Passenger Weight Issues

[Grampa]

ftr... wheelies are an added bonus to extra weight aft

[Keith]

So how much does she weigh - really?
You could easily print a sticker that specifies maximum weight capacity of the bike (ie 275lbs or so), stick it on the bike and just point to that.  Who knows, baybe it will give her insentive to diet.  Otherwise, your idea of a slow, unthrilling ride is not bad.

good luck to you,
Keith

[mitt]

To give a more accurate answer, I think we need to know how much weight are we talking.  You and her.  If you are 150, and she is 175, I don't see  a problem.  If you are 175, and she is 225, I would not do it.

mitt

[fwtcc]

Problem here is if you give and give her a ride, she start thinking maybe you like her.  Then she'll start bugging you for other stuff: go out to dinner or movie, with just the two of you or what ever.  You'll just start a slippery slope.  Then she'll hang around and otherwise make finding a girl more suitable for the back of the bike more difficult for you.

Nip it in the bud.  Tell her she's just a friend and seeing as you are aware of her feelings for you it isn't appropriate to go for a ride.  Or tell her she is slightly too heavy.  Sure her feelings are hurt either way but, most importantly, they aren't YOUR feelings.  Like, say, if the bike got jacked up.

So there's that.  She'll get over either option. 

[Manny]

That's the main point here. If she's using it as a way to pursue your affections, it's not the ride that must be dealt with but the unwanted attention. Deal with that and the "take me for a ride" issue will likely disappear. 

It's possible to take a larger passenger (just not a hippo). It's weird, but possible and can be safe if you ride appropriately. Alot of it rests on the skill of the passenger and what the bike is set up to do.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Want her to not 1) ride on the bike and 2) chase you? It's easy. Let her on the back, pull out of the parking lot....



whack open the throttle, and leave her in the street. Problem solved.

[Xiphias]

Tell her you don't want to give her ride because she is too big - why bullshit her.

[Aminul]

Suck it up and take her for a ride!  Be the gentleman.  Short, sweet, don't scrape the pegs around the corners, and be polite afterwards. 

And then be busy...very, very busy for the next month or six.

[fwtcc]

Nope.

Either do some Hoggin' or let her know.  or both. Maybe a rodeo if you let her know while your Hoggin'.

[daftduc]

 

You guys are nuts...

She probably is close to my weight- I'm not going to ask her for it.  The point being though she'll be way heavier than any passenger I've had before.  Perhaps I could rig my bike with an electrical system that'll not allow the bike to start if the weight is too much (sort of like elevators that won't move with too much weight).  That way I can just say, "sorry, my bike says it's not going to happen.  Nothing I can do about it.  Too bad huh?"

I could also look at it as a training exercise and to hell with her motives/feelings.  It would be good practice for me and just broaden my motorcycling skills.  I ain't opposed to chubby women.  Perhaps this will just get me ready for the possibility of a chubby pretty woman whom I would enjoy giving a ride to someday.

However, the idea that she could crack my taillight housing is a bit concerning.  That's why I intend to keep it slow and easy.

The other thing is I will know right away if she's fallen off the bike.  The last time with a small woman when I went over a big bump going 70 I actually had to feel behind me to make sure she was still with me 

[Fox]

Suck it up and take her for a ride!  Be the gentleman.  Short, sweet, don't scrape the pegs around the corners, and be polite afterwards. 

And then be busy...very, very busy for the next month or six.

I agree. Have some class and take her on a quick ride around the block. It will make her day. If she still tries to pursue you afterward have the same conversation you had before...you just want to be friends.

[herm]

Never heard the advice to not give rides to people who weigh more than you. I don't think it should matter much, but your margin for error is just less (stopping is harder, accelerating is harder, can't lean the bike and catch it.)

That being said, you can't do something that you're not comfortable with. I think you should take off your passenger pegs and say they're broken....

For God's sake, don't tell her what you really are thinking.

BRILLIANT!!!

[slim_grizzy]

I would agree with the "be a gentleman" posts.  Depending on the weight of the 2 of you, it might be an issue.  I haven't checked the load limits on the bike, but I'm sure it's probably in the manual.  That might be a good out if you need one.  But if she's pretty heavy she probably realizes it as well.   But yeah, the hopelessly in love types are really difficult, bike or no bike.  You definitely need to be straightforward about it but not to the point of being rude.

[CDawg]

You could suck it up and sleep w/ her, then you won't have to give her a ride on the Ducati Monster.

[Porsche Monkey]

Does she have appropriate gear?  Tell her they don't make Italian riding gear for big girls and she will have to wait till you get old and buy a Harley.