I ride alot by myself, gives me time to relax and decompress. BUT, on many occasions I have my girl ask to go along for a ride and usually I take her with me. My bike is made for 2 up riding and I notice slight differences in the performance and handling. I change my style with her on the bike. Go a little slower, give people around me more attention and usually just calm down and go into my chauffeur mode. I was wondering if any of the members here have any good advice or just a good story of riding solo vs riding 2 up to share.

As you know my wife and Kid go with me allot on my sporty. Two up riding has put my skill level when it comes to riding through the roof.

My wife is on the back of mine 90% of the time. I cant say that I notice much difference on the Road King, but on the Sporty thats another story especially on rough roads. Ive been riding 2up for so long that I really dont even think about it. I agree with Edd, my riding skills have probably really increased from 2up riding.

RK make sure who ever you take on the back of the bike understands the rules. Talk to them before you get rolling. I had a friend take an experienced passenger on his bike, when he was going around a curve the passenger suddenly sat strait up and he ended up in the ditch on the other side of the road. Both my wife and son know to move with me and pay attention to the road. I personally wouldn't take anybody else on the bike with me but them. I also slow down when riding two up. It would be a disaster to dump the bike with two people on it.

The Pre-ride talk is something I learned as a very young rider. I rode with a couple very good friends, the kind you can scream at... want to beat up and then just forget about it and go back to best friends... We used to meet up have our pre ride talk before every ride, where we're going- who's in what position in the formation and what was expected from each of us during the ride. (this was before headsets and ubiquitous cell phones) We used to go over hand signals and how to execute different maneuvers. Anytime I ride with anyone else I still do the pre ride talk, whether they ride their own bike or on mine. I've had "experienced" back seaters do stupid stuff even after I've explained to them what was the "right" way to be a passenger on my bike. I explain to a passenger to keep their shoulders in line with mine, not to change positions unless they give me a warning and never in a turn or when the bike is leaned or off center. Years ago I had a GF that was hands down the best passenger I ever had, I'd forget she was on the back at times - she was so good. She did everything the way I explained to her, and she was happy to be there. I have the standard Moto Jacket with the belt and I tell my passengers to hold on to the belt at all times. This keeps their hands at a low center of gravity, and keeps their shoulders square with mine. I think riding with someone on the back is actually more fun but the responsibility of their safety in a very non safe environment is what detracts from the overall pleasure of sharing the bike.
I took a girl out one time and the first thing she said was the brakes on my bike were very smooth... I asked her what she meant by that. She explained to me that the guy she used to ride with had brakes that use to stop to quickly. I had to tell her it wasn't the brakes but the rider using them. She couldn't get over how smooth the ride was, again it is experience and the chauffeur mode that I go into when I have someone on the back.
I took a big girl out once (her first ride on a MC) and the bike bottomed out over a bump - the only time that happened - she asked if that was normal - I told her sure... I didn't want to hurt her feelings... She told me she had a great time, I did too when i saw the smile on her face...

On Sporty's as you know it's tight fit. The passenger rides almost level with the rider. When my wife and I go for a ride he likes to wrap her arms around my chest and hold me tight.

Rider, your wife is a man? what's with that

What you rap your arms around other dudes chests when your riding bi-ch on their bikes?????? I personally don't ride bi-ch, ever, but that just me.

Opps I didn't see that my s sticks on my computer sometimes. sorry harley. SHE likes to rap her arms around my chest.

I'd need a woman with chimpanzee arms to be able to wrap her arms around my chest with my gear on, thats why I tell them to hold on to the belt. Plus I have the larger seat pad on my bike they get to look over my shoulder to watch the road. Keeping their hands low also helps with the handling- lower center of gravity.
With the seating position on my bike I also get the benefit of an arm rest on her knee...