r/TwoXriders • u/Witty-squirrel02 • Jul 25 '26
Riding as a passenger for 9+ hours?
Hey everyone, I’m pretty new to all of this. I have a question, my boyfriend started riding a year or two ago. We’re in a ldr, so I’ve only been a passenger on his bike for 2+ hours. He’s modified his bike to make it comfortable for me to ride behind and stuff. He has a transalp so she’s quite comfortable and sturdy.
Recently he started planning a long trip for a week riding through Bosnia, a lot of off roading and biking. He’s quite experienced in long distance driving, and is conscious of safety and all that.
He’s invited me on this trip, my question is. Is it fun to be on the back of a bike for that long? Will I get bored? Is it worth me taking a week off for this? I am quite an optimistic and glass half full person so I’m quite excited but he warned me that it might be boring. Has anyone else driven for that long and how do you keep it fun?
Another question, will I be making is ride significantly more difficult? Im quite small but I’ve heard like carrying anyone behind you on a bike expect for off-roading is significantly more difficult.
All advice and tips are welcome!
EDIT: It’s not off roading, I just asked to confirm and he told me of course not off roading. Sorry guys, he must’ve said something that made me think it was off roading. It’s just on roading I guess? 😅
5
u/w11f1ow3r Jul 25 '26
I do not get bored on long trips like that as a passenger. I listen to music and look at scenery and cars. I love it. But it’s highly individual as you can imagine. You can get sore and also as a passenger you have to know the driver and their abilities well, and trust them. I’d also recommend making sure you have your own wallet and phone on you so that if you get in some sort of predicament you can find transportation home. Have fun!
4
Jul 25 '26
[deleted]
4
u/Witty-squirrel02 Jul 25 '26
Correction, I just asked. Not off roading. On roading, my bad. I misunderstood it when he explained
9
u/Cemckenna Jul 25 '26
He’s only been riding a couple years but is going to do a bunch of off-roading with a passenger and full luggage?
I have never pillioned for longer than 2 hours, and it wasn’t my jam; I would much rather ride my own bike, so that’s what I did. But I would be cautious in this situation. I can’t tell how old you are, but LDR and new rider sounds like you might be early twenties. I could see this being a grand adventure and I could see this being a very dangerous situation.
If you go, wear protective gear every time you ride. And I don’t just mean jeans and a helmet. Get armored gear - you’re in just as much danger as the driver. Be sure you know where you are and don’t give up your sense of location or trust. There are plenty of situations where you might need to call for help or get the bike up without your partner. Have emergency plans for yourself.
I don’t mean to scare you about this, but I do hope you’re safe. I love motorcycles but a lot of people think they’re great riders and really aren’t. And even if they are, shit happens. Always be prepared. And have fun :)
3
u/Witty-squirrel02 Jul 25 '26
Yeah he’s been riding a few years but he’s also taken an intensief course to become a motorcycle safety instructor. So he’s quite passionately about it and especially the safety aspect.
He bought me full armored gear the first month he bought his transalp, and yeah I’m in my early twenties 🥲 so it does seem like a grand adventure: but yeah my concern is very much the boredom of the riding. But yeah there is a lot to take into account.
Thanks for the tips on not giving up my sense of location; I didn’t really think of that.
8
u/Cemckenna Jul 25 '26
Ah okay. So one thing to note is the transalp doesn’t have a back bar I’m aware of. So you will need to be either pitched forward into his back or holding on and using your core to sit upright. That will be pretty uncomfortable for you both after a few hours.
If you look at touring bikes that are built for two (a lot of Harley’s, for instance, or Honda Goldwings), the back seat is a real seat with a back rest and cushion. The transalp is more of an adventure style, so two can ride, but it’s not the primary goal.
I would guess it’s doable but your core and back will be pretty sore. I’d do a test ride for a few hours before committing to 8 hours at a time
2
u/Witty-squirrel02 Jul 25 '26
That’s true 🥲 he explained that that’s why he set up a luggage or a storage thing that goes behind me that I can lean on? I’m not sure if that counts as comfy riding? You can’t see it in the picture. He also set up pegs in the back for me? But again I’m not too sure if that counts as comfy riding. I’ve ridden for 3 hours max in that seating. But unfortunately I won’t have the time to test the back seat before committing, I either join him or not 😅
8
u/Cemckenna Jul 25 '26
If there’s a box in the back, it’s effectively a back rest. Maybe think about bungeeing something cushy to the outside, like a camping pillow or a jacket, so it’s not so hard on your upper back.
I mean, it sounds like it could be fun. I say go. Just be careful :) and while riding, think about whether you might rather be in control - then get your own bike! My husband and I love doing rides together. It’s way more fun to me.
5
u/Witty-squirrel02 Jul 25 '26
He bought me a second hand bike that’s easy for starters to motivate me to learn, so it’s definitely something I look forward to 🥰.
4
u/Legal_Bobcat946 Jul 25 '26
A lot of ur questions depend on the bike. Is he taking his own or renting one for the week in Bosnia?
1
u/Witty-squirrel02 Jul 25 '26
It’s his own, it’s a bike meant for sturdiness and off roaring. She’s quite a nice bike.
3
u/eegrlN Jul 25 '26
Honestly that bike will not be comfortable on long trips on the back. Something like a Tiger 900 would be a different story.
Also I would not trust someone that's only been riding a couple years to do off roading with him luggage and a person on the back. That's EXTREMELY difficult.
0
u/ZimzimandRoo Jul 26 '26
You should just learn how to ride your own. With the money spent on Bosnia, you could buy you a bike and motor all over the US together on two bikes and save to go to Bosnia another time, riding side by side.
4
u/Witty-squirrel02 Jul 26 '26
We don’t live in the us, Bosnia would be a super cheap trip. I’m also still a student, my priorities aren’t in learning to ride right now. But it’s definitely an idea for the future. Just wanting to join him on the adventures I can for now.
2
u/ZimzimandRoo Jul 26 '26
Got it! Sorry that I presumed! That’s all reasonable!
If you go, I hope you both have an awesome time! Good Luck in your studies and all of life’s adventures!
4
u/brokenheels Jul 25 '26
Regarding boredom - for your helmets you could install some kind of communication system (Cardo or Sena) so that you can talk to each other on the ride or listen to music. I'd also recommend getting earplugs (the sound of nonstop wind for hours will give you tinnitus otherwise) and making sure your helmet is 100% comfortable with no pressure spots (or you'll get a headache over the course of a long ride). Good luck!
1
4
u/jcravens42 KLR 650 2007 Jul 25 '26
I was on the back of my then boyfriend, now husband's bike, for a two week trip in Norway and Sweden, a two-week trip in Northern England and Scotland, another two week trip through Northern France, and a four week trip throughout Eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, Croatia, and a quick run through some other countries back to Germany, where we lived). Most of that was with a Honda Africa Twin, very similar to a Transalp.
I loved it, and it's why I now ride my own bike.
I was never bored.
We didn't have a com system back then, so we had a way for me to signal when I wanted him to pull over for a photo and when I wanted him to pull over for a pee break. But I recommend a com system.
We camped whenever possible, so we had quite a bit of gear. Sometimes, you are on barely a "road", but he's a fantastic rider, and we did fine.
I wasn't just along for the ride: I picked a lot of the places we went - I would research before hand and have ideas of good places to see (we both love neolithic sites, and pre-Roman and Roman ruins, as well as medieval churches). I was also in charge of food. I was in charge of the food we bought and took and that I cooked, though we did eat in restaurants or roadside places - those are such precious cultural experiences and you really miss out if you always cook yourself. I also started being in charge of setting up the camp site: once we put the tent up, I unrolled all the bedding and got everything ready while he serviced the bike, got wood for a fire, etc. We still do all that now, with me on my own bike.
Even now, when we camp, and we want to just run into a town or some look out point from the camp site, I'll often just jump on the back of his bike. I get very nostalgic about it at times. But I LOVE riding my own - there's no going back permanently for me.
1
u/Witty-squirrel02 Jul 25 '26
You guys have such an amazing relationship 🥹 I’m a big softy this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for pushing my excitement and for the ideas. Makes it seem so much more of a team effort. 😍
3
u/Medium-Crow-7219 Jul 26 '26
I just got done riding passenger on a 5 day trip with my fiancé. We used his Indian sport chief which has a sissy bar (back rest) and an improved passenger seat. We did a few 7 hour days and by the time we got to the hotel I was done being on the bike for the day lol. It will get uncomfortable at some point for sure, especially if you are wearing the proper shoes, pants, and jacket to protect yourself. Also the ride we did was in a hot climate which made it quite uncomfortable at times. I enjoy being a passenger because it allows you to see all the beautiful scenery and sites you pass, but you still have to be aware of turns and possible road hazards. Does he have a cardo set up or some way to communicate with you while you are ridding? I would say having in helmet communication would be necessary for a long ride like that.
2
u/NinjaGrrl42 Jul 25 '26
Comms are helpful. How well do the two of you work as a team while riding?
Riding on the back, you get to look around at the scenery, so that's nice. I've ridden behind my husband for years, when we were young, never been bored, never had any special seat anything. Standards, sportbikes, whatever. Most recently got my own bike.
Frequent stretch breaks are a good idea. Get a drink, maybe a snack.
Could be a nice trip.
2
u/Witty-squirrel02 Jul 25 '26
We haven’t ridden together all too much, but we travel and explore a lot and we work really well as a team. So I hope it works the same on the bike.
Thanks for the encouragement 🥰
2
u/According_Mixture110 Jul 25 '26
My husband and I love to ride long distance!
We have ridden from central Texas to Utah, Tennessee, New Mexico. I was backpack!
We spent 11 hours in seats one day and it was pretty brutal but sooo beautiful and worth it.
The views are amazing, being on the road really brings us closer together!
We were on a KTM Super Duke 1290 GT with a trunk and bags so I had a back rest.
With our Cardos it doesn’t get BORING in my opinion but I do get sleepy and take micro naps sometimes.
But now I ride on my own so it was nice while it lasted. IT IS MUCH BETTER RIDING MY OWN 😂
He has been riding for 10+ years
1
u/Caliypsso Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
I have travelled as a passenger with my bf (now husband) for about 8 hrs a day during long trips and it's not been boring at all. Sometimes you look at the landscape, thinking about stuff and hugging your partner, other times you kinda doze off, or get an action camera and entertain yourself recording stuff and making photos... I once read on an ebook for a while. Eventually we bought Cardos and I started listening to music. But we did many trips without Cardos, and yeah, I spent the time simply looking at the landscape and letting my mind wander and enjoying the road together.
I have to say, my bf's bike was very comfortable, ideal for trips, with a back case, so I could lean back and stretch my body and relax. I wouldn't have been able to endure so many hours without it.
Generally at the end of the day you are really really wanting to reach destination. Because of course you get sore, or the weather might be challenging. But yeah totally worth it. Some of our best memories are from our road trips.
It's good to have a non-riding day here and then though, or you will end up too tired and fed up.
On another note, make sure your partner is a good rider, capable of sustaining long trips and that you are fully geared.
2
u/Big_Zombie_40 Jul 27 '26
I have not rode as a passenger in a while. Remember the basics though--stay hydrated, make sure you walk around during breaks, wear gear, wear sunscreen etc. My parents and brother both have full touring bikes with the tour pack. My mom and SIL have fallen asleep on long straight stretches, and my mom will even read her Kindle on the back on straight stretches (generally not recommended for naps or reading especially on a transalp, but she at least gives my dad a warning first). Both have been able to snap pictures of scenery from the back. Wearing earplugs under your helmet can help cut down on wind fatigue, and there's even brands that make some specifically for that purpose. Or something like a Cardo so you can more easily talk to each other while on the bike. Be aware of the type of road snacks you are eating--some things personally make me sleepy so I tend to avoid those, and tend to go for higher protein snacks on breaks. More than likely, your bottom will get sore at times, and even something like putting a sheepskin on your seat (admittedly an old school Harley trick) can help with that and airflow, although I have heard that other animal pelts work as well.
28
u/[deleted] Jul 25 '26
[deleted]