โฑ PLEASE READ THIS FIRST โฑ
We do not endorse riding with your dog and a human passenger together for the safety reasons outlined below. But we respect the personal responsibility of each rider to make their own choices and we believe in providing our best knowledge and experience to help make an informed decision. If you choose to ride with a human passenger and your dog, we want to help you do so with all the appropriate safeguards.
Sharing the thrill of ride with your dog and a human passenger โ and what to consider if you do
If you’re a dog-loving motorcyclist then there’s no comparable sensation to combining those two favorite things into the extraordinary activity of riding with your dog.
Your K9 Moto Cockpit makes that thrilling experience possible with superior build quality, safety protection, and styling.
But, what if you’re also fortunate enough to have an adventure-, dog-, and moto-loving spouse, partner, or friend who wants to join you and your K9 copilot on your rides?
In that case, you’re now asking yourself:
Can my Cockpit be positioned further rear to accommodate my dog and a human passenger?
We call this position “2-Up+Pup” and the simple answer is Yesย โ but, of course, there’s a few Buts to consider.
Safety Principles and the 2-Up+Pup Position
Key among the Cockpit’s safety design principles, which are summarized at the top of our Cockpit Resources hub, is to position the Cockpit immediately behind the rider and over the passenger seat.
This places as much of the dog and Cockpit load as possible exactly where the manufacturer designed the motorcycle, scooter, ebike, snowmobile, or other vehicle to carry the weight of a human passenger.
If we position the Cockpit behind the human passenger, the increased load to the rear produces:
- More severe impact on the ride geometry and safe handling
- Greater strain on the hardware that secures the Cockpit to the motorcycle
For these reasons, we don’t endorse using the K9 Moto Cockpit โ or any other motorcycle dog carrier โ for riding with your medium or large dog and a human passenger nor de we build custom mounting that is intended to accommodate a human passenger.
I Want to Ride 2-Up+Pup Anyway
While we don’t endorse this activity, we respect the personal responsibility of each rider to make their own decisions.
We believe in providing our best knowledge and experience to help make an informed decision and perform the activity as safely as possible if you decide to do so.
Therefore, what follows is in no way intended as a recommendation but rather points to consider towards ensuring the maximum safety in your endeavors.
For a rider who wants to test the feasibility of riding with their dog and a human passenger, consider the following:
- Obtain a second, unmodified baseplate as part of the Cockpit purchase โ this purchase can also be made at a later date through our Cockpit Baseplate Replacement.
- Place the Cockpit as snuggly behind the passenger as comfort permits.
- Drill holes in the unmodified baseplate to accommodate the mounting hardware in this alternate, rearward position.
- Engage a professional mechanic or metalworker to fabricate additional mounting hardware for this position.
What Additional Mounting Is Needed for the 2-Up+Pup Position?
The custom mounting hardware that we fabricate for the Cockpit is not adequate to support the additional rear load created to accommodate a human passenger.
Therefore, if a rider wishes to test the feasibility of this alternate position, it is necessary to extend additional hardware from the subframe, wheel hub, or other weight-bearing feature.
For example, Cockpit riders with an adventure or touring motorcycle have installed one or more braces to the steel frame that mounts the side cases because this frame mounts to the motorcycle at multiple locations.
Cruiser and trike riders have installed braces that connect to a tow hitch and/or to the bumper that skirts the rear wheel hub. Others have drilled additional bolting locations directly into the wheel hub itself.
These additional support brackets might secure to the Cockpit baseplate or directly to the crosswise bar of the Cockpit’s steel frame.
Alternatives to the 2-Up+Pup Position
Since we do not endorse riding with a medium or large dog and a human passenger, it’s only fitting that we recommend some alternatives for your consideration.
Not surprisingly, we highly prefer the more authentic ride experience that the K9 Moto Cockpit delivers. Nevertheless, this is where a trailer or sidecar might be the better option for some riders.
For example, you might secure your Cockpit to the motorcycle and use the sidecar to accommodate the human passenger.
Alternatively, you might secure your Cockpit to a popular adventure motorcycle trailer like this one so the passenger seat remains unencumbered.
Even better than these option, this might be the moment and reason that that your spouse, partner, or friend decides it’s time to learn to ride their own motorcycle.
Many riders โ especially women โ have reported starting or returning to riding because the Cockpit now makes it possible and safer to bring their dog along.
So, before you put too much thought and $$$ into configuring your Cockpit for the 2-Up+Pup position, maybe consider gifting a beginners riding course insteadโฆ
โฑ Disclaimer: the riders in these photos performed their own modifications to achieve the mounting position shown and accommodate a human passenger. โฑ
