How to 2up

dunno · 07-20-2008, 11:20 PM

Hi,
I've been riding for about 7 years now but have never actually carried a pillion passanger, never had the courage to take a friend or loved on's life on the back of my seat, even though after 7 years of mainly daily riding I've on come off once at speed. I'm sure there are people out there with way more experiance than me.
So here is my question how do I carry a pillion safely, from the basics to the not so basics, who gets on first, side stand mounting or centre stand mounting (for pillion), do they hold onto me or hold onto the grab handle, do they lean with me or stay rigid and parrallel to the bike.
All help and suggestions welcome.
Thanks

sexyh · 07-21-2008, 12:37 AM

I usually mount the bike ready to ride but with the engine still off. Plant both my feet firmly on the ground and hold on to the handlebar strong. Side stand up.

Next i will ask my wife to put her left arm onto my shoulder, step onto the left passenger footpeg and swing across. She will eventually sit well onto the bike.

When pillion is properly seated. Start the engine and ride away gently. When taking corners, ask her to follow your body flow. If possible hold on to something. Either hold your hips, hug your waist of grab onto the rear passenger grabrail.

Dismount the bike in the reverse order. Ask pillion to stand up. Swing across while holding onto your shoulder and dismount smoothly. All these done while the bike is switch off for safety reasons.

Leftlaner · 07-21-2008, 6:37 AM

Some good advice from sexyh here. I'd just like to add a few things regarding the pillion. As long as you are riding smoothly and predictable (which you MUST do to keep your pillion relaxed), she may very well place her hands on her own knees. When you brake, she squeezes her knees agains your hips (and you squeeze your knees against the tank). Because she has her hands places on her knees/thighs and her elbows more or less locked, she won't be pushing your torso forwards every time you brake.

On the other hand, if she had placed her arms around your waist, and sat just like a "sack of potatoes", she'd push you forwards and force you to brace yourself against the handlebars when you squeeze the brake, which is of course BAD, very bad.

When you're accelerating (moderately of course), she can squeeze her knees against your hips, and use her fingers placed in front of her kneecaps to stabilize her, and eliminate the risk of falling backwards.

As long as you're not doing wheelies, stoppies or dragging your knees, I can assure you that this is the best pillion "technique". Try to keep your body parallell with the bike, as this will feel safer and more natural to the pillion. It is YOUR responsibility to instruct your pillion on how to get on/off the bike, and how to behave when you're cruising (relax, don't move to much around), when you're cornering (shoulders parallell with yours, look into the corner, sit still), when you're braking (squeeze knees, brace herself with her hands against her knees if necessary), and when you accelerate (squeeze knees, brace herself with hands holding onto her kneecaps).

As apposed to sitting passibely with her hands on the grab rail or around your waist, this technique requires that the pillion gets a little more involved and active, which is a good thing. It makes the trip more interesting for the pillion, and it is safer than the alternative "techniques" IMHO..!

Strek · 07-21-2008, 7:00 AM

Yes good advise. Communication is key. You also want to make sure that you warn your passenger about hot pipes. If they are getting on and off correctly as described above it should never be an issue. Still the pipes extend beyond the pegs and if they aren't swinging their legs around with enough clearance they could make contact and get burned by the pipes. With new riders I also ask them to let me know if they are starting to get cramped legs or their panties in a bunch and want to stretch their legs. Most of the time a passenger can readjust by simply standing on the pegs for a second if stopped at a stoplight. You just want to make sure they let you know that they need to stretch for a second before they do it so that you can keep a firm grip. On the bars that is.

Leftlaner · 07-21-2008, 7:53 AM

An intercom setup is strongly adviced if you plan to ride 2up more than just a couple of times a year. Being able to talk to each other actually makes riding 2up a social activity

This made a world of difference according to my wife. She now enjoys longer trips much more, as she can listen to music and comment on the beautiful scenery as we go by. We use Autocom, and GPS with mp3-player. Very pleased with that setup.

billypf · 07-21-2008, 8:41 AM

When i carry a passanger, they have found it very comfortable to put their hands on the tank. I know it sounds funny, but my pillions rides like that all the time. It keeps them from coming forward on stopping, and keeps their weight a bit lower than using the rear grab handle. The other thing that she does it to hold onto the grab handle with both arms and use her arms us almost back support. Now i have the corbin gunfighter and lady with a backrest, so she doesnt worry about sliding off the back anymore.

Rider99XX · 07-21-2008, 10:23 AM

Also, before the passenger sets foot on the bike, hold the front brake tight. If you ride on twisty roads like The Dragon or similar roads, have your passenger look to the inside of the turn in the same direction your looking. It will help you and the bike negotiate the turn. The average head with helmet weighs several pounds and sits at the highest point on the bike and exerts a LOT of leverage.

Also, after 16 years of two-up riding with my wife, she NEVER rides with out holding on with at least one hand. One quick twist (to get out of a sticky situation the passenger is not aware of) of the wrist and you may have to go back and pick up your passenger.

While braking, have your passenger reach around you and place their hands close together on the back of the tank to support themselves so you won't have the added weight of them trying to smash certain parts of your anatomy.

An intercom is probably the best investment for passengers. It lets the passenger know YOUR intentions on where you may have go in a split second or when you may decide to haul ass.

Taetor · 07-21-2008, 10:43 AM

a backrest is a nice added security and comfort item. I use the corbin one and my wife won't ride without it. If fact, as crazy as it sounds.. she falls asleep on the bike all the time!! I know, not the ideal situation but she can't seem to help it and she always manages to stay vertical. I can always tell when she's been sleeping when I hit the brakes and her helmet cracks into the back of mine! lol

you'll find that a lot of these tips vary in importance based on the size of your passenger too. My wife is tiny and she can do just about anything she wants back there and not affect the bike's handling, but then I've also taken heavier people and that's an entirely different subject.

Here's a pic of us just because I had it handy.
http://www.cbrxx.com/attachments/gen...tures-pic2.jpg

CanadianBird · 07-21-2008, 11:40 AM

I'm height challenged so I don't place both feet flat on the ground with the bike upright. My wife is also short. I keep the kick stand down and place my foot close and support the bike weight along with the stand. She uses my foot peg, my shoulder to boost herself up and over. I have a Gunfighter Lady plus a back rest for comfort and safety. I also have Givi bags with a back rest if I'm not using the back rest. She can also hang onto the side bags.
When she's settled I bring up the stand, start the bike and ride off. I reverse the process; stop, stand down, support bike, lean forward, and she dismounts. We have toured many thoursands of kms using this method. My wife is a professional driver and is an excellent pillon. She places her hands on the tank when slowing or stopping when necessary. She looks through the corners and showdowns my leans. She knows to stay neutral in traffic and not wiggle. We have our own signals for stopping. SAFETY IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY!!!!!!!!!! We don't ride at night, stop every hour or so for fluids, and of course pee stops for me. There is no "shinanigans" on the bike. We have ridden from Vancouver to Edmonton three times and into the states as well. For those with faith, I always pray before riding be it alone or my wife. Good luck and enjoy yourselves. PS I rode for two years on my Bird before I carried my wife as a pillon and I've never doubled anyone else.

dunno · 07-21-2008, 12:26 PM

thanks guys alot of great information here maybe soon I will take someone on the back with me, as I was saying it feels a big step and responsability, which in iteslf is a funny thought feeling nervous about the responsability of one passanger as I am a train driver and can have in excess of 2500 people riding behind me at any one time during peak times.
Thanks again much appreaciated.

PJNXX · 07-21-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taetor

If fact, as crazy as it sounds.. she falls asleep on the bike all the time!!

Very dangerous!!! My wife has fallen asleep on occasion, each time followed by a sharp warning by me not to do it. Finally I gave her the ultimatum that if she falls asleep again I won't let her on anymore. She hasn't fallen asleep on the bike since. The danger lies in the fact that if an emergency situation occurs, a sleeping passenger won't have their full bearings and upon waking suddenly might inadvertently oppose the rider's input.

XXNUTZ · 07-21-2008, 12:55 PM

I too ride with my wife on board, there have been occasions on the longer stretches that she would nod off. Not good by any means. I have made a practice to tap her leg with my hand just to make sure she is with me. All of the above advise is great. I might add that you coach your passenger in making sure that they stay put and let you do all the leaning as to not upset the balance of the bike. Good luck and be safe, Cheers.

Taetor · 07-21-2008, 1:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJNXX

Very dangerous!!! My wife has fallen asleep on occasion, each time followed by a sharp warning by me not to do it. Finally I gave her the ultimatum that if she falls asleep again I won't let her on anymore. She hasn't fallen asleep on the bike since. The danger lies in the fact that if an emergency situation occurs, a sleeping passenger won't have their full bearings and upon waking suddenly might inadvertently oppose the rider's input.

I know it! I stay on her about it and do the leg tap thing with her to try to keep her "with me". We get by

Actually last weekend she did 170 miles with me on Sunday afternoon and never fell asleep. I think it was a milestone.

DragonXX · 07-21-2008, 7:19 PM

First few rides my wife's biggest problem was that she anticipated the corners way too early and leant at the wrong time !
I taught her not to do anything on the bike ........................ Just Sit ...... Let gravity, centripetal acceleration and the rider do all the work !!!
She pefers the grab bar rather than my rotund belly

rustydog · 07-31-2008, 9:10 PM

Hi Dunno,have a look in Dick Smiths I purchased a very cheap system called Speak E-Z for about $25.It consists of two mics two ear pieces and a small box that carries 4 AAA size batterys with a on off volume control and two jackpoints to plug into.Its great to be able to communicate with your pillion and share the experience.It is cheap works well at normal speeds but does loose clarity at high speeds.You have been given heaps of good advise about mounting riding and dismounting.So share the fun with someone.