Never really thought about it. My main advice is to check that the ground you’re parking on doesn’t slope away. A GS parked at 45 degrees off the vertical is very easy to get on to…and a bit of a struggle to push back up to the level, even with a bit of a run-up. Guess how I know that. Anyway, here’s a few tips as requested.
The GS is a bit too tall for the straight-across knee-to-chin kung-fu kick straddling technique, but if your boot is catching the top box as you swing over, maybe try lifting one knee onto the seat with your leg folded, holding the nearside handblebar grip to steady you, and then use your free hand to help lift your ankle across. My leather trews are a bit tighter than they used to be, and when I wear them I need to help my ankle across. This done, you may need to make a little hop just to straighten yourself up in the saddle, the momentum of which can also be used to carry the bike off the sidestand and onto the vertical.
Once you’re on, your pillion confirms with you that you’re ready for them to get on, places a hand on your shoulder, a foot on the pillion footrest, and stands straight up through the leg – this gives them plenty of height to move their leg between your back, and the front of the topbox, as well as a good view of where to find the pillion footrest on the other side – leg placement is a bit tight for pillions if the GS panniers are fitted. This step-up puts a sudden extra weight on one side of the bike (and your shoulder) which is why you need a bit of warning, so you can brace for it, instead of fiddling around trying to find neutral. With practice, a pillion can do this all very smoothly & confidently, so well done them, as the GS pillion is pretty high, and consequently offers one of the best views in motorcycling.
The mechanically sensitive may wince at the thought of momentarily putting full bodyweight through one footrest hanger, but unless your passenger is a 6’ 4 gymnast with legs that go all the way up, has a handy milkmaid stool, or you pull up next to a low wall for them to stand on and step aboard, I don’t see another way, other than the hoist mentioned above. And BMW pillion footrests are thoughtfully sturdy. Just look at them.
N.B. this doesn’t apply to Honda C90s, with their pillion footrests mounted on the chainguard. In that special case, the pillion technique is to stand behind the bike, adopt a bow-legged John Wayne stance, and swagger forwards until the bike is underneath you.
with tank bag, top box and a bag on the pillion seat ( no panniers )
