Rider Etiquette

While we had the wettest summer on record, I hope you all got out & rode this season (even a little bit). Riding in ‘liquid sunshine’ will still bring a smile to your face!

As the riding season wraps up, I wanted to take the time to talk to members who sometimes get forgotten regarding our rides: Passengers.

Most of us who ride ‘two up’ sometimes forget the honor bestowed on us. As riders, we willingly choose to take the risk of riding a motorcycle (as well as accepting all the risks involved).  However, when you ride with a passenger, your passenger has also entrusted you with their life as well. They are demonstrating to you that they know you are responsible enough that they are also willing to accept the additional risk of placing their life in your hands on your motorcycle.

So this posting’s tips will be for the passengers – how you can help make the ride more enjoyable for both of you.

  • Before you attempt to mount the motorcycle, make sure that the passenger footpegs are down. (They fold up when not in use, and it is easy for the rider to forget to put them down for you.) If you don’t know where the footpegs are, have the rider point them out to you.
  • Also, beware of the hot exhaust pipes. Make sure you know where they are, and don’t let your leg or any part of your body touch them as you mount or dismount the motorcycle. They can give you a severe burn right through the heaviest pants.
  • It is customary to get on or off the motorcycle from the left side. Always wait for the rider to tell you it’s okay to mount or dismount. If you start to clamber on (or off) when the rider does not expect it, the sudden motion of the motorcycle will be disconcerting. You could even pull the motorcycle over!
  • Once you are on the motorcycle, plant your feet on the passenger footpegs and keep them there! You absolutely do not want to bring your foot into contact with the rear wheel, drive chain or belt, or the hot muffler. Never attempt to help the rider hold the bike upright when it is stopped. Keep your feet safe by keeping them on the foot pegs at all times.
  • Taking over the responsibility of hand signals.  Many times signals can’t always be seen if the passenger is blocking the rider from the riders behind them. Taking over the hand signals not only guarantees a better view for the riders behind you; it also ensures the rider keeps their hands on the bars for better stability on the ride.
  • Motorcycles turn by leaning (banking like an airplane), not by steering like a car. So don’t be alarmed when the motorcycle leans over to go around a corner. To position yourself perfectly for a turn, just look over the rider’s shoulder in the direction of the turn. If the motorcycle is turning right, look over the rider’s right shoulder; if it is turning left, look over the rider’s left shoulder. You don’t have to do anything else; looking naturally over the rider’s inside shoulder will automatically put your weight right where it belongs in a turn. Keep your body in line with the rider’s body to prevent the motorcycle from leaning more than the rider intends. (When going straight, it doesn’t matter which shoulder you look over.) Never lean out of a turn; you could cause an accident that way.
  • When the rider puts on the brakes, it causes a forward weight transfer. If the rider is forced to break hard, as in an emergency, this forward weight transfer is very apparent; you will be forced against the rider, and you will start to slide forward on the seat. Don’t panic. Try to keep back, away from the rider. Resist sliding forward by pressing your feet against the footpegs; use your thigh muscles to control your position on the seat.
  • While you’re enjoying the view, remember you have a height advantage over your rider and may see something before he/she does. You can be an active participant in the ride by staying alert and being prepared. Help the rider look for potential danger, and be prepared to hang on and hold yourself back if you anticipate a need for sudden braking. Likewise, if the rider is forced to swerve the motorcycle to avoid a hazard in the road, you need to be prepared for the sudden lean and change of direction. While this may seem like “back seat driving” your vantage point may make the difference in keeping the bike ‘rubber side down’ on the road.
  • If you’re unsure, then DON’T.  Being a passenger on a motorcycle is definitely different than being a passenger in a vehicle. Even if you ride yourself, you are NOT a rider when sitting on the back of the motorcycle. If there is a situation where you are unsure what to do, then remain calm and maintain your riding posture. Many times it’s the best thing you can do as it gives the rider one less thing to worry about in a tense situation.

Have fun together & we’ll see you on the road!

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August 27, 2010 · Filed Under Biker, General, Motorcycle Safety

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