Riding Your Motorcycle With a Passenger

Sometimes it’s fun to just ride your motorcycle on your own and explore at your own pace. Other times, though, bringing a passenger along for the ride can make it even better. Whether it’s a partner, a friend or a relative, you want to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to keep yourself and your passenger safe while riding your motorcycle. 

Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont is your Texas motorcycle dealer, serving Pasadena and Lake Charles. Read on to learn how you can safely ride your motorcycle with a passenger. 

Follow the Laws

First, it’s important to know what the rules are for the state you’re riding in. States may require your bike to have special seating with a backrest, footpegs or other features to keep your passenger safe. In many jurisdictions, your passenger also is required to wear a helmet.

Gear Up Your Passenger

Speaking of wearing a helmet, make sure that your passenger is as well-protected as you are with the right gear. A t-shirt and jeans just won’t cut it. Your passenger should wear a riding jacket with padding, sturdy pants, ankle boots and a well-fitting helmet to be safe. Don’t just borrow a helmet and hope it will fit them: have them purchase a helmet that fits them correctly and comfortably. 

Make Sure You’re Ready

If you’re brand-new to motorcycle riding, it’s probably not the time to take on a passenger just yet. Put in the practice riding on your own to build up your skills and confidence on your bike first. You need to be a master of your motorcycle before you invite anyone else to join you. Look into a motorcycle class in your area if you think you need more instruction.

Establish Signals

Your passenger probably won’t be able to say anything that you can hear, unless you’re both wearing headsets. So establish some signals that involve hand gestures or taps on your shoulder with your passenger so they can let you know if you should pull over or stop the bike. This will help keep you both safe.

Prepare Your Passenger

Your passenger should be aware of how to sit and ride on the motorcycle with you in order to prevent a crash. Teach your passenger how to lean into turns like you do so that your bike doesn’t become unbalanced. Have them hang onto your waist snugly with both arms while the motorcycle is in motion to keep themselves in place. Encourage them to keep their feet on the footpegs until you bring the bike to a full stop. Have them disembark on the non-muffler side of the motorcycle only after you’re sure it’s stable.

When you’re ready to shop bikes, visit our Beaumont, TX, dealership to view our inventory of new and used motorcycles for sale. Talk to our staff if you need help with financing. Cowboy Powersports proudly serves the cities of Lake Charles and Pasadena, TX.