Riding With a Passenger

The only thing that’s more exciting than hitting the open road on your motorcycle is doing so with a passenger along for the ride. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or fellow bike, you’re going to want to take some extra precautions to ensure both you and your passenger are safe for your joint riding experience.

Toad Suck Harley-Davidson® has got the lowdown on how to ride safely with a passenger and we’re ready to share it with you. If you need some routine maintenance before your next trip, stop by our dealership in Conway, Arkansas near Searcy, Hot Springs, Fort Smith, and Russellville!

Proper Gear

If you’ve been riding for a while then you know the importance of making sure you have proper riding gear, namely safety gear. When there’s a passenger involved, they will also need to be wearing the same gear. Take some time to discuss this with them so they know what is required before getting on the bike. As the one operating the bike, you are responsible for your passenger’s safety. You definitely do not want to skip any safety gear and regret it later.

A helmet should always be high on the priority list when it comes to safety gear. Your passenger can borrow a helmet as long as it fits properly. Helmets should never wiggle or slide off because they won’t offer maximum protection should there be a fall or accident. Another piece of safety gear that your passenger needs is appropriate clothing. Your passenger can opt for heavier clothing, like a jacket and pants combo that is specifically made for riding. If they only plan to go for one or two rides, they can probably get away with wearing durable clothing of their own as long as it’ll hold up on the road.

Preparation

As with any other day on the road, you’ll need to perform a basic pre-ride inspection. When you have a passenger, there are some extra steps you’ll need to add to your prep. First, make sure your bike is equipped to handle an additional rider. Many touring bikes perform well with the extra weight, but there are other motorcycles that might not handle it as well. Keep in mind that your bike should be able to handle the weight of your passenger without compromising the quality of your ride.

Remember that if your passenger is new to the motorcycle world, they might not have a clue about what to expect from their first ride. You should take time to discuss riding with them before you head out and answer any questions they might have. It’s also a good idea to establish a means of communication such as hand signals before you go. It can get loud on the road, so if you need to communicate, this will come in handy. Coach your passenger on basics with turning, stopping, leaning into curves, traveling in congested areas, and so on. By taking the time to discuss these matters in advance, you’ll be providing a smooth riding experience for both you and your passenger.

Safety

When you ride with a passenger on your bike, you should always be extra cautious with your safe riding practices. You are responsible for more than just your own safety now. Pay attention to your surroundings and your passenger at all times, especially when they’re trying to communicate. Always bear in mind that motorcycles accelerate harder than automobiles so if your passenger’s seat has no backing, they can easily jerk backward. Go extra easy with starting and stopping. Bumping helmets isn’t always avoidable and it won’t cause any problems, so don’t worry too much if this happens.

You’re officially ready to hit the road with your passenger! If you need any gear before you go, come by our Toad Suck Harley-Davidson® dealership in Conway, Arkansas near Searcy, Hot Springs, Fort Smith, and Russellville!