I'm a new rider and I'm working hard to develop my skills. I live in a rural community....traffic is very light. My girlfriend is very anxious to ride with me. We would be cruising at 50 mph or less on farm roads. Just cruising at slow speeds seems like it would be pretty safe...but I don't know what I don't know. I'd appreciate some advice on this. What am I going to face that I'm not aware of?

Even a slight shift in the passenger's weight is going to cause the bike to wobble. If she leans to either side the bike is going to want to turn. The first time you lean into a turn, she is probably going to lean the other way, and the bike is going to try to go straight.

At a stop, she has to keep her feet on the footpegs. She only puts her feet on the ground when she is getting on or off.

You are probably going to have a hard time getting her to wear safety gear. I show all my potential passengers the hole the exhaust pipe burned in my riding pants to persuade them to at least wear long pants, but it's really hard explaining to them why they should wear a jacket without scaring them off the bike completely.

Work out a system of signals, something like a tap on the shoulder means I want to stop.

When you put on the brakes, no matter how gently, the front of her helmet is going to hit the back of yours. It takes a long time for passengers to learn how to avoid this.

I installed a passenger backrest on my bike. It makes them feel much more secure, so they don't have to asphyxiate me with a death grip.

Looks like Bob hit on all the basics already. Your passenger has almost as much control over the bike as you do, and the most important lesson they need to learn is to move with you and only with you. Also, starting and stopping, and especially turning from a standstill, will take you a bit of getting used to.

PRACTICE IN A PARKING LOT FIRST!

Insist your rider wear as much protective gear as you insist on wearing yourself, and no less. It can be a hell of an investment buying gear for a passenger, especially if you're not sure you're going to make a regular thing of 2Up riding (or, if you're not sure the girlfriend is going to stay a regular thing), so buy cheap at first and get nicer gear later when you're sure it's for you. If you intend to take passengers regularly, invest in a sissy bar -- you'll be glad you did.

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- Jack of the Green

Current Bike: 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic (PowerSlave)
Previous Bike: 1984 Honda Magna V65 1100 (Grendel)
To Ride an Iron Horse - Jack of the Green's Blog

I say get her her own bike.

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Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

you should be fine as long as she's within your weight limit.

my weight limit is 120lbs.

anybody heavier is just gonna have to walk.

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Bikes Owned:
Gixxer 1000 K6 (stolen)
Gixxer 750 K6

Bikes Wanted:
VMAX
a super kewl cafe racer

Google is your friend, but anyway . . .

http://www.sportrider.com/riding_tips/1 ... ewall.html

http://www.sportrider.com/riding_tips/1 ... ewall.html

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/street ... index.html

I'd wait until you get your slow speed skills down pat. I wouldn't worry much about cruising; riding with a passenger at speed just feels slightly different. But like JotG said, stopping and starting, walking-level speeds, and especially things like U-turns feel hugely different with a lot of weight up high and back.

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"If you ride like there's no tomorrow, there won't be."

120lbs Verm?

Picking up passengers at a Junior High or something?

_________________
- Jack of the Green

Current Bike: 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic (PowerSlave)
Previous Bike: 1984 Honda Magna V65 1100 (Grendel)
To Ride an Iron Horse - Jack of the Green's Blog

Good looking woman on the back of the bike, who wouldn't want the death grip...??? :o)

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"Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul!"

quiet you!

lolz

_________________
Bikes Owned:
Gixxer 1000 K6 (stolen)
Gixxer 750 K6

Bikes Wanted:
VMAX
a super kewl cafe racer

I like the 120 pound rule. That means my passenger won't outweigh me

Seriously, though. I absolutely would not take a passenger for the first year I was riding. Too risky, in my opinion. I still won't take one (mostly because everyone I know weighs more than me). I would advise against passengers until you are good and comfortable on your bike and are familiar with every last little quirk and behavior of your ride.

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Ooooooh. Shiny!