[gthotchkiss]

Well my gf has been giving me **** forever b/c she couldn't understand why I love my bike so much. She had been against motorcycles and swore she would NEVER ride on one. Well, one day she decided that she was a little curious about what the fuss was about and said that she wanted to try riding on the back. So we got an extra helmet and took her around the parking deck last night. Easy stuff to get her into it, crusing @ about 25mph, quick braking, swerving between columns, that kind of stuff.

Well when we were done. I looked at her and asked her if she had a HUGE grin on her face the entire time. She was like "How did you know???? I thought no one could see b/c of the fullface!!" I told her that I just knew, and that it was called permagrin Maybe we'll be able to work her up to actual streets with cars!

Any tips for two-up? Whats the best way for her to sit w/out moving around, she says she keeps sliding alot b/c theres really no decent place to grab on (says passenger bars are REALLY uncomfortable) Also, it kinda feels like its too much weight for the bike, but we're not near the weight limit... Does this just mean I need to stiffen the suspension?

[Baketech]

Whatever you do, don't let her take a 7K cruise on the back of a VFR....

[ND4SPD]

Have her reach around you and grab the tank and hold herself up as much as possible. It'll likely take some getting used to.

[gt702]

Originally Posted by gthotchkiss

Any tips for two-up? Whats the best way for her to sit w/out moving around, she says she keeps sliding alot b/c theres really no decent place to grab on (says passenger bars are REALLY uncomfortable) Also, it kinda feels like its too much weight for the bike, but we're not near the weight limit... Does this just mean I need to stiffen the suspension?

Very cool. Take it easy and she'll enjoy it. First ride with my wife (GF at the time) started with her giving me a strict warning not to go over 25mph ... not possible, but she was getting comfortable following several miles at 40mph through a park road. On the way back we stopped, and she had that permagrin going and said "next time, lets go on the highway so we can go really fast" ....

Now for the useful tips (Bake: )
Be sure your to set your rear preload high enough to support the weight. Might not be over your load limit, but a passenger is far back on the suspension, so it multiplies the effect. Your bike (600) is small for extensive 2-up riding, so as Bake says, no 7000 mile trips, but you should be able to get it close for around town and short trips.

Once on the road she may not feel like she is sliding around as much as while doing the quick maneuvers in the parking deck, but I've found the type of pants worn can have a big impact. Be sure to have her wear something that isn't too slippery ... and make sure you wash off any protectorant that may be on the seat.

Reaching around you and holding on to the back of the tank might be a more comfortable position for her until she gets her sea legs. This will also mean she leans with you and can support against braking ... assure her she won't fly off the back, and don't do wheelies to make sure. Some passengers find that one hand back to a grab bar and one to the waist of the rider to be comfortable. Personally, as the rider, I like to have the passenger in contact with me so I know where they are.

Also be sure to coach your passenger on what you expect them to do when getting on and off (like waiting for you to tell them it is OK before moving), and when riding (like leaning with you). This avoids scary moments which helps confidence.

I'm sure there is some more information on 2-up riding if you search the list, but this should get you started. Good luck and have fun.... congratulations.

[gthotchkiss]

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

Have her reach around you and grab the tank and hold herself up as much as possible. It'll likely take some getting used to.

Originally Posted by gt702

...

Yeah, I had already told her to do that... She was a little hesitant tho cause I always got onto her for leavin fingerprints on the bike

Thanks for the ideas

[ND4SPD]

Well now that she rides on it, you can make her clean it

[Baketech]

I was referring to the 7K rpm "sweet spot".....

[tikki50]

That's awesome that you finally broke her of all the misconceptions she's had. When Angela and I ride 2 up I usually wear a back pack and she holds on to that. Now she's short like 4'11" so to reach all the way around to the tank is almost impossible for her. If I don't have a backpack on she either squeezes my hips with her thighs/knee's or holds on down by my waist. I think the key when riding 2 up is smoothness. If your smooth enough she should barely have to push on you. One thing I've found that really gets a woman more into riding is going shopping for gear, go figure. Once I took Angela out to try on leathers and what not she started to get excited. The other thing I've found is that you really gotta take it easy the first season riding 2 up. Even though they are not the operator of the machine they still can give inputs into how the bike maneuvers and remember when you were new, the slightest slide made your shorts dirty, just imagine being on the back. Let them get used to it and don't do anything crazy at all. Teach proper body movements from the beginning and explain what looking through the corner means. Most importantly ride safe and responsible when your 2 up!

[sheepofblue]

MSF has a special two up course. They have drills for you AND the passenger. A fellow at work and his wife went. He said is was OK but more importantly she liked it (and she is kind of sceptical on the whole bike thing)

[DreamRyder]

Originally Posted by gthotchkiss

Yeah, I had already told her to do that... She was a little hesitant tho cause I always got onto her for leavin fingerprints on the bike

Thanks for the ideas

well if she's wearing leather gloves she won't be leaving fingerprints on any thing

so now that we have that covered.. here is my 2 cents on passengers.. I have been a passenger and a rider with a passenger... this is what I've learned that makes it a better ride for both...

1) proper protection is a must.. get her use to it from the get go...
2) teach her how to mount and dismount by a hand signal so that you both know when it's going to safely happen...
3) teach her how to communicate to you if she finds that she needs to get off for what ever reason...
4) teach her to not be stiff on the back and to move with you...
5) teach her to find a secure position that is comfortable for her and you... my daughters I prefer to reach around and hold on to my waist - not the tank.. this way I can feel how secure they are actually holding on by and less likely that they will loose their grip for what ever reason. If your bike has a grab bar on the sides or back.. that's another secure point where they can get a good grip on as well as not having their weight on you - which can tire you out quickly..
6) teach her to use her abdominal and lower back muscles in combination with her legs to hold her weight and keep from riding up your back with each stop you make.
7) teach her to keep her head slightly off center of yours so the tendency to rubber neck is not as bad cuz she can see stuff without having to turn her body and shifting her weight causing her to unsettle your bike
8) teach her a hand signal to increase her grip when you intend to increase your speed suddenly (like passing a car) I warn my girls by patting their arm that is wrapped around me or their leg.
9) teach her about the shifting and kinda anticipate it in the event your shifts are not all that smooth... nothing worse than clanking helmets

Take her to some back roads that don't have alot of traffic to worry about to get use to this new feel for you both...

that's about all I can think of LOL... as far as your bike set up for the additional weight... if you plan to ride 2 up ALOT then set up the suspension for your combined weight (with both you on it) this way they can set up the rear accordingly as well for the additional weight at the back... my kids never really made a huge difference for me to mess with mine.. but now that my oldest is almost taller than i and weighting around 115? I can def. see it making a huge handling difference with her on the back.... if I planned to do much more of this I'd get mine adjusted for it

E.

[gthotchkiss]

All very good information guys, I'll definately pass everything on!! This should all help out!!

I'm just really glad I got her to go from absolutely hating motorcycles to permagrin...

[Custom900]

I can't believe that there wasn't a single misguided, perverted comment made.

[seamus]

Originally Posted by gt702

Be sure your to set your rear preload high enough to support the weight...
Be sure to have her wear something that isn't too slippery...
Also be sure to coach your passenger on what you expect them to do when getting on and off (like waiting for you to tell them it is OK before moving), and when riding (like leaning with you)..

Along with the preload, don't forget to increase your tire pressure to accomodate the extra weight also.

Originally Posted by DreamRyder

well if she's wearing leather gloves she won't be leaving fingerprints on any thing

so now that we have that covered.. here is my 2 cents on passengers.. I have been a passenger and a rider with a passenger... this is what I've learned that makes it a better ride for both...

1) proper protection is a must.. get her use to it from the get go...
2) teach her how to mount and dismount by a hand signal so that you both know when it's going to safely happen...
3) teach her how to communicate to you if she finds that she needs to get off for what ever reason...
4) teach her to not be stiff on the back and to move with you...
5) teach her to find a secure position that is comfortable for her and you... my daughters I prefer to reach around and hold on to my waist - not the tank.. this way I can feel how secure they are actually holding on by and less likely that they will loose their grip for what ever reason. If your bike has a grab bar on the sides or back.. that's another secure point where they can get a good grip on as well as not having their weight on you - which can tire you out quickly..
6) teach her to use her abdominal and lower back muscles in combination with her legs to hold her weight and keep from riding up your back with each stop you make.
7) teach her to keep her head slightly off center of yours so the tendency to rubber neck is not as bad cuz she can see stuff without having to turn her body and shifting her weight causing her to unsettle your bike
8) teach her a hand signal to increase her grip when you intend to increase your speed suddenly (like passing a car) I warn my girls by patting their arm that is wrapped around me or their leg.
9) teach her about the shifting and kinda anticipate it in the event your shifts are not all that smooth... nothing worse than clanking helmets

Dream pretty much tells it all. I had my wife wrap her arms around me and grab her left wrist with her right hand until she got comfortable. This forced her to lean with me, and I could feel her breasts through my jacket. Good for her, good for me. Whichever technique is most comfortable for her but doesn't upset your control of the bike will work.

Be very careful, it's only a matter of time before she starts carefully placing the motorcycle classifieds all over your house and accidentally leaving the cycletrader.com webpage open on your computer.

[Johnny Diablo]

Yeh get that mount dismount protocol down. One time the wife went to mount the 929 when I wasnt ready and almost sent it down.

[gthotchkiss]

Originally Posted by seamus

Be very careful, it's only a matter of time before she starts carefully placing the motorcycle classifieds all over your house and accidentally leaving the cycletrader.com webpage open on your computer.

Don't know if that's going to happen, she might just end up being the type of girl who only likes being a passenger.... but hell I'll take that over what it was before, "Why do you spend so much time with that bike, you like it more than me..." to "So... umm.... can we take the bike out "

Originally Posted by Johnny Diablo

Yeh get that mount dismount protocol down. One time the wife went to mount the 929 when I wasnt ready and almost sent it down.

That was the very first thing we went over. Don't get on/off the bike before I told her it was okay!!!

[seamus]

Originally Posted by gthotchkiss

Don't know if that's going to happen, she might just end up being the type of girl who only likes being a passenger...

That's exactly how my wife started out. Shortly after we moved to KY in June last year, the webpages and classifieds started being left out. One month later, there was an SV650 in the garage next to the blade and we were starting the parking lot training drills.

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by seamus

That's exactly how my wife started out. Shortly after we moved to KY in June last year, the webpages and classifieds started being left out. One month later, there was an SV650 in the garage next to the blade and we were starting the parking lot training drills.

Left out she has done X track days and a school

[seamus]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Left out she has done X track days and a school

Was just posting the clues that he will run into as she develops from happy passenger to bike addicted, money spender.

But since you brought it up :

In February (5 months after starting the learning process in the parking lot) she graduated from track school, then twisted my arm to sign up for more track days the next month.

Bottom line: Prepare yourself. That permagrin is expensive. Worth every minute, but expensive.

[Baketech]

Abtech needs to post in here just for the sig line humor...

[phobiaphobe]

Originally Posted by Baketech

I was referring to the 7K rpm "sweet spot".....

IIRC that's the RPM where the front wheel sometimes accidentally leaves the ground.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

IIRC that's the RPM where the front wheel sometimes accidentally leaves the ground.

Dunno about that, but there's a vibe at 7K that seems to "amuse" lady passengers....