Passengers, Cargo, and Group Riding
Carrying a passenger
Your motorcycle must be designed for two: a proper passenger seat and footpegs are required in most states, and your passenger needs a helmet and protective gear too. Before adding a passenger, check tire pressure and set suspension preload according to the owner's manual. Extra weight lengthens stopping distance, slows steering, and can raise the headlight aim, so adjust as needed and allow more room everywhere.
Brief your passenger: mount only after the engine is running and the rider has the front brake on with both feet down. Sit still, keep feet on the pegs even when stopped, hold the rider's waist or the grab rail, and lean with the rider - never opposite. The rider should start and stop more gradually and avoid wheelies, hard braking, and abrupt turns.
Cargo
Keep loads low, centered, and secure, well away from moving parts and the hot exhaust, and stay under the weight limits in the manual. Unbalanced cargo or a loose strap can end a ride faster than traffic can.
Group riding
Ride in a staggered formation with about a one-second gap to the rider directly ahead and two seconds to the rider diagonally ahead. Move to single file in curves, on narrow roads, and entering or leaving the highway. Never ride side by side in the same track, never pass the leader unless agreed, and relay hand signals back through the group.
Rule of thumb
Ride your own ride - the group's pace is never a reason to exceed your skill or sight line.