Some people just aren't cut out for riding. Whether it's poor coordination, general klutziness or simply a lack of desire to steer the ship, they still might love riding as a passenger.
Our responsibility as the pilot is to keep them safe while also helping them get as much pleasure from the passenger's seat as we do from manning the controls.
Nearly every bike on the market comes with a passenger seat as standard equipment, and while some are clearly more inviting than others there's good reason for that. A sport tourer like the Honda VFR800 or Yamaha FJR1300 is designed to make long, spirited rides for two a lot more comfortable and convenient than something as radical as a Buell 1125 or Triumph Speed Triple. True, the latter two do have what appears to be space for a passenger, but there's not a lot of room back there and it's a bit cramped for longer rides.
Along with the vastly different bike designs are riding styles and preferences. While some riding partners can thoroughly enjoy a canyon run on a sportbike it's enough to set another dynamic duo into cardiac arrest. Maybe sporty scenic rides or simply cruising to bike night is more your thing. Either way, there are particular considerations to be made when purchasing riding gear, making bike mods and adjusting the way you ride. Alongside the buyable goods are some basic fundamentals to make the experience more enjoyable for everyone-including the other riders in your group.
If your passenger is new to riding give them a quick walk through and point out the various pieces and parts on the bike. Exhaust pipes get hot and aren't meant to be foot rests, while your belt probably isn't the best place to hang onto either. Furthermore, if you don't have onboard communication like a Chatterbox it'd be a good idea to establish some basic hand gestures before you set off. Don't simply point to the rear seat and expect your passenger to have the slightest idea of how to even mount the bike, not to mention body positioning during the ride.
Sport Riding
Hitting the twisties is typically thought of as a solo venture, but can be just as invigorating and exciting for a pillion-provided you stay within your limits.
The rider's main focus should be smoothness-almost as if riding in the rain. Abrupt throttle and braking maneuvers will not only upset the bike's chassis, but also make your passenger's experience much less rewarding as they'll have to focus on simply hanging on instead of the scenery and excitement of the corners.
A common misconception for passengers is that they need to "lean" into the corners with the rider but in reality there shouldn't be any exaggerated movements whatsoever. Let the rider worry about maneuvering the bike while the passenger should simply hold on and not slide around in the seat. A good way to keep you both comfortable and focused on the road is to brace your body with one arm on the tank for braking, while the other can wrap around the rider's waist during acceleration. This allows you both to stay loose while preventing any unnecessary smashes against the tank.
Ideal Gear:The nature of more aggressive riding means that the weather will generally be mild, eliminating the need for versatile all-weather gear. Instead, look for gear that would be suitable for track riding-one or two-piece leather suits, leather gloves and race boots.
Adjust Your Style
So you like to drop the clutch and hammer the throttle away from lights while the front wheel lightly skips across the pavement? Try that with a passenger and you'll both end up in the dirt with a clear view of a looping motorcycle. Extra weight on the rear makes the front end naturally lighter, and any harshness with the throttle will influence the front wheel to rise extremely fast.
Braking will also need adjustment, as stopping a heavier load requires more room. Not only will harsh braking result in more head banging than a Twisted Sister reunion, but it can overload the front tire and potentially cause lock-ups or a washout.