TWO-UP !

Ron McKinley is the state H.O.G. Safety Officer for North and South Dakota and an expert instructor for HOG’s Primary Officer Training program in group riding and safe motorcycling technique. He shares one of his columns with us this month.

I have received a lot of questions about being a passenger, so let’s talk about it.

PASSENGERS

If you are the passenger, do not put your feet down at stops, let the driver do this. The driver may not see that you have your feet down and take off while they are still down.

When in a curve look over the driver’s shoulder in the direction of the curve, but do not lean excessively.

If you need to reach for something, from a saddle bag or pouch tell the driver what you are going to do so that the driver can be ready to react to the movement.

Never ride with someone who has been drinking alcohol or using drugs.

DRIVERS

If you are the driver, do not “show off” for your passenger. You will be the only one who thinks it is funny and probably will not have a passenger any more.

Talk to your passengers, telling them what they may expect on the ride.

If it is a new passenger, stop after a few miles to see how they are doing.

It does not take much education or communication for both of you to have an enjoyable ride.

Remember, parachutes are like the mind... they only work when open!

-- Ron McKinley