When buying a motorcycle, you probably draw in your imagination pictures of how you rush along the track at maximum speed, and your companion gently clung to you from behind. But when you really decide to give your friend a ride, the set of thoughts will be broader: “If only I didn’t fall down! Why are you choking it like that? Where are you sticking your feet ?! "
To avoid awkward and frankly dangerous situations, it is better for the motorcyclist to immediately explain to the passenger how to behave from the seat behind him. How to dress, how to sit, and what to hold on to. Believe me, both the passenger and your conscience will be grateful for this.
How to dress
Ideally, a motorcycle passenger should be dressed in the same way as the driver: basic protective equipment, motorcycle shoes, and, of course, a helmet. Moreover, a helmet that fits the passenger in size, and not the first one that comes across, lying around in the garage or borrowed from a friend. Especially if the same passenger travels with you often enough.
Most often it happens that your companion does not have special clothing and shoes. In this case, make sure that the passenger is wearing sturdy pants and a jacket. In general, there should be a minimum of exposed parts of the body. It is highly undesirable for a girl to wear a skirt whilst riding a motorcycle.
Need to explain why? With regard to shoes, make sure that the passenger does not have dangling laces, straps, or other dangerous parts.
How to sit
Ask your companion to get on the motorcycle, and then note a few important points. Tell her how to hold her legs. Although it is convenient to put her feet on the muffler, it is highly discouraged if the passenger does not want her shoes to melt.
Share with the passenger what you were taught at the motorcycle school. The passenger should sit as close to the driver as possible so that the wind does not whistle between them. Let the satellite be ready for the fact that when accelerating, its body will pull back, and when braking, it will tilt forward.
If the companion is not ready for this, then on the trip he may get scared and do something inappropriate. Let the passenger try to mimic your body movements.
What to hold on to
The main mistakes of a passenger on a motorcycle
â Try to sit straight when cornering. A dangerous mistake that increases the turning radius and impairs handling. Explain to the passenger that when entering a turn, he must tilt the body in the same way as the driver does;
â Cuddle up to the driver when braking. This creates excess weight transfer to the handlebars, which increases the risk of falling;
â Lean on the rear trunk of the motorcycle. Due to the shift in weight, handling is impaired. Unusual sensations will appear at low speeds.
Both you and your companion will feel better if you are firmly convinced that the passenger knows what to hold on to. This is for you, an experienced motorcyclist, it is obvious that there is a special handle for this purpose. The passenger usually grasps the first thing that comes to hand: headlights, seat, driver's neck. There is no one-size-fits-all way for a passenger. It all depends on the type and model of the motorcycle.
If the passenger is inexperienced or nervous, then it is best to hold onto the driver's waist for the first time. So they can get used to repeating with their body the movements of the one sitting in front.
If the motorcycle has a special handle for the passenger, then let them get used to holding on to it.
Before going on a motorcycle ride or motorcycle trip, be sure to take a practice train. Be sure to practice braking, accelerating, and cornering with a passenger in this workout.
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