HOW to ride with a passenger? A pilot's manual (and more)
Riding a motorcycle solo requires balance and control. Riding with a passenger means twice the need for such skills. As a woman driving a motorcycle or scooter, your passenger's weight will most often be greater than your own. If you're already riding an already heavy motorcycle, you need to be absolutely confident in your abilities before you take a passenger on board.
However, “hosting” friends or family members on the passenger seat of your motorcycle brings a lot of joy and pleasure. You can give them their first taste of the joys of riding a motorcycle and understand your feelings, as well as show them the unbridled fun that will be available to them if they learn to ride themselves.
Some riders may be negative about traveling with passengers; many even refuse such an experience altogether. But riding with a passenger can be a joy shared (and therefore multiplied!) by two.
Of course, some sport bikes, especially those specifically designed for racing, may not be suitable for carrying passengers comfortably, and many motorcyclists do not even bother to develop good skills for riding with a passenger. In fact, it will only improve your driving skills and increase your confidence as a pilot.
Basic Tips for Successful Riding with a Passenger
Your first passenger must be a motorcyclist:
The best time to practice is when your first passenger is an experienced motorcyclist. Ask your motorcycle buddy to meet you in a large parking lot to practice (don't just head out onto a busy city street with your first passenger!). Your first few miles with a passenger on board are likely to be slow and clunky as you try to balance the extra weight and throttle delivery at low speeds. An experienced motorcyclist as your passenger will be able to predict your movements and know what constitutes a “good passenger code of conduct.”
