The Physics of Pillions

[pommie girl]

I've never had a pillion passenger before and was thinking about taking the better half out. However, before I do, I want to know about any possible problems regarding the weight ratio i.e. my husband weighs about 35kgs more than me. How is this going to affect the bike? Is it safe? How about cornering, braking and acceleration?

Obviously don't want to kill off the hubby too early or scare him into never riding with me again :ride:

Any advice gratefully received.

[MSTRS]

I've never had a pillion passenger before and was thinking about taking the better half out. However, before I do, I want to know about any possible problems regarding the weight ratio i.e. my husband weighs about 35kgs more than me. How is this going to affect the bike? Is it safe? How about cornering, braking and acceleration?

Obviously don't want to kill off the hubby too early or scare him into never riding with me again :ride:

Any advice gratefully received.
Higher centre of gravity, weight heavily towards the rear, reduced performance from engine/brakes. Just take it easy & 'feel' your way. Don't try to ride like you normally do. Increase stopping distance allowance etc. Does your BH ride too? Whatever, tell him to keep his head in line with yours & not to try cornering himself. Hope that helps.

[pommie girl]

Higher centre of gravity, weight heavily towards the rear, reduced performance from engine/brakes. Just take it easy & 'feel' your way. Don't try to ride like you normally do. Increase stopping distance allowance etc. Does your BH ride too? Whatever, tell him to keep his head in line with yours & not to try cornering himself. Hope that helps.

Thanks for that - no, sadly BH doesn't ride and swore never to go near a bike after a mate of his died on one about 10 years ago. I'm working on changing his mind...

[Ixion]

..
Obviously don't want to kill off the hubby too early ..

Quite right :yes: . Always wait to kill them off until you've gotten the goodness out of them . :whistle:

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I've never had a pillion passenger before and was thinking about taking the better half out. However, before I do, I want to know about any possible problems regarding the weight ratio i.e. my husband weighs about 35kgs more than me. How is this going to affect the bike? Is it safe? How about cornering, braking and acceleration?

Obviously don't want to kill off the hubby too early or scare him into never riding with me again :ride:

Any advice gratefully received.
Simply tell him to sit still and do not lean just sit like a sack of spuds and let you do the riding. Keep your speed down. It takes longer to stop in a big hurry but go with the flow and you will be good. Maybe keep the revs up a bit more in the corners and passing cos it will give you the power you are use to. Get him to sit close to you. Will keep the weight forward. And allow him to hold on to.................ummmmmmm ..... wellll....the grab rail :love: :whistle: Go do it this afternoon and he might get a bike tomorrow :yes:

[Wolf]

Quite right :yes: . Always wait to kill them off until you've gotten the goodness out of them . :whistle:
Or at least a decent life insurance policy and the house is nearly paid off.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Or at least a decent life insurance policy and the house is nearly paid off.
Get a new bike paid for as well cos you will need a new one to do the higher mileage when you are free........... :devil2: :killingme :killingme :killingme

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Hope that helps.
Get off the net and go and do your washing and vacuum cleaning stuff............when she "in doors" back?

[pommie girl]

Damn right! Life insurance is topped right up ... but I think he got that for me actually... hmmm

He'll be using the grab rail too - don't want him getting any ideas on the motorway at 120. :whistle:

[MSTRS]

12 days, 9 hours & 47 minutes. But who's counting?

[Gixxer 4 ever]

12 days, 9 hours & 47 minutes. But who's counting?
:laugh: :laugh: Feel like a ride to the viaduct?

[MSTRS]

:laugh: :laugh: Feel like a ride to the viaduct?
can't finish this post as have to get gear on ....

[Sniper]

How much do you love him????

[FROSTY]

Heres my tuppenths worth.He needs to have his hands on your waist.
Explain to him about weigh transfer forwards under brakes and about the bike leaning when you go round corners.
You need to be aware that his weight is going to affect the bikes cornering and stopping distances.
Also a first time pillion can react in unpredictable ways -by trying to be "helpfull" or out of sheer fear.
If you live in Auckland I'll be happy to take him for a ride on the trusty ol XJ
Not being funny but I can ride around a pillions "assistance' whereas you may not be able to.
Ill bring baby bikie to show there aint nuffing to be scared of.

[pommie girl]

Thanks for the offer Frosty, I'll have a word with him. I think possibly as well I may practice my taking my girlfriend on the back before he comes anywhere near the bike, she at least weighs the same as me :D

[JohnBoy]

the best advice i was ever given was to tell the pillion to relax and when it comes to corners either lean or dont!! nothing more disturbing when your thinking "are they or not gonna lean for this one..."

take him around locally for a while to help him get over any fears and to help[ him understand what to expect.

oh... and put something soft on the front of his helmit cause he'll be tapping you on the back of the head everytime you stop and go!

[MSTRS]

Probly wise

[Hitcher]

I'd recommend going and playing around in a large open space somewhere before you hit the highway. Like riding solo, low-speed skills are important. And it's important too that you give your pillion a stern talking to before starting:

Get on and off only when I tell you.
When you're on the back, keep your feet on the pegs at all times.
Reach an agreement as to how your pillion should hold on -- either to you or the bike.
Watch the exhaust pipe -- it's hot.
Sit still, like a sack of potatoes. Move with me, and don't anticipate what I might do.
Reach an agreement for signals, like "slow down", and "stop", and "that's OK, go faster!"

You'll notice that with a pillion you carry more momentum into corners. You will need to brake earlier and more decisively than when you're on your own.

Enjoy!

[Biff]

Pillions are like glamour models aparently - top heavy and unstable.

Nice and smooth on the acceleration, braking and gear changing front. Otherwise he'll be head butting the back of your head for the entire journey - which can be very annoying and distracting!

[750Y]

ride smooooth & you'll be sweet. when you wanna slow down, gently squeeze the rear brake first(before adding the front brake) which will pull the back of the bike down so the weight won't all rush to the front so much. good luck

[Storm]

ride smooooth & you'll be sweet. when you wanna slow down, gently squeeze the rear brake first(before adding the front brake) which will pull the back of the bike down so the weight won't all rush to the front so much. good luck
Never knew that. Thanks for that mate, it will make my next trip with the missus a lot better hopefully

[pommie girl]

Awesome - thanks so much for all your advice!! Great suggestion about practising somewhere quiet - I think I'll find a car park and have a go around that for a while - get us both feeling confident about it. Really appreciate the feedback. Might see if I can ride pillion myself with a friend to remind me what it feels like :ride:

[inlinefour]

A pillion on my 400cc is horrible as its set up for rider only. My theory is that if I have to transport someone I might as weel take a cage. I'd hate to think what it'd be like on a 250cc :no:

[XP@]

Echo the ride smooth... if you don't then be prepared for a ding on your lid every time you go faster or slower.

Also resist the urge to give the throttle a handful when overtaking. the front end will come up a lot easier than before.

Even the lightest pillion can make your life difficult.

[Lou Girardin]

Greater love hath no man. Than to get on the back of his wifes bike.

[pommie girl]

Greater love hath no man. Than to get on the back of his wifes bike.

Guess he figures it'd get him in my good books, either that or he likes the leather pants I've got .... errrr

[Ixion]

Guess he figures it'd get him in my good books, either that or he likes the leather pants I've got .... errrr

Pictures. pictures. Where's the pics. :devil2:

[Two Smoker]

A pillion on my 400cc is horrible as its set up for rider only. My theory is that if I have to transport someone I might as weel take a cage. I'd hate to think what it'd be like on a 250cc :no:

Took a 95 kg person on my 400... scraped the pegs easy as, but pulled really well... Took a 45kg perosn on the RG... was a little slower in all aspects but still quick... Took a 95kg person on the RG, scraped everything quickly, but was still good for 140kmh (maybe even more)

I wont start on the bike bikes and what they do :msn-wink:

[pommie girl]

Pictures. pictures. Where's the pics. :devil2:

Safely locked away ...

[bugjuice]

also be warey of the change in characteristics in the bike, like was mentioned before, things like the brake become 'less effective', not that they do, but you have a lot more weight to stop. It'll feel like there's no power in it any more (you have more weight to get going), and the front *may* feel a bit lighter than normal as all the weight is now more on the back of the bike. Just be aware of these when you're heading into the corners. As Frosty said, give them a brief about what to expect too.

I also never start a ride without working out hand signals. There's a high chance they won't be able to hear you too well, so work out some simple signals to reassure them that they don't feel too isolated back there. A good one I've found is tapping on the shoulder when they want to stop. This action isn't something you can do by accident so it plainly obvious that they want a break. One thing that I do just to be sure (and I tell the pillion this) is tap their left leg/knee. This is me asking if they're ok. Again, a reassurance if something could have been a bit unnerving for them. This can be following by a quick squeeze from them or tapping your waist etc. This way, you can keep communications open without having to scream your lungs out.

Also just bear in mind any lisence restrictions, just incase you get any unwanted attention ;)

Most of all, tell them to relax and enjoy it. If anything, them being relaxed will help you ride. And just take everything extra careful and plenty of time..

[Gixxer 4 ever]

People have posted good stuff but like all things it gets scary when you talk about it to much. Put him on the back and go for a quiet ride around some local roads. When you are happy go on the M/W and have a nice even gentle ride. Take care but have fun.

[Big Dave]

Do you know how to adjust your spring pre-load? Crank it up.

poor girl - You miss out of the joys of applying excessive front brake in the interest of feeling boobies.

[Lou Girardin]

Do you know how to adjust your spring pre-load? Crank it up.

poor girl - You miss out of the joys of applying excessive front brake in the interest of feeling boobies.

The alternative maybe interesting. If you're into that sort of thing.

[pommie girl]

poor girl - You miss out of the joys of applying excessive front brake in the interest of feeling boobies.

:laugh: I can't say that's a huge motivator for me, but that probably explains why my mate used to brake quite hard on the A2 by Greenwich whenever I went for a ride with him....

Can't imagine it would be as much fun having a boy behind me as it is sitting behind a boy, if that makes any sense... :whistle:

[Pixie]

Dogs are the best pillions in the world

[pommie girl]

Dogs are the best pillions in the world


Errrr... no, I'll give that one a miss, thanks.

[Jamezo]

Dogs are the best pillions in the world

au contrare. it's goats. Dogs can not talk.
Many goats are bigger than sheep but not as fat and they are clever. But there are fat goats, some nearly as big as small horse. My goats are freindly and sometimes I hug them but...

I have many goats with beerds and one with the mustche but he wasnot called merv.

[Ixion]

Dogs are the best pillions in the world

Not when they put their claws throught the seat vinyl.

[pommie girl]

Oookay... whatever it is you're smoking, I think you should give it a rest for a bit :D

[Lou Girardin]

au contrare. it's goats. Dogs can not talk.
Many goats are bigger than sheep but not as fat and they are clever. But there are fat goats, some nearly as big as small horse. My goats are freindly and sometimes I hug them but...

I have many goats with beerds and one with the mustche but he wasnot called merv.

This post, Jethro, is very worrying. :laugh:

[Ixion]

..

I have many goats with beerds and one with the mustche but he wasnot called merv.

Don't they all have beards ? And I agree , this post is worrying - after all, who would call a goat merv ?

[Big Dave]

Don't they all have beards ? And I agree , this post is worrying - after all, who would call a goat merv ?

David Boon.

[Jamezo]

oh GoatFood, GoatFood, wherefore art thou?

[Skyryder]

:laugh: I can't say that's a huge motivator for me, but that probably explains why my mate used to brake quite hard on the A2 by Greenwich whenever I went for a ride with him....

Can't imagine it would be as much fun having a boy behind me as it is sitting behind a boy, if that makes any sense... :whistle:

OOOoooohhhhh....................I don't know.............as a young boy at the time she thought it was nice. :hug: :hug:

But seriously just take it carefully. Most has been said so will not repeat. I am a great believer in engine braking especially when two up. If something slides with that extra weight things can go wrong quicker than normal. It is at the slower speeds that take a bit of getting use to; no sharp turns ue's etc.

Skyryder

Skyryder

[avgas]

get them to hold you as tight as they can (arms and legs).....this comes in especially handy when they climb up on to your shoulders and hug your helmet :killingme .....ah the 1982 TS185, did everything - but nothing very good
But im not kidding about the tight grip thing - it gives you a sense of where they are on the bike - and it 'ties down the load'.
My girlfriend got the hang of this quite quick and would put her arms in my jacket pockets or hold my chest area. She then would pull herself tight so she would almost 'lie' on my back.
Sometimes even the deep rumble of the GB doing 150 on the motorway, would put her to sleep!!!!!! which scared the shit out of me :cold: not noticing that she was asleep then thankful she hadnt fallen off

[pommie girl]

get them to hold you as tight as they can (arms and legs).....this comes in especially handy when they climb up on to your shoulders and hug your helmet :killingme .....ah the 1982 TS185, did everything - but nothing very good
But im not kidding about the tight grip thing - it gives you a sense of where they are on the bike - and it 'ties down the load'.
My girlfriend got the hang of this quite quick and would put her arms in my jacket pockets or hold my chest area. She then would pull herself tight so she would almost 'lie' on my back.
Sometimes even the deep rumble of the GB doing 150 on the motorway, would put her to sleep!!!!!! which scared the shit out of me :cold: not noticing that she was asleep then thankful she hadnt fallen off

Geez, falling asleep is one thing I don't think he'll be doing as he'll be too busy watching out for problems....... and if he were to lean on me with 95kgs of weight I'd probably fall off the bike :D but I shall definitely tell him to hold onto me - thanks!

[Big Dave]

Geez, falling asleep is one thing I don't think he'll be doing as he'll be too busy watching out for problems....... and if he were to lean on me with 95kgs of weight I'd probably fall off the bike :D but I shall definitely tell him to hold onto me - thanks!

My mrs falls asleep on the back of the bike regularly when we are touring. I know she's asleep by the way her helmet rattles against mine.
no dramas - i tap her leg if i'm going to wick it up.

95kgs huh - Like I said - you do know how to adjust your spring pre-load?

[pommie girl]

95kgs huh - Like I said - you do know how to adjust your spring pre-load?

Ummm, no. But it's definitely one of the first questions I'm going to be asking at the Auckland spanner evening!!

[Big Dave]

Ummm, no. But it's definitely one of the first questions I'm going to be asking at the Auckland spanner evening!!

Tis simple - It is adjusted via are the things that spin around at the botom of the springs - on your rear shock absorbers - check your manual if you have one - there should be a tool in your toolkit that goes in the round lug at base of said spring - rotate this so as to make the spring more compressed - there is usually 4 or 5 lugs - take it to max - this increases the pre-load to accommodate a heavy pillion.

I'd check what the max payload for the bike is too.