Riding on a motorcycle as a passenger is exhilarating, but it can also be dangerous. There are several differences between sitting in a car as a passenger and riding on the back of a motorcycle that you should be aware of to stay safe.
Being a motorcycle passenger can be extremely dangerous if you are not informed and properly prepared. Wearing the exact same safety gear as the driver of the motorcycle is vital as a motorcycle passenger, as well as understanding how your movement affects the motion of the motorcycle, as per Motorcycle Habit.
How does my movement affect the motorcycle?
Since a regular passenger vehicle is much larger and heavier than a motorcycle, you can generally move around inside of it with impunity. It is easy to shift positions in a car without affecting the motion of the vehicle.
Motorcycles are not like this. If you wiggle and move around too much, it is possible that the driver will not be able to handle the shift in weight and lose control of the bike. When you mount the bike, make sure that the position you are in is comfortable enough to be in for the duration of the ride.
What should I wear on a motorcycle?
The passenger and the driver should both be wearing, at minimum, a helmet with an armored jacket, heavy denim, and boots. It is not uncommon to see the operator of a motorcycle dressed in an armored jacket with a helmet and the passenger wearing sandals and shorts.
If the motorcycle ends up in an accident, the passenger is just as likely to sustain an injury as the driver is. Dressing for this is paramount.