First trip with pillion

[LFB531]

Possibly should go in the dumb questions.........

I've been riding a year and never taken a pillion and not had any plans to but it looks like I'm going to need to for a 60 mile trip.

Bike is a GSA1150 so plenty of room! Any top tips for a newbie or is it a case of just get going and adapt fast. Passenger is an adult, also a bike rider but like me, always solo.

Thanks in advance and mickey take fully expected

[ClaphamGT3]

Braking distances will be a bit longer
Get them to mirror what you do on the bike and not to actively lean into corners
Get them to hold onto the rail/grips, not you
Prepare for them to slide into you under braking
Check rear tyre pressure

[darkyoung1000]

The fact they also ride will help as they're less likely to lean the wrong way into corners...

Worth checking you lights if you're not going to be entirely in daylight, it will be higher.
Be more gentle on acceleration, braking and gear changes to avoid clashing helmets.
Unless you've got helmet comms, have a pre-arranged signal for 'please stop at your earliest safe opportunity.'

Apart from that, enjoy, it's a good thing to have done (and the bike will feel much faster too once you've dropped them off)!

[FlabbyMidgets]

Adding to what others have said, check rear suspension in the manual, and get used to slow speed maneuvers too. First time I had a pillion I struggled a little. Looked like a nob stopping and setting off from junctions

[jamiehamy]

I did my first very short ride with a pillion last weekend. I out seat on low, albeit wasn't really needed as passenger lowers suspension anyway. Was very odd sensation, like having a huge crate of water on the top of the bike. Slowly, predictable, smooth and anticipate even earlier where you may want or have to stop. Was half as bad as I thought it might be. Enjoy :-)

[CRC25]

Be aware moving off from standstill that there is more weight over the backwheel, made my fazer prone to wheelie if given a handful of throttle, took me by surprise

[Pat H]

Also check your insurance.

Do some exclude carrying a pillion?

[Biker's Nemesis]

There'll be no need to use the clutch to get it to wheelie in 2nd and 3rd gear with a pillion.

[Gavia]

Pat H said:

Also check your insurance.

Do some exclude carrying a pillion?

Yes and no. Excluding pillion cover is an opt out, rather than opt in, so unless the OP has chosen not to have it he should be OK. Theoretically, the pillion would still be covered if there’s an accident, as you can’t remove their right to claim for injury, even if opted out. The insurance co would have the right to come back and reclaim any payout from the OP, again thought that’s theoretical and highly unlikely to happen.

[Cfnteabag]

Make you you have a signal for when to get on and off the bike, when I first took my wife on the back, she started to climb on before I was ready and we very nearly all ended up in a heap on the floor

[TommyBuoy]

First time I took a pillion it was a mate who didn't ride.

Sat bolt upright, couldn't fight the urge to lean out of a corner and ended up giving me a bear hug everytime I got on the throttle.

Stop after a mile and he wouldn't get back on so i had to go and get the car to pick him up

Ref insurance - recently it's been an opt in on the compare websites...

[sc0tt]

TommyBuoy said:

i had to go and get the car to pick him up

[dern]

If you get in to a situation where you're about to take a bird strike fight the urge to duck and take the hit for the team. Fortunately the seagull missed and my wife didn't notice or I'd have been for it.

[MartinFC]

All great advice here. One more I can think of (because it happened and was a problem...) If the passenger is a pillion newb, make sure they know to keep their feet up on the pegs when you stop at red lights etc.

[LFB531]

Indeed it is a great read, thanks to all.

[upsidedownmark]

Personally I prefer they *do* hang on to me, that way I know where they are..

The other one is I'm clear before we go anywhere that they keep both feet on the pegs until I tell them otherwise. No sticking feet out when stopped at a light etc. Keeps it simple. Otherwise all has been covered really.

[Dakkon]

I would check your insurance first, you have to state that you will carry a pillion these days it is not assumed anymore.

[Blackpuddin]

Normally, seeing the OH's feet either side of your head is a good thing, but not when you've just done a fast start when they're on the back of the bike and not expecting it.

[Biker 1]

Next time I take Mrs B on the back, I shall order some Tena Pants for her. I think she shat herself when I gave it the beans overtaking a bus.....

A proper briefing for the newbie pillion is definitely recommended.

[200Plus Club]

And if you do almost take off nearly over an unforseen hump/bridge you can expect to have your spuds rammed into the tank by your 14 stone pillion....