Riding in Two

Before taking a passenger check your tyre pressure. The pressure should be exactly correct or even 10% harder.

Braking with a passenger is slightly different. If you have got into the habit of using mainly your front brake, this is good. With a passenger however the stopping distances are increased. Due to the added weight over the rear wheel you can tap into rear brake a lot more as it is less likely to lock up.

The new pillion passenger has to learn to move with the motorbike. For this reason the rider must not drop the bike dramatically on the very first corner but must with slow progression get the passenger used to the strange sensation of being part of a vehicle, rather than a passive dead-weight.

It is not recommended to accelerate and brake too harshly with a passenger on-board. When you do this it is so physically demanding for the passenger to hold on that it detracts from the freedom and pleasures of their biking experience.

Safety Riding Gear

We've all had it happen, and it's usually quite unpleasant. It's that point during your travels when the realization hits that you are completely unprepared for the intemperate weather Mother Nature is force-feeding you. Whether it's extreme heat, cold or precipitation, most meteorological annoyances tend to send the unprepared.

Some riders are unsure of the gear needed for even moderate weather, let alone for the extremes. The questions vary: What gear do I need? How outfitted can I get on a limited budget? Do I have to buy different gear for every season? Thankfully, it doesn't take a truckload of cash to get set up with a decent riding outfit. The fancier you get, the more it costs, but even a basic riding ensemble can be augmented by some very inexpensive methods to help outfox the nasty weather in which most of us find ourselves more often than not.

The Basics
Regardless of weather conditions, there are a few items no rider should be without: A helmet, gloves, jacket and boots.

Helmet
Most DOT- or Snell-approved helmets offer good protection, but like the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. Look for an adequately vented helmet that fits snugly (remember, it will break in) and is void of any pressure points, especially in the forehead and temple region.

Jacket and Pants
Whether you choose leather or fabric riding apparel really depends on your needs and preferences. Leather is considered unrivaled in abrasion resistance, but is not as versatile as the Cordura and composite fabric materials that many of today's popular riding suits are made of. These suits accommodate clothing underneath and are generally easy to slip on and off. Several suits advertise 100 percent waterproof fabric, a plus if you'd rather not don a rainsuit when the skies open. Look for impact-absorbent padding or armor in the shoulders, elbows and back.

Gloves
Whatever you do, wear some sort of hand protection. Even if it's a set of gardening gloves, it's better than going without protection all together. Riding gloves are best, and your choice of gloves should reflect their intended use. If you plan on using them for short trips and commuting, gloves can fit more snugly than if you plan to travel at length. Gloves used for long-distance traveling should be a little roomier, but still fairly snug so as not to come off in an accident. Make sure the gloves have long gauntlets and wrist straps, both of which help keep them in place in the event of a crash.

Boots
Boots are often overlooked as a key protective garment. Many riders simply wear rugged hiking or work boots for both local and long-distance travel, and if the boot extends over the top of the ankle, these can afford a reasonable degree of protection. Riding boots are a better choice, as they contain plastic armor and/or soft foam padding in the shin, heel, ankle and toe areas. When boot shopping, look for ample padding in these areas, good traction from the sole and a comfortable fit.