Your passenger doesn't have...
Your passenger doesn't have to remain perfectly still during the ride, but should avoid any sudden movements, Looking over your shoulder in a turn will help keep her weight in the right place as well as reduce the chance of queasiness.
Carrying a passenger can be one of the more enjoyable or one of the more stressful aspects of motorcycling-or even both on the same ride. Much of the experience depends on how prepared you and your passenger are, and some pre-ride conversation and preparation can go a long way toward making the ride a more pleasant experience for everyone. With the right person, a Sunday ride can be even more enjoyable two-up than it is solo, as you've got someone to share the experience with.
Of primary importance is that your passenger has good gear that fits properly. Too often we see riders properly dressed but carrying a passenger wearing much less, or-even more odd-a rider that has given his gear to the passenger and goes without. Remember that your passenger may simply not be aware of the consequences of a crash, and it's up to you to make sure you're both dressed appropriately. Good gear will not only protect your passenger in the event of a tipover, but also it will make things much less uncomfortable if it rains or turns cold on your ride.
Before your first ride with...
Before your first ride with a new passenger, explain to her how to get on and off the motorcycle, some basic signals, and what she can expect during the ride. Some brief instruction beforehand can make the ride significantly more enjoyable for you both.
Before your first ride with a new pillion, go over some ground rules and discuss what each of you can expect from the other. Instruct her (or him) as to the correct way to come aboard: You (the rider) should always mount first, and hold the bike upright with both hands on the bars, the front brake applied, and feet spread as far apart as possible for support. Arrange a signal beforehand that will indicate you are ready for your passenger to proceed. From the left side of the motorcycle (away from the hot exhaust), she should place her left foot on the passenger peg and left hand on your left shoulder. In one motion, she will swing her right leg up and over, using her foot on the peg and arm on your shoulder to lift her body.
There are a number of ways a passenger can hold themselves aboard, including some alternatives from the aftermarket that offer handles on the gas tank or a belt the rider wears. Certainly today's sportbikes are not built for passengers, with tiny, sky-high pillion seats and equally small-if any-grab handles. If you plan on riding two-up fairly often, it may be a wise decision from a relationship viewpoint to consider a standard or sport-touring mount that has nice seating accommodations rather than something from the sporty end of the spectrum. In our experience the safest and most comfortable approach on almost any kind of bike is to have the passenger wrap her arms around your waist and place her palms on the back of the fuel tank. This allows her to brace herself under hard braking without pushing on your back, as well as grip your waist under acceleration and in turns.
Discuss some signals to use while riding, and make sure their meaning is clear. For example, you want the signal to stop right now to be different from the signal to stop at the next exit. Likewise, if you know a bump or dip in the road is coming up, you need a signal to warn your passenger to sit tight and expect a jolt. Keep things basic for a start, as you don't want to overwhelm a new passenger with too many things to remember. As time goes on, you can agree on more elaborate signals for other, less important details.