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How to Make Riding with a Passenger Safer

If you’re planning on taking your bike out for a spin and riding with a passenger, keep reading this post by AMSOIL: Dwight Smith in Ann Arbor, MI, for some tips and tricks for safe riding.

With better weather and sunnier skies, it’s time to hit the road again, and if you’re planning on taking someone with you, it’s a good idea to do a bit of planning. One of the most important things when riding with a passenger is being confident in your riding skill level. Your skills will keep you and your passenger safe on the road. This means that it’s essential to be a proficient rider before you invite someone to join you on your bike.

When riding with a passenger, make sure you take every safety measure possible to ensure a safe and fun time on the road. This includes having a regular maintenance routine. Call Dwight Smith at (702) 561-3706 for more information on AMSOIL’s products for your motorcycle, or visit their online store to place an order today!

Ensure Your Passenger is Geared Up

The next step in riding with a passenger is to ensure they wear the right gear when riding. If your passenger doesn’t wear the proper riding gear, they’ll be vulnerable to injuries if you end up in an accident. Wearing the right can also make riding much more comfortable for extended periods. Here is the equipment your passenger should wear for safe and comfortable riding:

Long sleeve t-shirt and long pants.
A motorcycle jacket
Boots that go over their ankle
A DOT-certified helmet
Motorcycle gloves.

Their gear, especially their helmet, should fit well as loose gear provides much less protection in case of an accident than gear that gits correctly.

Keep your motorcycle working correctly by following a regular maintenance routine. For excellent products like AMSOIL’s 15W-50 Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil, call the oil pros at Dwight Smith at (702) 561-3706 or visit their online store to see their full line of products.

Do a Test Drive Before Hitting the Road

Before you leave for a day of riding around with a passenger, it’s essential to go on a test drive together to learn how to handle the bike together. The best place to go on a test drive is an empty parking lot where you can practice your moves and show your passenger what they should do on the bike.

Communicate Constantly

The first step in getting good at riding together is communicating clearly and constantly. You can do this with hand gestures or movements, though it’s vital never to distract the person who is operating the motorcycle. If you’re going on a more extended trip, a Bluetooth headset can be a great tool to communicate with your passenger and let them know about any road changes or movements you’re planning to make.

Show Them the Basic Moves

Next up is to teach them the basic moves you’ll both make as both your movements will affect how you handle the bike, so it’s essential to show your passenger how to mirror your movements and avoid any sudden movements that could make you lose control of the bike. Once you both feel confident enough, you’ll be one step closer to hitting the road.

Adjust How You Stop

The last step is to adjust how to stop. Having a passenger on your bike adds weight to it, and this will affect your stopping distance. This means you’ll need more time to stop your bike safely. Remind your passenger that when you stop, you’ll put your feet down to maintain the bike’s balance, and they should keep them up to avoid you losing control of the bike.

Mutual Trust is Essential

Trust is essential when riding with a passenger; that’s why communicating is so important for a safe trip. Riding together puts both of you in a vulnerable situation, so it’s crucial that you practice before hitting the road and that everyone is clear on their role on the bike to ensure you’re both safe. Once you’ve gone over the details, feel comfortable, and ;you both know what to do on the bike, it’s time to hit the road!