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How to be a good motorcycle passenger? Five tips that will make the experience much more enjoyable

How to be a good motorcycle passenger? Five tips that will make the experience much more enjoyable

Many times we speak to an audience that reads us from behind a handlebar, but there are many bikers who see life from the passenger seat or an infinity who would love to have that experience.

For all of them we are going to try to establish a decalogue that makes the experience easier, more comforting and, above all, safer, especially if the driver at the controls has read our compilation of tips for driving with a companion.

Ask without fear to get as much information as possible

The first thing when getting on as a passenger (even before getting on) is to understand everything we can find and raise awareness to avoid those dreaded moments of panic. Where to hold on, how to get on, when to get on or off. It is important to assimilate all the information possible because once underway communication will be limited (unless there are intercoms involved).

Follow the pilot's movements

Now getting into the matter, one of the absolutely fundamental keys is that the passenger must always follow the pilot's movements, going against the instinct that tends to say the opposite and force the newest to try to maintain verticality.

The instinct of someone who is riding for the first time or who is not very well versed in motorcycles is to maintain their static position, as if they were standing. This when taking a curve on a motorcycle means that while the motorcycle and the driver lean towards the apex, the passenger leans his body outwards to keep his vertical position.

How to be a good passenger on a motorcycle Five tips that will make the experience much more enjoyable

That maneuver is absolutely counterproductive with the behavior we need, since the rider will have to put more force on the bike, putting even more stress on the tires and suspension by looking for a higher degree of lean.

Additionally, the center of gravity will be changing in an unexpected way, and each variation of this point implies a change in what the bike does on the asphalt, forcing the rider to have to improvise.

How should we get on a motorcycle as a passenger?

Okay, here we know that there are opinions for all tastes, but we will stick to what the theory says. For a novice on motorcycles, getting into a passenger seat has a seemingly simple way: I put one foot on the footrest on the side through which I approach and climb onto the seat, leaning on the pilot.

This maneuver can be done, but under very specific conditions: that the rider reaches the ground perfectly with both feet, that the motorcycle has the passenger footrests relatively low, and above all that the rider knows exactly what to do. the passenger will do. Otherwise: Bad!

Getting on like "it's like I get on a horse" can very easily unbalance the driver, because we suddenly transfer all the weight of the passenger to his legs and if the pilot does not reach the ground well or arrives only with a foot the fall of the two is practically assured.

Optimal form requires a bit of flexibility and effort on the part of the passenger, raising the leg that will go on the opposite side over the seat and being that one or, even better, the butt first to get on the bike, supporting most of the weight on the most centered part of the bike.

Do not lean on the conductor

When driving, the ideal is for the passenger not to lean on the driver. The passenger should manage his weight as the driver does, leaning on the footrests and placing his hands on a fixed point on the motorcycle, be it the handles, the tail, or the fuel tank.

Yes, we are aware that it is often difficult to maintain your posture and not lean on the rider, or crash helmets when changing gears. It's okay, it's normal. What we can advise is something that can also be applied to drivers.

To reduce the level of work done by your arms, which end up getting tired sooner rather than later, you can hug the driver with your knees. By doing this we will have a double benefit: getting less tired and creating a much better driver-co-driver unit.

Relax and try to enjoy yourself

After having told you all this, we know that the acid test for a passenger comes the first time they get on a motorcycle. We know that it can be difficult and even a little scary, but as the kilometers go by and understanding how the process works, everything ends up being done automatically.

While this moment arrives, it is best to breathe and face this exciting moment with a positive mentality, trying to enjoy and loosen up the muscles. The sooner you do it, the sooner you will realize how much fun you can have.

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