[dhgeyer]

Actually, rethinking the passenger issue, I can't fully agree with the assertion. I think it depends on the bike and other possible mitigating circumstances. The Concours, the bike we were riding at the time of the accident, weighs close to 700 pounds, and is very top heavy. I weigh about 185. My wife weighs about 125. She's a small enough percentage of the total weight that the difference in handling/braking was insignificant. Given the nature of the accident, which I have described elsewhere, I do not believe that her weight was a factor in having the accident or not having the accident.

The alternative at the time was for her to ride her own bike. She has a license, but never rode very much. She had her own bike. We were both riding Honda Shadow VLX 600's. We decided that it would be safer, given how into it I was and how little she rode, if we got a bigger bike and rode together. If we had been on individual bikes at the time of the accident, Sue would have been in the lead, as we always rode that way so that she could set a pace that was comfortable to her. Being fairly inexperienced, she would never have been able to avoid the direct collision, and would probably be dead.

So, while in general the statement is true that a passenger makes a bike less responsive, there are situations where, for one reason or another, it still may be the best idea, short of staying home in bed. Actually, I'm terrified to go to bed. Statistically being in bed is the most dangerous thing you can ever do. That's where most people die.