Would it be frowned upon to ride a motorcycle in uniform with a passenger?

2016-08-30T09:44:11-04:00

Sometimes my spouses schedule coincides with mine. With that said, it would be far more convenient to carpool. Utilizing our POV is an option too, but in LA we hit rush hour.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2016 9:52 AM

2016-08-30T09:52:23-04:00

As long as y'all are wearing the proper protective gear...what's the issue?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2016 9:54 AM

2016-08-30T09:54:18-04:00

Nothing wrong with it. Not sure why this would be an issue at all. Make sure you're both wearing the proper PPE and your motorcycle is properly outfitted for a passenger (passenger pegs and seat) and go enjoy your ride together.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 30 at 2016 9:54 AM

2016-08-30T09:54:59-04:00

There is absolutely NOTHING in the instruction that prohibits it. If anyone says anything to you about it, I would hazard to guess that person does not ride a motorcycle and is giving you their OPINION, not facts.

Response by PO2 Pete Haga made Aug 30 at 2016 9:57 AM

2016-08-30T09:57:48-04:00

Take your wife and go ride brother nothing wrong with that be safe and keep the shiny side up!

Response by SGT Virgil Pritchett made Aug 30 at 2016 10:00 AM

2016-08-30T10:00:18-04:00

I don't think it would but it all depends on you're command because of wearing the helmet they could say it's an improper cover but that would be stretching it with them. I had a lot of friends who road there bikes in uniform.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 30 at 2016 10:03 AM

2016-08-30T10:03:07-04:00

I see no potential issues there, as long as you are both wearing the appropriate PPE. Ride safe!

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Aug 30 at 2016 10:03 AM

2016-08-30T10:03:13-04:00

In L.A., no one will notice or care...just be careful while lane splitting.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 30 at 2016 10:03 AM

2016-08-30T10:03:34-04:00

No issue at all by regulation or common sense... If a "leader' takes issue with it..."leader" does not apply.

Response by PO2 Kristy Williams made Aug 30 at 2016 11:15 AM

2016-08-30T11:15:47-04:00

I wouldn't think so...

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Aug 30 at 2016 11:44 AM

2016-08-30T11:44:16-04:00

One answers, with one possible concern. Not aware of any uniform restriction, but in an abundance of caution (and a chance to empower yourself) visit AR 670-1 (on-line as a PDF) and look for objects to be worn with uniforms. For instance, the USAF is very concerned about how and when to deploy umbrellas. Fair enough, it is the civilian branch, but also the most uptight branch, so let's use them as a joint base line. From AFI 36-2903 I'm very familiar with how to wear a back pack, or a duty mobile phone, but I'm pretty confident there isn't any prohibition on "draping civilian body over uniform while operating a motorcycle."
Even if there was such a rule, it couldn't be enforced off the installation. So check the reg for yourself, so you can cite to it in the very unlikely possibility that this ever arises. The only exception might be if an installation puts out a "no passenger if the driver in uniform" rule. Then she would dismount and take the shuttle bus. Again, I seriously doubt this scenario.

Meanwhile, ride every day you can. Quality time on the bike is a plus.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Aug 30 at 2016 12:42 PM

2016-08-30T12:42:53-04:00

Why would this be a problem? It's just plain common sense that there is no issue with the uniform.

Response by SSgt Joseph Marquis made Aug 30 at 2016 1:18 PM

2016-08-30T13:18:54-04:00

Do you ride in a car with a passenger while in uniform? Same situation but a different conveyance... same rules.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2016 4:11 PM

2016-08-30T16:11:33-04:00

As long as you're not sharing the helmet...

Response by Lt Col David Nadeau made Aug 30 at 2016 5:20 PM

2016-08-30T17:20:25-04:00

If you're properly decked out with safety gear and complying with traffic laws there is no issue whatsoever. Start acting the fool like some of these geniuses on their sport bikes and you might evoke the ire of the public or law enforcement. Ride safe!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2016 6:26 PM

2016-08-30T18:26:37-04:00

Just make sure your spouse gets a safety brief, signs a roster, turns it into S-3, adds several glow straps to her work attire, police calls the garage when she gets home, and gets her "Army Wife: Toughest Job in the Corps" sticker from your unit's Family Readiness Officer.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2016 6:50 PM

2016-08-30T18:50:50-04:00

I think so long as you're adequately licensed, if your motorcycle is able to accommodate a passenger, and you're both wearing appropriate PPE, there should be no issue. Nothing in the regs says you can't do it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2016 8:10 PM

2016-08-30T20:10:48-04:00

Nothing in the regs against it. Make sure you both have the required PPE. When you get promoted, quit being cheap and get her a bike.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2016 7:03 PM

2016-08-31T19:03:47-04:00

Wow.
I did LA and splitting the traffic is a faster way to get through the miles. It is dangerous because of the people who cut you off. YES, you can see people looking in their rear view mirrors and then pulling their car right into your lane. I took off many a side mirrors. In addition, I have been placed into a squeeze between an 18 wheeler and a large auto...both my mirrors on the bike broke away.
I saw on average one body a month with a motorcycle you could barley recognize as a bike because it was mangled and a white sheet over the body.
Unless you commander forbids it, I should not be wrong. Proper reflective gear, boots, gloves, protective clothing and the like should be worn.
Please do not gamble, ride only about 5mph to 10 mph faster than the traffic incase you need to stop safely.
Your sole purpose now becomes the safety of your passenger. They will shift their weight in a manner that will cause you to loose balance and or loose control of the motorcycle that you are use to in terms of sliding. The passenger needs to know to shift their weight with the rider or not at all and allow the rider to control the motorcycle in a slide such as caused by applying the brakes.
Please, always have a way out.
Please, always see what is in the path of the way you will go before you go. For example, I can tell you countless times when other motorcycles came by so fast I was startled, because I was about to either move or shift to split traffic or out of splitting traffic and they "Zipped" by (from both sides). Some of these guys are really dangerous to everyone.
Splitting is dangerous. Riding a passenger is a new element that brings responsibilities to get aware of.
Lastly, I hit a rut on I-405 just before it connects to I-5 and the impact was so violent I was wondering why I was not on the ground (2010). I made it to the safety of the emergency lane (6 lanes over). Since it was night I did not see any oil leaking out of the pan or engine. The bike never rode wobbly or in ill fashion. It was the next day when I went out to inspect and saw the rim was damaged. The impact was so hard the rim collapsed, did not have a flat and wreck.

Response by CSM Scott White made Aug 31 at 2016 8:03 PM

2016-08-31T20:03:25-04:00

there should be no issue with a passenger on the back of a motorcycle while you are in uniform. due diligence in riding to protect that passenger, and yourself is an absolute. I ride to and from work, and would not hesitate to have a passenger with me while in uniform. Remember that while in uniform you are in public view, and need to act accordingly. Ride safe and have fun.

Response by MSgt Rosemary Connolly made Aug 31 at 2016 10:51 PM

2016-08-31T22:51:56-04:00

no kissing in uniform. LOL.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2016 9:19 AM

2016-09-01T09:19:06-04:00

Thanks for the feedback all. I know there's nothing in regs that state I cannot but I just wanted to make sure.

Response by SFC William A. McCoy made Sep 1 at 2016 11:31 AM

2016-09-01T11:31:15-04:00

No different than riding in a cage with the spouse.

Response by SFC Phillip Wiley made Sep 4 at 2016 1:56 AM

2016-09-04T01:56:40-04:00

I see no issue just ensure she has proper gear(suggested by your base) on if riding onto post. Be free,run wild ,be happy.

Response by SFC Derek Ashman made Sep 8 at 2016 3:08 PM

2016-09-08T15:08:40-04:00

When my wife was in she would ride on the back of the motorcycle some days and we both were in uniform. So I do not see a problem with it and it is not against any regulations.

Response by SSG Jose Alatorre made Sep 14 at 2016 3:04 PM

2016-09-14T15:04:23-04:00

nope dont see any you must maintain control of vehicle .