Hoping on a motorcycle with someone is not something to take lightly. As a passenger, you are entrusting the driver with your life. As a driver, the passenger is putting a lot of faith in you, trusting you both will have a fun experience. Even experienced drivers should take a minute to ensure everyone's safety. Here are things to go over before taking off with your passenger.

Proper Gear

Make sure your passenger is wearing the proper attire. This means, toes and ankles covered, jeans and a jacket, your passenger should bring these along, if it's theirs they will be more comfortable wearing them. You might need to furnish a helmet, gloves and a leather jacket.

Where/ how to sit

Let your passenger know where is okay to touch on the bike and you. Show them where their feet go and how to get on and off the bike properly. Cover where they will hold when the bike is in motion. As an experienced rider this might sound funny to you, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Also, it takes the uncomfortableness away from the passenger admitting they don't know how to do something if you go over the basics with them.

When on the ride

It generally goes without saying, but make sure your passenger knows not to put their feet down when you come to a stop. Also, tell them to relax when going around a corner and not to lean against the turn. Establish a way to communicate with one another, like a certain number of taps on your leg or shoulder. Review these signals prior to hitting the road so both of you know what to do in an emergency situation.

Leave Room for Braking

Having a passenger ride with you will add extra weight to your bike, which means it will take longer for your motorcycle to come to a complete stop or dip more abruptly when turning. Remember this when traveling with a passenger seated behind you. Get in the habit of applying the brakes earlier than you normally would. Remember, if your passenger bumps into your helmet while shifting or breaking, that's on you.

Inspect the Motorcycle

Check the air pressure in both tires. Low air pressure–especially in the rear tire–can affect the stability and steering precision of the bike. Look at the owner's manual to determine whether you need to add air to either tire. Also check to determine whether you need to adjust the suspension settings. Depending on the bike's design, it may be necessary to adjust these settings to account for the extra weight lowering the back end of the bike. There's nothing more exciting than sharing your love for riding your motorcycle with a loved one. But, it's important to keep these safety tips in mind so your joyride doesn't turn into a nightmare! Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident? If so, seek legal representation as soon as possible. Let our skilled personal injury attorneys work tirelessly to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Schedule a free consultation with attorney George Tait at Utah Bike Law by calling 801-487-6454 or visiting us online today.