It’s essential to understand what you’re getting yourself into before riding a motor scooter with a passenger.
The added weight and changed center of gravity will transform the bike rides, and you must be prepared for this. It might be an unpleasant ride for both you and your friend if you are unprepared – but it does not have to be.
Inviting someone along for a ride on your scooter puts their fate in your hands for the duration of the ride. The experience can be memorable and exhilarating for first-time or infrequent passengers or unpleasant and scary. Unfortunately, for many non-motorcycle enthusiasts, the experience of riding as a passenger once or twice was so frightening that they’ll never ride again.
Safety Guidelines in General
Before taking on the additional responsibility of carrying a passenger, you must be experienced in scooter operation and have a safety-oriented mindset.
- Practice low-speed throttle control and usual and emergency braking with a passenger in a low-risk environment, such as an open parking lot.
- To ensure passenger comfort and safety, use caution when cornering and gradually improve your cornering skills.
- Corners should be approached with caution since clearance may be limited.
- Increase time and space safety margins by employing MSF’s Search, Evaluate, Execute approach (SEESM).
- Allow time for a passenger to adjust to the sensation of speed and tilting; speeds should be reasonably safe and appropriate until the passenger acclimates to suitable riding practices.
- Confirm that passengers follow all safety precautions:
- Hold the driver’s waist or hips or the passenger hand-holds on the scooter.
- Keep your feet on the footrests at all times, especially when you’re stopped.
- Look over the driver’s shoulder in the direction of the corner when in a corner.
- Avoid turning around or making quick movements that could disrupt the driver.
- Prepare to counteract the impacts of wind.
- Avoid high speeds and sharp, lean angles.
- Be prepared for a passenger “bumping” with their helmet or slipping forward with their entire body during severe braking.
- After the bike’s stand has been lifted and the scooter has been firmly braced, have the passenger mount. If the surface isn’t level, hold down the front brake lever.
- Allow the passenger to dismount first.
- Considerations for the Laws
- All applicable state laws and regulations must be observed when driving a passenger.
- Specific equipment requirements exist in some states. For example, the scooter must have passenger footrests, passengers must access the footrests, and an extra seating place for a passenger is required.
The decision to carry a child is left to the parent or guardian, given all safety and legal issues have been considered. Assure that the youngster is mature enough to bear the responsibilities. That they are tall enough to reach the footrests: that they are wearing a correctly fitted helmet and other protective gear; and that they are holding onto you or the passenger’s hand-holds. Check your state’s legislation; some states have minimum age requirements for motorbike passengers.
The Effect of Passengers on Handling
Riding with a passenger alters the handling of your scooter in every way. One of the most visible changes is in braking.
Stopping distances will be longer, and you’ll need to use significantly more braking effort if you need to stop quickly.
You’ll also need to hit the brakes earlier and more smoothly than usual, which means you’ll need to plan any stops ahead of time.
While performing slow-speed maneuvers, trailing your back brake can help to smooth things out – it’ll also be more effective because there’s more weight over the rear tire.
If you jerk the throttle, the scooter will not accelerate as fast as usual, and the front end will be more likely to fly upward.
My first ride with a passenger resulted in the largest unintentional wheelie of my life 🙂
Smooth acceleration is essential here; it will keep your passenger and scooter happy.
Going around turns can be intimidating if you’re not used to riding with a passenger. Some passengers have a natural instinct to sit straight up when you turn a corner.
The key is instructing your passenger to look over your shoulder on the side you’re turning. This will assist in keeping the bike stable and your and your passenger’s motions consistent.
The overarching concept is to maintain your riding smooth in all aspects — consider riding in really wet circumstances. You may notice that your riding becomes smoother due to your increased focus.
Make the following adjustments to your scooter: The added weight will impact how a motorcycle handles. You may also need to replace your motorcycle shocks and suspension. It is also critical to adjust your tire pressure for the weight. That is the same as if you were transporting extra cargo. Make the appropriate changes by consulting your bike’s owner’s manual.
Your Role as a Passenger Host: Many motorcyclists take a passenger on the “trip of their lives,” scaring them and putting them off from riding. Perhaps your passenger has had a similar experience. So, in short, your job is to be cautious and make sure that your passenger and scooter is safe and enjoyable as possible.
Rider Challenges
Focus on making your speed transitions so smooth that the passenger doesn’t notice the change. Unless your passenger helmet is slamming into the rear of yours, you’re not smooth enough yet.
Aim for a pleasant start to the ride when moving off from a stop. The same goes for coming to a complete stop.
You can do all of this in a limited, traffic-free area, such as a parking lot.
During turns, instruct the person to focus on the back of your helmet.
This will assist them in keeping their body aligned with yours as they lean into the turns with you. Passengers tend to lean in the opposite direction of the turn, making it more difficult for you to get around a corner properly.
Another tactic is instructing the passenger to observe over your shoulder in the direction you want to turn. This will allow them to push somewhat more into the turn.
Tell the passenger that they must sit close to you and hold on to you at all times. Encourage the passenger to sit as far forward in the passenger seat as possible so that their weight is more evenly distributed over the bike. Ensure they are securely fastened around your waist or wherever you feel most at ease. A big passenger sitting further back makes steering more difficult and may even cause the front wheel to raise up.
After some practice, your passenger may be able to hold onto seat grips or rails instead of you.
Your passenger can also grab onto you with their knees, especially during turns.
Finally, if your passenger-carrying experience is positive and results in a long-term relationship with lots of two-up riding, consider exercising your techniques with your passenger aboard. Driving the wrong way and panic-stopping with a passenger isn’t much fun for either of you. Still, practice prepares you for the moment when something goes wrong and allows you to fix it.
Have fun, and please, don’t carry a passenger on your scooter or moped unless you’re confident in your skills.