Being a good passenger on a motorcycle requires awareness and stamina.
Hanging onto the back of a motorcyle at 70 MPH for an extended amount of time can be very tiring.
In any motorcycle accident, the rider and their passenger may be injured; perhaps not seriously, but they always end up wounded in some way.
The injuries can be reduced if the motorcycle driver and passenger wear the appropriate gear.
A good helmet is mandatory; protecting the head is far more important than any other part of the body.
A blow to the head does not require much to be fatal or to generate significant harm.
When you see someone in a poor-quality helmet while on the road you should always ask yourself how much money is your life worth.
Why?
Because in addition to a jacket with protections, pants with protections, and gloves and boots will save a lot of money in visits to the doctor and time spent without working.
Remember that it is cheaper to protect yourself in the first place, than to later heal in a hospital.
How to Get On and Off The Bike
The moment to get on and off the bike is the most complicated of all when riding a motorcycle as a passenger because if it is done abruptly and without warning the bike driver could lose balance and control of the motorcycle.
How do you get on the bike?
First of all you have to make sure that the driver is holding the bike well.
The best thing is to do it from the left side of the bike, passing the right foot over the vehicle carefully.
When the seat is high, for example, like on a sport bike, place your left foot on the footboard and pass the right foot over while onto the shoulders of the driver.
To get off you have to do the same thing, but in reverse, and always after informing the driver of your intentions.
How To Sit While Riding
It is not the same for a motorist to drive a motorcycle without a passenger than with one.
The weight of the rear area increases and the front wheel loses support, so it is easier to lose stability.
If you are going to get on a motorcycle as a passenger, make it easy for the driver.
It is common for scooters and mopeds to come from the factory with seats for two people, so they often possess wide and comfortable seats and platforms or footrests to support the feet and handholds.
In this way, the passenger can have a better position to enjoy the ride.
If these do not give you enough confidence you can always hold the drivers waist (although it is not the best option), but you should never grab their shoulders because you will limit the driver’s range of movement.
You are already on the road and now, what should the passenger do?
The key for a safe ride, especially in curves, is to follow the same movements of the driver with your own body; for example, if they lean to the left, you also lean in that direction.
If you do not do this, you will be throwing the balance out of whack and will therefore force the driver to have to correct it.
Also avoid moving too much while on the motorcycle, removing your arms from the vehicle, or turning your head.
Braking and Accelerating – How to Act
One mistake that passengers of a motorcycle usually make is moving their helmet too close to the driver.
When the passenger does this while the driver is braking and accelerating your helmets can collide with each other.
It is best to always place your head slightly to one side.
Communicating and Talking As a Passenger
You must be the driver’s shadow; do not make sudden movements and always accompany the cyclist’s movements.
Stay relaxed; the tension of your body reflects more than you think while on the road, especially when entering and exiting a curve.
If you feel fear, warn the driver to stop with a signal.
Before getting on the bike it would be a good idea that you both agree on a signal for this, a pat (not punch) on the back, for example.
Do not scream because the driver cannot hear you.
Learn About Motorcycles
Everyone, even the most experienced, has started like this: What is there to learn about motorcycles?
And many would have liked to have a guide, a source of advice, which would solve all the doubts.
For starters, and even before riding a motorcycle, it is important that you keep in mind certain details to do everything right from the beginning, and thus fully enjoy the two-wheeled vehicle as a passenger.
There are many types of motorcycles on the market and each has a purpose, a philosophy, or a utility.
The best way to get acquainted with them is to search detailed photo galleries of the different types of motorcycles.
Without any experience as a motorcycle passenger there is no need to say that a riding a high-performance bike does not make any sense, and you should be aware that starting slowly is the best way to end up enjoying this world for real.
Start by being a passenger of a 125cc or 250cc bike, which will give you confidence; you can ride more powerful bikes if you want in time, but do not be in a hurry.
Where to Put Your Hands and Feet
Sit close to the pilot so you do not lose the center of gravity.
Close does not mean over, though; you should not put your weight on top of the driver’s back.
Load the weight on the feet.
Press your knees and legs against your hips, keep your abs firm, hold your lower back and when the bike accelerates you will continue to be in your place.
And the hands?
You can place them on your knees, on your waist, on the handles, but never on the driver’s shoulders.
How much is your case worth?
Get a free case evaluation