Mounting technique

[lordofchaos]

Was hanging out with some Goldwing folks the other night and the topic of proper mounting, specifically for the passenger, came up. They were all more or less adamant that the passenger should get on the bike first, while the bike is on the sidestand with the driver holding the bars to provide stability. While this seemed to make some level of sense due to the trunk of the GW being a little hard to throw a leg over in the traditional fashion, particularly for a short passenger, I was wondering what the fine folks here thought about that method for the Valk.

I've seen no indication that the sidestand on a Valk is any less sturdy than a Wing but for some reason, I have always had this small bit of fear in the back of my head that something would bend, whether it's the sidestand or the crossmember it's bolted to, especially given my size (250+) if I were to rest my full weight on the bike while it was on the sidestand.

What say ye to this, fine ladies and gentlemen of the VRCC?

[Bighead]

Well personally I don't want my passenger on first it makes it harder for me to get on. I always stand the bike up and she steps on the left passenger floorboard with her right foot stands up on the right leg and steps through between me and the trunk not swinging leg across trunk that would be 
And as far as bending the KS or Crossmember I doubt that would happen.
And maybe the GW riders you were talking with can't hold the bike up while the passenger mounts?
It would also be a lot harder to get the bike off the KS with an extra 120-150 lbs on the back

[Valkorado]

Pretty much same technique as Bighead, except Cheryl has a bad knee so is harder for her to bend her leg and step through the seat than swing it over the trunk.

I have an aftermarket trunk on my Tourer, and with a bag on the rack it is a stretch even for my her and she 5'11".  That said, I still prefer to be on first.  I tell her to ask/wait for my OK (upright off sidestand, in neutral and front brake engaged) and to push up from my left shoulder -- she can't put too much weight on my left shoulder when swinging her leg over.  Oh, yeah, and to take her time!

[Patrick]

I too get on first, stand up feet on ground, lean forward, hand on brake lever. I can't ever remember letting the pax get on first.

[Chrisj CMA]

Judy never gets on first.  We do it like Bighead mentioned except Judy puts her left foot on the left passenger board and steps through with the right leg, I guess that's just because she wants to sit facing forward, I don't know, it works.      But definitely she doesn't like the passenger getting on first method, I think that's really because Valkyries lean more than Wings while on the side stand.

[Jess from VA]

With some of those Wing back seaters, I wonder how in the hell they get it off the kickstand?

Bike 1000lb, back seater 300lb, pulled quadriceps. 

Stupid to mount passenger first. 

The title to this thread had me worried.

[PAVALKER]

I mount the bike first....and when set up in touring mode with trunk and backrest on, I use the left foot peg to stand on and get me up then swing leg over or step over rider seat.

I have seen some couples where the woman mounts the bike first, sometimes even getting in rider seat then scooting up over into passenger seat.  That initially had me thinking she was going to ride him around, but it helped her get on the bike with her leg issues.....short legs she said.  Personal preference....but I'd agree with some that mentioned getting bike upright with a passenger on already....unless they lean over to assist?

[Hef]

My passenger always gets on after me. I can't imagine the passenger on first..... but my belief is whatever works for you is ok with me.

[John Schmidt]

When we had our Wing, I used the same procedure as others posted. I get on and straddle the bike, in gear with the hand brake on. My honey would step through and sit down in back and flip the backrest upright. I then sit down, release the brake and start the bike. We used the same method with the Valk until she got to the point she could no longer ride. I miss that "natural" backrest....among other things. 

[Michvalk]

Hold the bike upright, passenger gets on, just like mounting a horse. From the left side only, please!

[Bighead]

Judy never gets on first.  We do it like Bighead mentioned except Judy puts her left foot on the left passenger board and steps through with the right leg, I guess that's just because she wants to sit facing forward, I don't know, it works.      But definitely she doesn't like the passenger getting on first method, I think that's really because Valkyries lean more than Wings while on the side stand.

Yeah your right Chris I am  but everyone knew what was happening

[Mr Whiskey]

Sugar steps through once she's sure I've got ahold of the machine. I don't trust my "snazzy" lookin' chrome kickstand to hold up the bike much less bike & passenger. I've seen 'em snap, not good! An ounce of prevention an all 'at.

[cookiedough]

I think it would be a safety issue having the rear passenger get on first, especially if he/she is heavier.  I wouldn't think there would be an issue on sidestand, but don't want to take the chance for sure.

I wouldn't have an issue getting on riders seat after passenger on since I get on my Valk 90% of the time by not swinging my right leg over the rear seat, but lift my right leg up directly upright over drivers seat and hop right leg on over to the other side. 

[Willow]

I would likely kick my passenger in the chin mounting after she was in position.

Seems like those who know what they're doing are in 100% agreement.   

[doubletee]

I too get on first, stand up feet on ground, lean forward, hand on brake lever. I can't ever remember letting the pax get on first.

I do it this way, too, but with my left leg/thigh also braced against the tank. She then steps onto the left floorboard and throws her right leg over the seat/backrest.

[..]

With some of those Wing back seaters, I wonder how in the hell they get it off the kickstand?

Bike 1000lb, back seater 300lb, pulled quadriceps. 

Stupid to mount passenger first. 

The title to this thread had me worried.

Me too 

[Jess Tolbirt]

Bev gets on first, bike on side stand, she puts the backrest down and puts her left foot on the board and backs onto the back seat then swings her right leg over the backrest and then raises the back rest and i get on from the right side,, as stated before, i guess i am stupid...

[ricoman]

so the passenger gets on first
the bike is on a very slight slope, it moves just enough to fold the kickstand
over it goes
this is safe?
sounds like most here have it down right
never understood the wisdom of the passenger on first

[cookiedough]

best part about bringing a passenger is 2x's now I have had the misses push me into a downward facing parking job (idiot=my fault) and had to push me backwards, very hard to do, glad she is no weakling.  Sure wish our Valks had reverse for the 2-3 times I would have needed it.  Been in a few parking jobs by myself and had to wing it and go for it and luckly, NO wipe outs yet, but darn close.

Oops,  hijacked the thread - sorry!!


If it works with no issues having passenger get on bike first, go for it, but most would agree is not the norm. 

[J.Mencalice]

Out West we give it the ol' cowboy mount up: "two-handed leap over the horse's rump", drop into the saddle, grab the reins (handlebars) and spur our pony down the trail.  Gotta have a limber girl for that.

[Hooter]

This is one thing I don't have to worry about. But when the wife did ride it was me first then she would step through. That all ended when she shattered her rt knee and can't set in that position anymore. Now my bikes except for the Ha***y are set up solo.

[Dave Ritsema]

Same here as most have mentioned on my F6B.
I get on first, take the bike off the side stand, hold the bike upright and my wife steps on the left passenger floorboard and steps across.

[dan7uk]

I too get on first, stand up feet on ground, lean forward, hand on brake lever. I can't ever remember letting the pax get on first.

My way also 

[Wizzard]

Whew,, I was worried when I opened this thread

[Raider]

My wife always gets on first while it's on the sidestand.  She just doesn't feel comfortable getting on when I'm on the front seat.  All of my kids get on after I'm on and have the bike upright, but they're all a bit more spry.   

[Alien]

I get on first, get the bike up and stable with my hand on the front brake.  When I'm ready, I nod my head and my wife gets on by stepping up on the passenger footboard and grabbing my left shoulder.  When she's settled in and ready to go, she gives me a thumbs up on my left side and we're off.

[davit]

I took the Advanced Rider Course two-up with my wife last summer at the 'Wing Ding" in Madison;  their prescribed technique is rider first, passenger second.

[R J]

Wife & all the kids.

Dad gets on, holds the bike up and wife & kids step on the floorboard and step through.

Grandkids, they get on 1st and grandpa gets on.   At age 7 that ends and they get on 2nd.

[Hooter]

Wife & all the kids.

Dad gets on, holds the bike up and wife & kids step on the floorboard and step through.

Grandkids, they get on 1st and grandpa gets on.   At age 7 that ends and they get on 2nd.

Short Hijack: You alright after your slide for life? Hope so!

[0leman]

I agree, with most.  I get on first, hold bike level/steady, DW gets on second.  There isn't enough room for me to get my legs over when she is on the bike.  Also she gets off first.  Last on, first off.

[texaninsouthfl]

With some of those Wing back seaters, I wonder how in the hell they get it off the kickstand?

Bike 1000lb, back seater 300lb, pulled quadriceps. 

Stupid to mount passenger first. 

The title to this thread had me worried.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who immediately imagined a different kind of "mounting." 

[MarkT]

I took my 94y.o. mother for rides on my wing.  I always helped her get on first, then I stepped through over the seat and picked the bike up.  There is no way she could get on without help.  Apart from that, I always get on first, stand the bike up and tell the rider I'm ready.  The rider may then step up on either side, step through while holding my shoulders, sit down, hold on, and SHUT UP.  For unqualified riders, I hand them my business card which has the passenger instructions on the back.  Even so my inept and overweight sister almost dropped the bike for us, after I had told her to hold still especially while we are going slow or stopped.  I pulled up short of the mailbox because I knew, with her empowered feminist stance, she would attempt to grab the mail.  Not only did she violate the hold still rule (repeatedly prior to this incident) she LUNGED for the mail box while we were stopped and my left foot was on sand.  Needless to say, it was all I could do to prevent us from falling into the mailbox; I chewed her out and have NEVER taken her for a ride again.  Even at 65, she still gets in this hostile 15y.o. posture every time I see her.  It's clear she will never grow up.

Oh one more - before my Dad passed, I took him for several rides on the wing.  I'd get on first, and hold the bike upright.  He would climb on the left side, hang on to the bike with his ass WAY off balance to the left, and it took all my strength to keep the bike from toppling.  He was easily 230 lbs so this wasn't easy. He didn't seem to be aware, or care, that I was holding it up.  This happened repeatedly.

[Jess from VA]

I ride solo, problem solved. 

You want to ride, get your own bike. 

[Jess Tolbirt]

so the passenger gets on first
the bike is on a very slight slope, it moves just enough to fold the kickstand
over it goes
this is safe?
sounds like most here have it down right
never understood the wisdom of the passenger on first

get yourself a harley and that wont happen with the jiffy stand,,
or.. you could hold the front brake while she is gettin on...
there is no wrong way to get on the bike,, just different ways..

[woofred1832]

                                         On the occasions that I ride double-up, My lady friend always gets on first.....similar to others, she needs help getting on since she broke her hip..............then I step through and center the bike,,,,, when I have my trip trunk on its the same, I step through over the seat...
  I have the trunk mounted up close to me so I can use the back-rest for me to lean against, thats the way I like it

[czuch]

Me first then Tammy.
I'll have to pay attention next time I pass the DQ and see how they mount up..
And, Cavalry style, from the left. I see folks get on from the high side and thats allways interesting.

[Valkorado]

This settles it!  There's more than one way.   
http://motorcyclementor.com/riding-two-up-mounting-motorcycle-part-2/

[Jess from VA]

Mounting techniques.

I seem to recall reading about an old one called.... man on top get it over with quick.   

[Daniel Meyer]

Rider first...

Then the wife...with her "fun sized" stature...uses a technique something like this:

https://youtu.be/hZTfe9GTAOA

[crash1980]

I too get on first, stand up feet on ground, lean forward, hand on brake lever. I can't ever remember letting the pax get on first.

This is our method also.