MOB brought this up in a previous post and I thought it would be worth more discussion. He wrote about communicating with a passenger as an important part of the process for loading a passenger. Well; they're loaded up so how do we communicate with our passenger about the bike in motion?
I would; in my younger days try to impress upon any potential passengers the ability of the bike to lean, how it can change direction, all kinds of bike stuff so that they could be a good passenger. I found out that overload of information didn't help my passenger(s) to ride with me. It made them nervous. That is not a good thing at speed.
I had a good friend who was turning 75 years young about a dozen years ago and she trusted me to take her on her first motorcycle ride. I was honored. Her nervousness grew as the moment approached. She had all kinds of questions and the answers would not provide her confidence. I simply told her that her entire job as a passenger was to sit. Just sit. No need to add anything; just sit. If the bike goes forward, sit. If the bike leans, sit. If you want to do anything, hold onto me and turn your head in the same direction as I turn mine. Otherwise, just sit and enjoy the feeling of being in motion. That worked and I have followed this instruction with any passenger that is unfamiliar to me or is uninitiated with a motorcycle since.
What works for you?
I would; in my younger days try to impress upon any potential passengers the ability of the bike to lean, how it can change direction, all kinds of bike stuff so that they could be a good passenger. I found out that overload of information didn't help my passenger(s) to ride with me. It made them nervous. That is not a good thing at speed.
I had a good friend who was turning 75 years young about a dozen years ago and she trusted me to take her on her first motorcycle ride. I was honored. Her nervousness grew as the moment approached. She had all kinds of questions and the answers would not provide her confidence. I simply told her that her entire job as a passenger was to sit. Just sit. No need to add anything; just sit. If the bike goes forward, sit. If the bike leans, sit. If you want to do anything, hold onto me and turn your head in the same direction as I turn mine. Otherwise, just sit and enjoy the feeling of being in motion. That worked and I have followed this instruction with any passenger that is unfamiliar to me or is uninitiated with a motorcycle since.
What works for you?