Tips for Riding a Motorcycle as a Passenger

If you are preparing to ride a motorcycle as a passenger and searching for ways to enhance your experience, you have arrived at the right place. Our experts at Timms Harley-Davidson® of Anderson have gathered a few tips to help make your ride safe and enjoyable. Read on to learn more, and for more information, visit our dealership in Anderson, SC, for a friendly chat with our team.

Wear Proper Gear

You’ll want to wear proper gear even when riding two-up. Buy a bright-colored riding jacket and pants or a riding suit, a pair of close-toed shoes, goggles, and well-fitting gloves. You’ll also want to wear a well-fitted DOT-approved helmet before mounting your motorcycle for undertaking the ride.

Mount with Care

When you are ready to mount the motorcycle, let the driver know first and prepare to support your weight. This means that the driver will need to place both feet firmly on the ground and apply the front brake before allowing you to mount.

On your part as a pillion rider, see if you are tall enough for the bike. Tall people can swing one leg over the seat with the other leg on the ground, while short people might need to use the footpeg to step up instead.

Maintain Your Balance

Although the responsibility of maintaining the balance of your motorcycle is primarily on your driver, you, as a two-up partner, will need to remain actively involved in this, as well.

When riding a bike as a passenger, you will need to be active and aware of your vehicle’s movement. This will help you react suitably and timely to any changes, such as speed and direction. For example, when you know that your bike is approaching a bend, you can lean just like your rider and make taking the corner a smoother experience. At the same time, being active will help you prepare for stops beforehand, so you can avoid slamming the back of your driver when they apply the brake.

Use Hand Signals

Finally, you will want to learn a few hand signals for communicating with your driver during the ride before hitting the road. Thankfully, this isn’t as complicated as it might sound, and it will need you to familiarize yourself with a few simple techniques only.

Some handy and easily understood signals include:

• A single tap on the driver’s shoulder signifies a request to stop.
• Double-tap on the driver’s shoulder indicates urgency.
• A thumbs-up means that the pillion rider is having fun.

Shouting to convey a message is distracting and can cause an accident. As prevention, use these hand signals or create a few of them yourself.

We hope you find this guide helpful when riding a motorcycle as a pillion partner. If you need more advice to make your ride safer and more fun or want to buy a bike yourself, visit Timms Harley-Davidson® of Anderson. We are in Anderson, SC, and we can’t wait to assist you.