THE Motorcycle Safety Institute of South Africa spend countless hours researching, writing, testing, training and consulting on issues relating to motorcycle safety.
According to the institution, passengers need the same protection that you (driver) do; proper clothes and helmet.
“First things first. Get to a open parking lot and work on the mounting and dismounting techniques, and then run through a few exercises like stopping, swerving, turning etc. before heading out on the road. It is vital that both parties get very comfortable and complete trust is instilled to maximise the experience,” said Motorcycle Safety Institute of South Africa’s, Hein Jonker.
Jonker said as the driver of the motorcycle you need to instruct passengers to hold onto you at your waist or hips; ask them to lean forward slightly when you leave from a stop or accelerate along the highway.
The institution has proved a few safety tips to help motorcyclists better carry a passenger or pillion:
- Adjust your suspension and tyre pressure; to compensate for the weight of your passenger.
- Realise that your braking capabilities have changed; the more weight you have on the motorcycle, the longer it takes to stop.
- Passengers should be instructed to always mount from the same side, and to warn you before they climb on or off. Either work on a set of hand signals or invest in helmet communications.
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- Passengers need the same protection that you do; proper clothes and helmet. You don’t want shoe laces or loose pants legs catching on rear wheel or chain parts.
- Never carry anyone sidesaddle; passengers should always straddle the bike with their feet securely planted on the footrests. Tell passengers not to put a foot down when you come to a stop. Show them where the hot things are; such as the header pipes and mufflers.
- When you brake, passengers should be firmly braced against your waist and should push back slightly. You don’t want their weight to shift forward.
- When you lean going around a corner, passengers should lean as well; have them look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn when you go through a corner, that will put the weight where you want it.
For more information, visit their Facebook page ‘Motorcycle Safety Institute of South Africa’ or website https://www.msi.org.za/carrying-a-passenger
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