think I have seen one of those before. Probably, not looking in the right places.

The only issue I have had with someone wanting to ride as a passenger was last summer when my nephew wanted to ride and my sister got upset with me when I would not let him. No gear, no experience, and he is about 6'4". He weighs more than me so the bike would be way overloaded. She understood after a bit of heated discussion but not having a back seat would have eliminated this little annoyance.

I don't want to remove my back seat because I haul a lot of stuff on it from time to time and their would be no where to put it.

I got to look for one of these. Probably have to make one for a GZ250 though.

Bill

03-17-2007, 01:36 PM

http://upload7.postimage.org/246886/leftside.jpg (http://upload7.postimage.org/246886/photo_hosting.html)

http://upload7.postimage.org/246920/ChromeSoloRack.jpg (http://upload7.postimage.org/246920/photo_hosting.html)

I hope the pictures post. This is what I put on instead of the passenger seat. I believe it is ShowChrome. You are probably right in that the GZ250 will require fabrication. A flatter rack would be more functional. This design is not that good for mounting a tail bag since it curves with the rear fender. Of course anyone trying to sit on it would slide off too.

Cheers!

Dupo

03-17-2007, 05:59 PM

Sweet :)

Badbob

03-17-2007, 06:36 PM

If one was handy with a welder it would not be hard to make one of these for a GZ250. Especially if you made it flat on the top.

Nice looking bike. I like the shaft drive.

Jordan310

03-17-2007, 08:51 PM

Neither one of us has taken the saftey course.
I dont know why she would have to, but me, not yet.

I should, Im sure.
I just always feel like Im riding a really fast bicycle on the GZ. Lol. =)

Bill

03-17-2007, 09:19 PM

Thanks for the kind words guys. I've made a few other changes since the picture (lowering bones, tank bra, and highway pegs). I'll be adding some Willie and Max Black Magic saddlebags with Easy Brackets and a Memphis Fats windshield in a couple of weeks for a trip south. That should be the end of the expenses. From that point on just gas, oil and miles. :)

Jordan 310, I only suggested the safety course for your wife so she will appreciate how a bike handles in order to be a better passenger. The bonus is she will also see how serious you are to learn the best techniques for safe riding. You really do learn how to handle the bike better without developing bad habits. Who knows, in the future she may want to take the GZ out for a spin herself. A built in riding partner is really nice. :tup:

Cheers!

Jordan310

03-17-2007, 11:42 PM

I dont think Ill ever let my wife on a bike.
Too dangerous, and she trips over her own feet. =)

CANDY

08-23-2007, 02:40 PM

if the rider is experienced and confident of his abilities, the passenger will enjoy the ride more. i've been a passenger all my life and feel very comfortable on the back of a bike. i will only ride with bikers i feel know what they are doing and are comfortable with themselves and their bikes. my husband and i own a goldwing and a harley fatboy,he has been riding all his life and used to race 250 class motocross. i can't tell you how many times i have fallen asleep on both. as a biker now,i know i'm not ready to ride anyone,and i may never be. so from a riders point, the view from the back can be real interesting. :2tup: :chop:

Eeyorebiker

09-07-2007, 07:53 PM

Here is a discussion on taking on a pillion in the motorcycle community I belong to in LiveJournal:

http://d-klein.livejournal.com/353206.html

Me, I don't ever plan on taking one. Course I didn't ever plan on upgrading my bike, either...and I did that 2 days ago. :)

Water Warrior 2

09-09-2007, 08:34 PM

Bill, the rear fender rack looks very good.

For anyone wanting to discourage passengers check out Happy Hobo's posts for march 22-25 in Mods. Another alternative to keep granddaughters at bay.

cconleyjr

07-24-2008, 02:47 AM

i don't much care for passengers except when i'm out on the highway we have heavy coal truck traffic around here and the added weight keeps the bike from blowing around so much but the only time i'm on the highway i'm going with someone anyway cuz if you want to go to eat or anything around here you don't have much of a choice but to get on the highway (us 23)

Jenny

08-23-2008, 10:19 PM

Right now I don't know any one who wants to ride double with me so its not really an issue. My wife did but now that she is learning to ride herself she told me she had no intention of riding double with any body. I expect that she will one day when I get my big touring bike. But for now she doesn't ride on the back seat.

I have some rules about carrying a passenger. I don't carry passengers that are not also riders. I know several people who have had an inexperienced passenger essentially kick the bike out from under them by jumping off the bike when they got scared. I don't carry passengers that are not fully geared up. Passengers get busted skulls and road rash same as anyone else. Not ATGATT no ride. This eliminates most of my potential passengers.

I don't think anyone should carry a passenger unless you are 100% familiar with you bike. If you can't ride the bike without a conscious effort to control it your not ready to carry a passenger.

Keep in mind that you are responsible for the life of your passenger.

Why do you say that you expect your wife will want to ride double with you once you get a touring bike? I was a passenger for eight years. I took the MSF class and got my own bike this summer. I rode all morning and then joined my partner for a charity ride. Since I've only been riding a month, I hopped on the back of his bike. While I do plan on being a passenger again because there are times when it will be most convenient for us, I will not do it because I want to. I was bored to tears and absolutely hated today's ride. I was so disappointed because I used to thoroughly enjoy riding on the back. Truthfully, I can't imagine every choosing it for any reason other than convenience again.

I absolutely hate riding on the back of my GZ250 (I had to do it a few times when I first got the bike because I didn't have the skills to get to get the bike home from where it was purchased, to get it to the shop for inspection, to get to the parking lots to practice, etc.). It's extremely uncomfortable. My partner's bike is very comfortable for a passenger, but I still hated today's ride. It was such a disappointment. I shouldn't have preceded it by a two hour ride on my own bike ;-)

Canuck

10-27-2008, 04:23 AM

Ive taken my girlfriend on 100 kms trips on Vancouver Island I weigh 170 she weighs 120. If traffic is heavy and ahead we catch wind tunnel abit and she knows when to lean with me around corners... My senses feel heightened due to the responsibility and safety of the passenger.
however i feel the GZ can handle city speeds well enough with shifting and proper riding skills.
As long as the passenger is educated its no different than loading up with camping gear and full luggage.
OR a Loaded GZ with 120 litres of Luggage as ive seen in a recent post ... AHAHAHAH

happy ridin!