If you've ever been the extra passenger on a racing or sport-touring motorcycle, then you'll know that it can be rather awkward. You typically sit higher than the rider, so you have to lean forward and down to grab them around the torso. If you aren't that chummy, you might instead choose to sit upright and reach behind you to clutch the rear grab-bar - definitely not the best way to keep from being thrown off the bike, either backwards or forwards. New York product designer and motorcyclist Andrew Lewis has come up with what he believes is a better solution - the Moto-Grip.
The device is a polyester webbing harness with padded handgrips on the front and back, giving passengers the choice of hanging onto either set. The grips are set high on the harness, to allow for a passenger that is sitting higher than the operator. Lewis claims that this arrangement maximizes stability and comfort for both riders.
The harness has a break strength of 2,000 pounds (907 kg), and can handle a passenger weighing up to 300 pounds (136 kg).
Because children are shorter than adults, have less in the way of strength and balancing skills, and can nod off on the back of motorcycles, Lewis also created the Moto-Grip Jr. It loops around the child's back, attaching to either side of the operator's regular Moto-Grip harness. This keeps the young rider held against the back of the operator, where they can grab onto that person's front or rear handgrips.
Both products are available online from Andrew's company, Hatch Ventures (which also makes a product designed to let hip-hoppy types' baggy pants hang low, without falling right off). The Moto-Grip and Moto-Grip Jr. both come in three sizes, and are priced at US$179.95 and $79.95, respectively.
