First trip with pillion
Discussion
Biker 1 said:
A proper briefing for the newbie pillion is definitely recommended.
ThisEverything else is pretty easy. Just ride your bike allowing for the extra weight.
But ... do make sure you and your pillion agree and understand:
1. How they will get on the bike.
2. When they can get on the bike.
3. Where and how they'll hold on.
4. How communications will work for simple messages such as stop, hold on etc.
5. When they can get off the bike.
6. How they get off the bike.
The GS is a tall bike so unless they have very long legs and are extremely flexible they're going to need to climb up on the pillion peg (or even the riders peg) before swinging their leg over to get on. This will require the rider to have their feet planted firmly on the ground and to have a good hold of the handle bars (front brake on). The same is true for getting off.
200Plus Club said:
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....
+1..Although for me its more after hard braking on a sports bike.
Extra tips from me are:
Check the tyre pressure (some have a higher recommended pressure for two up riding)
Again more for sportsbike pillion riders which may not apply to you, but plan on stopping more often to let them stretch their legs. Pegs are quite high for pillions on a sports bike and they dont get the chance to stretch out their legs in stopped traffic, traffic lights etc so it can get more painful more quickly.
Use the back brake more, especially around town or slow speed start n stop in traffic just use it all the time. Be really smooth and with good anticipation should probably be no need for fistfuls of front brake anywhere anyway.
Check the manual and adjust rear pre-load to suit and wind up the damping if possible. If you take a pillion regularly you will soon figure out some suspension settings that work best and write them down.
Check the manual and adjust rear pre-load to suit and wind up the damping if possible. If you take a pillion regularly you will soon figure out some suspension settings that work best and write them down.
A couple of things worth mentioning to your pillion:
Ask them not to move around at slow speed - I took a mate out once on a long journey, he got numb bum from the wafer thin pillion seat and started shuffling around for comfort. Unfortunately he chose to do this every time we slowed down or filtered. Has quite a profound effect on the handling of the bike. Also if they do cause you to overbalance when stopping or pulling away, you're very unlikely to hold the bike up with their extra weight to deal with too.
Depending on your grab rail situation, get them to reach in front of you and use the flat of their hand on the tank when you brake, it will stop them squashing you and you having to support their weight on your wrists.
As has been said, just get them to sit upright and not lean etc.
When getting on/off non bike savvy pillions always manage to give your tail a good kick/scrape/scratch with their boots.
Ask them not to move around at slow speed - I took a mate out once on a long journey, he got numb bum from the wafer thin pillion seat and started shuffling around for comfort. Unfortunately he chose to do this every time we slowed down or filtered. Has quite a profound effect on the handling of the bike. Also if they do cause you to overbalance when stopping or pulling away, you're very unlikely to hold the bike up with their extra weight to deal with too.
Depending on your grab rail situation, get them to reach in front of you and use the flat of their hand on the tank when you brake, it will stop them squashing you and you having to support their weight on your wrists.
As has been said, just get them to sit upright and not lean etc.
When getting on/off non bike savvy pillions always manage to give your tail a good kick/scrape/scratch with their boots.
When I took my wife out first time, there was a lot of helmet banging (ooo-er)until she got used to it. Second time we developed a hand system, a slap on her thigh meant I was going to pin it for a bit, a double tap on the shoulder from her was to slow down, at standstill, a tap on her thigh meant she can get off, and a tap on my shoulder meant she was safely on when we were setting off.
Generally, I was surprised how little difference it made (braking distances have to be accounted for), but it helps that my wife is a featherweight, most conscious thing was reigning in your impulses, and also remember that filtering is often terrifying for the pillion, so take it easy.
ETA, My brother in law told me how his father back in India had his wife as a pillion, but when he got to his destination, she wasn't there.
Generally, I was surprised how little difference it made (braking distances have to be accounted for), but it helps that my wife is a featherweight, most conscious thing was reigning in your impulses, and also remember that filtering is often terrifying for the pillion, so take it easy.
ETA, My brother in law told me how his father back in India had his wife as a pillion, but when he got to his destination, she wasn't there.
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