The art of being a motorcycle passenger
By Astrid Bidanec

Even though I have never owned a motorcycle, I have always been fortunate enough to have friends who are bikers. Thinking back to my very first pillion ride, also known as riding ‘2-up,’ on the passenger seat, I remember that I did not know what I was supposed to do, or not do. My friend told me I to just relax and enjoy the ride. Later he confessed I was a natural, which sounded flattering. What did it mean though? What does it take to be a good pillion rider or motorcycle passenger?

After years of pillion riding experience I realized that the most important factor is to have no fear of being on a motorcycle and absolute trust in the driver. A scared passenger will do all the wrong things, like panic at any sudden change in movement, and possibly draw the driver’s attention away from the road.

Since you cannot force anyone to feel safe, it would be smart to follow your gut feeling before you get on a motorcycle while being scared. As a driver, make sure your passenger is calm, especially if it is their virgin pillion ride. If you are the passenger, ask yourself if you will be able to stay calm at any speed, no matter what.

Once you have established that you can handle the thrill of being on the back of a motorcycle seat, let the driver do the driving. You should never attempt to have a conversation with the driver while on the road, even if you have walkie-talkies. Don’t point out at anything either. It is very unsafe—the driver’s focus needs to be on the traffic.

It might seem like a good idea to cling to the driver, however; it makes it difficult for him to keep the motorcycle balanced. Of course, always follow your driver’s instructions. If he wants you to hold on to him, then by all means do so. Just remember to lean into the curves with him on the motorcycle seat, not away from him. Holding on to the rail on the other hand, is always a safe bet and helps the driver keep the bike under control.

Since size does matter when it comes to motorcycles, the passenger should be of the same height and weight, or less than the driver. Having a bigger passenger can lead to serious challenges when riding on a motorcycle ‘2-up.’ Never put yourself at risk by ignoring basic rules of physics.

Protective clothing is as important as wearing a helmet, even as passenger. Motorcycle accidents can happen anytime and the right clothing can prevent serious injury, as well as keep you more comfortable in harsher weather conditions, like rain and snow.

On long stretches of road like the highway you might feel tempted to take a nap. No matter how tired you are—don’t fall asleep! You will become dead weight to the driver and pose a serious safety risk to him and yourself. Taking a break is always the best option in case of fatigue.

All things considered, you can become the best pillion rider in the world as long as you trust your driver and follow his instructions faithfully. Of course, he should also have a motorcycle that is suitable for 2-up riding, like tourers or cruisers. Don’t forget to hold on tight!