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Motorcycling in a group and riding with passengers
Motor Safety Foundation - May 4, 2009
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Motorcycling can be a social adventure, so chances are very good you’ll soon be riding with friends on their motorcycles, and have others who want to be passengers. As with any group activity, it’s nice if all participants have a general idea of what to do and what each other are doing.
Riding in a group
It is useful if, before taking off on a group ride, you get two or three hand signals organized amongst the participants: “let’s stop; need gas; I’m hungry.”
A few rules for the group:
- Riding in a group of more than four motorcycles can become confusing both for the group and other traffic around you. If there are too many people, break it up into smaller groups.
- Ride in a staggered formation, with first bike on the left side of the lane, second on the ride side, etc., but not side by side.
- Always keep at least a two-second following distance from the motorcycle directly in front of you.
- At a stoplight or stop sign, wait in pairs.
- Pass other vehicles individually, when safe – not in pairs or groups.
Carrying a passenger
Company is always nice. Passengers typically weigh between 100 pounds and 200 pounds.
Putting extra weight on the motorcycle will affect the handling. Adjust your suspension and tire pressures to compensate for the amount of company you’ve brought along. (Check your owner’s manual.)
Also realize that your braking capabilities have changed; take that into account. The more weight you have on the motorcycle, the longer it takes to stop.
Passengers should be instructed to always mount from the same side, and to warn you before they climb on. This goes a long way to preventing a muddled heap lying on the ground.
Passengers need the same protection that you do – proper clothes and helmet. Ten-foot scarves flapping in the wind may look dashing, but not on a motorcycle. You don’t want shoe laces or loose pants legs catching on rear wheels or chain parts.
Never carry anyone side saddle. Passengers should always straddle the bike with their feet securely planted on the footrests. Tell passengers not to put a foot down when you come to a stop.
Show them where the hot things are – like header pipes and mufflers. Caution passengers against coming in contact with the hot parts to prevent any injuries. Also, rubber soles can melt and leave a mess.
Instruct passengers to hold onto you at your waist or hips. Ask them to lean forward slightly when you leave from a stop or accelerate along the highway.
Also, when you brake, passengers should be firmly braced against your waist and should lean back slightly. You don’t want their weight to shift forward.
Advise passengers not to lean unless you do, and then only in the same direction. You do not want the person behind hanging off the bike at 30 degrees; that will do funny things to the steering. However, when you lean going around a corner, passengers should definitely lean as well. So have them look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn when you go through a corner; that will put the weight where you want it.
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