How to Ride on the Back of a Motorcycle

Last Updated: May 29, 2021 References

So you've never ridden a motorcycle, but you want to experience it. Just about every motorcyclist's first ride was as a passenger. To get the most out of it, you want to make it as easy as possible for the driver. Here's how.

Steps

1
Make sure your driver is experienced at riding with a passenger, aka "two-up" or pillion. Driving with a passenger is very different from driving alone. This is not the time for you to teach each other new skills.^{[1]
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2
Wear proper clothing. Even if it's hot, you want a leather jacket or purpose designed motorcycle jacket and (at least) blue jeans. Wear high-top leather boots if you have them. This is your only protection against road rash and (more likely) exhaust-pipe burns.^{[2]
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3
Wear a proper helmet. Laws or no laws, how much is your head worth?^{[3]
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4
Wear some sort of eye/face protection. At driving speed, hitting a large bug can feel like getting hit with a golf ball.^{[4]
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5
Wear gloves. Leather gloves are a good option. Sports gloves Wil offer your hands more protection in an accident than gloves designed just to get your hands warm.
6
If the bike has adjustable suspension, the manual should tell you how to set it for a second person and the driver's and passenger's combined weight.
7
Lower the passenger foot-pegs.
8
Be aware your driver needs to get on the bike first. Almost all passenger seats are too high for the passenger's feet to reach the ground easily.
9
Have your driver raise the kickstand and stand the bike up fully upright.
10
Wait until the driver is ready, approach the bike from the side.^{[5]
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11
Place your foot (left if approaching from the left, right otherwise) on the foot-peg and swing your body over the seat like you're getting on a horse. Put your hands on the driver's shoulders for balance if needed.^{[6]
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12
Place your other foot on the other foot-peg and sit straight up.
13
Place your hands around the driver's midsection, or on their hips.^{[7]
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14
Tell your driver you're ready to go.
15
Be safe. When riding, do not make any hand signals to other road users and ensure that you lean WITH the rider.^{[8]
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16
Keep your feet on the foot-pegs when the bike stops at lights, in traffic etc. DON'T take them off until you dismount Even if you can reach the ground it doesn't help the driver.
17
Don't keep your head too close to the driver's, or you'll bump heads when the bike slows down. Just as motorcycles accelerate faster than cars, they decelerate faster, too.
18
Be aware at normal driving speeds, the driver will not be able to hear you unless you shout VERY LOUD. You might want to agree upon a certain shoulder tap or something if you need to get his or her attention.
19
DO let the driver concentrate. DON'T backseat drive.
20
Enjoy the ride!

Community Q&A

Question

What do I do when we go around a curve?

Community Answer

Keep your back straight with the bike, and look over the inside shoulder of the rider. Stay like that through the curve.
Question

How do I take off in a motorcycle when my feet cannot reach the ground?

Community Answer

Try leaning to one side, so you can get a foot down. There are also ways to lower your bike to the desired seat height.
Question

Can I put my hands on the gas tank instead?

Community Answer

You could. One of the safest ways to ride is to wrap your arms around the rider's waist, and to rest you hands on the back of the gas tank. Some gas tanks may even have handles.