Trevors #TipTuesday - How To Be A Good Motorbike Passenger Part 1

Tips and tricks for a passenger to know what to expect and how to act - Part 1:

1. Don’t Wiggle

It’s important to stay still while you’re riding as a motorcycle passenger. Any type of movement coming from you in the back will be unexpected to the driver. You don’t want to give the driver any surprises because that can lead to losing balance and in the worst-case scenario, possibly tipping the bike over. It will often be difficult to not move around a lot, especially if you’re going for a long ride. Make sure that when you mount the motorcycle and begin your ride, you are in a comfortable position that won’t require much adjustment after a few minutes.

2. Sit Close To Your Driver

If you’re planning on being a motorcycle passenger, hopefully you are comfortable enough with the driver to be very close to them physically while going on a motorcycle ride. It’s a good rule of thumb to get as close to the back of your driver as you can. You don’t need to be locked on to them, you just need to be close enough to be able to understand their body language such as how they lean during turns; this makes it easier to follow what they’re doing and may help you better react in the case of an accident. Sitting close also helps with hitting helmets at stops. 

3. Be Prepared to Yell While Riding

Communication is difficult between driver and passenger while riding a motorcycle, unless of course you both have Bluetooth helmets. Don’t plan on saying much except maybe at stop lights. Trying to strike up a conversation in the middle of a ride is nearly impossible and incredibly frustrating for both parties. But if you absolutely have something to say, you’ll need to speak up pretty loud because it’s really hard for a motorcycle rider to hear what you’re saying through a helmet that is covering your mouth, high winds, and a loud motor in the background. If you must communicate while riding, keep your words to a minimum, such as “stop,” “turn,” or “hurting.” This will make it so much easier for you and the driver of the motorcycle and help make the trip much less frustrating.

4. Use Hand Signals

In case of any emergency while riding, using hand signals is an excellent way to communicate with your motorcycle driver. Before you both get on the motorcycle and start riding, have a conversation about hand signals and what they indicate. Find hand signals to indicate that you need to stop, you’re tired, you’re doing okay, to go slower, or to go faster. Try to stick with the basics.

5. Tie Your Hair Back

Whether you are a man or a woman and have long hair, it’s most comfortable and safest to wear your hair in a pony tail, or at least have your hair tied back. Wearing your hair tied back also prevents your hair from creeping up to the front of your face and blocking your view. Even though you won’t be the one driving, it’s still incredibly annoying and can be unsafe if you can’t see where you’re at. Ensure your hair stays in place while your helmet is on.

6. Go Where Your Driver Goes

You may notice while you’re riding, your driver tends to lean during turns. Whatever your driver does, you should do it too. It’s important though to not do it too much; this can lead to imbalance of the bike. Simply take your driver’s lead and do exactly as they do. This will help the two of you be more in sync and will provide a safer ride when the driver knows exactly what you’re doing. Helping your motorcycle driver with leans assists the motorcycle itself to maintain stability and traction to the road. It’s important to not “fight” the lean, or move your body posture opposite to where the natural lean is in the turn. Try to keep your body centered with the center of the motorcycle. 

7. Wrap Your Arms Around The Driver

Being a motorcycle passenger is a lot more comfortable if you are comfortable with the person driving the motorcycle. The best place to put your arms are around the driver, essentially you should hug them from behind. If you aren’t that comfortable with the person you’re riding with, you can also place your hands on their hips, maybe grab on the belt loops of their pants. If the motorcycle you’re riding is a bit more luxurious, there may even be handle bars for you to grab onto made specifically for passengers. You should never hold on to the shoulders as that provides no grip and security for you. Wrapping your arms around the driver helps you get as close to them as possible so you can better read their body language during stops and turns. And since the driver is holding on to the handlebars and you’re holding on to the driver, you can guarantee you won’t be going anywhere without the driver. This is especially important if the motorcycle you’re riding does not have a back rest or back support to catch you. It can get a little scary when the driver takes off and gravity has it’s effect on you, pushing you back and almost pulling you off the back of the motorcycle. Hold on tight so that doesn’t happen.