I find it to be basically about how you would expect. Takes a little more gas to go, takes a little more brake to stop, the suspension will be a little softer. A lot of it depends on how well you prepare the passenger: "This is hot, don't touch it." or, "Don't shift your weight around, and keep your body in line with mine while we're turning." Then make sure you take it nice and easy until you're both used to the feeling.

It's different but I don't find it to be that hard. Just err even farther on the side of caution than you normally would

 

correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the manual say to increase tire pressure if the loads over 180ish pounds? from 32/34 to like 34/36 something like that

 

"This is hot, don't touch it."

Just a noobie ?. What all is hot? i know the exhast is extremely hot from burning the **** out of my leg a couple of times.. any other hot areas?

 

On the back of the bike, the exhaust is really all there is to worry about. You've got the motor all covered up already

 

ive road my gf twice now both about 1-2 mile trips on side road no traffic.... being a new rider im already thinking about alot, a gf just adds to it, so i probably wont be driving her again untill i get about 2000 miles under my belt, almost half way there.. everything feel differant

braking is huge (bike already sucks at braking) so brake a lot earlier, the back is dropped more so counter steering is less responsive, slow speed maneuvers become that much harder the same amount of thorttle and clutch no longer have the same sweet spot..

my gf even though she thought she was still, every lil movement i felt. we never found a good seat position, she was either pushing up on me and crowding me, or would slide foward on braking then feel like she was going to fall off on shifts during acceleration... her head was constantly too close to mine and would bump helmets if there was any jerkiness.... this is nothing that we couldn't fix with more practice, but were very distracting and taking my attention off what really mattered, the road...

id start in a parking lot until all those things are worked out, and once you start feeling more comfortable, start back at square one with all the things you do riding 1 up, swerves, emergency braking, etc...

 

School her on leaning. And on anticipating braking.

My wife and I get angry at each other every single time we double because she won't keep her helmet off the back of my head when I gear down or brake (thump), and when I have to lean heavy she stands back up and dodges the road. This baffles me, because when she had her own bike she was a very competent rider.

Three sphincter cramps and as many arguments later, and we don't really want to ride together any more.

I suspect this would change with practice, but time is something we don't have anymore with an 8 month old.

 

School her on leaning. And on anticipating braking.

My wife and I get angry at each other every single time we double because she won't keep her helmet off the back of my head when I gear down or brake (thump), and when I have to lean heavy she stands back up and dodges the road. This baffles me, because when she had her own bike she was a very competent rider.

Three sphincter cramps and as many arguments later, and we don't really want to ride together any more.

I suspect this would change with practice, but time is something we don't have anymore with an 8 month old.

The KLR sits up kind of high... I imagine it's kind of intimidating being on the backseat of that thing and leaning into turns.

 

I'll agree with that. Still...

 

along with everything else...tell her to grip the bike with her legs to keep from sliding foward...this makes a big difference..take it easy for a while till you both get used to it...

and dave...the diffencen with you is that she is a ridder....i know i would be a crappy pillion...i want the control...lol..

 

You may be more right than you know. Must be a terrible feeling on the back of a bike if you're used to being in control of one. I don't think I'd be able to handle riding on the back of one, to be honest.

 

My wife has yet to ride with me and thats OK cuz she doesn't take instructions from me very well anyway. It seems to me though that the most important thing you can say to a newbie passenger is "do not put your feet down EVER"

 

I have sometimes pondered that... riding on the back of a bike. It scares the hell out of me thinking of me back there with no control

 

i don't like being the passenger in a car, I was on the back of a big touring Harley once for a 6 mile ride, and as comfy as that big ole seat with backrest and some nice music, I'll never go on the back of one again. Feel way to vulnerable, and I'm used to the vulnerable feel of driving, or maybe knowing all the dangers i encounter while riding makes me feel even more vulnerable on the back... but w/e

For a new passenger its going to take time b4 they can be at ease on the back and fight their instincts which are often counter productive to riding, which is why parking lot time is so important for both of you.

 

I've only been on the back twice and both were a long time ago. Now that I'm a rider, I don't want to give up control to someone else. My now ex-bf thought about getting a cruiser and kept saying I'd be on the back a lot and I said, "Noooo, I'll be riding my own bike."

 

had a fair few people on the back of mine.

Handling goes to pot. Braking takes ages, acceleration is not as good and the bike is very wobbly at slow speed. Don't slip the clutch either - just accelerate and go or brake and stop and remember to put BOTH feet down (learnt that one the hard way). Basically don't potter about because the bike is harder to handle.

Cornering is fun if they lean the opposite way because they think the bike is going to "tip over".


Pumping up the rear tyre helps as does having a decent rear shock. Mine was on its way out, which only made things worse.

Once you get going its OK though. If the passenger is used to bikes it really helps.

 

All good info so far. I have had the wife on the back of my 05 500R. I thought it sucked hard. She is a good rider and passenger. Just try to take it easy and take side roads and stay away from heavy traffic situations with a passenger on that bike. The bike just isn't beefed up enough for that much demand. Make sure that at least she wears a helmet or she can lose some teeth on the back of your head!

 

I couldn't stand being a passenger on my bike. I cant stand being a passenger in a car either, control issues I guess.