Do's and Do Nots for passengers

[arntufun]

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

My passenger would not agree with you......... :roflblack:

 

[pitbull]

My passenger would not agree with you......... :roflblack:

Agreed! Randy...... But it sometimes works!!! Dang it!!:roflblack:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Agreed! Randy...... But it sometimes works!!! Dang it!!:roflblack:

Len, I imagine that most of your passengers have given you a punch in the kidneys to slow down. :roflblack:

 

[jerpinoy]

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.

*****Tickling not an option

 

[Bob Denman]

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

:shocked: You're joking; right?? :roflblack: if The Missus couldn't do that, I think that she'd swell up and burst! :yikes: :roflblack:

 

[bmwlarry]

Passenger should always look over "inside" shoulder of driver when turning! Puts the passenger in the right place fro the turn.

 

[Jharpo]

One More Thing

When riding as a passenger on an RS, keep both feet firmly on the pegs. The pegs are those skinny bars that stick out on both sides, not that squarish thing on the left side.That's the parking brake.

 

[Spydeejane]

Advice from the back

If you don't have a helmet with the intercom system, a slap or other communication on the back of the helmet can convey a variety of messages.

Aggressive helmet slap: quit worrying about waving and pay attention to the road
Pull down on the helmet: slow down
Insistent quiet tapping: I have to stop.
Rapid tapping: flea market, garage sale, etc. Go back.

Each couple will develop their own communication system. However, when we have our intercom helmets on, my husband complains of fewer headaches from driving.

 

[flaggerphil]

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.

My wife says she'd much rather be a passenger on the RT than on a two-wheeler. Says she can just sit back and relax and not have to worry about what the bike's doing.

FWIW, the "guides" the OP posted are more for a two-wheeler than a Spyder (at least an RT). All the passengers I've had feel extremely secure and relaxed on the back of the RT.

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

Passenger should always look over "inside" shoulder of driver when turning! Puts the passenger in the right place fro the turn.

:agree:

Add: Passenger should not elbow driver when turning 90 degrees to take a photo :lecturef_smilie: I'm still bruised from the fall color ride.

 

[arntufun]

My wife says she'd much rather be a passenger on the RT than on a two-wheeler. Says she can just sit back and relax and not have to worry about what the bike's doing.

FWIW, the "guides" the OP posted are more for a two-wheeler than a Spyder (at least an RT). All the passengers I've had feel extremely secure and relaxed on the back of the RT.

We are discussing the ST/RS, not the RT. :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Not much I can add here.

 

[Desert Spyder]

First off, as opposed to inside the car, the operator is the ABSOLUTE authority. There is no room for backseat driving. Operators have too much on their minds watching literally everything, which is twice as much as the cagers do.

Second off, proper ryding apparel is a must. Sandals are not proper attire...ever. Put them in the frunk for when you get off the bike. Not only do you have a hot muffler just below the peg, debris from the road can come up and hit your foot. At 70 MPH a major ouch factor.

 

[scooterexpress]

psgr duties

1. feed driver
2. massage driver
3. never bother driver
4. psgr reserves the right to change the above duties:roflblack:

 

[3whlLefty]

I agree with Arntufun

You should also try to ride as a passenger some time. That was quite the education for me. Having the backrest is pretty important. Since you don't lean there are strong forces on an unprepared psgr to 'exit' to the outside of the turn. My co-rider has very short arms so the grab handles are not easy to use. I've added the armrests and the verdict is still out of them. I will corner much more gently from now on. Drat!!

Before I had a GL1500 SE triked with a Diamond seat and backrest plus armrests. She misses that a lot.

The comments on the RT's are interesting. Maybe I have to reconsider.

This is a great thread. Thanks for starting it.