Staying safe when riding should be your top priority, especially if you’re riding with a passenger. To learn more about how to stay safe, keep reading this post by North American Wholesale in Corpus Christi.

What’s Your Experience Level?

When planning on riding with a passenger, it’s vital to assess your experience level. Being comfortable on a bike should be priority number one, as it’s the best way to ensure you’ll both be safe. If you’re not an experienced rider, waiting until you feel more comfortable controlling your bike to bring a passenger on board is best. Your experience level also applies to any new bikes you’re riding. While it might seem like all bikes are the same, subtle differences can make it challenging to transfer your skills from one bike to another. That’s why if you have a new bike or are riding on one that you haven’t before, it’s best to wait off on adding a passenger until you feel comfortable controlling it.

Having a reliable motorcycle is possible when you have a regular maintenance routine. Products like 10W-30 Synthetic Metric Motorcycle Oil can help you take care of it. Call North American Wholesale at (866) 580-1008 for information on the best products for your specific needs, or visit AMSOIL's online store to place your order anytime.

Have the Right Gear

Before going on a ride, ensuring your passenger has the right gear to keep them safe while on the bike is vital. As the leading rider, it’s your responsibility to keep your passenger safe, so don’t treat passenger riding gear as an afterthought and ensure they have the appropriate clothing and equipment to stay safe. Here are the basics your passenger should wear:

• A DOT-certified motorcycle helmet. This helmet should fit well and not be wobbly around the head.
• Motorcycle gloves to keep their hand safe in case of an accident and cold weather.
• Long pants to protect their legs.
• Boots that go over their ankle protect them from the heat of the motorcycle.
• A long sleeve t-shirt and a motorcycle jacket.

While it might seem like too much gear, think that unlike riding in a car, you're far more vulnerable on a motorcycle, so being protected is the best way to keep you safe on the road and protected in case of a road accident.

Go for a Test Drive Together

Going for a test drive is another great way to ensure you stay safe when hitting the road with a passenger in tow. Choose an empty parking lot or a safe road to go on a test drive. This will let you know how ready you are to ride with a passenger and help you assess how comfortable you feel when riding with a passenger. Another good reason for going on a test drive is to figure out how to communicate with your passenger. Communication is essential as both you and your passenger’s movement will affect the bike’s performance. Go over things like mirroring your movements, holding on to you, and the importance of avoiding sudden movements that could make you lose control of the bike.

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Learn to Brake With a Passenger

It’s also essential to learn how to brake with a passenger and adjust how you drive to account for the extra weight of another person on your bike. Stopping will take more time, so you must practice this beforehand. Also, ask your passenger to avoid putting their feet down once you brake and instead put your feet firmly on the ground as you would if riding alone.

Make Sure You Trust Each Other

Lastly, building up confidence in each either is essential when riding with a passenger, as staying safe on the road is up to you both. Communicating and following the tips above and working on your riding skills will make it easier to ride together and have a good time doing so.

Riding with a passenger can be safe when following the tips above. Don’t forget that maintenance is also essential so you and your passenger can stay safe. Call North American Wholesale at (866) 580-1008 if you have any other questions about your bike’s maintenance, or visit AMSOIL's online store for a closer look at the products they offer.