Safety Tips for Riding as a Sport Bike Passenger

The thrill of riding on the back of a motorcycle is like no other. For me, it’s the best feeling being on the back of my fiancé’s 2002 Yamaha R1, and holding onto him while he’s in control. While most street bikes aren’t really meant for passengers, it’s still fun. However, it’s extremely important to know a couple safety tips before getting on the back and entrusting your safety and life with someone else. Carrying a passenger introduces a whole new challenge for motorcycle operators, and you should never ride with somebody who is inexperienced. Also, the weight of a second passenger makes a bike handle much differently. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

1. Wear appropriate clothing & gear

It’s important to wear long pants and durable shoes while riding as a passenger, mainly because your legs and feet will be very close to the exhaust pipe(s), and the last thing you want is to be burned. Shorts and heels, and especially bikinis, are not a good idea, and although we see women wearing them all the time, it’s not smart or safe by any means. Also, leave the scarves, purses, etc. at home, since they risk getting caught in something, or getting in the driver’s view. Besides being burned, you will want your body to be somewhat protected in the event of a crash. A lot of people also recommend leather jacket/pants/gloves, but it’s expensive, and usually, jeans will do for normal riding. It’s rare that I see a lot of leather-wearing passengers on sport bikes.

Most importantly, you must wear a helmet. Full face helmets provide the most protection in the event of a crash. A responsible motorcycle rider should always provide you with a helmet and gear to use, and if he doesn’t, then you shouldn’t be riding with him. Even accidents that occur at 15 mph can cause severe brain damage or death if you are riding without a helmet. Motorcycles, especially street bikes, provide no outside protection as a car would, so a helmet is absolutely vital.

2. Don’t fidget and move around too much

The added weight of you as a passenger is already enough to change the way the bike maneuvers, so fidgeting and moving around in the back is not a good idea. You’ll want to sit on your seat, with your feet on the foot rests, and stay put as much as possible. Keep your hands in the same spot on the driver’s body, usually around the waist. It’s inevitable that you’re going to slide forward a little bit during fast accelerations and stops, and if this happens, you should either push gently against the driver’s back and ribs to push yourself back, or push against the gas tank. You shouldn’t be slamming into the driver’s back, and if you do, it’s the driver’s fault, not yours. Do not, in any situation, grab onto the driver’s shoulders, arms or legs. He will need those for steering, shifting and stopping, and you don’t want to interfere with those actions. You will also need to make sure you are still during turns and coming to a stop, which are the trickiest parts of motorcycle riding. During a turn, just look over the driver’s shoulder in the direction of the turn and hold on. Your body will stay with his, and your body should always be parallel with his as well. You don’t really need to make a lot of effort to lean, it will come naturally, as excessive leaning could make the motorcycle go out of balance and lose control. Let the driver do the work, and just go with the flow. After a few rides, it will come naturally and feel much more easy.

3. Keep your feet up Always keep your feet on the foot rests, no matter what. The driver will be seated first, then you will get on. Once you’re on, you do not need to put your feet down ever, especially at stops. . When the driver puts his feet down at a stop, it will be enough to balance the both of you. When it’s time to get off, you’ll be the first one to get off, then the driver. Remember to never touch the exhaust with your shoes.

4. Always hold on

On a sport bike, you must always hold on to the driver. It’s not like a cruiser, when you are sitting more upward and have more balance. Sport bikes accelerate at a fast rate, and you have to always be ready. The best way to hold on is around the waist or rib cage. As stated before, never hold on to the shoulders, arms or legs.

5. Come up with a communication system

While riding, it’s hard to communicate through helmets, or over the sound of a loud engine, or even cars around you. Come up with ways to communicate while riding, such as tapping on his shoulder. It’s hard not to grab on tightly and dig your nails into his stomach when he’s going fast, but try to keep from doing that abruptly, as it could startle the driver. Save any verbal communication until you’re at a complete stop.

There are millions of people out there who enjoy motorcycling as a hobby or pastime, and knowing these safety tips can make the experience even more enjoyable. Sport bike riding isn’t the most comfortable thing to do, but it’s something you should experience at least once in your life. Just be safe while doing it!


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