The passenger and your motorcycle routes: 3 tips to make the most of them

For the general public, or at least those who think positively when they see a motorcycle, this is synonymous with freedom.

As such, surely a motorcycle ride accompanying the rider will never be too much, although having a set of clear guidelines also helps.

It is for everyone's benefit. Even for those who have occasionally ridden on the back seat of a motorcycle, they must be clear about what to do... and what to avoid.

There are times when, for whatever reason, the passenger isn't warned about certain behaviors that, in the end, harm the rider.

Those of us who have experience sometimes don't think that the person sitting in the back seat lacks it, or even basic notions.

There's nothing to worry about.  With these three simple tips, the ride will be even more enjoyable because both of you will be perfectly synchronized in the pleasure of riding a motorcycle.

1. How to get on the rear seat

Yes, it seems simple to tell the passenger, after equipping them with the proper gear, to just sit in the back... in one go.

It's not so easy for someone who's never sat there before.  Now, suddenly, they're told "get on, we're leaving."

How do they do it? Think about the big and tall trail motorcycles with seats for which it seems necessary to equip yourself with a ladder to reach.

In these circumstances, swinging the leg over would be even more complicated if the motorcycle is equipped with a full set of saddlebags.

It's not unusual for some of these parts to get scratched or stepped on by passengers who only want to reach the seat and get comfortable.

Make it easy for them: the best thing is that, with both feet on the ground, you hold the motorcycle so that the passenger steps on their footpeg with the security you provide for them to do so.

2. On the move: Do I have to do anything?

That's the question that many novice passengers have asked me, who, seeing you from the outside, think they also have to ride...

They're not wrong, although rather what they should think about is making the rider's job easier and, in no case, hindering it.

One way to do this is to relax  in the rear seat. Passengers  who sit and remain rigid prevent the rider from turning the motorcycle.

There are even times when they tend to counteract the action of turning, simply out of fear.

Conclusion: the passenger should simply follow the rider's movement and, therefore, the motorcycle's; neither help too much nor the opposite. Just go with the flow.

3. Arrival at the destination, now what?

The time comes to get off, either because you've reached your destination or because it's time to make a stop along the route to take in the surroundings.

Now what? How does the passenger get off? Even though nothing was mentioned at the time of getting on...  watch out for the exhaust pipe!

Yes, because they'll look for a way to touch the ground without bothering too much, when in reality what you should do is make the task easier, once again.

Repeat  the getting on process in reverse,  firmly planting both feet on the ground and holding the motorcyclewhile  he or she gets off.

How  should they do it? By standing up on the footpegs and swinging the opposite leg toward the side they're getting off from.

They may prefer, avoiding the exhaust, to get off sideways with the left foot and drag the right leg across the seat until both feet are firmly on the ground.

Tall motorcycles, saddlebags, exhausts on both sides, and the passenger's fear are all obstacles that can be overcome. Let them take their time and... enjoy the motorcycle!