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Passengers and acceleration

With a passenger the motorcycle gets heavier, and it accelerates more slowly with the same force. Overtaking therefore takes longer, and braking distance grows. Steering becomes heavier and slower, especially at low speed. The passenger must wear a helmet, keep their feet on the footrests and follow the rider's movements in bends.

a = \dfrac{F}{m}

the acceleration with force F

Symbols

$F$	force from the engine	N
$m$	mass of bike, rider and passenger	kg

Example

Bike and rider weigh 250 kg. A 75 kg passenger gets on.

The same force gives $\dfrac{250}{325} \approx 0.77$ of the acceleration, about 23 percent less.

Agree on signals with your passenger before you set off, for example a tap on the shoulder to say stop.

Practise passenger and load for free →

← Luggage on the motorcycle · Permitted total weight →

Part of Motorcycle licence (A1, A2, A): Passenger and load.