Doing a wheelie with a pillion

[BigAlMacMac]

Actually this is not a how to... rather a how not to...

I am new to biking and took out my first pillion last week, my big old mum... still grinning apparently

And today took out my sister who is significantly lighter.

Anyway, under heavy (not full throttle) acceleration in third on my 12 GS I thought I felt the wheel lift and another time I am sure the font wheel lifted completely.

I did have the rebound turned up, though not to full and she weights about 9 stone with me at 13.

I was slightly unnerved since I have not had the front wheel life when out myself even under full throttle in second.

Any thoughts?

 

[Loiq]

it's called a power wheelie, totally natural as the centre of gravity is further to the rear than normal with the extra load on. Makes the front end go light and pop up not enourmous but big enough, can be nice to do and helps you get a feel for the bike.

Consider it mildly dangerous as you can get it wrong and you can fall off.

 

[Schtum]

Not surprising really. The first time it happened to me was about 25 years ago as I proceeded across a junction in the centre of Edinburgh, two-up with the front wheel of my MZ250 Supa5 waving about a couple of feet off the road.

 

[Gas'd Off]

Who's a throttle happy chappy then!

 

[Bert]

Actually this is not a how to... rather a how not to...

I am new to biking read inexperienced... and took out my first pillion last week, my big old mum... still grinning apparently

And today took out my sister who is significantly lighter.

Anyway, under heavy (not full throttle) acceleration in third on my 12 GS I thought I felt the wheel lift and another time I am sure the font wheel lifted completely.

I did have the rebound turned up, though not to full and she weights about 9 stone with me at 13.

I was slightly unnerved since I have not had the front wheel life when out myself even under full throttle in second.

Any thoughts?

Irresponsible springs to mind....if you love your family.....don't risk exposing them to severe injury through your own lack of skill.
Build your experience slowly and sensibly - then let them appreciate the joys of motorcycling safely and come with you.
perhaps but still alive.

 

[BigAlMacMac]

Bert,

inexperienced... happy to accept that... only done 5000 miles since October so no veteran.

Irresponsible... not so sure on that one...

I had been steadily increasing the amount of throtle I had been using during a 2 hour ride. It was towards the end that I had the wheel lifting experience. If it had been something I had been warned about and I still did it... then definitley irresponsible...

And after all I have sought the font of all knowledge or all matters motorbiking... the GS forum.

 

[Bert]

IMVHO

one does not take any pillion - let alone members of one's family and expose them to such a dangerous activity until one has gained sufficient experience of motorcycle control which is gained over time.

Each person develops these skills at their own rate and all you can do is minimise the risk- never erradicate it.

Nothing personal- To each his own - I can understand your enthusiasm (and I would do nothing to stiffle it) but you sought out an opinion in this forum and this gave you his. It is best to be cautious...

So yes- "irresponsible" covers it quite nicely My tuppence

 

[Davel]

Well I wouldn't risk it with a pillion on board.

 

[Psycho]

Anyway, under heavy (not full throttle) acceleration in third on my 12 GS I thought I felt the wheel lift and another time I am sure the font wheel lifted completely.

i stopped wheelying when i stopped smoking


put on 3 stone in 3 months


and i couldnt do it in 3rd so my bike must be down on power

so i need a dyno test doing urgently

done test ------correct -------actually 3bhp up with end can

must be my 20 stone of weight thats good thought bike was broke

must remember to loose weight next year so i can wheely i will have a pint to that

 

[csd4t]

I got 5 points for "travelling some considerable distance on the rear wheel only" (driving without due care and attention). I thought it took a lot of care and attention to do, but I was on an RG500 (took a lot of care to keep the front wheel on the ground)

 

[conncarr]

Pillion Wheelies

I used to get this a lot when I carried a heavier pillion regularly. On my K1200RS it was ok, very controllable as it was a heavy bike anyway, but on lighter or more powerfull bikes I could never use full throttle. It's ok as long as you are expecting it, and I only mean lifting the wheel a couple of inches over bumps and rises. I'm not talking about doing proper wheelies or anything like that. My advice on those would be - don't do them!! Had a mate with a TL1000 who killed himself when the landing went wrong and put him into a telegraph pole!!

You can feel when the front end goes light. Just back off a bit.

 

[BigAlMacMac]

Ok so the great has ruled me irresponsible. I bow to your experience and offer to eat humble pie. But at least I noticed it happening...

So can the great let me know what other stuff I need to know that I don't know I know?

BTW: there is nothing in the forum on pillion or in the police handbook about power wheelies... either how to avoid or how to do...

There is a section in a recent motorcycle rag on how to do a wheelie but I considered that a trick for a much later stage and a much lighter bike... and preferably not mine either

 

[Vern]

It's simple, now you know how much to give it to get the wheel up,just don't give it that much again(unless of course you want to)

Sorted

 

[Davel]

We didn't say we've never done it, just that it can be dangerous with a pillion.

 

[Schtum]

So can the great let me know what other stuff I need to know that I don't know I know?

Two-up stoppies are safer.....

 

[Rushy]

one does not take any pillion - let alone members of one's family and expose them to such a dangerous activity until one has gained sufficient experience of motorcycle control which is gained over time.

Please expand on you comment by defining sufficient experience and also the required time frame. This sounds like useful information for bigalmac to learn from but that you omitted to explain fully.