Do's and Do Nots for passengers

[MMMII]

After 20 pages of search results for 'Passenger' I have found a couple of tid bits about riding with a passenger. With the active and knowledgable user base of spyderlovers.com I imagine there is more info out there on this subject.

I've ordered the backrest for my ST-S as my wife wants to join me on some future rides. She's never ridden as a passenger and I have never rode two-up.

Here is the plan: A few laps around the neighborhood for both of us to get used to the dynamics before heading out on short jaunts.

Here is what I've found in my search:

• Passenger should lean with the rider/pilot/driver(?)
• Passenger should use the handles and not the driver (other than the occasional kidney punch as noted in the search results)
• Passenger should be actively scouting road conditions
• Passenger should not turn around or make sudden movements

What other advice do you have? I want to ensure that my wife (and I) are prepared and have an enjoyable time.

 

[AlamoRyder]

Don’t make driving look too easy

After 20 pages of search results for 'Passenger' I have found a couple of tid bits about riding with a passenger. With the active and knowledgable user base of spyderlovers.com I imagine there is more info out there on this subject.

I've ordered the backrest for my ST-S as my wife wants to join me on some future rides. She's never ridden as a passenger and I have never rode two-up.

Here is the plan: A few laps around the neighborhood for both of us to get used to the dynamics before heading out on short jaunts.

Here is what I've found in my search:

• Passenger should lean with the rider/pilot/driver(?)
• Passenger should use the handles and not the driver (other than the occasional kidney punch as noted in the search results)
• Passenger should be actively scouting road conditions
• Passenger should not turn around or make sudden movements

What other advice do you have? I want to ensure that my wife (and I) are prepared and have an enjoyable time.

Don’t make driving look too easy.... that is the first step to her wanting her own
:spyder2: and then you are going to have an infestation in the garage.
I should have seen that coming! But that opens the door to even more fun together.
Good luck on the road...

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Tell your passenger to relax and let you do any "leaning", that way You control the bike.

Cruzr Joe

Sent by morse code from a hidden bunker

 

[Chupaca]

Communicate

Get an intercom so you can tell her to let up on the death grip...:roflblack: But really great beats rapping on your helmet and pointing at "something".

 

[MouthPiece]

Armrests for passenger. She'll love you.

Chris

 

[Bob Denman]

Sparks,
Question:
Just how long, is a "fur"? :shocked:

 

[Bob Denman]

Ooh! :shocked: I've got some advice for passengers:
When you see something really cool along the roadside, please give instructions that include a direction for the rider.
"Look at that over there", doesn't really help much!

 

[Bob Denman]

Sparks,
My Spyder's got a belt; not a chain... :shocked:
Can that be converted to Fahrenheit?

 

[Oldmanzues]

1 furlong=40 rods=10 chains.
I thought everybody knew that.

:joke:

I did. I also understand "mets" and " bounds"
Really.... Oldmanzues

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm just a Bowhunter; I speak "yards..."

 

[pickelhead]

The passenger is the official "waver"

Sent from somewhere on the road.

 

[steve635]

I wouldn't fret a whole lot, riding the Spyder with passenger is minimally different from solo riding (at least as far as piloting). The differences you mentioned are far more pronounced on a 2-wheeler than on the Spyder.

 

[juliantrost]

I wouldn't fret a whole lot, riding the Spyder with passenger is minimally different from solo riding (at least as far as piloting). The differences you mentioned are far more pronounced on a 2-wheeler than on the Spyder.

100% agree with you! Other than occasional "can we catch up to that car, I think I know those girls", I sometimes forget my son is on the back.

 

[arntufun]

It is much more difficult to be a passenger on a RS/ST Spyder than it is on two wheels. The passenger definitely need to pay attention to the road and hold on because the Spyder naturally wants to eject the passenger when going around corners. If I didn't not have a backrest for the Spyder Holly would never get on the back of it with me. She says it's the worst bike for her we ever owned because she can't relax and look at the scenery because she has to pay attention and hold on tight during cornering.


She said when she rode on the back of the RT it locks you in and it is a much more enjoyable ride and less fatiguing.

 

[SPYD1]

Feet on pegs not on muffler!

 

[Bob Denman]

I thought you said that the rules for her included, "No chewing tobacco". :joke:

 

[otter28169]

I totally disagree for any RS or ST.

It is much more difficult to be a passenger on a RS/ST Spyder than it is on two wheels. The passenger definitely need to pay attention to the road and hold on because the Spyder natually wants to eject the passenger when going around corners. If I didn't not have a backrest for the Spyder Holly would never get on the back of it with me. She says it's the worst bike for her we ever owned because she can't relax and look at the scenery because she has to pay attention and hold on tight during cornering.


She said when she rode on the back of the RT it locks you in and it is a much more enjoyable ride and less fatiguing.

:agree: With the RS-S, unless you manually adjust the shocks before the trip, the feel of the bike will be radically different. Stopping and slowing distances increase, and the spyder takes on a "top-heavy" feel in the twisties. I do have to admit though, that I am 272lbs and the shock is set for me. My wife is a sight bit smaller, but even a small change can make a big difference on a machine like the spyder RS .

 

[ottawa-rider]

Most important Rule

The passenger shall NOT criticize the driver's driving style!

 

[DynamoBT]

I don't know what the shock setting is like on the ST or tire pressures. I know that two up on my RS I have the '11 RT shocks set on 5 and tire pressure at 18-20 front and 28-30 rear. This makes a big difference in handling. Before the shock upgrade, I felt the Spyder kind of lagged in turns. Now the steering is crisp and responsive. I have my husband lean with me in the turns. That makes a big difference. We to date, do not have intercom. Communication is a bit of a pain. But, the quiet is nice too!!!

 

[asp125]

A punch in the kidneys is NOT the preferred signal for slow down!