Pillion Advice. First time with one?

[hubarb spong]

OK the Mrs has said she wants to go out on the back of the GS WHich is great but I have never carried anyone on the back of any bike before.

SO, and helpfull advice would be appreciated. Even the simplest things will help me not look a tool

i.e I take it I get on the bike first and I can then hold it stead while she mounts it

She is also worried as its her first time on the back so she is asking me if she should lean in the corners or not? I think that she should just sit still am I correct????

Cheers

 

[Funners]

OK the Mrs has said she wants to go out on the back of the GS WHich is great but I have never carried anyone on the back of any bike before.

SO, and helpfull advice would be appreciated. Even the simplest things will help me not look a tool

i.e I take it I get on the bike first and I can then hold it stead while she mounts it

She is also worried as its her first time on the back so she is asking me if she should lean in the corners or not? I think that she should just sit still am I correct????

Cheers

you on first and she gets on when you tell her to...
think gentle everything to start with..acceleration, braking cornering etc
she should sit still and let the bike move her, ie stay in line with you as much as poss...
enjoy !

 

[Wanderer]

OK the Mrs has said she wants to go out on the back of the GS WHich is great but I have never carried anyone on the back of any bike before.

SO, and helpfull advice would be appreciated. Even the simplest things will help me not look a tool

i.e I take it I get on the bike first and I can then hold it stead while she mounts it

She is also worried as its her first time on the back so she is asking me if she should lean in the corners or not? I think that she should just sit still am I correct????

Cheers

My 2p ...

You get on first
With your feet firmly planted on the ground, she then gets on
She doesn't have to sit completely still
However, encourage not to lean further than you ever do
A little lean is fine (in the same direction as you!)
Have a system of communication (if you don't have autocom)
She needs to be able to tell you to stop/slow down if needs be
Have fun

 

[ciderman gs]

jack the rear suspension harder do not accelerate hard ride like you have a policeman behind you smooth gear changes to avoid the helmet knock take it easy don't worry about the leaning just break her in gently and every time you go she will enjoy going faster and riding harder the leaning comes naturally

 

[richie]

Tell her to keep her feet on the pegs, even at standstill. (Obvious I know but maybe not to her)

Tell her to either sit up straight, but if she starts to get into it lean into the bend with you. Tell her NOT to lean the wrong way...

 

[hubarb spong]

Cheers, pretty much as I had thought. Forgot about increasing the rear preload though ta

 

[rttim]

Plenty of good advice already in earlier replies.

Fit a topbox, if you haven't already. New pillions are often nervous about falling off the back.

Don't go too far or too fast for the first time.

Explain about the bike rising and falling under acceleration and braking.

 

[hubarb spong]

She has a top box and back rest fitted for her, probably this that has made her want to try it?

 

[John Armstrong]

If you / her don't have intercom, agree on what the signals will be for her to want you to:

slow down,
stop
stop for a "comfort break"
that she can get off the bike, she has been shown how to get on / off?

Ps make sure her kit is at least as good as yours, and if she's like most females I know a heated jacket in July, might not be a bad idea

 

[Pathologic]

Wrap up warm

To ensure that this is a happy experience. Make sure you have an extra layer of clothes with you for her in case she get cold. Winter gloves are probalbly a good idea unless it is roastingly hot.

Ask her about where she wants to hold on (grab rail, your jacket, round your middle) Tell her that wherever she holds on she should use her legs to stay put on the seat during acceleration and breaking.

It is really good if she can see past you to anticipate stops and acceleration. Probably less terrifying as well.

My worst experiences include someone who was so scared she nearly broke my ribs and my mother ( who has ridden a scooter for over 30 years). She insisted on steering me into every corner. Of course she was turning my body the opposite way to the way I wanted it to go Never again.

Still I hope it goes really well. SWMBO fell in love with pillion riding about the same time as falling in love with me. Doesn't hold on at all. Last year she passed her test and has a GS of her own, but still likes to come out with me sometimes. It couldn't be better.

Enjoy.

Regards,

Path

 

[karnevil]

Explain to your pillion how a bike steers!Make sure they understand that any exessive movement will steer the bike.Im an appaling pillion as i look ahead and star to lean b4 the rider.
On the GS hold the brake the bike wont sag so much as the bike cannot compress on the suspension if it has the linked brakes.
Let the pillion have a few practice get ons while the bike is on the centre stand and you on it,is a little higher i know but that makes the real get on easier.
There is nothing worse than a passenger doing a "diving board " spring to get a leg up.It needs to be one calm fluid movement.
BUT MOST OF ALL DONT LET THEM GET MOUNT OR DISMOUNT TILL YOU ARE READY

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

99% of my riding is two up. A few tips for the GS.

Weight (esp with top box) of the pillion sits quite high on the GS. The bike handles it really well when moving, but make sure you don't do too many 'fiddly' slow manouvres. Make sure you are nice and positive on the throttle when doing U turns etc.

with regards to leaning, I've always advised the pillion to look at the road ahead over my inside shoulder on a bend. It tends to get them leaning correctly with the bike.

Other than that, as others have said, just get some hand signals going, and make sure she has warm clothes. (my wife once nearly divorced me near lyon after a long day of riding and she wasn't warm enough).

 

[CBFer]

Explain to your pillion how a bike steers!Make sure they understand that any exessive movement will steer the bike.

A bike steers by movement of the bars - not leaning - so I'm a bit puzzled as to what you mean?

 

[Deleted account W]

A bike steers by movement of the bars - not leaning - so I'm a bit puzzled as to what you mean?

What? Are you serious

 

[karnevil]

A bike steers by movement of the bars - not leaning - so I'm a bit puzzled as to what you mean?

only in a car park

********OFF TOPIC .............ish
RIDE Magazine actually responded to someones question on how to blip a throttle on down changes!!!Thats when i cancelled my subscription....................................................................................********OFF TOPIC.......ish

 

[patboy]

I used to take my sons on the back. The eldest was great and a natural pillion the younger was a figget, and I remember going around a mini roundabout when he decided to move on the seat which unsettled the bike, and certainly made me jump! Keep it smooth and watch for the cambers when you stop. It's a case of getting used to having someone on the back and riding accordingly. Unfortunately the wife was never into bikes, I think it was the time in california when her cousin's husband took her for a spin down the freeway, with an open face helmet and wearing contact lens.
I don't think she ever felt the same about motorcycles!

 

[Wilburt]

You're getting some great advice here but it's all wrong mate.
What they should be telling you is to take the pillion seat off and ride off into the distance as quick as possible! She may forgive you, or she may not.

 

[Gabby]

Notes for Pillions

Relax, don't sit there as stiff as an old board.
Lean with the motorbike. That is don't deliberately lean around corners. Just relax and go with the bike.
Don't try to sit bolt upright around corners.
Don't fidget at high or low speeds.
Arrange a signal with the rider if you are uncomfortable. A dig in the ribs usually works!
Don't get off the motorbike until the rider has both feet on the ground and is aware that you are about to get off , again it's good to arrange a signal.
If your rider is filtering through traffic, remember that the bike is harder to handle at low speeds, so the less movement you make will help steady the bike.
Expect the unexpected. Watch the road so you can anticipate any sudden braking or accelerating.
During braking, you will lunge forward slightly and will probably nut your riders lid, prepare yourself on the approach of junctions and roundabouts by a) gripping the grab rail to steady yourself or b) if you are holding on to the rider twist your hand to the tank to take off the strain and to prevent you sliding into the riders seat.
During acceleration you will lunge back a little. If your holding on to a rear grab rail then just grip a bit tighter to steady yourself, leaning forward will help so long as you are not putting your body weight on the rider.
If you are holding on to the rider during acceleration then it is easier to steady yourself.
Don't distract the rider whilst moving. They need their concentration on the road.

Notes for Riders

The worst motorcycle pillion, is a fast rider themselves. Taking your mate on the back who rides like a looney themselves on their road or track bike, will undoubtedly be a rubbish pillion.
The reason is that they put themselves in the position of being the rider, your style of riding will be different from theirs. If you take your fellow motorcyclist as pillion, no doubt they will get off and tell you that you are the WORST rider in the world - don't take it to heart - you'd say the same if you got on the back of Neil MacKenzie's Bike.

If you've never taken a pillion before, and want a few tips.

Prep your pillion before you set off.
Arrange a signal that they can give you if they are uncomfortable. Don't let them sit there scared witless at 70mph afraid to move.
Stop frequently to check they are ok.
Take it steady to start with. Having a pillion on the back effects braking and acceleration. So allow time in judging gaps during overtaking and don't break suddenly.
Ride corners and junctions as you normally would but just a bit slower and smoother.

 

[hubarb spong]

You're getting some great advice here but it's all wrong mate.
What they should be telling you is to take the pillion seat off and ride off into the distance as quick as possible! She may forgive you, or she may not.

Arf arf

Very tempting

 

[karnevil]

You're getting some great advice here but it's all wrong mate.
What they should be telling you is to take the pillion seat off and ride off into the distance as quick as possible! She may forgive you, or she may not.

Bet she can get the locks changed on the house before you finnish yer ride . LOL