Passengers, cargo and group riding
Questions and answers
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Who should attempt to carry passengers or large loads?
Only experienced riders
Extra weight changes how the motorcycle behaves and calls for practice, preparation, and caution.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Carrying passengers and cargo ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What protective gear should your passenger wear?
The same level of protective gear as you
A passenger faces the same risks as the rider and should be dressed the same way.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Equipment for Carrying a Passenger ↗PDF, 8 MB -
With a passenger aboard, where should you sit on the seat?
No farther forward than you usually do
The seat must be large enough to hold both of you without crowding.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Equipment for Carrying a Passenger ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What should your motorcycle have for the passenger to hold onto?
A strap or solid handholds
Check for a strap or handholds along with passenger footrests before carrying anyone.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Equipment for Carrying a Passenger ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When adding a passenger, which tire pressures should you check?
Both tires, including the front
Most added weight sits on the rear wheel, but the front tire pressure matters too.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Preparing Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why may you need to adjust the suspension for a heavy load?
To compensate for the lowered rear of the motorcycle
A heavy load changes balance and riding characteristics. Follow the owner’s manual.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Preparing Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
To check headlight aim before loading, about how far from a wall should you position the motorcycle?
About 10 feet
Mark the beam on the wall, then recheck it with the full load and passenger.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Preparing Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
After loading, the headlight beam is higher than your chalk mark. What should you do?
Use the adjusting screws to lower the beam to the same height
Bring the beam back to the height it had before loading, as the owner’s manual describes.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Preparing Your Motorcycle ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where should a child passenger be placed?
Immediately behind the rider
A child in front cannot balance properly and may interfere with your control.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Preparing Your Passenger to Ride ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Your passenger is also a motorcycle rider. Should you still explain riding basics before the trip?
Yes, always instruct the passenger first
Do not assume passengers know motorcycle handling, control, or balance.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Preparing Your Passenger to Ride ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When should your passenger get on the motorcycle?
After you start the engine and put the transmission in neutral
While the passenger mounts, keep both feet on the ground and the brakes applied.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What should you do while your passenger climbs on?
Keep both feet on the ground and the brakes applied
A steady, braked motorcycle keeps you both from tipping over.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How far forward should a passenger sit?
As far forward as possible without hindering your control
The passenger should also hold your waist, hips, belt, or the handholds.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where should the passenger keep their feet when the motorcycle is stopped?
Firmly on the passenger footrests
Firm footing keeps the passenger from falling off and pulling you off.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What is helpful for a passenger to do in turns and curves?
Look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn
The passenger stays directly behind you and leans with you.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When should you remind your passenger to tighten their hold?
When you are about to turn sharply or make a sudden move
Also warn them before bumps and before starting from a stop or moving into traffic.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How does a heavier passenger affect your motorcycle?
It takes longer to speed up, slow down, or turn
The motorcycle responds slowly with a passenger, and more so with a heavier one.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
With a passenger, how should you approach a stop?
Start slowing earlier and keep a larger space cushion
Extra weight lengthens stopping, so give yourself more room.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why ride a little slower in curves with a passenger?
If part of the motorcycle scrapes the ground, steering control can be lost
Take curves, corners, and bumps a little slower when carrying a passenger.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
With a passenger, what kind of traffic gaps should you wait for?
Larger gaps to cross, enter, or merge
Slower acceleration means you need more room to fit into traffic.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Riding With Passengers ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What weight limit must you stay within when carrying cargo and a passenger?
The gross vehicle weight rating
Never exceed the rating, and adjust the motorcycle for the added weight.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Carrying Loads ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where should you try to place a load on the motorcycle?
Over or in front of the rear axle
Loads behind the rear axle can affect turning and braking and can cause a wobble.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Tips for Traveling with Passengers and Cargo ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where should heavier items go in a tank bag?
In the front of the tank bag
Keep the load forward. Lighter items such as a tent go on the rack behind you.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Tips for Traveling with Passengers and Cargo ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What happens when you attach a load to a sissy bar?
It raises the center of gravity and can upset balance
Secure loads low or put them in saddlebags.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Tips for Traveling with Passengers and Cargo ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What can happen if your saddlebags are loaded unevenly?
The motorcycle can pull to one side
Load each bag with about the same weight.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Tips for Traveling with Passengers and Cargo ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How many attachment points per side are recommended for elastic cords on a load?
More than one
A loose load can catch in the wheel or chain and lock it up.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Tips for Traveling with Passengers and Cargo ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why are elastic cords preferred over rope for securing a load?
Rope can stretch and knots can come loose
A load held by rope can shift or fall. Stop and check the load often.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Tips for Traveling with Passengers and Cargo ↗PDF, 8 MB -
For most riders, when is peak riding performance on a trip?
Between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Start early while fresh, then take a good hour’s break for lunch.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Tips for Traveling with Passengers and Cargo ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What should you do before setting out on a trip with a fully loaded motorcycle?
Take a test ride on familiar neighborhood roads
Check suspension settings, scraping parts, the tank bag, and how secure the load is.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Pre-Ride Test ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How does a full load affect passing?
Power is lower, so passing takes more time and distance
Braking also feels different and stopping distances may increase.
Carrying passengers and cargo · Pre-Ride Test ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Who should the lead and sweep riders of a group be?
The most experienced riders
Choose both at the riders’ meeting before the ride.
Group Riding · Plan ↗PDF, 8 MB -
According to the manual, which rider sets the pace for the group?
The sweep rider, who rides last
The sweep rider is the last rider in the group. The lead rider looks ahead and signals early.
Group Riding · Plan ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why are inexperienced riders placed just behind the leader?
So they do not have to chase after the group
More experienced riders can also watch them from the back.
Group Riding · Plan ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What are the most important rules for group riding?
No competition, no passing of other riders, and no tailgating
If someone insists on riding faster, let them go ahead to an agreed meeting point.
Group Riding · Plan ↗PDF, 8 MB -
A rider in your group falls behind. What should the group do?
Everyone should slow down to keep the group together
Use your mirrors to keep an eye on the person behind you.
Group Riding · Follow those behind ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should you never ride directly alongside another rider in the same lane?
There is no place to go if you must avoid a hazard
Wait until you are both stopped to talk.
Group Riding · Do not Pair Up ↗PDF, 8 MB -
In a staggered formation, which part of the lane does the leader ride in?
The left side
The second rider rides in the right side of the lane.
Group Riding · Staggered Formation ↗PDF, 8 MB -
In a staggered formation, how far behind the leader should the second rider stay?
At least one second
The second rider rides in the right side of the lane, at least one second back.
Group Riding · Staggered Formation ↗PDF, 8 MB -
In a staggered formation, how far behind the first rider should the third rider be?
At least two seconds
The third rider takes the left position, two seconds behind the leader.
Group Riding · Staggered Formation ↗PDF, 8 MB -
When is it best for a group to switch to single file?
In curves, when turning, and when entering or leaving highways
Single file gives each rider room to maneuver where the path changes.
Group Riding · Staggered Formation ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How should a group enter a freeway?
In single file, forming up only after all riders have merged
Once on the freeway, the lead rider moves the group over at least one lane.
Group Riding · Interstate Highways and Freeways ↗PDF, 8 MB -
On a freeway, why does the lead rider move the group over at least one lane?
To keep entering and exiting vehicles from disrupting the formation
Traffic merging at ramps can break up a group in the right lane.
Group Riding · Interstate Highways and Freeways ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Where do motorcyclists in a group face the highest risk?
At intersections
Tighten up for a left turn arrow and make the turn single file.
Group Riding · Intersections ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Not all riders in your group make it through a turn light. What should those ahead do?
Stop at a safe point ahead and wait
Waiting keeps riders from feeling pressured to speed up or run a red light.
Group Riding · Intersections ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How should a staggered group pass slow traffic on a two-lane highway?
One rider at a time
On a freeway or interstate, the group may pass as a unit.
Group Riding · Passing in Formation ↗PDF, 8 MB -
After passing on a two-lane highway, which position should the lead rider return to?
The left position
The leader keeps passing speed to open room for the next rider.
Group Riding · Passing in Formation ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Why should the lead rider not move to the right side of the lane after passing?
It might encourage the second rider to cut back in too soon
Each rider should return to the position held before the pass.
Group Riding · Passing in Formation ↗PDF, 8 MB -
What should the length of a group route and its segments be based on?
The ability of the least experienced rider
Plan the ride around the rider with the least experience.
Group Riding · Ten Rules of Group Riding ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Riders in a group cannot agree on a pace through curves. What does the manual suggest?
Form two groups with different speeds
Adjust the pace to the least experienced rider, or split into two groups.
Group Riding · Ten Rules of Group Riding ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Which hand signal means single file?
Arm and index finger extended straight up
Two fingers up means double file. Arm down with palm back means stop.
Hand Signals · Hand Signals ↗PDF, 8 MB -
Which hand signal means stop?
Arm extended straight down, palm facing back
Tapping the helmet means high beam. Arm out with palm up, swung upward, means speed up.
Hand Signals · Hand Signals ↗PDF, 8 MB -
How do you signal a hazard in the roadway on the right?
Point with your right foot
A hazard on the left is shown by pointing with the left hand.
Hand Signals · Hand Signals ↗PDF, 8 MB