Not everyone has a MotoGP Ducati with grab handles grafted onto the gas tank for two-up Sunday afternoon rides like ex-racer Randy Mamola. Instead, sport-touring and sportbike passengers have to latch onto the rider’s love handles through leather or textile jackets, or worse, skin-tight racing suits. Not exactly great handholds.
But what if there were an inexpensive way for passengers to wrap their leather mitts around real handles? 2WheelRide has just such a setup, called the Passenger Safety Handles (originally called Love Handles, but the company says consumers were finding it difficult to relate the product with its function).
The Handles involve two rubber-coated, 6061-T6 aluminum handles on a nylon belt worn by the rider. The belt clasps together pretty much identically to that of a car seatbelt—which is exactly what it looks like. The belt is heavily padded for wearer comfort and adjustable for 28-to-45-inch waists, measured while wearing riding gear.
Our sportbike-accustomed passenger found the safety handles convenient during around-town riding, giving a thoroughly reassuring grip. In this casual setting, the rider pretty much forgot he was even wearing the belt.
Photo by Rick Clemson Photography
Where the belt doesn’t help, in fact, hinders, is during hard braking. Not only does having the passenger’s full weight on the belt squish the rider’s privates into the gas tank, it greatly restricts his ability to hang off the bike to set up for a turn. Because of this, our passenger reverted to her usual method of bracing her hands against the tank during braking.
On the plus side, the handles have a good, ergonomic shape and are comfortable to hold onto. The belt itself is easy to adjust and fairly light. It’s sturdy and well-made, although it did loosen once during a particularly aggressive riding stint.
If you’re more into Sunday cruising than two-up canyon carving, these grab handles provide a safe, secure alternative to the conventional ways of hanging on. Plus, your passenger won’t be constantly reminded just how many pounds her man has to lose.
DETAILS
2WheelRide, Inc.
18101 E. Santa Clara Ave.
626/922-3532
www.2wheelride.com
Price…$65
Ups
- Sturdy design
- Comfortable for rider and passenger
- Great for holding on during wheelies
Downs
- A hindrance during braking
- Not for track days
- No more “accidental” reach-arounds
