best way for a passenger to ride a sportbike?

[Fleck750]

I don't know how anyone can ride on the back of a liter bike for more than 20 miles.

I'm all of 5 foot 2 and my legs cramp up so bad after 20 miles I have to get off of it. Ergos for those bikes are for midgets only.

When I do ride, which isn't often (ass is waaaaay to wide ) I put hands on the tank for braking and hands resting on his back when traveling.

But, because I mainly ride my own, I lean before he does in anticipation of a curve. He asked if I wanted to pilot, cause obviously we weren't going around the curves soon enough.

[Cutty72]

Personally, I was my pass with one hand on my side/waist so I can feel where they are, and the other hand bracing on my leg or tank (or grab bar when i had one) Most of the girls I've ridden with also kind of hold on to my hips with their knees too. Not enough to restrict my movement, but enough for me to know where they are and how they are moving.
No one seems to like the seat on the Buell however, no biggy as I usually have the "no ho" on it anyway.

[No Worries]

Another nice thing about older bikes is that they were made for carrying passengers. I don't care if it's male or female, but they hold on to me tight so there's no space between us. I don't want them, especially their helmet, banging into me.

And there is no movement of the passenger, except for their head. They can move their helmet around my helmet to see ahead to the inside of a curve. But they always lean exactly with me, not with the bike. If they leaned with the bike, you know they would do it wrong, and it could throw me off balance. And I always ride slower with a passenger because of the extra mass.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by Ninjakel

I only brace on the tank if he's braking or accel. hard. I also tend to use my knees a little bit to hold on as well. Doesn't bother Leon at all.

I don't ride on the back very often, I have control issues....

You and me both. But, a hand on the inside of the thigh is fantastic for "holding on". In all seriousness... a hand there, and not only can you hold on but also brake yourself on the tank.

[Smittie61984]

I took my girlfriend on her very first motorcycle ride today. Our 1st ride was alright but she had trouble sliding into me. I've really only had one passenger one time and the girl who rode on the back had her own motorcycle before and ex rode for years with her so she was very skilled as a passenger.

But I then read this thread and I picked her up from school later on and told her some of the stuff I read on here (Hand on back, knees, stay inline with bike) and the ride was 10x better. She enjoyed it too.

Found some vids. Haven't watched them all yet but figured I'd post them...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpdiPjn4jsE

I like how they are preaching motorcycle safety and I can see Beer and they are in a Bar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP2PNgnNgZQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao3l-2kh40o

[Fleck750]

Originally Posted by No Worries

Another nice thing about older bikes is that they were made for carrying passengers. I don't care if it's male or female, but they hold on to me tight so there's no space between us. I don't want them, especially their helmet, banging into me.

And there is no movement of the passenger, except for their head. They can move their helmet around my helmet to see ahead to the inside of a curve. But they always lean exactly with me, not with the bike. If they leaned with the bike, you know they would do it wrong, and it could throw me off balance. And I always ride slower with a passenger because of the extra mass.

The ZX-11 was so comfortable I fell asleep one time on the back.

[racedoll]

Originally Posted by tached1000rr

You sound like my wife with the control issues, it only took a handful of rides before she decided she needed her own bike

Originally Posted by Tsunami

I also just brace the tank for braking and accelerated, I pretty much know when either is happening, other than that i loosely hold on with one hand around the waist/hip.

Using your core muscles help with not putting all the pressure on the hands.

Get a sport tourer

I guess I could say me too. It has been so long since I rode as a passenger I kind of forget what I did. But what I do remember is having my arms loosely around Erik while moving and acceleration. When he would brake I would either brace against the tank or put my hands behind and grab the tail section to keep from sliding. Also would tighten abs/core and use legs to control myself as well.
Head is generally right behind him, not much looking around, maybe even closing eyes (but NOT SLEEPING) and just allowing myself to move as the bike moves.

[Rider]

"get your own bike" is the best thing to say to a passenger.

[racedoll]

Originally Posted by Rider

"get your own bike" is the best thing to say to a passenger.

Not necessarily. Some shouldn't be on bikes, period.

[AquaPython]

thanks for the advice everyone, i will be putting this stuff to good use soon.

i want to get her own bike but she is too timid and not really wanting it at this stage. so for now, while i don't love riding with passengers, i want her to be able to participate and group rides with friends, etc...