Tips carrying a pillion?

[Kinje]

Well I've finally taken a passenger, and discovered my g/f is a wee bit of a biker chick :devil2: Now that shes had a taste she's been 'can we go for a ride today???' :2thumbsup:woohoo: and buzzin when we get back. Its great to share the 2 wheeled feeling.

Just wondering if there are any little tricks people have discovered to help make it a bit more comfortable for the passenger. I've got a CBR600RR, and when I sit in my normal riding position (at front of seat by tank) theres a huge gap between me and the start of the rear seat. I've tried pushing back a bit so I'm sitting further back on the seat which seemed to help. Other ideas?

[Nagash]

Lots of a basic safety things like give yourself more time to brake, don't go as fast, be smooth on the take offs and warn the pillion before you take off if you've been sitting at the lights for a wee while.

Other than that you need to teach your pillion how to lean properly, I usually just tell them to line up with the back of my helmet and to not let the feeling that the bikes gonna tip over get to them, if they start trying to lean against you just take it a bit slower.

That's all I got for now.

[EDIT] Oh and something somewhat random, warn them about the exhaust pipe! Had a couple of pillions with enormous burns on their legs, not pretty..

[jrandom]

Just wondering if there are any little tricks people have discovered to help make it a bit more comfortable for the passenger.

Yeah, heaps.


I've got a CBR600RR...

There's your first problem.

[MSTRS]

Don't know about your bike, but I would say that mid-sized sprotbikes would be better served by keeping weight forward as much as possible. Pillion seat centre is often behind the rear axle which means the weight is taken off the front, making the steering/tracking a bit vague.

[Squiggles]

Unless you've got a grab rail your balls will most likely become one with the tank

No sitting up/leaning over midcorner, she'll enjoy it more if she just goes with the bike (i..e when it leans over she doesnt try to stay vertical), but tell her not to wriggle midcorner

Try not to jam on the brakes or you'll hear a twack and the paint on your helmet will start to dissapear.

Packframes are always nice, you can always just use the grab rail attachment, that way she's not crushing balls (so you can move around) and she'll still feel secure :cool:

Enjoy and ride safe

[TerminalAddict]

see if she can reach the tank, so she can place her palms on the tank.

Works a treat for heavy breaking.

I have a venture pack rack, which does nothing, but makes them feel far more secure. Especially if you are a bit "ham fisted"

[johnnyflash]

Sorry but you did ask, :) buy a bike built for two, unfortunately many of the more sporty versions are not wel designed for the poor old pillion :-)

[NOMIS]

Well I've finally taken a passenger, and discovered my g/f is a wee bit of a biker chick :devil2: Now that shes had a taste she's been 'can we go for a ride today???' :2thumbsup:woohoo: and buzzin when we get back. Its great to share the 2 wheeled feeling.

Just wondering if there are any little tricks people have discovered to help make it a bit more comfortable for the passenger. I've got a CBR600RR, and when I sit in my normal riding position (at front of seat by tank) theres a huge gap between me and the start of the rear seat. I've tried pushing back a bit so I'm sitting further back on the seat which seemed to help. Other ideas?


Yeh girl i no exactly the same but she hates when i make her put on all the proper gear ( as i dont want her to get hurt if something does happen ) problem with my bike tho hasnt got any grab bars, and the rear seat on quite an angle that when i slow down her weight against me pushes my ahhh my balls quite hard in to the tank wich kinda hurts, any one got any ideas to over come this,?

[jrandom]

I carried a 150kg gentleman as pillion on Betty yesterday.

The slightly altered loading caused her to perform her very first ever wheelie away from traffic lights.

:laugh:

[sels1]

Other than that you need to teach your pillion how to lean properly, I usually just tell them to line up with the back of my helmet .

I tell them to look over my right shoulder on RH corner, over my left on a LH corner - gets them leaning without thinking about it.

And yes, there are more pillion-friendly bikes around than yours.....:whistle: :)

[surfer]

Tell her no excited waving to her friends as you zoom along. The bike will wobble all over the place. My missus likes to try to do this despite constant reminders.

Don't show off or ride like a nutter as this is more likely to end in tears.

Realise that you won't be going as fast with a pillion.

You also need to get used to the extra weight on your bike and how it performs. And build up your confidence and experience gradually if you are not used to taking a pillion.

You might want to tell her what is going on in terms of why you are riding at a certain speed and place in the road so she understands the bikes and your limitations. Especially when being passed by other bikers or struggling to keep up with others. Nothing worse than being pushed to do stuff that you know you shouldn't be doing because you don't have the skills to do it.

The rest has all been said.

[Kinje]

Yeah, been taking it pretty easy and trying to brake and accelarate smoothly, but still need work on this, esp when we're going through the city. Shes been pretty good with leaning, told her to just move with me into the corners and hasn't seemed to upset things at the gentle riding we've been doing.

She can reach the tank so moves her hands there sometimes when slowing down, but her biggest concern is sliding forward off into the abyss between her perched up seat and my pilot seat.

And I hear your comments about unfriendly bike for pillions

[surfer]

I carried a 150kg gentleman as pillion on Betty yesterday.

The slightly altered loading caused her to perform her very first ever wheelie away from traffic lights.

:laugh:

150kg, that is brave and impressive :gob:. Bike all right?

[jrandom]

150kg, that is brave and impressive :gob:. Bike all right?

It's a GSX1400. It barely noticed.

[Trudes]

Hey Kinjey, good stuff dude!!
Having sat for years as a pillion, most important word to remember is smooth..... on the gear changes, braking, throttle, cornering etc etc.
I know you're a good boy, so I know you will remember that she's on the back, I've riden with people who have forgotten, so please remember, you have another person's life very much in your hands.
Take care out there, and make sure she wears the gear!:niceone:

[Kinje]

Hey Kinjey, good stuff dude!!
Having sat for years as a pillion, most important word to remember is smooth..... on the gear changes, braking, throttle, cornering etc etc.
I know you're a good boy, so I know you will remember that she's on the back, I've riden with people who have forgotten, so please remember, you have another person's life very much in your hands.
Take care out there, and make sure she wears the gear!:niceone:

I'm working on being smooth, but room to improve. Yeah, shes gotta wear all the gear before I pop the pegs down.

[jrandom]

Just a thought on the 'lean with me' thing.

I'm fortunate enough to have recently inherited a well-trained pillion, who'd been coached up along those lines.

Unfortunately, this meant that she was loading up her footpegs, waving her upper body around and generally working quite hard. She's only a wee thing with little girly muscles, so it didn't help the steering much, but it sure as hell tired her out fast. There's nothing fun about having to stop 90 minutes into a ride while your pillion hobbles around trying to get the lactic acid out of her quadriceps!

So we had a little chat, and I assured her that it was perfectly fine to just relax on the back, stay in line with the bike, ignore whatever odd upper-body movements I was using to get it around corners that day, and generally just be a sack of potatoes while looking at the scenery.

Dunno about the rest of you, but I'd much rather ride a bike that's 60kg heavier on the back in a neutral fashion than ride a bike with an extra pilot adding weight-transfer inputs to the steering half a second after I do.

We went out and did some practice rides using the new 'passive pillion' style, and we're now noticeably faster and smoother on the road, not to mention the fact that she doesn't get sore legs and hips.

:niceone:

[MSTRS]

... not to mention the fact that she doesn't get sore legs and hips.



Of course, regular practice is the key....:whistle:

[Kinje]

Hmmm. That could be why her feet and legs were getting sore and numb if shes putting heaps of pressure through them (along with being squished up like a bansai kitty with her knees round her ears).

[skelstar]

Brent: ride in a higher gear than normal will keep things more smooth (I think, worked on the Hornet). Just ride more conservatively I guess. Let her get used to it, she'll get to the point where she will be able to anticipate whats going to happen so things will become smoother.

M is very good at pillioning and its now got to the point where she would just rest her hands on legs and not have the need to 'hang on'.

[Lissa]

I'm working on being smooth, but room to improve. Yeah, shes gotta wear all the gear before I pop the pegs down.
I might see you two out and about aye!! :Punk: Awesome shes enjoying it... be safe!

As I have been pillioned quite a bit I totally agree with Trudes, just remember when she starts thumping you in the back, it usually means something (like 'slow down', 'stop', or 'I have cramp in my foot or a sore arse'!) :)

[Coyote]

Try not to jam on the brakes or you'll hear a twack and the paint on your helmet will start to dissapear.

Though it's a good way to wake them up.


Protip: If you get a punch in the kidneys you've done something wrong.

And don't let you helmet point in the direction of a hot girl on the footpath.

[skelstar]

...it usually means something...
...like 'you are an awesome rider and that was a great passing manouvre'?

[Lissa]

...like 'you are an awesome rider and that was a great passing manouvre'?
Did the screaming give you that impression?? :rolleyes:

[Stickchick]

Hmmm. That could be why her feet and legs were getting sore and numb if shes putting heaps of pressure through them (along with being squished up like a bansai kitty with her knees round her ears).

As jrandom said I used to get very sore legs and tire very quickly because I was weighting myself on the footpegs to help him go around the corner instead of just chilling and relaxing and enjoying the ride. Now I'm a lot more relaxed, don't do any work and I'm not so sore.

In regards to her sliding forward into the abyss between you, tell her to use her thigh muscles and her knees to hang on and also hold onto the tank. The more you ride together the more she will get to know the bike as much as you and will position herself accordingly (braking = tighten of thighs or bracing of hands on the tank)

[scracha]

Wouldn't advise sitting pressed up against the tank...otherwise your pillion shoots forward and you get squashed nads :-)

Use a lot more back brake than you would when solo riding.
Roll off the gas gently before upshifting, it'll stop the headbutting.
If your pillion aint leaning with the bike then tell them to close their eyes and just hold on to you instead of the tank, grabrail, etc.

[Dodger]

Well I've carried a few people on the back of the Hyosung with no problems.

I now have a pack rack fitting, with grab handle when the racks not in place so this makes the squashed nads a thing of the past.
Best advice is talk to the pillion beforehand, even more so if they have never been on the back before as some freak out with the leaning, before I had the grab handle I would tell them to lean forward when we accelerated and lean back when we stopped (avoids the nads thing)

As a mate of mine says "Become one with the bike, or become one with the road" :shifty:

[Marmoot]

Just wondering if there are any little tricks people have discovered to help make it a bit more comfortable for the passenger. I've got a CBR600RR, and when I sit in my normal riding position (at front of seat by tank) theres a huge gap between me and the start of the rear seat. I've tried pushing back a bit so I'm sitting further back on the seat which seemed to help. Other ideas?

Backpack with a pillow or soft (fabric/normal) jacket in it.

[sugilite]

I use 3 styles, Race, Road and pillion.
My pillion technique in a nut shell - As you approach a corner, roll off the throttle well before, so you don't even need the brakes, your balls and pillion will thank you on that one. Roll the throttle on smoothly from the apex on. If you need to down change for the corner, leave it late as practical, so the revs will be lower at the point of gear change. Thinking faaar ahead in city traffic will see this technique working as well.
An advanced version of this technique is to come into the corner on the right line and speed to be able to roll on the throttle before the apex, this helps your suspension and thus composure of the bike, and feels sublimely smooth to do. :yes:

Gear changes - Get into second gear as soon in the rev range as your bike will allow, rev it too high and the change will be jerky. 3rd gear on up, clutchless shifts are smoothest and higher up the rev range the better(smoother).

I just tell newbies to go with the flow, point out emergency braking hold points and say nothing more really. I like pillions to have their hands lightly at my sides, the bike just seems to handle better that way, just use grab handles for braking. If the bike has no grab handles, then hands on the tank if braking forces dictate that be necessary (should be rare).

Hope this helps.

[Tank]

see if she can reach the tank, so she can place her palms on the tank.



Only if shes hot.

[Grub]

You don't say if this is for long trips or just around town but for roadtrips you should be adjusting rear preload so that it is 35mm (check the Honda specs) with both of you on it. My '00's settings are 35mm front and back.

You'll get to know what number by just measuring it once then all the other times just grab the C-spanner in the toolkit and dial up the number. I would think your bike is on No.3 now, it might need to go to No.5

[Squiggles]

So we had a little chat, and I assured her that it was perfectly fine to just relax on the back, stay in line with the bike, ignore whatever odd upper-body movements I was using to get it around corners that day, and generally just be a sack of potatoes while looking at the scenery.

S'all good like that... until they fall asleep :shutup:

[MSTRS]

I use 3 styles, Race, Road and pillion.
My pillion technique in a nut shell - As you approach a corner, roll off the throttle well before, so you don't even need the brakes, your balls and pillion will thank you on that one. Roll the throttle on smoothly from the apex on. If you need to down change for the corner, leave it late as practical, so the revs will be lower at the point of gear change. Thinking faaar ahead in city traffic will see this technique working as well.
An advanced version of this technique is to come into the corner on the right line and speed to be able to roll on the throttle before the apex, this helps your suspension and thus composure of the bike, and feels sublimely smooth to do. :yes:

Gear changes - Get into second gear as soon in the rev range as your bike will allow, rev it too high and the change will be jerky. 3rd gear on up, clutchless shifts are smoothest and higher up the rev range the better(smoother).

I just tell newbies to go with the flow, point out emergency braking hold points and say nothing more really. I like pillions to have their hands lightly at my sides, the bike just seems to handle better that way, just use grab handles for braking. If the bike has no grab handles, then hands on the tank if braking forces dictate that be necessary (should be rare).

Hope this helps.

Exactly right. 'swhat I do. Still needs (needing?) practice. Do nothing extreme.
I've linked your post in RM's smoov thread too.

[Coyote]

see if she can reach the tank, so she can place her palms on the tank.

I've noticed several deep scratches appearing on my tank. I don't want to say it to my pillion as it's only a suspicion and I'd probably get hurt for saying so but I think it's her jewellery scratching, like bracelets and such, when she puts her hands down under braking. Be warned.

[McDuck]

She can reach the tank so moves her hands there sometimes when slowing down, but her biggest concern is sliding forward off into the abyss between her perched up seat and my pilot seat.

And I hear your comments about unfriendly bike for pillions

you must be real skinny.

[Nagash]

you must be real skinny.

I was gonna say.. to have room on your bike with a pillion! that'd be bliss.

Obviouslt i'm riding too small bikes..

[paturoa]

If you want to overtake, don't just gas it, they tend to not like that! Sort out a signal to your pillion, like using your left hand and tapping her knee (hard)

[Grub]

If you want to overtake, don't just gas it, they tend to not like that!

Sigh ... I miss those going to uni days when one of our group's pillions would end up with their ankles under the armpits of the rider :) (two-stroke power bands y'know)

[MVnut]

theres a huge gap between me and the start of the rear seat. I've tried pushing back a bit so I'm sitting further back on the seat which seemed to help. Other ideas?[/QUOTE]

Always thought it was more fun if she was in front pushing back.........oh never mind I'm just in one of my weird moods:headbang:

[Jiminy]

see if she can reach the tank, so she can place her palms on the tank.

I've tried that when riding with my ex-girlfriend (I was the pillion). Because she rides a cruiser (Intruder 800 for the curious) and the tank is flat and far away from my hands, I ended up sort of squashing her. Also, every downhill braking sent me down the seat. Anyone has good advice for riding downhill?

Did anyone try to use the kind of soft handle that you find on most modern seats between the rider and the pillion positions?

Last one, if you sit nice and relax leaning back against the sissy bar, there is quite a windy gap between the rider and you. Is that a problem for the rider?

[Bikernereid]

My bloke has the same bike as you and he loves having me on the back but found it a little strange that I didn't hold on to him. He much prefers having me on the back not holding on to him as he can move more freely when riding.

Personally I do not hold on to him at all. I find it more confortable to hold on to the little leather strap at the front of the pillion seat. I use the footpegs quite a bit for when he breaks.

It is a matter of personal preference as to how you want to be a pillion and as long as she doesn't lean the wrong way and holds on she should be fine.

[HungusMaximist]

The only tip I can give yah is, only carry hot chicks... ok?

Oh yea, grab rails make a huge differece and so do pack racks.

[Padmei]

sometimes when I carry a pillion I start to think about breasts being pushed into me & can't consentate vemy mochh......

[homer]

you got the wrong bike for a lot of 2 up riding

[caseye]

The last post says it all, I've had plenty of time on the back and it can be fun long as you trust the front seater!Course that was many years ago. however the basics are and always have been the same.What Mrs Kendog said rulz!

[kevfromcoro]

most noobs i have pillioned..i tell them to follow my body
as someone said....follow the centre of your helmet..
nothing worse than someone sitting up on ya half way through a corner..
more experianced riders who pillion just sit there.do eveything right,and even smoke.
found it easyier to keep the the weight on yr backside,,ie sore legs.
dunno about the hips and kidneys.
try a kidney belt,,,

[BiK3RChiK]

I've noticed several deep scratches appearing on my tank. I don't want to say it to my pillion as it's only a suspicion and I'd probably get hurt for saying so but I think it's her jewellery scratching, like bracelets and such, when she puts her hands down under braking. Be warned.

Get her some gloves...

Just my 0.02

Mavis

[Coyote]

Get her some gloves...

Just my 0.02

Mavis
I can't afford to get any new ones for myself let alone a pair for her :(

I have been lending her my nice pair of gloves, but they still have a tear that exposes part of the index finger and her bracelets still dangle over the sleeve. I've got the ones that have been made fingerless by the road

[McDuck]

Tell her to take of the scraching stuff when you two ride together? keep an eye on TM, i picked up a new pear of dryrider gloves for 60 bucks, and the race ones to not standerd.

[Bikernereid]

I feel safe enough with my bloke to take my sunnies off to put them in my pockets etc. It is all about trust and experience.


most noobs i have pillioned..i tell them to follow my body
as someone said....follow the centre of your helmet..
nothing worse than someone sitting up on ya half way through a corner..
more experianced riders who pillion just sit there.do eveything right,and even smoke.
found it easyier to keep the the weight on yr backside,,ie sore legs.
dunno about the hips and kidneys.
try a kidney belt,,,

[DIN PELENDA]

:buggerd::buggerd::buggerd: Pillion gripers that go around your weist, like belt are:hug::hug: wery good as pillion is filling more in control and lean with you.Much beter then holding to bike.

[skidMark]

Give girlfriend beer.....develop beer belly on afore mentioned girlfriend....

gap problem if solved...

or come out of the closet, by having a honda your most of the way there.

then you can take middle aged men with kegs for bellys pillion.

Skid.

[skidMark]

:buggerd::buggerd::buggerd: Pillion gripers that go around your weist, like belt are:hug::hug: wery good as pillion is filling more in control and lean with you.Much beter then holding to bike.


Yeah until ya walk into the pub with ya love handles lol.

good idea, look silly though.

[skidMark]

most noobs i have pillioned..i tell them to follow my body
as someone said....follow the centre of your helmet..
nothing worse than someone sitting up on ya half way through a corner..
more experianced riders who pillion just sit there.do eveything right,and even smoke.
found it easyier to keep the the weight on yr backside,,ie sore legs.
dunno about the hips and kidneys.
try a kidney belt,,,


Screw that...then you get silly pillion moving round heaps to stick with ya.

ive told all my girlfriends.....

hold onto me, close for the corners..... and you will just go with me...

then once they are used to it they relax and just go with it.

had one ex who decided....**it's scary when the bike leans so i force myself to stay upright**

i got her out of this habbit.....but one day she wanted to go upright mid corner **to see the ferrari going the other way** so she did...and perked up real quick....at which point i nearly lost it into said ferrari.

that relationship ended soon after.

thank god.

WOMEN UGH!

SM

PS. why do you think i put a single seat tail on my bike!

[madbikeboy]

Well I've finally taken a passenger, and discovered my g/f is a wee bit of a biker chick :devil2: Now that shes had a taste she's been 'can we go for a ride today???' :2thumbsup:woohoo: and buzzin when we get back. Its great to share the 2 wheeled feeling.

Just wondering if there are any little tricks people have discovered to help make it a bit more comfortable for the passenger. I've got a CBR600RR, and when I sit in my normal riding position (at front of seat by tank) theres a huge gap between me and the start of the rear seat. I've tried pushing back a bit so I'm sitting further back on the seat which seemed to help. Other ideas?

Wear a back pack to fill the gap. It gives the pillion more security because she percieves that she can hold on better, and that she's holding part of the rider. It also acts as a bit of a shock absorber if she does move forward. Also, it pushes her further back which resolves her weight moving forward.

ZX7Rider does this with his lovely wife Jeanette, I claim no credit as I'm finding it really hard to convince anyone to fill the spot on the back (ay Georgie...!)

[terbang]

Hold me fast and kiss me slow...
Oh thats right, just keep it smooothe and safe and remember that they (pillions) can have a degree of control over the bike too by displacing their weight. This can easily work against you if you start giving them a few frights.

[Blossom]

Who holds on?? I just stick my hands in my pockets and have a wee nap wedged nicely between the packrack and his back (ty God for the puppies).
Seriously though I am a terrible pillion. I tend to antisipate wayyyy to much going into corners and the man has on occasion struggled to keep the FJ1100 up. lol. Bad wife.
So be warned some pillions who are riders themselves may try to 'ride' the bike right along with you which brings its own set of problems. lol

[idb]

You must do your best to terrify your pillion to prove your skill and manhood.

[sunhuntin]

i just told susan to go with me when cornering. first few times, she sat up straight, which meant i had to lean furthur. in the end i took her up the esses of the cemetary circuit. tugged her arms tighter around my waist, yelled at her to go with me, and went for it. lol. now, she leans the bike for me... dangit. :baby:

tell em to keep their feet OFF the exhaust... i now have a nice dried run of melted shoe. gonna invest in footboards i think.

havent really ridden in wind, so cant tell whether hugging or sitting back affects the steering.

for pillioning down hill, i usually weight my feet on the pegs, lock my legs and then tilt my upper body back towards the packrack. use stomach muscles to hold that position. riding with a pillion, i just get ready to support extra weight on downhills. easy.

[owner]

I feel safe enough with my bloke to take my sunnies off to put them in my pockets etc. It is all about trust and experience.

I should think so, sssshhhh, (dont tell them I nearly lost ya off the back on the puke front straight babe) netraul passenger for me, just take your time, take it easy, her life is in your hands. after time youll get to know each others riding habbits and signals
antisipate the lights and stop signs, try and never come to a stop by going slow

oh youve got some fun coming your way good luck please dont kill her buzz RIDE SAFE.
The more chicks on bikes the better