Most of the responsibility for the ride falls to the pilot, but as a passenger, you can help to ensure a good experience. Here’s how.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS Wear what a smart rider wears: Long pants, sturdy over-the-ankle shoes, a long-sleeved jacket. Borrow a good-fitting helmet if the rider doesn’t have one for you, and bring gloves that fit.
FIND YOUR FOOTING Almost every bike will have a set of fold-down passenger footpegs— if their location isn’t obvious, ask the rider. Once you’re on the bike, keep your feet on the pegs, even at stops. Also, watch for the exhaust pipes. If the bike’s been running for a bit, they’ll be hot enough to give you a bad burn.
GET ON FROM THE LEFT SIDE It's just like mounting a horse. Let the rider get on first, so he can hold the bike stable before you climb on.
HANG ON Ask if they prefer that you hug them from behind, place your hands on their hips, hang onto handrails or seat straps, or place one hand in front of you and one hand behind.
LEAN WITH THE RIDER Motorcycles lean when they turn. If you lean the wrong way, you’ll annoy the rider at best, and throw him or her off balance at worst. If the bike is turning right, look over the rider’s right shoulder; for left turns, make it the left shoulder. When in doubt, keep your helmet in line with the rider’s and you’ll naturally follow him.
DON’T BE A HEADBANGER Anticipate when the rider will brake. When they do, your body will want to shift forward. Try to keep your helmet from banging into theirs. It’s not dangerous, but it is annoying. You can support yourself by placing your hands on the fuel tank.
SPEAK UP If you’re uncomfortable, then say something, A frightened passenger tenses up and makes the rider uncomfortable. The bike becomes more difficult to handle, too. The best compliment a rider can pay to any passenger is to tell her he didn’t even know she was there.
Most of the responsibility for the ride falls to the pilot, but as a passenger, you can help to ensure a good experience. Here’s how.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS Wear what a smart rider wears: Long pants, sturdy over-the-ankle shoes, a long-sleeved jacket. Borrow a good-fitting helmet if the rider doesn’t have one for you, and bring gloves that fit.
FIND YOUR FOOTING Almost every bike will have a set of fold-down passenger footpegs— if their location isn’t obvious, ask the rider. Once you’re on the bike, keep your feet on the pegs, even at stops. Also, watch for the exhaust pipes. If the bike’s been running for a bit, they’ll be hot enough to give you a bad burn.
GET ON FROM THE LEFT SIDE It's just like mounting a horse. Let the rider get on first, so he can hold the bike stable before you climb on.
HANG ON Ask if they prefer that you hug them from behind, place your hands on their hips, hang onto handrails or seat straps, or place one hand in front of you and one hand behind.
LEAN WITH THE RIDER Motorcycles lean when they turn. If you lean the wrong way, you’ll annoy the rider at best, and throw him or her off balance at worst. If the bike is turning right, look over the rider’s right shoulder; for left turns, make it the left shoulder. When in doubt, keep your helmet in line with the rider’s and you’ll naturally follow him.
DON’T BE A HEADBANGER Anticipate when the rider will brake. When they do, your body will want to shift forward. Try to keep your helmet from banging into theirs. It’s not dangerous, but it is annoying. You can support yourself by placing your hands on the fuel tank.
SPEAK UP If you’re uncomfortable, then say something, A frightened passenger tenses up and makes the rider uncomfortable. The bike becomes more difficult to handle, too. The best compliment a rider can pay to any passenger is to tell her he didn’t even know she was there.