If you've been riding for a while you might be tempted to take on another passenger. This is something that should not be attempted until you have enough solo experience to handle the bike and know how to compensate for the extra weight on the back of your ride. It may sound simple, but the truth is taking on an extra rider can be more difficult than you think. There are some basic things you can do to help you make sure that when you do decide to take on that extra person you are well prepared.
Make sure your passenger knows you are not experienced riding with another person. One of the largest problems most people have when going out with an extra person on the bike is the fact that they are heavy, and if they move even a little during an inopportune time, it can shift the entire weight of the bike and cause a wreck if you don't know how to properly compensate without overcorrecting. Tell them to sit still but loose. This sounds odd, but if they are too stiff, it can cause problems in balancing when you go to turn corners or change lanes. One way to find out if you are ready to take on passengers is to carry some luggage on the back end of your bike as the need to compensate for the weight distribution will be similar.
Also, make sure that your passengers have protective gear. We often only think of drivers as the ones who need to be wearing their helmets, jackets, etc. However, all riders on the motorcycle will benefit from being protected should you have an accident. If they want, they can even personalize it with motorcycle patches and stickers, so it is not too plain.
