When riding with a passenger staying safe while riding should be priority #1. That’s why Vaughan Distributing in Jackson, WY put together this list of safety tips for your next time riding with a passenger.

Only for Experienced Riders

The first thing to consider when riding with a passenger is your experience level with riding motorcycles. It's vital that you’re comfortable riding yourself and that your skills are up to riding with a companion. If you’ve recently bought a bike, or if you swapped your old model for a new one, it’s essential that you feel in control of your new ride before having someone accompany you.

The best way to decrease danger on the road is to have a reliable motorcycle. Take care of your motorcycle with excellent products like AMSOIL’s 10W-30 Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil. Call Vaughan Distributing at (307) 413-1011, and one of your friendly oil experts will answer all your questions.

Your Passenger Should Use Appropriate Gear

Next up is keeping your passenger safe. The easiest way to do so is by making sure they have the appropriate gear to ride. Often, people don’t plan ahead and jump on the bike without a second thought, but this could put your passenger in danger if there were to be an accident while riding with you. Make sure to let your passenger know what gear they should wear before you ride so they can prepare.

What Gear Should a Passenger Wear?

• A motorcycle helmet that fits well.
• Motorcycle gloves
• Long pants
• Motorcycle jacket and long sleeve t-shirt
• Motorcycle boots or any boots that go over their ankles.

It’s essential to make sure that the gear fits them well, as loose gear (especially a loose helmet) can be dangerous in case of a crash.

Take a Test Drive

Now, if this is your first time riding with this person, or if it’s your first time riding with a passenger, it’s essential to take the time and go for a test drive on a safe road or empty parking lot. Taking a test drive will let you gauge how ready you are for having a passenger and will allow your passenger to feel comfortable on your bike. ; A test drive is also is a great time to point out how important communication is when riding with a passenger as both your movements will affect the bike’s performance. While going on the test ride, ensure your passenger knows how to hold on to you, how to mirror your movements when turning, and how important it is to avoid making sudden movements that could put you in danger. Once you both feel comfortable and secure enough, it's time to hit the road!

The other advantage of going for a test drive is to make sure there aren’t any issues with your bike before hitting the road. Ensure your motorcycle is always in good shape by keeping up with its maintenance routine. Call Vaughan Distributing today at (307) 413-1011 and ask one of their experts about what products can help your bike run better for longer. Once you’re ready to place an order, visit their online store to see their full range of products.

Stopping With a Passenger

It's important to be aware that riding with a passenger means adjusting the way you drive and the way you stop. First, remember that riding with a passenger adds weight to your motorcycle, meaning that you’ll need more time to stop. Then, once you’ve come to a complete stop, your passenger shouldn’t put their feet on the ground. Instead, you should be the one keeping the bike’s balance, so set your feet firmly on the ground while your passenger keeps their feet up. Once you’ve mastered these two things, you’re one step closer to hitting the road together.

Mutual Trust is Critical

Lastly, trust is critical when riding with a passenger, as being safe will depend on you both. Being on the road on a motorcycle will put you both in a vulnerable situation; that’s why trusting your passenger and them trusting you is so important. Once you go for your test ride, you’ll feel more confident about their skills, and they’ll feel confident in your riding abilities, which will make the whole experience better for both you and your passenger.

We hope you find these tips helpful for your next time riding with a passenger. If you have any questions on what products to use in your motorcycle maintenance routine, don’t hesitate to call Vaughan Distributing at (307) 413-1011. Have a safe trip!