Going 2 up first time (Pilot)

[Leyton]

Hello

I have been unable to find a good thread on going 2 up for the first time. Does anyone have a good thread on this ? Or some good advice in here

The bike is a 07R6, Not the best for 2 up that's for sure!

The only issue I think I will have is with stopping at the odd intersection and maybe pulling off from them, no idea.. have not tried it yet.

My pillion(chicky) weighs probably erm um 50kg ? and looks as nice as my bike so keeping it that way is always good!! Starting small might be the way to go hehe, I had no way of attaching a sack of spuds to the bike as a test run. But yeah, will adjust pre-load for the event and tyre pressure and do a bit of a drill run in the garage to make sure I can hold her weight without any issue as I am quite a short arse!. The Hyosung would have been much easier.

Thought it might be a good way to speed a day with someone I have an eye for LOL. Planning on taking the boring old SH's, nothing twisty.

Cheers in advance

[firefighter]

It's easier than you've imagined in your head!

Common sense-you tell her when your ready for her to get on (nasty surprises can happen otherwise...surprise we fell over!)

Have her get on in a flattish place, ie at the bottom/top of the driveway! (more for 1st time but a good rule)

Braking definitely takes longer-do'nt forget this!

Come up with signals like-one tap stop, two taps i'm going to open it up lean forward etc.

Tell her to anticipate things, like if your stopped at lights when you take off she needs to be ready for it........(good to remind her here by tapping her leg before you move)

Then she needs to hang on, when you slow down if shes hugging you, her weight will go against you and into your wrists and legs, if she has one hand on the tank it helps stop this.

[FJRider]

Take it sedately, and she will enjoy it. Scare her and thats the last you will see of her. Get her to hold on tight to you. That way when you lean ... she does too... in the same direction.
Get a few simple hand signals sorted too. 50 kg's isn't much ... it wont be that bad to get used to.

[Leyton]

Hey that's all good advice :) I personalty have only pillion ed a handful of times in my life and only pillion ed on a dirt bike. With respect to the breaking, I expect having to really grip my legs into the tank with the 6 more then I have to when slowing due to the weight transfer from behind.

Should be good fun, I plan to take it easy, I would like her to enjoy it :)

Riding is such a fun activity!

Thanks for the tips guys :)

[CookMySock]

Remember it's a learning curve for both of you, and that it can be a little stressful, so remember to take regular breaks and chill pills. ;)

Tell her "we'll just get out on the open road and cruise along quietly. No fast stuff."

Watch your low speed balance stuff. Really keep that bike riiiite on balance point, no matter what. Don't be tempted to put your feet down hard and muscle the bike, or it (plus her weight) will muscle you. ;) Over. ;)

Expect the bike to give a little twitch when she shifts her weight, and while it feels very different you should not panic - rather treat it it as if it were a brisk gust of wind and simply ignore it, or apply just a little bar pressure to counteract it.

Everyone has their own style and preferences, and I dont know what difference it might make, but I ask my pillions to not touch the rider please and sit up, relax, and hold on when we are braking or when you feel you need to, but otherwise just sit with their hands on their thighs or in their lap, and relax and look forward over your helmet, not down. Duck a little bit so she can see the road.

Have fun! Doubling chix is really nice.

Steve

[firefighter]

really grip my legs into the tank with the 6 more then I have to when slowing due to the weight transfer from behind.

Should be good fun, I plan to take it easy

Yeah man, my last time I'd cleand the bike and used normal polish instead of non-slip on my seat.......legs were exhasted afterwards! (through twisties)

Twisties are all good man, just take it easy. Will be more fun for her than a windy open road. Else she might not get 'it' and think it's boring. Just go slow.

[vifferman]

I have been unable to find a good thread on going 2 up for the first time.
Really?
What did you try? I suggest you try again, and using the 'Advanced Search function", set to "Search titles only".
Or click this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/search.php?searchid=5401897), seeing I've already done it. Save re-inventing the wheel, and all that. :rolleyes:

We've had this question before, y'see, once or twice.

As for my opinion (even though I've given it before), there's a couple of important things:
1. Explain to your pillion what's expected, and what to do or not do.
2. Ride more carefully than normal, slowing down or accelerating smoothly and gently.
3. Work out with your pillion what works for you with regards to holding on, and so on.

For me, my wife has this down pat, and when we're riding along on the straights or gentle curves, she sits upright, and if she holds on, it's just her hands on my hips (or wherever else she feels like putting them). On twisties, she scoots up close behind me, to centralise the mass, and acts like a limpet. It doesn't affect my riding at all, and helps a lot.

[Leyton]

Twisties are all good man, just take it easy. Will be more fun for her than a windy open road. Else she might not get 'it' and think it's boring. Just go slow.

Yeah good point!!!, I will link a few towns with a couple of nice twisty sections I am familiar with.

[Leyton]

Really?
What did you try? I suggest you try again, and using the 'Advanced Search function", set to "Search titles only".
Or click this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/search.php?searchid=5401897), seeing I've already done it. Save re-inventing the wheel, and all that. :rolleyes:

Haha

I am a bit of a n00b at times, Cheers dude!! :)

[Kinje]

Here's what I got when I asked the same question.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=66905

Done a fair few miles 2up now, including road trip up the West Coast :hug:

As others have said, be smooth (breaking earlier, make sure of your corner line, smooth acceleration and gear changes) and give her a signal if you're guna twist a bit harder cos, hey, its fun for everyone now and then (once your both used to it). I find that the bike feals really stable with her on the back - so get your line right, roll on and smile. It is slower to respond and can't be flicked around like on your own.

It's quite uncomfortable perched up on the back of a sport bike, so expect to stop quite often (~50km) and work out a signal for this. Hard braking and going downhill in twisties hurts her wrists if she's bracing against the tank.

Enjoy - it's great having someone for adventures on the back

[ckai]

Haha

I am a bit of a n00b at times, Cheers dude!! :)

Just what I've found...

EVERYTHING the pillion does you will notice. Head turns, tongue out, ass scratch, the lot! the first time I rode with someone I was amazed at how much them just turning their head is felt.

I found I counter-steered a hell of a lot more. In saying that, I wasn't riding the Daytona, I was riding a GSXF. But still did it a lot more than if I was riding the bike solo.

Tell the chicky just go with you (I actually tell people to not lean on purpose but go with what ever is happening). I had a few bikers ride pillion and they suck! They lean when they want too which screwed things up for my lines. The people that have never ridden a bike were heaps better because they just went with me. Meaning I could do my thing.

Most important thing plant your feet and make sure than stable as hell. Remember you have to hold that bike up for both of you and with someone climbing on. It's better to be a dick about having stable feet before anyone gets on, then having your baby, babe and you assed over.

I wouldn't really shag around with pressure and pre-load if you're going for a short ride. I never on the Hyobag or the GSXF and I took some twisties. You're learning so you're not gonna be a dick.

That's just me though. If it'll make you feel for comfortable, do it.

PS almost forgot...you'll crush you're nuts so don't wear tight undies! Otherwise she want want ya (it certainly ain't for ya body ;))

[YellowDog]

All good advice here.

I am sure you will have no problems and won't even notice the extra 50Kg.

I have found that clutchless shifting avoids the odd helmet bangs and ensures that you ride smoothly.

And don't forget ATGATT.

[BMWST?]

depending on the bike she may have to actually put her foot on the pillion peg and climb on that before actually being able to swing leg over seat so you have to be ready for all her weight on the peg.Be careful with accelleration ,she will HAVE to hold on to something otherwise she could fall off the back.Make sure the first ride is relatively short,and she has warm gear.

[mrchips]

I'm no expert here, but i've found having the side stand down helps for stability when it counts. Nothing worse than a pillion slipping on their mount / dismount pulling both you & a fully loaded bike over in front of a croud ! :pinch:

Probably the most important... leave plenty of room for breaking. Your nads will thank you for it.

[BMWST?]

Your nads will thank you for it.

there is a certain payback for heavish braking tho.....:2thumbsup

[Jonno.]

http://www.lazymotorbike.eu/tips/pillion/

[mossy1200]

Make sure shes aware that cornering involve bike leaning over and she needs to go with the flow and not try sit verticle to the ground(lean away from the corner).If you take it easy she will enjoy.Passengers that relax are good passengers.

[Mom]

depending on the bike she may have to actually put her foot on the pillion peg and climb on that before actually being able to swing leg over seat so you have to be ready for all her weight on the peg.Be careful with accelleration ,she will HAVE to hold on to something otherwise she could fall off the back.Make sure the first ride is relatively short,and she has warm gear.


I was going to edit this post, but realise I cant. Firstly thank you for blaming the bike for the fact that sometimes you have to take a couple of goes to get on the back as a pillion :2thumbsup I know I am a bit vertically challenged but that was a really nice way of putting it.

I have to take the mount on in a couple of steps, unless Maha has found me a kerb, or picnic table or the like to step onto first :o I always give him a tap on the shoulder to let him know I am about to climb aboard, or will ask if he is ready before I do if the ground is loose stones or on a gradient or what have you.

Educate your pillion, keep it smooth and non scarey and you will reap huge rewards :yes: Make sure she has good, WARM, gear. Nothing more likely to put her off for life, than a poor fitting helmet that flops about so badly it feels like her head is going to come off if her helmet catches the wind at speed, or those apparently sexy low riding jeans that leave a fair hunk of skin exposed, allowing her to actually get really friggen cold. A good jacket, with armour in the right places, and some decent footwear that covers the ankles, some gloves, heaps of encouragement and a smooth ride. All it takes really.

[TomJ]

all good advice. I pillon my kids all over the place and also take the wife out often. Both of us are ahem 'stocky' so getting on and off is important. Give you pillon a nod when you are ready for them to get on and off (brace well and apply front brake). Try and get them to put their weight over the top of the bike as they get on rather than all on the footpegs. Too much on one side and you will struggle to hold everything upright!! Placing a hand on your shoulder while getting on the bike helps as does parking next to the kerb to effectively reduce the seat height.

With only 50kgs on gthe back you will be sweet - enjoy

[beyond]

there is a certain payback for heavish braking tho.....:2thumbsup

Yep, they get to use their air bags :)

[Maha]

Hello

I have been unable to find a good thread on going 2 up for the first time. Does anyone have a good thread on this ? Or some good advice in here

The bike is a 07R6, Not the best for 2 up that's for sure!

The only issue I think I will have is with stopping at the odd intersection and maybe pulling off from them, no idea.. have not tried it yet.

My pillion(chicky) weighs probably erm um 50kg ? and looks as nice as my bike so keeping it that way is always good!! Starting small might be the way to go hehe, I had no way of attaching a sack of spuds to the bike as a test run. But yeah, will adjust pre-load for the event and tyre pressure and do a bit of a drill run in the garage to make sure I can hold her weight without any issue as I am quite a short arse!. The Hyosung would have been much easier.

Thought it might be a good way to speed a day with someone I have an eye for LOL. Planning on taking the boring old SH's, nothing twisty.

Cheers in advance


Heres a thread I started in 06 Leyton
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=25056

Post 3 has another couple of links.

[Gremlin]

Don't wear jeans... wear something a little less soft and flexible... you should probably know why.

50kg, she will be really easy. Hardest part will be the low speed. The bike will not balance like you expect it to, as the pillion has a lot of input into the balance. Once moving, try to keep your throttle control and gear changes smooth, to allow her to be comfortable.

Show her how to hold on, different riders prefer different things. I believe some hate the pillion to hold onto them, but I find them holding around waist/chest, or hands on tank, then thighs against mine are fine. More crucial on sportbikes, as the pillion is sorta perched in the middle of nowhere.

Initially, teach her to be a sack of potatoes, and this is where holding around you is handy. She simply leans when you lean, relatively neutral on the bike. After more and more trips, you'll start to feel her get more comfortable with leaning, possibly leaning before you. Then you know you're ready to start telling her about looking over your shoulder into corners (makes pillions lean automatically).

Most importantly, make sure its a good experience for her and don't scare her, or try to show off (unless they're more experienced with being on the back).

[Motig]

Wot they said - but- making sure she understands to just lean into the corners with you I would put as the most critical advice. Its very hard for a first timer not to try and stay upright on a corner, its just a natural reaction to the impression that the bikes going to fall over. Just go for a quite putter in the country until she gets used to it. Take your time as a pilion trying to stay upright while your doing the opposite equals one scary moment at best ,crash at worst. Also wot the others said about braking/accelerating, take things carefully. Mind you it does look pretty impressive when your pillions legs fly up to about your head height as you blat of from the lights :whistle:

[duckonin]

When your pillion is getting on, with your say so of course, tip your bike slightly away from them so that when the weight goes on the peg the bike comes back to neutral, less chance of being caught out, and ending up with a dumped bike which would not be nice at all, that would just make one :mad:Enjoy the company it is good..:2thumbsup

[Leyton]

woooo I never expected sooo mcuh helpfull advice! And it is all common sence :)

She might be poppin over today so we will have a quick dummy run in the garage hehe..

The main concern is the fact I am very short and am near tip toes... if she hops on and it squats enough it will not be an issue.. will just carefully see in the garage first! hehe

[Maha]

woooo I never expected sooo mcuh helpfull advice! And it is all common sence :)

She might be poppin over today so we will have a quick dummy run in the garage hehe..

The main concern is the fact I am very short and am near tip toes... if she hops on and it squats enough it will not be an issue.. will just carefully see in the garage first! hehe

Where possible, I will try and use the gutter (if theres one around) for Mom to get on, I can flat foot it on the CB so not really an issue but it all helps.

At times, I have look and see if she is still the back, I just dont notice her at all, unless under heavy breaking....:2thumbsup ..but she has been around bikes for many many years and is a real pleasure to have as a pillion.

The first time she pillioned for me, she moved after about 500mts, that was a moment for me...:whistle:...when we stopped, she asked'' did ya feel me move''?.... ''now thats what it feels like when a pillion moves'' :calm:

[Leyton]

Rofl!! steady as she goes and play it by ear I think :)

[PrincessBandit]

Nothing really to add except (hope it wasn't in a thread I skim read and am thereby repeating) - have a communication system set out before getting on the road. If she is really uncomfortable about something once underway it can be tricky with how to relay that without causing potential problems.

The other thing is that if she's not a regular on a bike, just a gentle reminder about no tickling, jabbing, "other non-bike related" activities. I know that sounds obvious, but if she is a "hands on" lady who likes to elbow you in the ribs, playfully cuff you or squeeze your knee while you drive etc. then she might be inclined to do those sorts of things without thinking. The end result may not be a pleasant as on 4 wheels with a can around you...

[davebullet]

I would avoid SHs as a first time.... mainly because she might not be used to the feeling of speed / wind factor etc.... Use the 50km/hr zoned roads and do it when it is quiet (heaps of room for corrections / little distraction as possible), nice weather (no wind / rain). Make it optimum conditions to not scare both of you.

[Leyton]

The other thing is that if she's not a regular on a bike, just a gentle reminder about no tickling, jabbing, "other non-bike related" activities. I know that sounds obvious, but if she is a "hands on" lady who likes to elbow you in the ribs, playfully cuff you or squeeze your knee while you drive etc. then she might be inclined to do those sorts of things without thinking. The end result may not be a pleasant as on 4 wheels with a can around you...

LOL I'm not that luckyly unlucky :) hehe

Thanks for the tips! :)

[Transalper]

....And don't forget ATGATT.
Hell yes, make sure she is protected.
If you only have one set of gear between you make sure she is the one wearing it.
The bike will handle worse, everything will be a bit heaver, but once you get going you'll find you adjust to it quickly and it will be second nature again soon enough.
Just take it easy and enjoy.