January 30, 2012 12:37 PM PST
I will try to make this breif.
It has been my experience while being a passenger on a bike NOT to lean into a curve. The rider and the bike do the work, I naturally move with the rider. I have read comments even here on CF saying the same thing, I don't remember who off hand.
Recently I have read a few ladies comments here and on other pages about lady passengers leaning into a curve. Gentlemen... could you please clear this up...? Should your passenger lean or not? I say no, let the rider control his bike...
Since most of my passengers have been friends, I expect them to sit back against the sissy bar rather than wrapped around me. If they are holding on to me physically, then they should only be leaning if I am leaning. This happens more on a sport bike when there is not a sissy bar. When the passenger has her arms wrapped around the waist of the bike operator, then they naturally move as one. As a passenger, let it happen, and do not force any weight shfts.
But for a cruiser with a sissy bar, the passenger can sit back against it and then shouldn't conscienciously move at all. They should just be dead weight, like luggage. Any side-to-side weight shifting is a noticable distraction, and is not a welcome surprise when going through a turn. Some passengers are instructed to lean WITH the driver when the driver has had experiences with passengers leaning the opposite way than they should be. If a passenger is nervous about going around a bend, and shifts their weight to the outside, the bike won't make the turn, and the driver has to react by forcing the bike further down, which may result in scraping the pegs...which can make the passenger even more nervous.
Most cruiser riders don't lean anyway...their shoulders stay centered over the seat and square with the handlebars and they make the bike lean with counter-steering. But, if they have also ridden sprtbikes, you may see their shoulders lean into turns. If you are instructed to lean, then you only need to keep your shoulders in line with what you see happening in front of you.
If you get on the back with someone new who hasn't given you any instruction or guidance, then just watch their shoulders, and either stay centered, or stay in line with them, whichever feels more natural to you. And once you pick your style as a passenger, don't change unless instructed to do so.
January 30, 2012 1:10 PM PST
Love this topic, it's good to know the "throttle masters" viewpoint. I've been a passenger all my life. My daddy told me (at 7 years old) to hug his back and hold on tight. The older I got the more relaxed I got. There are many schools of thought on the subject, so it is best said to ask before you hop on back....That's great if you aren't distracted as I was as a youngster...Back then I never had time to ask, I was told to get on, hold on and shut up! lol.. dozing off? really? how does that happen? .Ive had a few bad experiences but it always came naturally to flow with the rider, he was in control of the bike. The best rider is one who cares for their bike and their passenger as much as themselves.They should tell you if you're doing something that's not right, to make the ride easier and more enjoyable. I have my own bike now, learning to ride my own is a scary thing for me, I have a healthy respect for the rider as I will be one...soon!
January 30, 2012 1:29 PM PST
To sum most of this up: The 'Throttle Master", as was so eloquently put by the feistyredhead, is the one who makes the rules for his/her passengers when riding. Personally I don't get the whole leaning with the driver especially if they have a sissybar, sit back and enjoy the ride I say! :-)
January 30, 2012 1:40 PM PST
This year for the Sturgis trip I want DebraJo on the back with me for a while so she can pass me a beer or whip up a quick jack and coke for me just so i dont dehydrate ya know..Cheers BOOF
January 30, 2012 2:09 PM PST
Glad to see that this question has opened up conversation. In reality Black9 what I hope that men take away from this, is you need to have a conversation if you are riding with someone new. I tell my ladies to ask questions and I tell them what to ask, because men tend to hand them a helmet and say get on...
January 30, 2012 10:55 PM PST
To tell the truth I am very surprised that this is even debated. I have always asked any back seat rider two questions,
1. Have you ever riden on a bike?
2. Do you know that you just become part of the bike?
All my riding life it has been a known hard and fast rule, the passenger becomes one with the bike. One time a passenger on my bike tried to correct the lean of my bike on an expressway on ramp and we missed the guard rail by mere inches. Needless to say an educational conversation ensued.
January 31, 2012 4:29 AM PST
@Rex... Your experience is good example of why all riders should have this conversation with whomever they are riding with. Even an experienced passenger may have a different style and lean. It is up to you to let her know what you do or do not expect while she is on your back seat.
While you may say it is a "hard and fast rule" it really isn't. It really is an old school thought that the passenger should lean and like most myths it passes through the generations. Never assume that your rider will know anything and simply have the discussion before she gets on.