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I'm taking my first ride with a passenger tomorrow, My friend is home from college and she wants to get on my bike. Running a Vulcan 500. She's not that heavy, probably only 130 max. But I'm a big guy. So the bike will have 380 on it. Wondering what kind of performance I will be looking at. Plus any tips for what to expect on corners, acceleration, etc. I know I'll have to stop sooner, that's a given. And since it's my first time I'll probably want to keep it the speed limit and take my time, plus lessen the angle at stops so I don't have to turn as hard. But what should I be paying the most attention to?

First, check your manual to see if you need to increase tyre pressure when riding two-up.

Second, read your pillion the riot act before you set out: no leaning except with you and the bike; no squirming on the back (especially when slowing to a stop); and above all, no attempting to take feet off the pegs until you say it is OK. (And it will not be OK until you are stopped and have both your own feet planted firmly on the ground.)

Third: it's is up to you. You'll just need to get to know how the bike handles all over again - because it will be different to what you are used to.

Fourth: relax. It's easy, but you need to relax.

Oh, but don't relax to the point where you forget you have someone on the back. You gotta be smoooooth on the throttle and brake when you have a pillion, or you might find that, unexpectedly, you don't have a pillion any more.

sv-wolf wrote:First, check your manual to see if you need to increase tyre pressure when riding two-up.

In case you don't have a manual:

I don't see any mention of increasing tire pressure.

I did find this;
Max load is 399 lbs.
Rear shock absorber springs can be adjusted for different loads.
Position 2 is standard for 150 lbs, you'll prolly have to go to 5

Well I'm not using the original tires so they can support much more than what is given to me in the manual. Which I assume is not a problem, just make sure it's filled to the proper limit that's shown on the tires. But I cannot find anything on the rear shocks. I'm looking but only finding removal and installation. Nothing to do with adjustments.

zed wrote:

sv-wolf wrote:First, check your manual to see if you need to increase tyre pressure when riding two-up.

In case you don't have a manual:

I don't see any mention of increasing tire pressure.

I did find this;
Max load is 399 lbs.
Rear shock absorber springs can be adjusted for different loads.
Position 2 is standard for 150 lbs, you'll prolly have to go to 5

It will depend on the bike. For many models, manufacturers recommend adjusting the tyre pressure when carrying a pillion. To be fair though, there is a lot of controversy about this and riders have their own views about it when track riding, carrying loads or riding two up.

In general, I follow manufacturers' instructions - more or less - but sometimes make further adjustments to tyre pressure when I feel clear about how the bike is performing. If you are confident about your own judgement, then go with it. If not, stick to the book.

Even if it didn't state anything in my manual I'd probably still want to remain aware of the issue and go by feel.

After looking after tires and shocks the most important thing is the pre-ride talk to your passenger. I keep it simple and straight forward, besides the obvious that sv-wolf has written, mine includes a simple request... If I'm turning right, I want the passenger looking over my right shoulder, if left, over the left shoulder, this orients the passenger into any lean the bike will be making.

Thanks for the replies but the ride is off. The only auto parts store in 40 miles and they closed at noon. Why would you close at noon? The one day of the week people actually have to work on their vehicles and you close shop. So no oil, and no oil filter, and I need that change now. Oh well.

sv-wolf wrote:To be fair though, there is a lot of controversy about this and riders have their own views about it when track riding

Must be nice over there. On our side of the pond you can have whatever view you want- but "fudge" with your air pressure after they set it in tech inspection and at best you get your butt chewed out.

Definitely up the tire pressure with a passenger. It's not about how much the tire can hold, it's how the tire maintains its profile. If extra weight creates a flat spot the motorcycle will not be able to turn as well. You want the tire to keep as much of its regular round shape as possible. It'll definitily be a stiffer ride, but it'll be safer as well. If you do lots of two up riding- change out the suspension- in the meantime make her hold you tighter.

tty:

Its a bit late but here's my contribution;

Do NOT, repeat NOT, inflate tires to the pressures listed on the tires! This is wholly and completely incorrect! (it is a VERY common myth or mistake).

The tire pressure printed on the sidewalls of the tire is a MAXIMUM "Do not ever exceed" pressure. It is NOT a recommendation. It's sort of like the 'redline' level for your tires....

Check your make an model tire. Look on the manufacturer's website or printed manual for the tires (look for the fitment guide). Find your bike and check for pressure recommendations.

For example I run a small fleet of Suzuki GZ250's for a training program. The max inflate value on some sidewalls is 60 PSI. The recommended inflate value is a mere 25 PSI. Inflating to max value will result in a very hard tire, small contact patch, and dramatically reduced traction.

In most cases I am aware of the front tire remains the same (or close to it) and the rear tire goes up a couple lbs (ie 29 to 32 PSI). Manual will have recommendation for pressure FOR ORIGINAL MAKE & MODEL of OEM tire. Look on the lower left frame near teh chain. There will be a white label with same info....


Recommendations: Full gear for the passenger. Passenger does NOTHING: no leaning in, no trying to hold bike up. You go left, passenger looks over left shoulder. You go right, she looks right. You avoid sudden starts and stops and she tries to avoid rapidly slamming into you if sudden braking is required.

nnyrider.

NNYrider wrote: Inflating to max value will ... dramatically reduced traction.

By altering the laws of physics where traction is solely dependent on weight and the coefficient of friction.

But second to all the rest of it. Max pressure isn't at all what you want to ride. Don't thank us, thank your not sore "O Ring".