Ladies - why you shouldn't be scared to go on the back of a motorbike

Yes, of course I chose a photo of Michael from Grease 2 for this article. Via

Hey ladies. Hey there. Hey. I've been on the back of a motorcycle exactly twice in my life, and it's a bit of a fear of mine if I'm being honest. Today Jessie Hughes is back with an article on why it maybe shouldn't be. 

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Motorbikes tend to be something that people are either in love with, or are a bit scared of. Then of course, you get the people who haven't tried going on a bike yet and are kind of in both camps – the bikes look cool, the gear looks cool, but isn't it a bit frightening going that fast without a car around you?

Going On the Back

For most women who see the appeal of a motorcycle but haven't been enthused enough to get a license and ride their own, the first opportunity to experience riding a bike generally comes when a bike loving friend or boyfriend offers that coveted position on the back of their ride. To the person offering, this is nothing - they ride their bike all the time and think it's great, so it may not occur to them that when they pat that little space of seat behind them and tell you to get on, your heart may well be metaphorically in your mouth! 

Are You Ready To Accept That Ride?

It is never a good idea to hop on the back of a bike without being prepared in terms of safety, but if you are good to go in terms of clothing and a well fitting helmet, then there is really nothing to be afraid of as a pillion passenger – as long as you trust the person in front! If you are offered a ride home from somewhere on the back of a motorcycle with a borrowed helmet that is far too big and you are wearing a little summer dress, maybe take a rain check, however if you are good friends or in a relationship with a motorcycle enthusiast, opportunities to take a ride on the back will come up often, so why not invest in your own helmet and some gear?  Some motorcycle gear by the big bike brands like Dainese clothing looks really good, and as you shop for cool boots, gloves, motorcycle jeans (which look like regular jeans but have built in armor!) and jackets you might find it is worth being into bikes just for the clothes!

Actually Riding

Once you are wearing appropriate stuff, then you need to bite the bullet and actually get on the bike. Only do this for the first time with somebody you know is a competent rider and is used to carrying a passenger – the handling of the bike changes with somebody on the back and you want them to be completely at ease too, so you'll feel safer and be able to enjoy yourself. The ideal sort of trip would be about thirty minutes, so you have long enough to get a real sense of what it is like but without starting to ache from being in a position you aren't used to for too long. People worry that they won't remember to do things like lean in on corners, but most people find they do this naturally, and are soon completely relaxed and wondering what they were ever afraid of!

As long as you are with a good rider and well protected by your gear, you are likely to feel quite safe quite early into your first time on the back of a motorcycle – so gear up and accept that offer of a ride!

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Tell me - are you a motorbike owner? A frequent passenger on the back?