First time with a pilion...any thoughts?!
Discussion
The OH doesn't know this yet, but we're off out Suday morning with a few of the chaps. Getting the rear seat and pegs put back on and borrowed some leathers.
Now, is there an art, or is it just the same with a bit more weight? Obviously I'll be riding like a girl (even more than usual) and will be taking zero risks.
It's her first time so don't want to put her off either!
Cheers.
Now, is there an art, or is it just the same with a bit more weight? Obviously I'll be riding like a girl (even more than usual) and will be taking zero risks.
It's her first time so don't want to put her off either!
Cheers.
The key to taking a pillion is to be smooth. Imagine a glass full of water balanced on your tank. You want to get to you destination having spilt as little water as possible. Braking, acceleration and cornering all want to be progressive. That is not the same as slow so don’t think just because you’re going slowly it’s all OK
Has she been pillion on a bike before? If not, tell her to not even think about leaning and to simply keep her head behind yours. Let her know clearly when to get on and to get off of the bike and where to hold on. If she is holding on to you, your arms will take a lot of weight when you brake so be ready for that. Remember that she will be perched up in the wind blast so keep the speeds down under the err….. about 3 figures. (If you get to take her on that bit of private road!)
Arrange signals before hand like if she squeezes you with her legs then you’re going too fast. If she taps you then she wants to stop andif she puts a hand on your upper thigh then you’re going to get lucky! Sorry, scratch the last one!!!
Hope that helps.
Ride safe and enjoy.
Has she been pillion on a bike before? If not, tell her to not even think about leaning and to simply keep her head behind yours. Let her know clearly when to get on and to get off of the bike and where to hold on. If she is holding on to you, your arms will take a lot of weight when you brake so be ready for that. Remember that she will be perched up in the wind blast so keep the speeds down under the err….. about 3 figures. (If you get to take her on that bit of private road!)
Arrange signals before hand like if she squeezes you with her legs then you’re going too fast. If she taps you then she wants to stop and
Hope that helps.
Ride safe and enjoy.
Go slow and steady mate, make sure you tell her to sit as close to you as possible and to lean/go with the direction of the bike you don't want her leaning the wrong way in the bends. Tell her to keep her feet on the pegs if you have to stop at junctions and under no circumstances attempt to get off the bike until you say so and are prepared.
Bike will handle totally differently, more sluggish to acc/turn/stop. You'll need to avoid harsh acc or braking and you must rev match on down changes to keep it as smooth as possible.
Basically build up your own confidence first thats the main thing.
Bike will handle totally differently, more sluggish to acc/turn/stop. You'll need to avoid harsh acc or braking and you must rev match on down changes to keep it as smooth as possible.
Basically build up your own confidence first thats the main thing.
Edited by sjtscott on Friday 9th May 20:30
I'm no way an expert as I've only just recently persuaded the OH to go on the back but my advice would be
keep the first journey short so if she doesn't like it/ is uncomfortable she won't be stuck there for to long and may just speak to you when you get back.
Find quiet junctions to practise pulling away from, you seem to wobble for far longer
Arrange a system so she can let you know if somethings up (tapping your chest seems to work well)
Don't wear leathers with a race hump as apparently it makes it hard to hold on
All these are based on my findings when I was in the same position as you just a couple of weeks ago so I'm sure somebody more experienced can give better advice but she has mentioned trying a CBT so I can't have put her off to much
keep the first journey short so if she doesn't like it/ is uncomfortable she won't be stuck there for to long and may just speak to you when you get back.
Find quiet junctions to practise pulling away from, you seem to wobble for far longer
Arrange a system so she can let you know if somethings up (tapping your chest seems to work well)
Don't wear leathers with a race hump as apparently it makes it hard to hold on
All these are based on my findings when I was in the same position as you just a couple of weeks ago so I'm sure somebody more experienced can give better advice but she has mentioned trying a CBT so I can't have put her off to much
Hello mate, been doing pillion with the OH for over a year now (in fact she's the only one who's been on the back) and I would say go get a 'pillion pal' - basically a belt that you wear, with handles. It really helps when braking/accelerating as she won't lean on you so much, or have to hold on round you.
From the riding POV I would just say be careful braking until you get used to it, it needs so much more distance to brake in with a pillion!
From the riding POV I would just say be careful braking until you get used to it, it needs so much more distance to brake in with a pillion!
Love Handles
The missus comes with quite often as she works 5 mins walk from the office.
Braking: Earlier and smoother. No stoppies.
Turning in: Slower and smoother otherwise you'll end up having to correct and she'll panic if you weave.
Pulling away: See love handles above, get a top case
or just take it more smoothly...Saddling up: Some guidance on how to mount might be advisable for the first time...
General riding: As smooth as you can and try to learn how the extra weight affects the bike.
I generally get a sharp thump in the ribs if I misbehave. The only thing she really doesn't like is filtering in traffic at speed.
Enjoy!
My advice would be to try riding pillion yourself a few times first so you know exactly what you're subjecting her to. Riding pillion has got to be THE singlemost uncomfortable way to travel there possibly is!
Engine braking will feel like very severe and sudden braking to a pillion. Sudden unexpected bursts of acceleration are a constant source of worry. Snappy gearchanges will also upset a pillion riders balance.
Going downhill she'll need to sit bolt upright possibly leaning backwards to counter any braking forces and stop herself sliding forwards onto you. At all other times she'll need to lean forwards and ignore cornering. A decent set of boots make all the difference on those rear pegs in terms of grip and actually feeling where the pegs are. Some sports bikes have very short pegs, if shes wearing shoes that dont grip particularly well
(or allow her to feel where the pegs end) she'll feel like she's about to fall off at any given moment - particularly under braking.
Love Handles are the best way for a pillion to hang on. Rear bars will leave her feeling like she's been crippled after any length of journey...the constant strain and tension on the arm muscles will leave her feeling like she's spent several days down at the gym.
Don't ride in the dark with her at first, expecially on motorways. Its easy as a pillion to let your mind drift, lose concentration, and all sense of reality in the dark. You can start to daydream and consider things like letting go and just folding your arms and going to sleep....
Engine braking will feel like very severe and sudden braking to a pillion. Sudden unexpected bursts of acceleration are a constant source of worry. Snappy gearchanges will also upset a pillion riders balance.
Going downhill she'll need to sit bolt upright possibly leaning backwards to counter any braking forces and stop herself sliding forwards onto you. At all other times she'll need to lean forwards and ignore cornering. A decent set of boots make all the difference on those rear pegs in terms of grip and actually feeling where the pegs are. Some sports bikes have very short pegs, if shes wearing shoes that dont grip particularly well
(or allow her to feel where the pegs end) she'll feel like she's about to fall off at any given moment - particularly under braking.
Love Handles are the best way for a pillion to hang on. Rear bars will leave her feeling like she's been crippled after any length of journey...the constant strain and tension on the arm muscles will leave her feeling like she's spent several days down at the gym.
Don't ride in the dark with her at first, expecially on motorways. Its easy as a pillion to let your mind drift, lose concentration, and all sense of reality in the dark. You can start to daydream and consider things like letting go and just folding your arms and going to sleep....
All good advice, particularly ask her to try to keep her head behind yours. It seems likely EXACTLY the opposite of a person's natural reaction, and therefore it's a big 'trust' thing. Explain to her that if she tries to lean the bike upright when you try to corner, it'll cause a problem. She should relax, hold you round your waist, repeated tapping means I want you to stop.
Nick, take on board everything from above.
Accelerate and brake smoothly and try not to 'impress' her. Aim to be Mr Smooth.
On your GSXR there is nowhere to reasonably hang onto so she'll be hanging onto you. She'll feel very nervous at first so maybe find some roundabouts to get her used to the bike leaning.
What you'll find is that on a bike like yours, especially if she is tense, all of her weight will be taken through your arms when you brake - very tiring for you.
Remember
1. Be smooth
2. Acceleration will be slower
3. Braking will take longer
4. Handling won't be affected in theory - but if she's nervous then she can unsettle the bike during cornering. Increase your speed around corners gradually.
When she gets more confident tell her to put one hand around you onto the tank, to brace under braking.
Accelerate and brake smoothly and try not to 'impress' her. Aim to be Mr Smooth.
On your GSXR there is nowhere to reasonably hang onto so she'll be hanging onto you. She'll feel very nervous at first so maybe find some roundabouts to get her used to the bike leaning.
What you'll find is that on a bike like yours, especially if she is tense, all of her weight will be taken through your arms when you brake - very tiring for you.
Remember
1. Be smooth
2. Acceleration will be slower
3. Braking will take longer
4. Handling won't be affected in theory - but if she's nervous then she can unsettle the bike during cornering. Increase your speed around corners gradually.
When she gets more confident tell her to put one hand around you onto the tank, to brace under braking.
rsv gone! said:
Nick, take on board everything from above.
Accelerate and brake smoothly and try not to 'impress' her. Aim to be Mr Smooth.
On your GSXR there is nowhere to reasonably hang onto so she'll be hanging onto you. She'll feel very nervous at first so maybe find some roundabouts to get her used to the bike leaning.
What you'll find is that on a bike like yours, especially if she is tense, all of her weight will be taken through your arms when you brake - very tiring for you.
Remember
1. Be smooth
2. Acceleration will be slower
3. Braking will take longer
4. Handling won't be affected in theory - but if she's nervous then she can unsettle the bike during cornering. Increase your speed around corners gradually.
When she gets more confident tell her to put one hand around you onto the tank, to brace under braking.
Accelerate and brake smoothly and try not to 'impress' her. Aim to be Mr Smooth.
On your GSXR there is nowhere to reasonably hang onto so she'll be hanging onto you. She'll feel very nervous at first so maybe find some roundabouts to get her used to the bike leaning.
What you'll find is that on a bike like yours, especially if she is tense, all of her weight will be taken through your arms when you brake - very tiring for you.
Remember
1. Be smooth
2. Acceleration will be slower
3. Braking will take longer
4. Handling won't be affected in theory - but if she's nervous then she can unsettle the bike during cornering. Increase your speed around corners gradually.
When she gets more confident tell her to put one hand around you onto the tank, to brace under braking.
Wise words or Chilli...................Tell her to get her own licence and bike
Fook me Chilli! How long you been biking dude? You have a sports bike that could pull a house over and you have never had a biker chic on the back! It's biker law......Summer, sticky tarmac, biker chic on the back of your muscle bike, country pub, beer and a nice meal, blat home and show your biker chic just how much you like her!!!!!!!
My mate took me pillion on his R1, you feel like your perched so high! He's quite slim so he said to put my arms round him (mmmmm) and put my hands on the tank, seemed to work quite well.
A quick squeeze of the knee to check I was ok every now and then, helping me into gloves, doing up my zips, then helping me out of it all after.... :cloud9)
A quick squeeze of the knee to check I was ok every now and then, helping me into gloves, doing up my zips, then helping me out of it all after.... :cloud9)
Chilli said:
The OH doesn't know this yet, but we're off out Suday morning with a few of the chaps. Getting the rear seat and pegs put back on and borrowed some leathers.
Now, is there an art, or is it just the same with a bit more weight? Obviously I'll be riding like a girl (even more than usual) and will be taking zero risks.
It's her first time so don't want to put her off either!
Cheers.
Just don't forget to dial up the rear shock as I did once and it bottomed out.Now, is there an art, or is it just the same with a bit more weight? Obviously I'll be riding like a girl (even more than usual) and will be taking zero risks.
It's her first time so don't want to put her off either!
Cheers.
If she doesn't ride and has never been on the back of a bike then the first time you get to 70mph it will feel rather fast. Take it really easy for the first few miles and be as smooth as silk, blip the throttle on down changes and performing clutch less up changes make it much nicer for the pillion. Don't accelerate or brake hard until she's used to being on the bike as it will only unsettle her and make her nervous about being on the bike. If she is holding on to you it will make her feel safer than using a grab rail and putting a hand on the back of the tank when you brake makes it much easier for her to support herself. Ask her to try to act like a sack of potatoes sat on the back of the bike and just lean with the bike as you corner.
Otherwise just have fun.
Otherwise just have fun.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff