[16shark]

I've been riding for years. But I finally saw the light and got myself a 16 RGS. That's the best decision I've made in a while. Anyway, my wife wants to start doing some rides with me. I've purchased a wider mustang touring seat, and plan on getting a king tour pack. ...taller windshield as well. So, bike set up shouldn't be an issue. I've never ridden with a passenger before. Does anyone have any tips, or things I should know before I give it a shot? Is the bike going to handle noticeably different?

Jason

 

[IdahoHacker]

Yes, at slower speeds it will be very different. The extra weight is quite noticeable, especially when braking.

Rule #1: When you are coming to a stop, pay attention. Chin UP.

The main thing I can tell you is to start practicing coming to a smooth stop now, riding solo. Work on being able to put your left foot down just as you stop. Don't give in to the temptation of dragging both feet as you slow down. It's not only dangerous, but it's much, much harder to balance without both feet on the boards, because you're giving up the ability to use your feet against the boards as a subtle, but important, control input that will help you balance. If you do start to lose your balance a bit at a stop, then by all means use both feet to keep the bike upright. But it shouldn't be the way you always stop.

Rule #2: Not necessary to state it, because you obviously know it, but you're responsible for another person now, so this isn't the time to go bombing through the twisties.

I started taking my wife on rides on my Super Glide, which is 175 pounds lighter than my RGS, and it really wasn't difficult. Never dropped her once!

 

[Hawkman]

2 up riding

Plus 1 on what IH said. Let your wife know before you go out the first time:

1. Always lean in the same direction the bike is leaning.
if she leans the opposite way and you are not expecting it there could scary ramifications. :frown:

2. No sudden major movements on her part without letting you know first.

and last suggestion...when she needs a break, take a break:wink:

Hawkman

 

[HeatWave]

If you're riding with Comm Gear, make sure that you know where the Mute Button is...

 

[IdahoHacker]

Plus 1 on what IH said. Let your wife know before you go out the first time:

1. Always lean in the same direction the bike is leaning.
if she leans the opposite way and you are not expecting it there could scary ramifications. :frown:

2. No sudden major movements on her part without letting you know first.

and last suggestion...when she needs a break, take a break:wink:

Hawkman

I'll add on to the last comment: The first time I took my wife on a ride, even though I had a Mustang and passenger pillion, she was telling all her friends that I took her for a two hour ride on a 30 minute seat. :surprise:

 

[Optimystic]

+1 on making sure she knows to lean with you, not in the opposite direction. Also, before stopping, hit the brakes a bit sooner than usual. The extra weight will take a little extra distance to stop. When accelerating, make it as smooth as possible. It won't take too long to get used to it.

 

[SharkBite]

Make sure that she is aware, particularly when coming to a stop, not to do any major moving around/shifting in the seat at that time. It can really throw off your balance. If this was already mentioned it's worth mentioning again :smile:

 

[Sparky0426]

Take the time to make sure she feels comfortable (safe), if she doesn't it won't go well. My wife has been riding with me for 20+ yrs, and she loves it. Her position and center of gravity is key to safe riding. start off easy, short ride not too many tight turns. Let her get use to the feeling on the corners.

 

[GlideShark]

You live in southern Cali. If this is her first time on a bike I would avoid major highways during rush hour or other real busy times. You want her to enjoy and not be nervous about the folks bobbing and weaving around her. My wife refuses to get on 1-95 south of the golden glades in Miami during any hour.

 

[reds4]

Don't complicate, be patient, allow for smooth stops

Have her turn her head in the direction of the bike, this might seem chicken neck, but works

Let her feel free to ajust(balance and tighten her thighs) you have to break her butt in, not so much the seat.....the seat is there to make her feel safe

She Will gather thoughts on your control/riding style, that and your part is to atune this and it's serious ness, for her to Want and feel tight with you

 

[FLTRI]

All good advise, but I'll add a few and try to clarify one.

You are significantly shifting the center of gravity rearward with a passenger, you are also raising it. As such, the bike is more tail heavy, and top heavy. When you pack for a trip, put as much of the heavy items in the saddle bags, and put the light stuff in the Tour Pac. Also, Put heavier items as far forward in both the bags and especially the Tour Pac as you can.

For lack of a better word, when loaded an two-up, the bike is more "sluggish". All inputs are going to be slower, and take longer. You don't accelerate nor stop as fast, and handling is affected. Make sure you plan for it.

As far as your wife leaning with you, I respectfully disagree. You are riding the bike, not your wife. Your wife should't move around any more than your luggage should. If your wife is anticipating a turn, and starts leaning before you are ready, it's going to throw you off your intended line (early entry). Now that said, many first time passengers get freaked out when you lean into a turn, and as the bike leans over, they try and sit back upright in the opposite direction. That, will Really throw the line off. Caution her to try and avoid doing that, and tell her not to try and help you turn by leaning into the corners. Just tell her to remain neutral, and let you do the leaning.

I strongly recommend an intercom as well. My wife and I have ridden with several different makes and models over the last 20 years, and well over 100K miles. Remember, she can't see much in front of her, just off to the sides and the back of your helmet. The intercom helps let her know what's coming; "Bump, three seconds" or "Stopping for gas at the Chevron on the right". It's also helps to have the second set of eyes, especially on a less than straight road. You may be looking through the turn, and miss something off to the side of the road; "Deer, 3:00!" It's also safer, and a whole bunch easier, than yelling at each other at 70 MPH...

Lastly, as IdahoHacker said, you are responsible for two people now, so ride at 6/10's not 9/10's. If I put myself in the hospital, I'm an idiot. If I put myself and my wife in the hospital, well, that'd be tough to live with.

We love riding together, and like I said we have been all over the States and Canada 2-up. Sometimes it's just us, and sometimes it's with a group. My wife has become the de facto go-to girl in our riding group for advise on gear, clothing, packing and generally riding behind me...

 

[Radiochris]

If you're riding with Comm Gear, make sure that you know where the Mute Button is...

BWAHAHA! Good one! :wink::grin:

 

[FLTRI]

One more thing, on packing.

When we first started riding, my wife was packing, well, like a woman. Three pairs of shoes for a two day trip, and a giant hair dryer. That got old real fast, so I came up with a solution. She can bring absolutely anything she wants, as long as it fits in one saddlebag. I get the other one for my stuff...

We call the Tour Pac "Switzerland". It's neutral territory, and can only be used for things we both use. Layering of jackets, different gloves, a laptop, the Cycle Shade cover, her (small) purse, a tire repair kit and mini compressor, and a small cooler. No hair driers, no stiletto high heels, no extra clothes.

She can take as many pairs of shoes as she wants, as long as they fit in her saddle bag liner. It works perfectly, and we both have everything we need...

 

[preacher]

make it enjoyable, the old term if mama aint happy no one is happy. if that means stopping sooner, no wheelies , etc. Also add things they like to do on the trip, maybe a resort with a SPA vs the super 8. While i love to just ride maybe a extra stop at a nick nac spot.
also if they like pictures they are several cameras they can have easy access too with a lanyard that will make for some great pictures.

 

[IdahoHacker]

All great suggestions, and most everything technical and relationship-related has been covered. I'll add a few more. I keep thinking about more things...

1. Make sure she understands that she never puts a foot down unless you tell her to, or you're about to fall over. She should never put a foot down at a stop. It will really mess you up.

2. Bluetooth headsets are awesome. Strongly recommended.

3. I promised her when we first started: "Honey, I will never, ever scare you. If you get scared, let me know, and I'll stop whatever I'm doing". It's worked great. There were a few squeals, and I asked if she was ok, and she said: "Nopenopenope, I'm fine. It's ok! I'm fine!!" See #2 above.

 

[BlueBagger12]

Low center of mass, a passenger that has taken a rider course, low center of mass, commo gear, low center of mass, a seat you'd park yer own hienie on, low center of mass, a saddlebag nazi to inspect her bag, low center of mass, electric gear along every ride; at a minimun a jacket liner and did I mention low center of mass.

My bride won the 1981 South Dakota Iron Butt on a 250 Yamaha, I don't even know she's aboard until it's time to pee.

I'm truly blessed with 30 years on the road with her on board. :grin:

 

[HeatWave]

Have her get used to getting on / off the bike the same way everytime, and a signal when you are ready for her to do so...

If she gets surprised / startled for some reason, it's best if she learns to grab onto your hips instead of your shoulders (your control of the bike)

There's some good advice in this thread, I'm not too much on the BSR leaning with or against me, although when you lean into a corner for the first times, it's natural for them to lean to try to keep the bike upright, if you can, just get her to let the bike pivot underneath her...

Most importantly ease into your "riding together experience" when starting out, pleasant riding weather is a major plus, so are (non technical) back roads with minimal traffic, if possible, go to familiar places with easy ingress/egress, have her get comfortable with you, the bike, her gear, etc... on some outings by yourselves or another couple (experienced riding together) that y'all are both comfortable with, so that she can get comfortable with the routine, and it doesn't become a chore... after all riding is supposed to be an enjoyable experience...

 

[caberto]

You've gotten some very good advice here... I will add a little something as well.

As far as your wife leaning with you, explain to her that she shouldn not try to lean with you but also not fight the lean. Tell her to just look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn. this will naturally - and without her knowing or purposely doing it - cause her to naturally follow your lean; the result is a smoother turn with less effort needed to keep it where you want to go. I tell this to all my new passengers and has always worked perfectly. She also should not shift in her seat during a turn or curve. Note, that it will take a little more effort on your part to lean the bike with a passenger, and the bike will feel/handle different, learn to work with it, and use counter steering to your advantage, it makes it much easier.

During slow maneuvers or slow speeds, and coming to a stop, ask her not to shift in the seat, she needs to move as little as possible. She can shift all she wants while at speed going straight, or while stopped. A good idea is for you to practice with her on the bike in an empty parking lot, perhaps early morning when there's no one else parked. That way you can practice slow maneuvers with her on board and not worry about other cars so you can focus on the changes in handling and be too concerned about other cars coming in and out. Once you have that down (one or two mornings should do it), then you'll be ready for traffic and can focus again on avoiding getting hit by cars

Before getting on or off the bike, it's very important that she not do so until you are ready. Develop some kind of nod, or tap, or something so you both are in sync for her mounting and dismounting the bike. Otherwise, the shift in weight of the bike will take you off guard and will most likely tip over.

Give yourself more time and distance to stop! Do not tailgate, it WILL take longer to stop. Keep your head up when you come to a stop, not at the ground.

Intercom headsets make for a nice time if talk is not constant lol.

Riding with your spouse is a great experience. My wife rides her own bike now, but she still sometimes rides with me and we always enjoy that time together.

Have fun!

 

[neverdone]

So I guess " hold my beer and watch this" isn't what you want to hear?. It took my wife 40 years to ride with me. She loves it. Say she wished she'd done it 15 years ago. My biggest problem is the slow parking lot maneuver's. The ultra is really top heavy. If it looks like a problem she will get off and let me get things right. And she ain't afraid to let me know if I'm doing something wrong.

 

[Swomack]

All sound advice has already been given.
Tell her to be careful getting on and off so she doesn't scratch the shit out of your lids. Have fun and be safe.
Swomack