Carrying a Passenger

Content Source: 2020 Indian FTR 1200 Owner’s Manual (9931115 R02) > Safety Chapter

IMPORTANT

The Owner's Manual for this vehicle contains warnings, instructions and other information you must read and fully understand before safely riding or performing maintenance on this vehicle.Always follow the warnings and instructions in Owner's Manual.

Click the CONTENTS link above for the Table Of Contents, or download a full PDF of the Owner Manual in the Owner Support area of Polaris.com

Carrying a Passenger

WARNING

Do not carry a passenger unless the motorcycle is equipped with passenger seat and passenger footrests.

Do not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your motorcycle. Refer to the Specifications section of this manual or the Manufacturing Information/VIN label on the motorcycle frame for model-specific information.
Adjust ride height as needed. See the Rear Shock Preload (Ride Height) Inspection and Rear Shock Preload (Ride Height) Adjustment sections for details.
Direct the passenger to hold onto you or to the passenger hand-holds with both hands and to keep both feet on the passenger footrests. Do not carry a passenger who cannot place both feet firmly on the passenger footrests. A passenger who is not holding on properly, or who cannot reach the passenger footrests, can shift their body erratically, which can make the motorcycle hard to handle and cause loss of control.
Before riding, be sure your passenger knows safe riding procedures. Discuss any safety information unfamiliar to your passenger. A passenger who is unaware of safe riding procedures may distract you or make movements that make the motorcycle hard to handle.
Adjust your riding style to compensate for the differences in handling, acceleration and braking caused by the additional weight of the passenger. Failure to do so can cause loss of control.