Drive Drive Drive - okay this is kinda random

okay this is kinda random - motorbikes?

its my first time on the back of a motorbike and i am kinda scared.dont laugh, my friend has been riding for about 6 years says hes a safe driver but still im scared sh****** incase i fall off, any advice please

Public Comments

Start off on the back of a pedalbike?
Enjoy it! The first time is very exciting! But is he the kind of friend who will take it easy or scare the life out of you? Because that's not nice... But real advice: just relax because you may really tense up and that's not only uncomfortable but it does no good whatsoever. To be honest I prefer riding a motorbike to riding pillion...
Motorcycles are dangerous in my opinion. Over the last 10 years I have worked in long term care. Over that time I have cared for dozons of people with head injuries from motorcycles. Me personaly will never get on one for any reason. However a friend I work with rides a harly and shes been doing the same job as me for 15 years and has a brother with a disability due to a motorcycle accident. When it comes down to it the choice is yours.
hold tight!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 years of experience, but how many miles of experience does he have. I know that in my state they offer 2-up riding courses.
Just tell your friend to take it easy, and when you feel more at ease then let them open it up a bit more. How about trying to learn to ride yourself, it's much more fun. I've bought a bike again after 16 years, and i'm still getting used to being on two wheels again. P.s. Hold tight!!!
There are several things a passenger should do to insure their safety. 1. Do not mount the bike until the rider is seated and ready to have you get on. 2. Keep both feet on the foot pegs at all times. 3. Remain seated until you the rider asks you to dismount. 3. Use both hands to hold onto the rider's hips or waist. 4. Lean with the rider when going around turns. 5. Look over the rider's shoulder to see what is ahead. 6. Wear proper protective clothing, helmet, eye protection/glasses, long pants, long sleeves, boots that cover the ankle and gloves. I've been riding since the late 60's and the only times I've seen passengers fall off is in videos or movies.
make sure you have good safety clothes on and a helmet and gloves try not to move around relax on the bike any movements from you can steer the bike so if you have to move do it when bike in a straight line not in a corner
It is a common fear! Make him get a backrest, problem solved! Good of you to ride with him, he will like that very much, like when my old GF did, and rode with me until we broke up.
Best advice here is to relax, holding tight will tire you quickly and your nervousness will transmit to the rider and, more importantly, affect the bike through corners. One problem is that your helmets will clash during gear change, acceleration and braking, to avoid the first and second the rider can short-shift gears, to avoid the last your hand on the back of the tank can prevent you shifting forward. Normally I prefer my pillion to use the grab handles at the rear of the saddle. While you should be prepared to follow the rider's movements approaching a corner don't move until he does. And, work out a signal for him to stop if your nervousness increases or if you need to stretch. Keep your movements smooth and enjoy yourself.
Hey Ian (?) Some good advice here - especially from moto man, may I add the female perspective? You are going to feel quite flung around - by the braking as much as the acceleration, so be prepared for quite an active experience. If you are right handed (stronger arm) you could put that around his waist, which you can use to brace your own body weight against the petrol tank when he is braking hard (your body will want to slide on to his when he brakes) You could put your left arm/hand beside/behind you on the grab handle or rack - this means you are braced for when he hits the throttle and your body wants to sway backwards. It may seem an odd position, and hard on your arm and stomach muscles, but you will avoid head clashing this way and maybe feel more stable on the machine. Find out what works for you, try to stay relaxed but alert and aware of whats around you. As for giving him a signal if you feel uncomfortable with what he's doing, remember that your hand is right by his crotch - I have found that a firm (but not full on crunch) of a guys gonads will usually get his attention! Apply more pressure if needed! Have fun!
You seem kinda nervous already, so if you think this guy is going to screw with you and try to scare you, don't go. If the worst happens and you fall off just go rag doll limp.
Buy your own bike :-) Alternately if you want to get on the back of his bike:- Don't use secondhand helmet get your own and decent gloves As a pillion always wear a back protector Buy a decent jacket with armour in sleeves and shoulders If you can't afford decent trousers invest in a two pairs of cheep supermarket jeans and wear one pair over the the others and waterproofs over these. DON'T WEAR WELLIES get decent boots DM's won't do but warehouse boots will. If you are sufficiently protected then you will relax a bit and enjoy it more. Be confident that you will not fall off and that if you do you are wearing the right kit and padding and protection it isn't going to hurt ( well not much) Have confidence in the rider tell him not to take the piss as if he pops a wheely or acts like a TW@ T at any speed both you and his bike are gonna cost him his insurance... KAPICH! ( wake up call) Now follow the rest of the advice you have been given.
This is easier than it sounds so no worries. I've been taking pillions for years and the best advise to give is to threaten to cut his balls off if he rides too fast or like an idiot! LOL Seriously. Allow yourself to lean WITH the bike and keep your body lined up with the riders. Your head will be telling you that you are tipping over, ignore it and go with it. Use a grab rail or hold the rider, whatever you feel best with. If using a grab rail then during acceleration push down on it and it stops you from rocking back. During braking push on the foot pegs with your feet to take up the force. If at any time you want to slow down or for the rider to stop then pre arrange some signal before setting off. Same goes for the rider, he should let you know if he is going to overtake or give it a little throttle. a slap on the thigh works well. If you are going out on a bike with a top box or back rest then you can relax a little as you are not going to go off the back!
put some faith in the driver ive been falling of bikes for 26 years never had a serious injury broken collar bone once thats it ride on