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How was your first experience riding with a passenger on your Ninja 250?

8K views 18 replies 14 participants last post by  av8r-92 
#1 ·
I've ridden for a bit over two years, but have never given a ride to a passenger.

How long did it take you guys to get confident riding with a passenger on your bike? Is it something I (and a first-time passenger) can learn in fifteen minutes on an empty parking lot? I've looked up helpful videos on YouTube, but they all use bigger bikes in their tutorials. I'm wondering if it's different on a Ninja 250, it being a relatively small motorcycle.

Also, are there other things to consider that I'm not aware of? Any words of wisdom, or just general advice appreciated.
 
#2 ·
well im 155ish pounds and i took my gf on my 08 250 after like 3months of riding?(prob around 1k miles or riding) I was hesitant at first but i gave it a shot. It was easier than i thought it was, just take it slow on corners and you should be fine. But everytime i take a different heavier passenger it feels different and my balance feels a little off when i take off and through the first turn or two, but after that i get use to it.

I even went up a pretty steep hill, so dont worry about the power, just make sure ur in a low gear. So my overall advice is take turns slower, and dont be all jitterry and nervous.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Yeah. Just get used to the weight. Stay easy on the braking. Other than that it wasn't so bad. The dynamics of passenger riding are about the same. The only difference is the bigger bikes have more power. The balance and everything is very similar due to the ninjas set up.

Now don't tattle but I was giving passenger rides when I still had a permit.
 
#5 ·
I had someone on the back of mine in a few weeks. Looking back at it almost a year later, that probably wasn't a good idea. You're two years in, so take it slow and you'll be fine.

Leave some extra following distance, extra room to brake, and don't take turns too hot. Biggest thing is ensuring they know what to do. Tell them not to fidget at low speeds, head over whichever shoulder is the side you're turning (turning right; head over right shoulder), and to flow with the bike and not fight the lean. It handles a little differently but it's really no big deal. Just remember: "you control the bike, they control you" (msgroup.org). If your passenger fights the lean, they could fuck things up quick in a curve.

Also, make sure they know where to sit :D. I had a girl on the back of mine on Friday. She was doing well, but something didn't feel right. Then I realized why my nuts were getting smashed. She was sitting on my seat, not the passengers seat. How that happened, I don't know...

-Will
 
#8 ·
I wouldn't waste too much time on a parking lot. A quick up and down the street to get a basic feel, then out. You'll adapt faster if you're coping with all the normal things you cope with when you're riding and you'll soon almost forget the passenger's there.

Just give yourself a bit more space and a bit more time.

Remember to increase rear shock pre-load and rear tyre pressure.

Rob
 
#9 ·
Like said before, make sure they know what to do.

Two of the biggest things I learned when I first rode passengers is that they dont know how to brace themselves when slowing down and also braking is more difficult.

When I ride a passenger I tell them before we leave that they can brace themselves when slowing by putting their hands around me and onto the tank, leaning on me, (and for the more attractive women) putting their hands on my thighs and holding on :)
If they dont know how to brace themselves the first time you let of the throttle their torso is going to slam into your back.

Also definitely leave more room for breaking. My maiden voyage with a passenger almost ended badly when I was coming to a stop at an intersection with my front wheel turned very slightly and i applied to much front brake. It caused my handle bars to turn completely sideways, stopped us abruptly, and I almost dropped the bike. And with a passenger on it your holding up the weight of the bike and the weight of a passenger. Somehow I managed to go hulk status and lift it back up.
With that said, I now do not use the front brake at all with a passenger once I am under 10 mph.

Also, another good thing to do is try to shift a little sooner so your helmets arnt smacking together through each gear. Also give them a type of signal that they can give you if that for any reason they need you to pull over, perhaps for an emergency.

Happy Riding.
 
#12 ·
I have a strict policy aganst passengers. I did give a few rides on my 250 with out any really bad experiences other than a girl deciding the muffler was a much more comfotrable footrest after I explicitly warned her not to let her shoes touch it at all. melted fucking shoe sole all over both pipes :( and then she had the nerve to tell me I should replace her $150 shoes. I about fucking punched her. I told her I'd replace her shoes when she paid for my exhaust.

So anyway back to riding 2 up. I upon buying my zx6 promptly removed the rear pegs and bought a solo cowl to replace the back seat. I don't mind risking my own life but don't want to be that responsible for someone elses.
 
#14 ·
It kind of depends on the passenger. Some are easy to ride with because they lean with you and don't do stupid shit like melt their shoes on the muffler or try to put their foot down at lights or squeeze the effing crap out of you. On the other hand some people feel like a big heavy stiff block on the back of your bike that does not lean does not move and clings to your back.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#15 ·
It kind of depends on the passenger. Some are easy to ride with because they lean with you and don't do stupid shit like melt their shoes on the muffler or try to put their foot down at lights or squeeze the effing crap out of you. On the other hand some people feel like a big heavy stiff block on the back of your bike that does not lean does not move and clings to your back.
This is so true. I give my son a ride every once in a while (120#) and it just feels natural. I never struggle because he is always doing the right thing at the right time and just flows with everything. I have given rides on dirt bikes to awkward people who didn't know what to do and were prolly a little scared and it SUCKS. Everything they do is counterproductive. All in all though, I prefer riding solo.
 
#16 ·
I like riding with hot girls , there is nothing better than having a hot girls put her arms around your chest or waist and her chest pressing on your back .

Besides that there is something cool about riding around with a hot girl on your back sit , and girls appreciate it too for their own reasons, a lot of them would like to ride but are to scare to drive , so you give them a ride and then they give you a ride :)

Most important things :

-Like someone else said , tell them to look in the direction of the turn , that way they won't fight the lean , "look over your shoulder"

-Always at least 1 hand on you , not fiddling with the I-phone , BB . hair , stretching , etc.. at the traffic light or stop sign , a quick accelreation and they can fall off.

-Get in the habit of reving up your motor twice before taking off , to let them know to get read for the forward momentum.

-Tell them to always mount and dismount from the left so they don't get burned with the exhaust .

-give them signs , like squeeze once between my legs to slow down ,twice to speed up .,.. hah j/k but a tap on your shoulder , like 1 for slow down , 2 for stop when possible , 3 for stop right now ...

that should make it fun :)

Most important don't give anyone rides unless you have mastered riding solo , an extra person changes a lot of things , specially the heavier they are compared to you . if you are 155 , and let's say you are into big girls and she is 180 , you will be squished every time you stop , keep your passengers to at least 30% less weight than you .
 
#17 ·
I've getting more into 2-up and I always give a rundown of general rules specially those who have rode on bikes but never had anything explained to them. One thing I have to tell chicks is at low speeds/coming to a stop DONT MOVE or WIGGLE until I have stopped and have a foot down (I signal by placing my left hand on her leg). They tend to get anxious and want to move around disrupting my balance and COG.
 
#18 ·
"(I signal by placing my left hand on her leg)"
Shit you are a smooth one aren't you , why didn't i think of this ?

"listen this is for your safety , when you are safe to wiggle I will squeeze your ass cheek between your hip with my right hand ...

I learn something new on these forums every day..
 
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