Passenger Question

Passenger Question

by Elizabeth
(Slidell, LA)

My husband bought a 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250r (something along that line) and he didn't know how to ride a motorcycle before buying one. He got his motorcycle license and everything is now.

OK, now to the question.

When riding with him, do I lean into the turns with him? That's my only problem. He tells me to but I'm scared that I might lean to much and make us slide or crash. It's scary being a passenger and until you're a passenger, you don't know what it feels like. So... I just need all the tips I can get on being a sports bike passenger :-)

Thanks!

Comments for
Passenger Question

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May 03, 2011

Just Relax
by: Anonymous

My boyfriend rides a Kawasaki zx9 and this was the first bike I rode as a passenger without any riding experience. You need to keep yourself aligned with the bike & the rider. The best way at first is to hug your partner tight and just go with him like you guys are both one with the bike. Not leaning is so dangerous. The bike becomes hard to steer and you'll either go into a gutter or oncoming traffic especially since you're both new to riding. The trick to not leaning too far is to relax into the bike, grab it with your knees (or in the case of sports bikes usually your ankles) and feel what is natural with the bike. Don't TRY and lean just relax and LET yourself lean and enjoy the turn. Like balancing on a train requires you to have bend in the knee cos 'fighting' the movement will destabilize you. The bike knows what it has to do so go with it. To practice you should get your hubby to take some corners slowly so there's not much lean angle and just practice like this together in light traffic. soon you'll love corners. They are fun!

May 01, 2011

Become One w/the Bike
by: Sandra

I've ridden as a passenger since I was 13 (with my big brother); you don't want to make any SUDDEN movements, but you cannot fight the bike and driver (counter-balance) either! For a long time, I would hold onto the back rest and just pretend my spine was attached to it - I tried to keep my posture perfectly in line with that back rest. That way I wasn't leaning MORE than the driver, and I was not leaning against the turn either.

He always said I was a good passenger and almost like he was riding alone...but I have never actually let anyone ride with me driving yet, so I cannot say how the bike handles.

But isn't a 250 a bit snug w/two up?

Apr 30, 2011

Lean
by: Anonymous

Just hang on to him and lean with him, don't over do it just keep your body at the same angle as his. It's easier the more you ride.

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