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[Janine]

A friend of mine told me this story. He was into a corner (which he usually does at 55) doing just about 45 'cause he had his girl friend as BSR, when she suddenly grabs the loops on the shoulders of his jacket and pulls back. He has all he can do to keep his hand on the grips, but luckily, he manages to complete the corner. He then pulls over and asks her wtf she thought she was doing. (He's usually a real mellow guy, but he lost his composure on this.) She said that she felt that he was taking the corner to fast and just wanted to let him know!   The thing is, she's been riding with him for over 2 years now, and even has her learners permit for the second time. You'd think she'd have known better!

[Hugh Janis]

We take it for granted that our BSR's know what they are doing.  I'm taking this opportunity to ask this question,

"What do you CVO operators tell 1st time passengers before you allow them on your bike?"

I tell them to hold still, especially at low speeds and to not lean at all, just stay straight up in the saddle.  I took my 18 year old nephew for his 1st ride on Sunday.  it was obvious at 1st he didn't know what to do with his hands.

[Janine]

When ever I ride with someone, I always ask them how they want me to ride. My ex-husband always wanted me to lean with him, while #2 husband wants me to just sit there. Saves a lot of trouble if it is stated before the ride starts!

[iski]

My BSR has been back there for......38 years.  So she kinda has an idea of what to expect.  The few times a bike has been put down - very slow speeds - she has also proven to be a damn good jumper.  Never hurt.

Newbies usually just get the ride around the block or so, so don't really give them that much instruction except to not burn their legs on the pipes.


Prefer she lean with me, but not more than me in the turns.  Keeps her from napping though, which she does fairly often.

[sadunbar]

I prefer my BSR just sits there - because that is predictable.  Any moving around or shifting or leaning isn't always quite so predictable...

[Keithincda]

I tell me mine to just sit there too. She's a good BSR and knows my style/habits/bike..and I don't give rides often to other family/friends. When I have given a ride I tell them to just sit and enjoy the views as we have an easy ride, usually very short.

When I do ride with the wife, every time and I mean every time, I always remind her I will not ride in any way the will put her in harms way or at risk but that I can only control what I do and that I don't  speak for the others who are out there where we'll be.

[RedDevil]

My wife has been my BSR for the better part of my riding life...I always have her look over my shoulder for whatever turn we're doing (turning/leaning right, look over my right shoulder, turning/leaning left, look over my left shoulder), keep her feet flat on the boards and enjoy the ride.  That's always worked for us. (look at the pic of us on The Dragon below)  I taught that in my MSF classes too.  Even the most inexperienced BSR can ride effectively when they remember that.   The biggest thing for new BSRs is to get their trust and show them you know how to handle the motorcycle.  Start them slowly and let them get comfortable, remind them not to do unnecessary movements, and explain why, then gradually increase speed/lean as they become more familiar with the ride.  It's always worked for me. 

   

[Trapperdog]

Mine was a great bsr for years, untill she learned to ride. After 30K miles she's a great rider, however I'm a late apexer where as she dives in much earler so when we do double up she ends up leaning earlier then I do which gets a little scary. We don't ride 2 up often but I always have to remind her to wait and lean with me, or just sit there. She's not much of a sitter though.

[Twolanerider]

Have a couple good friends that are common passengers and three or other regular friends that ride less regularly.  None of them ride a lot.  Within the group, however, it's seemed to be the case that someone who is a leaner can't not do it.  So aside from the normal instruction about what's hot and what's not, where feet can go, etc etc etc the two bits of instruction that seem to work best are "it's ok to lean just never lean more then me and if we're going slowly around corners in town try not to lean at all; and if you see something cool DEFINITELY don't lean out and point at it."  That last part I learned the hard way one time.

[Trapperdog]

Have a couple good friends that are common passengers and three or other regular friends that ride less regularly.  None of them ride a lot.  Within the group, however, it's seemed to be the case that someone who is a leaner can't not do it.  So aside from the normal instruction about what's hot and what's not, where feet can go, etc etc etc the two bits of instruction that seem to work best are "it's ok to lean just never lean more then me and if we're going slowly around corners in town try not to lean at all; and if you see something cool DEFINITELY don't lean out and point at it."  That last part I learned the hard way one time.

Good point!

[erniezap]

I tell them to sit back, relax, enjoy, and pretend they are a piece of luggage.  when they ask, I tell them not to help, not to lean, etc.

[sadunbar]

I tell them to sit back, relax, enjoy, and pretend they are a piece of luggage.  when they ask, I tell them not to help, not to lean, etc.

   Assume the position of passenger, not co-pilot!

[murphy]

Wifey has always been great... see uses the reflection of my helmet as a rearview mirror and gives me warnings if I miss someone comming too quickly.

Great idea about the lean and look rule... I'm going to get her to start that too!

Dear old Dad told me about a sure fire way to get a rider to slow down when you are the BSR... can be summed up in two words:

                                  GOTCH PULL

[HogBreath]

  Assume the position of passenger, not co-pilot!

LOL--Good one! 

[ultrafxr]

RedDevil is right on the mark - if bsr just looks over your turn side shoulder that is all they need to do.  No need to try to help by leaning.  If they look over your shoulder they'll be right where they should be.

Also good idea not to lean out and point, etc.  We carry water bottles in the holsters attached to rear saddlebag guard rails.  Wifey always tells me if she leans over to get her water.  Even that slight movement will make the bike go in that direction.

BSR may not be a co-pilot but they definitely can control where the bike wants to go if they lean out at all.