To all pillion riders

[rocketman1]

If I was to impress her indoors with coming (pillion) on the back of a motorbike, what would be the best bike to go touring as far as a pillion on?
I am likely to hire the bike for a weekend to give her a chance to see how good motorcycling can be.
I don't think riding on the back of my SV would impress her much.
Your educated opinions would be appreciated.
PS I have never ridden pillion on any bike so I would have no idea?

[Blackbird]

If I was to impress her indoors with coming (pillion) on the back of a motorbike, what would be the best bike to go touring as far as a pillion on?
I am likely to hire the bike for a weekend to give her a chance to see how good motorcycling can be.
I don't think riding on the back of my SV would impress her much.
Your educated opinions would be appreciated.
PS I have never ridden pillion on any bike so I would have no idea?

Any BMW or Honda ST 1300 etc with plenty of leg room. Decent screen to protect her. Trouble is, if she likes the non-sports bikes, that's you stuffed for the future. Bye bye SV:laugh:

[shafty]

GL1800, put her favourite music on, bottle of bubbly in the top box...............

[MIXONE]

My beema K75S which is fitted with a corbin king and queen seat You can ride all day long without getting a numb bum.
It's for sale to just by coincidence.:innocent:

[sunhuntin]

anything thats not a sports bike. oooorrrrrrr anything where the knees are below the hips. lol.

[klingon]

The VStrom! Same innards as the SV but much squishier on the outside!

My partner has an SV and I think it must be about the least comfortable bike to pillion on. But the VStrom is lovely! :done:

[Hitcher]

Having pillioned on many rides, Mrs H loves the FJR1300. Easy to get on and off; not too slopey a seat; easy-to-reach grab handles; good padding; good leg room. The addition of a Givi topbox with backrest clinched it for her for the 14,500km she pillioned on it in the US and Canada.

[JATZ]

MrsJatz has been known to nod off on the back of the Triumph so it must be comfy, mind you the seat has been modded a little and the susp has had a serious upgrade :D

[CookMySock]

Just go for it on the SV. Make it a short trip, and remember, non bikers feel like they are on a missle with footpegs.. even just a wee blip past a car can be very frightning. The first ride with my mrs on the back and she was white as a sheet. :lol:

Steve

[klingon]

A friend has an SV (the black one that belonged to Unit first, then Keystone19 ... I tell him it's a girls' bike :laugh:). Anyway he took his wife out on it for a few gentle rides and she decided that if that's what pillioning was like, she is never going to do it again.

The pillion seat on the SV is very high, small and uncomfortable, stepped well up and back from the rider's seat, and leaves the pillion exposed to the wind not just blasting them in the helmet but also buffetting in the chest and body (because there is such a big gap between rider and pillion).

Being a pillion on the SV is much harder work than being the rider on the same bike.

The Vstrom on the other hand has a lower, wider seat, and it is possible for the pillion to snuggle up much closer to the rider. It gives you much less wind buffetting, makes you able to move with the rider much better (especially for an inexperienced pillion), and gives you a sense of security that you are tucked in tight, not perched out on your own.

I can't comment on other bikes, but it sounds like the comfy bikes have a lot in common - the low, wide seat and the pillion position in relation to the rider position. The addition of a top box with back rest also makes a huge difference.

[Jantar]

The VStrom! Same innards as the SV but much squishier on the outside!

My partner has an SV and I think it must be about the least comfortable bike to pillion on. But the VStrom is lovely! :done:
Stromfrau agrees with this. :laugh:

[Thani-B]

Definitely NOT an R1, must be the most uncomfortable bike I've been a pillion on. If you like sportsbikes the VTR1000 isnt actually that bad for a pillion. I've been pillion on quite a few (sports)bikes including a SV1000, GSX-R750, VFR400, ZX6R (plus others I cant remember), and the VTR was the one that was the most comfortable for me. However, BMW's do look like they would be good, can't say I've tried one though.

[coffeejunkie]

TL for the win!!!!

[Okey Dokey]

I can't help you with your choice of hire bike. I've pillioned lots on the back of a gsx-r 750. I found it fine, except in gale force winds.

I think the SV would be okay if you ride smoothly. Remember to arrange some basic hand signals with her first. For instance, a bang on the right shoulder means stop asap.

Hope you have a good weekend

[Dodgyiti]

Make sure you like the bike too, because if she really likes a nice squishy rent-a-tourer, she will always compare the comfort to anything else after that ride.... it's a slippery slope to ending up with a BMW, watch out!:shifty:

[varminter]

We tried half a dozen bikes before settling on the V-Strom, the boss liked the seat and I liked the bike, now all I have to do is learn to ride it. Fine when I'm moving but you sure as hell better be fully upright when you stop, I find it really heavy especial as it's high. Guss I'll get better.

[leo.zeona]

My lady and I have covered some 50000ks together on a Ducati ST3 and when she has other things on and you get to go out by yourself you will find it to easily be a match for the SV and its still a v twin. I bought an ohlins rear shock and set the sag for 2 up riding and its the bees knees.

[Highlander]

I think start off with short trips. Go for a circuit where you can go for an hour or so stop for coffee and come back again. you'll feel it when she starts getting a bit fidgity so stop for a leg stretch.

Find a bike with a pillion SEAT as opposed to a Patch the size of the palm of your hand. Like others have said she needs to feel secure sitting on it, and not feel like a half folded pocket knife.

We did lots of 2 up Km on my CB, and it was great, but I felt it lacking power sometimes, and after 4 years wanted something a bit different. The BMW I have now is awesome but we don't do much 2 up riding these days, we take 2 bikes.

[NiggleC]

Mrs C and Miss C love the VStrom rear sear, rating it better than the BMW R1100GS that i owned.

[avgas]

Enfield.....................no shit......

[9rider]

Any BMW or Honda ST 1300 etc with plenty of leg room. Decent screen to protect her. Trouble is, if she likes the non-sports bikes, that's you stuffed for the future. Bye bye SV:laugh:

With comments I have heard from the ladies, these would be my choice of bike.

[unstuck]

Dont mind the vf,but really wants me to get a goldwing or similar which I am not all that happy with. I had the pleasure of being pillion on a zzr1100d7 at the weekend and i think she would like that.:yes::yes::yes:

[oneofsix]

Dont mind the vf,but really wants me to get a goldwing or similar which I am not all that happy with. I had the pleasure of being pillion on a zzr1100d7 at the weekend and i think she would like that.:yes::yes::yes:

At least you get the 'or similar' option :facepalm: and she hasn't even tried the Gsxr yet after only 24 months :crybaby: she has had a buggered patella tendon

[Camshaft]

haha my missus loves the gixxer, he dad not so much.

[DrunkenMistake]

My misses has common sense and refuses to ride pillion with me in control haha..

and her old man has a thing about young fellas on sports bikes, although he did offer me his Vmax to test ride when he is finished rebuilding it

[Richard Mc F]

CB1300 honda, we both manage to sit on it all day without complaint, still fun for one as well:woohoo:

[wingnutt]

the goldwing is designed to carry rider and pillion, with luggage, long distance, depending on the model goldwing, they have radio, mp3 players, CB radio, cruise controll, intercom between rider and passenger, heated seat and grips.

the passenger, can talk over intercom, listen to music, and talk on the CB, also backrest for passenger, and feet are on boards for comfort. handgrips are either side.

all the folks I know who ride pillion reckon its just effortless riding.

[Icemaestro]

why don't you start her on the sv, then take her on one of the previously suggested ones and she'll love the difference!!!

My wife started pillioning on a cbr250 so the vfr is only slightly worse ;-). And I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any worse than the back of a vfr400 that has been raised (she sits on about a 15-20deg angle)

Or there's the "..If she really loves you...."

[skinman]

when I first took the wifey on the back I had a 250virago & took her to the local cafe which is about 15 minute on 80km roads so she didnt freak with the speed. Then when I upgraded I had to get a bike that was comfortable for her as well. As we both like the look of cruisers it wasnt too hard.
Pillions dont like overtaking or splitting, in fact better to avoid riding in traffic with them at the start if possible.
She does complain of knee locking after about 1 1/2 hr riding so stop often for coffee.
good luck