Two Up

1293 Views 24 Replies 21 Participants Last post by ALEX BERECZKY, Jul 30, 2013

reh1966

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2013

After having done most all of my riding solo, I bought a Gl1500 this spring so my wife could ride with me. I have put about 1700 miles on the bike but only about 500 have been with her. I was curious as to how long it takes to get really comfortable with a passenger? She is not a large person by any means and rides very well. I just haven't completely settled in with the change in handling. I know I need to stay relaxed and work on that while we are out. I have slowed my speed and take corners at a much more relaxed rate. The real difference comes with my slow speed riding and pulling out at stop lights. Other than continued miles, what suggestions can the experts offer me.

Thanks in advance for any and all pointers.

Rex

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1 - 20 of 25 Posts

fireshine

· #2 · Jul 27, 2013

Be alert

MNWingrider

· #3 · Jul 27, 2013

When all else fails, ride more!

DougW

· #4 · Jul 27, 2013

You need to have her keep in mind that as a passenger she must sit perfectly still during slow speed riding.

Transam1

· #5 · Jul 27, 2013

Just got my 1st Gl1500 myself. Pass. sits higher than you and bike isn't
a feather weight either. Just have to adjust your style plus get used to
the bike itself. Still working on that myself.
Good riding

justayooper

· #6 · Jul 27, 2013

+2 on passenger being still at stop or low speed. Any quick or sudden move on her part when stopped or slow speed turns can result in your bike wanting to take a nap. When starting out or turning at slower speeds make sure you are giving your bike enough power to get you moving as quickly as you can and still keep it safe. Power is your friend in keeping control of your ride. I don't mean rocket starts or knee dragging turns, just enough that your not trying to fight a wobbly bike starting or turning a corner when going slow. Power through it like you mean it. With experience you will get to the point where you won't think to much about it and will be comfortable it all situations.

rpeters549

· #7 · Jul 27, 2013

On a bike, movement increases stability.
It just takes practice and a passenger that knows the drill. Still at slow speeds, controlled movements at all times, knows when to lean a bit or just sit still.
On one ride up Crown Point near Portland there was a softball sized rock in the road on a left sweeper. I went towards the outside of it and my wife tried leaning inside the rock. I won the cornering fight and now she knows to follow my lead and trust me even if she would do something different. She realizes I probably see more than she does, and I have the controls.

Commrad

· #8 · Jul 27, 2013

like the guys have all ready said it's really more about her learning than you. On the wing sitting still is the key. I forget my wife is back there 90% of the time now that she has learned how to follow my lead or just sit there relaxed. She decided she wanted to learn to ride on her own and started mimicking my movements on my cbr 1100. Makes for some stupid fast mountain runs, so much so that we regularly pass those little buzzy 600s.

you could try riding with 3 or 4 gallons of liquid in the top box when alone to help get used to the higher center of gravity when you're solo.

oldwing99

· #9 · Jul 27, 2013

It takes time. As long as she understands her movement will affect the cycle. She should know to keep it to a minimum especially the slower you are moving. MSF says we should have the passenger look over the drivers shoulder in the direction of the turn. Holding onto the drivers waist, at least when things get a little stressful will help communicate to you how comfortable she is. Makes sense.

Hodgy

· #10 · Jul 27, 2013

.

And talk to her about what you are doing. Don't take off from your parking spot until she advises she is ready. You don't need your passenger flopping around back there.

As she gets comfortable with your riding and her seat with you it will be better.

.

FM

· #11 · Jul 27, 2013

FIRST, A BIG welcome REX (reh1966) from FM in ILLINOIS.

Suggestions besides continued miles AY. . .
Let's see, one of the challenges for any woman is simply to sit still. Seems there always fidgeting with something and that means moving around.

One suggestions I can offer is find a long flat, hard and smooth surface to ride slow on. Once you get your slow speed balance perfect have her move around an arm, a leg or even from her waste up a slight lean to the side. ALL the while make sure see watches what it does to the balance of the bike and what her movements does to it. Maybe then both of you will understand what little movements does to the balance of the bike at slow speeds and her to learn to sit still and you to learn to counter control those movements.

My experiences?
I'm still currently the reining champ at NASSIRs "Slow Ride" singles and doubles. Doubles twice, once with my lady and the other with my impatient pooch moving around on the back seat.
I'd like to divulge my secrete but if everyone learned how I counter those movements,...well, let's say I'd have serious competition.

By the way, I've been accused of having gyros on my bike, I do not.
I tell them it's the forced slow ride practice I get in stop & go city traffic.

Good Luck :thumbsup:
:action:

After thinking about this more...
Slow ride by yourself and ride over some paint stir sticks that's laid slightly diagonally to your line. Run the edge of your tires over those sticks. You'll quickly feel the bikes weight shift and you can practice countering it.
And do practice both right & left edges.

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reh1966

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 27, 2013

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. I will work on the slow speed riding and try to continue to get in more miles. Today was a hopeful day for us but as has been the case most of the summer raining again.

I have found that the quicker I can get the bike rolling the better I do pulling out. Still working on feathering the clutch to have the needed acceration without being jerky. I will say I am feeling better but my goal is to be as comfortable as when riding solo.

And thanks for the welcome.

Rex

Terryj630

· #13 · Jul 27, 2013

There is a lot of good advice on this post, for me the most important thing when riding 2 up is your passenger needs to know what you are doing and your passenger needs to be relaxed and no sudden moves when traveling at slow speeds. When my wife and I are riding I don't even know she is back there, however, if she needs to re-adjust riding position she always lets me know, this way there are no surprises.

SETHAN12

· #14 · Jul 27, 2013

2

Welcome:waving:reh1966

Most new members don't realize that the Steve Saunders Goldwing Forum is much like an extended family and as such we like to get together on various occassions to renew old friendships and make new ones. For example, each year we put together a huge celebration called the North American Steve Saunders International Rally (NASSIR). Unfortunately you've just missed NASSIR 6 in Simcoe, Ontario however there is plenty of time to plan on attending NASSIR 7 which is being held in Fontana Dam, NC on July 8-10, 2014. If you want additional information please follow this lnk and it well take you to a dedicated information page for the event! Welcome aboard!!!

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/13-nassir-meet-n-greet-forum/444833-nassir-7-information.html
__________________
Yesterday is for memories!
Today is for making memories!
Tomorrow is a concept that does not exist!
What are you waiting for? ... Sam-n-Elaine
Just livin\' the dream!!!!!
Just another day in paradise!!!!!
Honor above all else!!!!!
Thank you Dylan Saunders for the layout of my greeting!!!!
__________________
Yesterday is for memories!
Today is for making memories!
Tomorrow is a concept that does not exist!
What are you waiting for? ... Sam-n-Elaine
Just livin\' the dream!!!!!
Just another day in paradise!!!!!
Honor above all else!!!!!
Thank you Dylan Saunders for the layout of my greeting!!!!

The more your partner rides with you the better. She will get to understand all the ins and outs of riding and become one with you and the bike. My wife rides with me 99.9% of the time, and I do not even know she is back there, regardless of speed of the bike or road conditions. Communication with her is huge at the beginning, but with time all becomes natural.

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youngnbald

· #15 · Jul 27, 2013

I am new to the riding and have had several passengers now. I tell them to ride like a sack of potatoes! Potatoes don't think or move. I took my mom for a ride and sure enough, the first corner she counter leaned the corner. I controlled everything fine, but told her she is the first thinking potato I met. The next set of twisties, she did fine but said it was like she was going to scrape her knees. LOL. She learned to rest her arms on the arm rest and relax... moving with the bike as one. I have all my sisters, mom, friends, and kids use to the lean and enjoy. They know to sit still on slow speeds and wait for my signal to get on or off. They all love goldwing smoothness and relaxing comes quick. The arm rest really helps! If you don't have them, I would recommend them! Number 2 will thank you for them!

clayusmcret

· #16 · Jul 27, 2013

My guidance to my wife is keep your back inline with the backrest. That way she leans perfectly with the bike. Most of the time I can't tell she's behind me. The exception are the very slow moments and some very good suggestions have already been made for that.

jobe05

· #17 · Jul 27, 2013

Slow practice ride with your wife. This gives you experience in handeling, but just as important, it give her a sense of comfort that you are in control of the bike. My wife always wanted to lean to the right at stop signs because I would lean the bike to the left, as that was the foot that was on the ground. She got over that once she knew that I wasn't going to drop the bike, it's just what I do for better control and balance.

Transam1

· #18 · Jul 28, 2013

youngnbald said:
I am new to the riding and have had several passengers now. I tell them to ride like a sack of potatoes! Potatoes don't think or move. I took my mom for a ride and sure enough, the first corner she counter leaned the corner. I controlled everything fine, but told her she is the first thinking potato I met. The next set of twisties, she did fine but said it was like she was going to scrape her knees. LOL. She learned to rest her arms on the arm rest and relax... moving with the bike as one. I have all my sisters, mom, friends, and kids use to the lean and enjoy. They know to sit still on slow speeds and wait for my signal to get on or off. They all love goldwing smoothness and relaxing comes quick. The arm rest really helps! If you don't have them, I would recommend them! Number 2 will thank you for them!

+1 on arm rests. Spousal unit feels more secure thus less moving around back there.

Medina

· #19 · Jul 28, 2013

yes, passenger must sit still.
I got lucky, she weighs about a hundred pounds, short

bjatwood

· #20 · Jul 28, 2013

Good comments, the biggest point I would like to make is when taking off from a stop, keep the front wheel straight and take off with authority aka some speed. That will help alot!

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

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