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Curvy country roads or dead straight avenues.

Every motorcyclist has a favorite route.

It's nice to be able to share this with friends or family members.

Either with other motorcyclists in a group or with a pillion or a pillion on the back seat.

Both passengers should prepare and take a few precautions so that traveling together on a plane is a wonderful experience.

Teamwork on the motorcycle

Agreements are crucial for Jörg Lohse.

“The journey is like teamwork, both people have to coordinate with each other,” says the deputy editor-in-chief of the “Motorrad” magazine.

If both are driving together for the first time, or again after a longer period of time as at the beginning of the season, they should agree on signals such as hand or knocking signals before driving.

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"This is used for quick communication, for example to warn against driving too fast or to indicate a break." A more luxurious solution is an intercom system that can also be integrated into the helmet at a later date.

Before the first big tour, Lohse recommends a practice drive in a large parking lot or an empty industrial street.

"When there is no traffic in sight, the team can practice acceleration, braking, emergency braking and cornering and refine their interaction," he says.

Especially for newbies, it is a new dynamic driving experience that should be practiced.

With a close connection between the two passengers and an unobstructed view of the front, the person in the back seat also develops a feeling for the route.

Which motorcycles make togetherness more comfortable?

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Lohse counts as suitable machines all motorcycles that have a wide, soft, long and comfortable seat, such as travel enduros or tourers.

"Super athletes or reduced choppers with narrow and thin seat rolls and high footrests are only fun for a short ride in two-person operation, after which it becomes uncomfortable for the person sitting in the back," he says.

Most motorcycles have an appropriate payload and a chassis designed for this.

Even if machines are designed for two-person operation with rear footrests and handles, Jürgen Bente of the German Road Safety Council (DVR) advises a technical adjustment.

Depending on the type, manufacturers require the preload of the rear spring and possibly an increase in the air pressure.

If and how the air pressure needs to be adjusted when driving with a passenger, bikers look up in the manual for the machine

Source: dpa-tmn

Refer to the motorcycle manual for details and instructions.

New machines even offer electronic chassis that switch to pillion operation at the push of a button.

Good protective equipment for the motorcycle is better for both of you

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In addition, Michael Lenzen advises you to take a look at the vehicle registration document.

“The maximum total weight of the machine must not be exceeded.

In addition to the weight of the passengers, there is at least the protective equipment, which can be around 15 kilograms, ”explains the chairman of the Federal Association of Motorcyclists (BVDM).

Because passengers should also wear the same safety clothing as the pilot.

In addition to a mandatory and optimally fitting helmet, this includes gloves, motorcycle jackets and trousers, protectors and boots.

On holiday trips with filled side cases, the maximum weight is quickly reached.

Get on the motorcycle

Michael Lenzen advises caution when getting on the machine.

"The easiest way to get on is when the pilot holds the machine in a secure position, the pillion or pillion passenger steps on a footrest and pulls himself up on the pilot's shoulder with one hand," he explains.

Even when stopping, both passengers must ensure that they keep their balance.

Prudent pilots start the tour slowly and with as little lean angle as possible, acceleration orgies and braking maneuvers.

“Pilots also have to adapt.

Because of the higher weight, the driving behavior changes.

Acceleration and braking distance take longer.

The pilot also needs more pressure on the brake lever, ”explains Bente.

You will find a secure hold if you hug the pilot on the hip.

Handholds at the rear also serve as a hold, but usually shift the focus towards the rear.

"That is why we advise you to grip the pilot with friends or family members," says Lenzen.

"Go along" with the motorcyclist

"In addition to the agreed hand signals, the pillion or pillion should adopt the same posture and movement as the driver, i.e. lean into the curve," says Bente.

When cornering, the pillion passenger ideally looks past the inside of the bend, i.e. to the left of the driver's helmet when cornering to the left.

This way, the helmets don't collide when you brake.

According to Lenzen, it is crucial to drive carefully and smoothly without abrupt maneuvers.

“Especially the first trip when the pillion or pillion has not yet got used to driving doesn't have to be long,” he says.

Most mistakes happen when the passengers do not agree with each other or the pilot drives too fast with too much lean angle.

"Then the curve can run differently than planned," says Bente.

Then the drive on winding country roads or straight boulevards is not a pleasure, but a danger.

Resistance to the planned driving ban for motorcycles is growing

The Federal Council wants to introduce a limited ban on motorcycling on Sundays and public holidays.

This is to reduce the noise caused by driving.

But resistance to this plan is great.

Source: WELT / Fanny Fee Werther