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Not_purple_s2
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 09:22 pm: | 
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+1 experience (both rider and passenger)
My friend once had a girl lean waaaay over in mid curve. When he got the bike straightened back out he turned around and took her butt right back home.
Riding a 2-up takes a lot of trust between the rider and passenger. Make sure you're fully confident in your skills before you let someone ride with you. And when you do make sure they know what to do in all scenarios, even the really hairy ones. The last thing you need in an emergency maneuver is a 130lbs of freaking-out on your back.
But as far as reaching the ground, even if you have a 90lb waif on the back you're going to sit at least 1/2 - 1" lower. |
Lost_in_ohio
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 10:18 pm: |
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Court is spot on as usual. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 10:32 pm: |
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The problem with riding with a passenger on your motorcycle is that it is much like hang gliding or skydiving. At some point in time, you have to commit. There is simply no way to get practice without the real deal.
That said, a run taken at very conservative speeds, on a very conservative route, with a very cooperative passenger who is very good at receiving instructions could let you know whether riding with a passenger is for you with manageable risk.
Think of it as a tandem skydive jump. You could still go splat, but the risk is much less than if you jump on your own.
EVERY SINGLE person who rides with a passenger was at one point in time a rider who had NEVER ridden with a passenger.
Besides, I don't see anything in the OP that indicates that he has NEVER taken a passenger only that he hasn't taken one on the Firebolt. |
Tramp
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 11:11 pm: |
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...or, you could follow my posted advice, and simply ask another rider to stand in for a non-motorcyclist passenger, first...
Then its not like hang gliding or sky diving at all, but simply a next lesson scenario with a rider more experienced than you |
Tramp
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 11:12 pm: |
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if he had ever taken a passenger, he wouldn't have these reservations about riding 2-up on a higher bike. ask him. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 11:22 pm: |
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...or, you could follow my posted advice, and simply ask another rider to stand in for a non-motorcyclist passenger, first...
Then its not like hang gliding or sky diving at all, but simply a next lesson scenario with a rider more experienced than you
I agree, but again there is no way to go from 1 up to 2 up without adding the passenger. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 12:50 am: |
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When my wife rode with me on a bike for the first time the first place we went was a BIG open parking lot.
I rode about for maybe 15 minutes.
Then began a series of turns . . . tighter and tighter.
Then figure 8's.
Then alternating lock to lock loops.
Next, after giving her a briefing, we did max acceleration and max effort braking. If I **have** to stop fast I don't want her experiencing that for the first time, ditto if I have to get out of someone's way.
My metric with a motorcycle passenger is the same as when I put someone in the airplane . . the are a passenger and my role is not to impress them. I try to use the experience to see just how smooth I can fly/ride. |
Firemanjim
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 02:22 am: |
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I can rarely get more than one foot flat on any bike I have had including the S-2's. 29" inseam on a good day, but never had any issues as I almost always stop with just the left foot down and right on rear brake. And any woman that can follow in a dance can follow your moves on the back of the bike. You lead she follows. New GF is a natural-- but a great dancer.
I just finished putting my DR-650 back into the higher suspension setting as it came to me in the optional lowered position, definitely a one foot down only. |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 04:30 pm: |
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WOW, just wow. That was a hell of response guys, I really appreciate it. I totally understand that this ain't a swipe at me at all. I am inexperienced, and I ride a Firebolt, not the best choice for a beginner, so I completley agree. I did really like the idea that the bike would be an inch or so lower with a passenger which would greatly help me, as I'm on the balls of my feet now. I wonder if riding boots have a thicker sole than my Sketchers or Timberland boots. That being said, most of the girls I talk to are experienced, they usually start with telling me there ex-bf or whatever or a guy they knew had a Jap bike and they rode all the time. I will defintley be saving this thread to my desktop and re-reading it. There is a lot of risk, but the reward is also great  Also personally, I usually prefer the "curvier" women, so 100 pounds was an understatment, there usually from 130-150. That being said, i will holdoff on the passenger until the spring. I have good control now, but after this thread I really should spend a lot more time on the bike before i get a girl on, especially a girl who I'm trying to get digits or dates from. Also, I'm short guy and I do fine with the ladies, even taller ones. Must be my mean looking Greek and Irish looks. Thanks yall! |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 04:40 pm: |
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There is never anything wrong with improving your skills.
There is a ton of experience and, once you get past the riff-raff, real practical knowledge here.
Some of our members, like Gomo, Chauly and Babired, have been teaching advanced riding skills for years.
There are far more differences than you would realize in the dynamics of a motorcycle when you add a person. It's not so much just the added weight but where you put it.
I had a most interesting experience in Herman, MO one day when I was tasked with taking a reporter, a portly woman, for a ride which included a very steep hill.
Remind me to tell you sometime . . . .
Court |
Skinstains
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 06:20 pm: |
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Just date supermodels. They're skinny so they don't weigh much and they're tall so you can keep both of your feet on the pegs, just have them deploy their landing gear.
Seriously, all these responders mean well. All of the info makes sense as well. My advice...just do it. I'm a short guy 5'6" and just bought the taller saddle for my new Uly having never even sat on the shorter one. I'm gonna put huge 40 litre side bags on it and a giant 45 litre top bag on it. I'm pretty sure I won't even be able to get on the damn thing. I'll think of something. I am also always willing to give a member of the fairer sex a lift too. My opinion...it's just a motorcycle, ride it. |
Boney95
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 08:17 pm: |
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300 lbs!!!! Dude whats up with that?!!! I would never be caught dead with a beast like that on my bike. I don't know what to say, I'm speechless. You could probably barely see the bike. 130 is my max... |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 10:06 pm: |
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Okay . . . who wants to hear the "World's Smartest Motorcycle" story again . . . . .
Nah . . I can't. |
Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 01:33 pm: |
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I dont know how I did it , but somehow I got to this thread from 'someone' complaining about a dog tired cyclone with 55k on it. And I was thinking that hauling around 600 lbs would make most bikes dog tired.... I dont suppose I should read these before my coffee.
So to that one, sell the bike already, and to this one, she rides her own if she is riding with me. |
Mr_grumpy
| | Posted on Thursday, November 06, 2008 - 03:28 pm: |
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One of my best friends (Buellerthanyou knows who) rides a Trumpet 675, has problems getting his feet down, has boots with modified soles, looks like Frankensteins monster wearing em but they do the trick for him. By the way he just turned 50 the other day, we've been riding together since our teens. |
Tramp
| | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 09:14 am: |
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I think that most folks make far too much of touching feet to the ground-
The example of thick-soled boots is one that might help a novice rider, one whom really obsesses on touching feet to the ground all the time,
but thick solses. esp. the vast majority that use a stacked heel separate from the foresole, impact foot position on the pegs too much, dictating one locked position that makes it difficult to react with faster shifting or ball-of-the-feet pressuring (That's how I ride) through the turns. |
Firebolt32
| | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 01:15 pm: |
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Also, I'm short guy and I do fine with the ladies, even taller ones.
I stopped chasing the tall ones. For some reason at parties they mistaken the top of my head for a coaster.  |
Tramp
| | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 03:13 pm: |
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Do they often say:
"Hey- while you're down there..." |
Brumbear
| | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 10:17 pm: |
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Ya had me at head for a coaster |
G234146
| | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 01:59 am: |
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I don't flat foot my Bolt, yet I've had many a lovely lady on the back.
why? Because it's all about the:
 |
B00stzx3
| | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 07:30 pm: |
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hahaah Tramp, yeah I wish. You just gotta be extra outgoing being short, I got it, my accent either helps or hurts so it works fine. I'm always noticed in a group, that's for damn sure though. If someone put a drink on my head though, it would be gone, especially some Bud Light. |
Paulxb12r
| | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 08:20 pm: |
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Ok my 2 cents of advice. lots of miles under your belt is a big+
If your short you probably don’t weigh much I found if a girl weighs more than me (I’m 180) it makes my bike handle like crap. If possible start with a smaller girl in a parking lot or nabberhood at low speeds.
If you know a girl with her own bike would be a great person to start riding 2 up with. And if she will not get on the bike because she does not trust you. You might be ready to ride a passenger yet. |
Badlionsfan
| | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 11:25 pm: |
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Try different boots, like these maybe.
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