10 Important Tips for Riding on the Back of a Motorcycle

If you are a motorcyclist, you must be responsible for ensuring safety. Riding a motorcycle is more challenging than driving a car. You are more involved in the riding process. You are required to be more active and focused to ride safely.

Most people don’t know that those riding on the back of a motorcycle also have a crucial role in maintaining safe riding. As a passenger, you need to learn how to be responsible.

An irresponsible passenger can distract the rider and cause a motorcycle accident. If you ride on the back of a motorcycle and don’t take your role seriously, this article is for you.

Continue reading this article as it lists down 10 important tips for riding on the back of a motorcycle.

As a motorcycle passenger, do not shift your body weight unexpectedly. Try to sit calmly in a place without moving as much as possible. If you shift your body weight abruptly, there is a better chance that the rider may lose control of the bike. He can get distracted as a result.

Wiggling on the bike can be dangerous if you are a heavyweight motorcycle passenger. It can put too much force on one side, causing the bike to crash.

The movement of a motorcycle passenger can greatly impact motorcycle handling. Learn how to be a good motorcycle passenger. You can do this by being disciplined and not shifting your weight unexpectedly.

It may be difficult for the motorcycle passenger not to move, particularly on a long ride. In this case, you can plan with the rider beforehand to take regular breaks.

As a good motorcycle passenger, riding safely is your responsibility, too. It is easy to get distracted as the rider if you ride with a passenger.

While riding on the back of a motorcycle, you must not indulge the rider in conversations. This can distract the rider badly. This is one of the major reasons why motorcycle accidents occur.

We understand that it is more fun to ride with a passenger, but it may not be the safest option.

While wearing the helmet, it takes quite an effort to listen properly. If you start talking to the rider, he may look back and get totally distracted. As a result, the worst can happen.

So, even as a passenger, if you have something important to convey to the rider, do it smartly. Do not ever risk your and rider’s safety while riding on the back of a motorcycle.

This is an important one. While riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, you must sit close to the rider. It greatly enhances your riding safety.

When you sit close to the rider on the bike during the ride, you act as one body. You get indirectly involved in the riding process. As a passenger, you can sense the rider’s moves while riding the bike.

As a motorcycle passenger, you shift your body weight accordingly when you sit close to the rider. It helps passengers to know when they have to lean or shift their body weight during the ride to turn corners.

When you do not sit close to the rider, it becomes difficult for him to judge your movement. It can also impact motorcycle handling negatively.

Riding on the back of a motorcycle doesn’t mean you have nothing to do. You must actively participate in the riding process to stay safe. You may not be directly involved in riding, but you are considered the passive rider.

When you stay active as a passenger, you know when to respond while turning corners or maneuvering. If you are not actively participating, it may reduce the ability of the rider to control the bike safely.

As a passenger, it is good to have a good understanding and bond with the rider. You will need to find a more effective way to communicate with each other as you may not be able to talk, particularly while riding at highway speeds.

As an active passenger, you may be able to foresee certain dangers that a rider cannot. A good passenger can also help make rides safer by informing riders about certain dangers beforehand. However, do not provide riders with unnecessary information that only distracts them.

If you want to know how to be a good motorcycle passenger, learn how to ride a motorcycle. Riding on the back of a motorcycle isn’t an excuse to not learn motorcycling.

As a motorcycle passenger, you may face certain unpleasant experiences where you will be required to ride the bike. In the event of a motorcycle crash, what if your rider is injured and luckily you escaped injuries? What if your rider is not in the condition to ride anymore?

You must be a good rider even if you ride on the back of a motorcycle.

To avoid fatigue and back pain on a long-distance motorcycle trip, it is best if both the rider and passenger can ride for intervals. You can take a break while the rider is riding the bike. Similarly, he will get some rest while you are riding the bike.

First of all, the motorcycle must be passenger-friendly. Not all motorcycles are made for two-up riding. There are several bikes that are ideally designed for solo riding.

You can make certain adjustments to make them capable of riding with a passenger. However, such bikes will still compromise motorcycle passenger’s comfort and safety.

Choose a bike that is built for smooth and comfortable two-up riding. A wrong choice of bike for riding with a passenger can result in compromised handling and control over the bike.

For a good motorcycle passenger to not move unexpectedly during the ride, he should be comfortable. The passenger seat on the motorcycle must be soft and comfortable. It keeps the passenger happy even on long rides.

Riding on a motorcycle with a backrest is also a very comfortable option for the passenger. A passenger can sit comfortably for long hours continuously if there is a backrest installed.

If you love to cruise on highways or go on long motorcycle tours, attaching a backrest for both rider and passenger can make your riding experience more pleasant.

The motorcycle must have decent ergonomics and legroom for both rider and passenger. There has to be enough space for both rider and passenger to adjust their position while riding.

Learning how to lean while turning a corner is an art for the motorcyclist. However, as a passenger, you must be prepared while leaning the bike at turns.

As a passenger, you can play a huge role in your ride safety while leaning on the bike. You must know how much to adjust yourself while leaning. Most of the time, you will need to stay neutral at turns while riding on the back of a motorcycle.

While sometimes, you will also need to lean with the rider to take sharp turns. It is better if the rider doesn’t take much risk and slows the bike before entering a tight corner.

How much you lean with the rider to turn a corner while riding on the back of a motorcycle comes naturally.

To ensure safely stopping a motorcycle requires practice. While riding with a passenger on a motorcycle, there is more weight on the bike. The payload is increased on the bike while riding two-up. In this case, the rider will be required to brake harder to ensure the bike comes to a stop safely.

When you ride at the back of a motorcycle, you must ensure you hold a good posture while braking. Emergency braking can become much more difficult with the added weight of a person sitting on the back of the bike.

It is natural to slide forward on a motorcycle when brakes are applied. However, as a good motorcycle passenger, you must hold on to grab rails so you stay in one place.

Do not lean excessively forward on the rider during emergency braking. It may cause the rider to lose control or not be able to apply brakes properly. It may result in a motorcycle crash.

Even if you ride on the back of a motorcycle, you must not neglect the protective riding gear. Do not forget! It is equally dangerous for you if you have an accident.

Riding as a passenger on a motorcycle requires you to stay fully covered during the ride. The protective riding gear for a passenger includes almost the same equipment that riders require. These include:

To be a good motorcycle passenger, wearing a DOT-approved helmet must be your priority. It doesn’t matter if you have to ride on the back of a motorcycle; you must own a good helmet. It can save you from severe head injuries in the event of a motorcycle crash.

Wearing a motorcycle helmet is not compulsory for riders alone. As a rider, if you care about your loved one or ride partner, you must also carry a spare helmet.

As a motorcycle passenger, you may also need to ride the bike, particularly on long trips or in case of emergencies. Therefore, even as a passenger, always stay equipped and wear full protective riding gear.

If you don’t have specialized motorcycle boots, wear any shoes while riding on the back of a motorcycle. Even if you are a motorcycle rider or a passenger, if you are on a motorcycle with sandals or flip-flops, you will be considered a motorcycle squid.

As a motorcycle passenger, you will be required to sit close to the exhaust pipe and chain. A passenger is more prone to certain dangers than the rider. Therefore, wearing good-quality shoes is good for passenger’s safety.

It would be unjust to only recommend wearing a leather jacket and riding pants to the rider. What about the one sitting on the back of the motorcycle?

A motorcycle passenger is equally prone to injuries, scratches, and bruises in the event of a motorcycle crash. Therefore, even if you ride as a passenger, you must wear a leather jacket and riding pants.

Wearing gloves while riding on the back of a motorcycle is equally essential for passenger safety. In certain motorcycle accidents, a motorcycle passenger is at a greater risk of being thrown away.

In the event of a crash, the first thing you do is to reduce the impact of the fall by putting your hands on the ground first. To avoid getting your palm scratched badly, you must wear thick riding gloves, even as a rider.

While you ride on the back of the motorcycle:

• Do not distract the rider.

• Do not indulge him in a conversation, as it can result in a motorcycle crash.

• Do not move or wiggle abruptly while riding on the back of a motorcycle.

• Do not sit too far from the rider.

• Do not hold the rider too tightly.

The rider must get on the motorcycle first. This allows better balance before the additional weight of the passenger adds to the bike. Otherwise, a motorcycle can fall off on one side if the passenger gets on the motorcycle first. When it comes to getting off the bike, the passenger must get off first.

To ensure maximum safety of the motorcycle passenger, he must wear full protective riding gear. This includes a DOT-approved helmet, leather jacket, riding pants, motorcycle boots, and gloves. The motorcycle passenger must have full protection from abrasion, injuries, scratches, and bruises in the event of a motorcycle crash.

Riding on the back of a motorcycle is a more fun experience for both rider and passenger, particularly on a long trip. It can also be intimate if you are riding on the back of a motorcycle with your partner, spouse, or boyfriend.

Riding on a motorcycle is one of the coolest and most intimate things a couple can do. It is one of the best feelings for the rider to feel the wind blowing past his body and his girlfriend holding him from the waist as she rides on the back of the motorcycle.

If you usually ride on the back of a motorcycle, this article is for you. As a passenger, you cannot just sit on the back of a bike and start enjoying the ride. You need to have good motorcycling knowledge to be a responsible motorcycle passenger.

This article comprises several useful tips for motorcycle passengers to ensure a safe riding experience. If you love to ride with your ride partner frequently, make sure you go through this article. Also, it is perfect if you know how to ride a motorcycle as a passenger.

In the end, always ride safe and defensively. Do not engage in rash riding. Make motorcycling a safe experience for everybody on the road.