Riding With a Passenger

Riding a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle is often thought of as a individual experience, with the lone rider heading off into the sunset. But that rider might be feeling a bit lonesome without a passenger to bring along. Whether you’re speeding across town or heading down the long road toward thrills and adventure, many understand how having another person along for the ride can be a great experience. However, when you do ride with a passenger, you’re going to want to take several precautions to ensure both riders are comfortable and safe.

At Biggs Harley-Davidson, we pride ourselves on sharing the Harley lifestyle with any who come calling, including those who’re satisfied with just coming along for another thrilling ride. To that end, we’ve put together some tips to keeping your two-up riding safe and fun. Read on for more information or head into our showroom in San Marcos, California, where we proudly serve San Diego, Oceanside, and Santee.

Get Geared Up

Any rider worth their salt is going to need the right gear for comfort and safety. The right safety gear is absolutely necessary when riding motorcycles whether you’re up front and in control or a passenger along for the ride. Take care to determine ahead of time what gear you’ll need for your passenger and what gear you already have as extra. A passenger is your responsibility as the primary rider, so protecting them from injuries is on you. Be responsible by supplying the right safety equipment.

Start with a proper helmet — they’re a must-have for anyone on a motorcycle! Full-face helmets are the best at protecting your chin, face, and head, and UV protection is a great additional feature. Goggles or UV glasses may be necessary if a helmet doesn’t offer UV protection. Make sure the helmet fits snugly but not too tight as to restrict blood flow. 

A riding jacket is another must-have for safety. Street clothing just won’t protect you should an accident occur. Add in some gloves, sturdy boots, and pants that will protect your legs from engine heat. 

Preparing for the Ride

When you ride with a passenger, you take on a second set of responsibilities in making sure that they are ready for the road. This can mean performing all your normal pre-ride checks, like tending to the tires, fuel, and fluid levels, and otherwise ensuring your bike isn’t in need of service or repairs. 

You should also make any possible adjustments for carrying capacity, whether that be taking out some extra gear from your bike’s storage, or else balancing out any preload adjustments so your ride remains smooth as possible. This shouldn’t be an issue with a Harley touring bike, since they’ll have powerful enough engines to deal with the extra weight, but smaller bikes might require some extra care when figuring out load capacity.

Before you hit the road, it’s best to establish expectations with your rider to avoid any potential for a miscommunication while riding. They should know how you’ll be approaching turns, braking, and other aspects of motorcycle riding. You’ll need their help to perform some of these maneuvers, like the lean-in on a turn. If they’re new to motorcycles, consider taking them out for a few test rides before a big trip. This will help them get used to some riding basics, as well as allow their bodies to adjust to the rigors of motorcycle riding.

Another great way to prepare is establishing a way to talk to each other while on the road. Even at low speeds, riding a motorcycle is loud business, so you’ll need non-verbal way to communicate. Hand signals are the standard for communicating on the road. There are a lot of official hand signals for riders, but feel free to use whatever works for you and your passenger. 

Stick to standard, safe riding practices. It can be tempting to show off your riding skills to a passenger, but remember that you’re responsible for both your safety. Keep your eyes peeled for road hazards and traffic changes. Also be mindful of your starting and stopping habits. Your passenger doesn’t have a backing and will probably be caught off guard if you’re a little too aggressive with the accelerator.

Motorcycle Routes Near San Diego

What’s the point of riding two-up without some great routes to test out together? Find a couple of our favorites below and let us know what you think!

Sunrise Highway

A rewarding and popular route, Sunrise Highway offers up 34 miles of two-lane freedom that twists through the Laguna Mountain. You’ll get scenic views of post-fire forest growth and a shifting landscape for plenty of fresh spots to pull over. Start at the Sunrise Highway and exit off I-8, go north up the mountains, and when you reach SR 79, you can either turn right and head into Julian or turn left to loop around Lake Cuyamaca before heading back to the freeway.

Palomar Mountain Loop

This route offers riders a scenic tour of the San Diego area and Palomar Mountain State Park. Start off Highway 76 east from I-15 with smooth asphalt, ensuring a comfortable ride as you wind up to the denser sections of forest until you reach the rocky ledges and fantastic views from Lake Henshaw Overlook. You’ll also get plenty of roadside attractions to stop off at, including some delicious restaurant options. 

With some of these safety tips and some route inspiration, you’re sure to have a whole lot of two-up riding fun in your future. If you’re after more riding tips, or you’re just interested in checking out the latest motorcycles, head into Biggs Harley-Davidson in San Marcos, California. We proudly serve San Diego, Oceanside, Santee, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and Poway. Come in today and speak with one of our Harley experts who’ll be more than eager to answer all your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.