Riding with a Passenger
The lone rider is an impressive persona in the American myth, but that long trail gets a bit lonely. Fortunately your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle is powerful enough to support a passenger! You won’t have to leave your friend or loved one at home to guess at the fun and adventure you’re having on your Harley if you bring them along for the ride. However, riding with a passenger creates a few extra obstacles to overcome, or at least precautions to take.
At Texas Harley, we think the only thing that makes riding a motorcycle better is having someone to enjoy the experience with. In that spirit, we’ve put together this short guide with some tips to getting the most out of your duo-riding experience and how to keep both you and your passenger safe. Keep reading for more information, or if you’re interested in checking out some awesome new and used Harley bikes, head into our location in Bedford, Texas, near Irving, Arlington, Dallas, and Fort Worth.
Get the Right Gear
Just like riding solo, when riding with a passenger you’ll need all the gear necessary to ride safely. Fortunately you’re already a rider, so you might have some extra gear lying around for your passenger. From there you can fill in the gaps with what’s available or else shop around for the necessities, like a helmet, jacket, pants, and boots. Remember that you’re responsible for your passenger’s safety, so take this step seriously.
A helmet is a must for anyone who gets on a motorcycle, rider or passenger. Full-face helmets offer the best protection for chin, face, and head. Helmets with UV protection are great, otherwise you might need to pick up sunglasses or goggles with this additional feature. A helmet should fit snug yet not tight enough as to restrict blood or air flow. Riding jackets are another piece of important gear and are all but necessary for riders looking to maintain adequate safety gear. Street clothes generally aren’t good enough to protect you in case of an accident! Finally, gloves and sturdy shoes are also going to be helpful, even though they’re not in charge of controls.
Do the Prep Work
Preparing for your ride can help alleviate any troubles encountered on the road. Start with the same pre-ride check you hopefully perform every time you get on your bike: check the tires, fuel and fluid levels, and ensure all your bike’s components are in working order. This is also a good time to adjust your bike and make sure it can handle the additional weight another rider brings. Most Harley touring bikes perform flawlessly in this area, but some of the smaller Harley bikes might not be up to the task.
This is also a good opportunity to work out expectations with your passenger. They should know what you need from them and vice versa. They should know how you plan on approaching turns, braking, and other aspects of basic motorcycling. You’ll need their help to perform some of these maneuvers, like the lean-in on a turn. If they’re new to motorcycles, consider taking them out for a few test rides before a big trip. This will help them get used to some riding basics, as well as allow their bodies to adjust to the rigors of motorcycle riding.
Along with expectations is the need to communicate on the road. It can be loud out there even at lower speeds, so having a communication solution devised ahead of time will save a lot of wasted wind. Hand signals are the go-to for riders, but electronic communications have become affordable and function rather well. Whatever you decide to go with, just make sure both you and your passenger understand what’s expected.
Focus on Safety
Half the battle for safety is won through the right gear, but it still helps to be reminded of some general safe riding practices. It can be tempting to show off your riding skills to a passenger, but remember that you’re responsible for both your safety. Keep your eyes peeled for road hazards and traffic changes. Also be mindful of your starting and stopping habits. Your passenger doesn’t have a backing and will probably be caught off guard if you’re a little too aggressive with the accelerator.
When you ride with a passenger, you take on the responsibility of their safety. Maintain communication, stay alert, and you’ll have miles of fun ahead of you. If you’re after more riding tips, or you’re ready to gear up with the best motorcycle gear around, head into Texas Harley in Bedford, Texas, where we proudly serve Irving, Arlington, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Stop by today and have a chat with our team of Harley experts who are eager to answer your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.