I've been riding for a couple months now and decided to take the girlfriend out for a ride, told her the basics on how to b ea passenger and such.

The ride went well but we had a couple problems that I need some advice on.

1 - Helmet bumping, funny at first but got a little irritating
2 - I was feeling forced to lean forward a lot more than I normally do, I suppose I got used to it after some time doing it and adjusing mirrors...
3 - What are the handles for her to hold when she isn't holding me?

I think it's those solid things sticking out the back, but I'm not too sure.
4 - coming to a stop, since she sits a bit behind me, she slides forward and crushes my jewels, and it causes her some pain as well (I've read that she can push on the gas tank, I've yet to try that though)

Thanks for any input!

 

Helmet bumping is something she's going to have to work on.
I also feel a little more forward sitting when I have a passenger but it doesn't bother me as much since we just do short rides around town.
My girlfriend just keeps her hands on the tank kind of making a "x" shape all the time. She knows when we're coming up on a bump or merging traffic (speeding up quick) to hold back onto my waist. Putting her hands on the tank completely eliminate nut crunchers at stop signs.

 

and have he get up close to you so she wont slide around. And yes those are supposed to be the hand holds but if my girl used them anywhere else other than when we are stopped it would mess me up and I would be pissed.

 

Thanks for the fast responses, we'll give it another shot soon.

 

Just keep riding and you guys will figure out a system. The whole hands on the gas tank thing works very well. as for your helmets bumping, that will go away too as you both get more experience riding together.