Riding pillion on a sport bike?

[R6chick]

Just wondering if anyone else finds riding Pillion on a sport bike not that much fun..??:(
I mean you sit way up high, foot pegs are soo high your knees are round your ears (and i'm short) and not much to hold on to.:blink:
Not for me!! NOOO way!!

[unrealone]

Definately not for the long rides, but can be heaps o fun on the shorter rides. Set the bike up right for the two of you aswell.

It's all dependant on the bike I guess, the Aprilia isn't too bad with a Pillion on the back. I've felt comfortable on the back of an R1 and ZX7R too.

[Bikernereid]

God there is nothing better than bouncing round on the back of a sports bike. I don't like being on the back of cruisers, it feels like being on a sofa and there is no adrenaline buzz to it at all.

Spent Sunday on the back of Moto Guzzi, Ninja, Gixer and Pan-European and lukily spent virtually all of the time holding on for dear life to the leather strap on the Gixer and it ROCKED!!!

But each to thier own as they say.

[Trudes]

Used to love it, does nothing for me now, probably has a lot to do with prefering to ride the bike myself now.
The thing that used to shit me was my ex's ZXR750's pillion seat was tiny, he'd forget I was there and start riding like I wasn't there, once we hit a large bump while leant right over mid corner and I was left hanging on for dear life as my arse slid off the seat, NOT fun. He got a good slapping for that!:pinch:

[koba]

An R6 is probably one of the worst examples.
They aren't all that bad...

[BiK3RChiK]

I don't much like it.. Only been out twice (I think) on the back of hubby's bike and I didn't much enjoy either time.

Mavis

[NighthawkNZ]

My guess is the older you get the more uncomfortable they become...

I had an ex who prefered the back of the sports bike over the back of kitted XJ which was way more comfortable (backrest, side panniers the works) though she was happy on either she just perfered the sports bike... don't know why.

most pillion seats on sports bikes are after thoughts, actual seat uncomfortable, foot rests way to high...

[Okey Dokey]

I've never minded being on the back of either gixxers or Kawasaki Ninjas, but like others I prefer to be in charge! I guess sport-pillioning it takes a bit more focus than being on a cruiser. Done 2 circuits of S Island and 1 of N island this way.

I've heard from quite a few pillions who claim to have fallen asleep on the back of a bike (never a sport bike). That amazes me! I can't imagine being that comfy and relaxed- I like looking ahead to the next corner and anticipating overtaking, etc.

[James Deuce]

About time manufacturers stopped putting pillion seats and footpegs on bikes.

They're toys, not serious transport.

Buy a car if you want a decent pillion perch.

[NighthawkNZ]

I've heard from quite a few pillions who claim to have fallen asleep on the back of a bike (never a sport bike). That amazes me! I can't imagine being that comfy and relaxed- I like looking ahead to the next corner and anticipating overtaking, etc.

Yes my ex use to fall asleep on th eback of the XJ, she would tuck her hands in the handles of the side panners which would stop her flopping about... and with the back rest (the shape curver around her) happily nod off... I know this cause I could hear the snoring over the intercom...

[jrandom]

About time manufacturers stopped putting pillion seats and footpegs on bikes.

They're toys, not serious transport.

Nonsense, sir.

Even if I do say so myself, there's no finer way for a girl to see the countryside than from the back seat of a GSX1400.

:yes:

[scumdog]

About time manufacturers stopped putting pillion seats and footpegs on bikes.

They're toys, not serious transport.

Buy a car if you want a decent pillion perch.

Quite right - and took off windscreens, heated grips and other fripperies.....

[yungatart]

Mstrs used to have a GSXR 1100, it was fantastic to pillion on.
Now he has a GSXR 750. It is not the same deal at all. In the tight twisty stuff I have to work hard at staying on the bike! Absolutely no chance of falling asleep on that one.
I miss the 1100:cry:

[deanohit]

Had a go on the back of an SV650, very comfy seat, but my knee wern't far from my ears, and I was on there for 3 hours, talk about uncomfortable!

[jrandom]

Ask the Mayor of Paeroa what he thinks of being pillioned on a sportsbike.... bwa ha ha ha ha!!

Was that him on the back of the yellow Yamaha 'cruising' round the track before the racing on Sunday?

He looked like he was holding on pretty tight!

:laugh:

[Blue Velvet]

About time manufacturers stopped putting pillion seats and footpegs on bikes.

+1

I removed mine as soon as I got the bike home...

However, I don't mind riding pillion on a sprots bike. One advantage of being an ant is it's not uncomfortable.

[cruza]

I've heard from quite a few pillions who claim to have fallen asleep on the back of a bike (never a sport bike). That amazes me! I can't imagine being that comfy and relaxed- I like looking ahead to the next corner and anticipating overtaking, etc.

My partner fall asleep on the way to the greymouth street racing a few years ago on the back of my duc 900ss, not fun in the corners .......:sleep:. other than that she loves being in the back and always jabbing me in the sides when I was wasn't keeping up with other bikes in the group.

[Joni]

My guess is the older you get the more uncomfortable they become... Yup - I agree, when I was younger I used to pillion on a friends GSXR now and then, and we did trips of over 500km's a shot and it was fine.... now I can’t be bothered, its tight and uncomfortable... short trips only I would say. (Mind you I have not pillioned in over 2 years now)

My ex rode a blackbird... now that was the best pillion bike, fast, not as awkward to pillion on in fact quite comfortable... loved that bike, pity I could never ride the thing because my feet did not even touch the ground! :shit:

[heyjoe]

Cruiser bikes with a decent pad on the back seat are comfy. Unfortunately the styling of of the pillion seat area on mine is not. My wife isn't keen to be on it any more than about 30 mins before wanting to get off for a few minutes.

[Goblin]

your knees are round your ears (and i'm short) and not much to hold on to.:blink:
Guys LOVE that!

[Joni]

Guys LOVE that!What that you knees are around ears? or that you a grabbing an any stable point so you dont fly off the back?

:eek5:

[Goblin]

What that you knees are around ears? or that you a grabbing an any stale point so you dont fly off the back?

:eek5:Both!:lol:

[madandy]

Guys LOVE that!

Modern Sprots bike pillion seats are the training ground for Bedroom Olympics :msn-wink:

[Trudes]

I've heard from quite a few pillions who claim to have fallen asleep on the back of a bike (never a sport bike). That amazes me! I can't imagine being that comfy and relaxed- I like looking ahead to the next corner and anticipating overtaking, etc.

I fell asleep on the back of one of my ex's ZZR600 going over the Kaimai's one day, he didn't realise until I woke up with a bit of a start when he slowed down.:innocent: Only possible I'm sure because he was a smooth rider, the seat on them is very comfy and we had a packrack on.

[MsKABC]

I've pillioned on a GSXR1100, 916, 851, Fireblade, Goldwing & an old Suzuki 1300 (can't remember model sorry). Comfort depends a lot on the smoothness of the rider. The gixxer was awful because the rider was awful :wacko: The 916/851/Blade rider was/is excellent, but the postage stamp pillion seat and the half body length height above the pilot on the Ducs made for interesting times. The only thing missing from the Goldwing was popcorn...although the rider was pretty hardcore for a Ulysses man - we scraped toe pegs!! :2thumbsup

The bike in our shed at the moment doesn't have a pillion seat (748R)....so I guess I'll just have to ride it myself ;) ....once hubby gets it repaired, that is :rofl:

Pillioning and riding yourself are two vastly different experiences. If you trust the pilot, pillioning is a cathartic and relaxing experience. Riding is immensely satisfying and exciting.

My Dad fell asleep on the back of a bike on the way to the Cold Kiwi once, against a pack rack he'd made himself!

[Stickchick]

I have ridden pillon on all types of sportsbikes and yes its a strain on my knees being so high up but other than that I absolutely love it.

I do believe that a lot of the comfort is to do with the rider than the bike. If the rider is smooth then you spend less time trying to work at stayin on your seat.

However in saying that, I have found jrandoms GSX1400 to be the most comfortable for long trips, smooth rider, comfortable seat and the pegs are just the right height for my legs not to feel like they are up by my ears.:2thumbsup

[jrandom]

However in saying that, I have found jrandoms GSX1400 to be the most comfortable for long trips, smooth rider...

Riding with a great pillion makes the smoothness a lot easier.

:niceone:

[Bikernereid]

Have fallen asleep on numerous bikes, in all weather conditions and so much of it depends on the rider. If they are not irratic as hell then I can nod off quite nicely even if it is a sports bike.

At the end of the day when you get on a sports bike you know that they are not primarily designed with pillions in mnd. I much prefer being higher up even if my knees are round my ears and did find that removing protectors from my trousers did stop the terrible pain I was having in my knees. It felt strange and awkward being on a Busa after spending so much time on the bike of CRB 600s and I couldn't wait to get back on the back of OWNER'S bike.

[kiwifruit]

Riding with a great pillion makes the smoothness a lot easier.

:niceone:

D1Aj2yODys0

[Gremlin]

Ask the Mayor of Paeroa what he thinks of being pillioned on a sportsbike.... bwa ha ha ha ha!!
speedie can't talk... he spent a fair amount of time zooming around in a car :dodge:

I took a pillion down to paeroa on my zx10. Left on saturday, did a coro loop, she fell asleep a few times, rode back up on sunday evening, she reckons she was asleep for roughly an hour... :weird:

[NinjaBoy]

Done 2 circuits of S Island and 1 of N island this way.

I've heard from quite a few pillions who claim to have fallen asleep on the back of a bike (never a sport bike). That amazes me! I can't imagine being that comfy and relaxed- I like looking ahead to the next corner and anticipating overtaking, etc.

2 circuits of SI and 1 of NI, you're keen.

My wife has done several annual rides to Paeroa on the back of my Ninja's. She has commented she almost fell asleep on at least a couple of rides on the homeward leg. Its all got to do with the smoothness of the rider in control. The lower gearing of my previous Ninja's and a CBR helped with that.

[Number One]

once we hit a large bump while leant right over mid corner and I was left hanging on for dear life as my arse slid off the seat, NOT fun. He got a good slapping for that!

:shutup: Bin there done that too he he. I remember a rather hair raising pillion experience on the back of a 1986 GSXR 750 in the dark out Whitemans Valley..... But quite the rush too...once it was over and I was back standing on the ground safely.

Being a pillion on a sports bike? First I enjoyed it, then hated it and now I'm learning to enjoy it in a completely different way.

Initially I really got into it and caught myself leaning off the inside of the bike in corners, laughing in the face of bumps! Ha ha our big tyres can eat you all up! Happily closing my eyes at high speed and feeling that lightness of your helmeted head getting blown about on your neck - almost like being reset by the Chiropractor.

Then I went completely the opposite direction and found myself freaking out and feeling quite irrational actually - paranoid about tyre stickability, mad cagers, loosing my grip (hahahahaa) ALL where there really was no reason for it.

Freaking out inside only mind only though as my commitment to being a good and useful pillion (especially in corners) is worth my weight in gold!!! :shit:)

Now I choose to be on the back and the rules are you don't fwighten me and we are not in a hurry :sunny: Just love cruizing with my man, and while I love to ride my bike, I enjoy being on the back of his...have much more faith in his riding and know he knows he'll pay if I get scared so I can relax and enjoy and feel his bum n things up :sunny: Which really gets innocent cagers going when they are coming down the road towards you...specially when the rider stands up so you can slip your hand all the way round :love::shutup:

RE the positioning - IT SUCKS! Some are much better than others. I saw two up coming towards me on the motorway the other day and the poor pillion was head and shoulders above the rider...crikey that had to be tough on the neck! I reckon the absolute worst ever I have experienced was the 1986 GIXXER, the best was a Guzzi, the most daring and exhilirating TL1000S:love:, the most comfortable (but boring) Huge BMW thinga mee (R1100? meh) ...hubby in garage can't be bothered asking....the most alround enjoyable def the mans bike.

My technique re gripping and what to grip onto (well it works for me and I have scoliosis and arthritic hips :shutup:) - is firstly wherever possible ONLY bother pillioning on bikes that have decent not tinny grab rails (and preferably decent ish seats) and grip the footpeg struts and tailpeice with your heels, ankles and inner calves and but be loose in your knees and hips...kinda racing horse stylz :innocent:



:shifty:there is a great angle on the SV that allows me to lock my feet in and be loose but reactive 2 be in synch with the rider and help to get us round corners.

WOULDN"T BE FALLING ASLEEP EITHER - YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT BE NEEDED ON A SPORTSBIKE.

[BIHB@0610]

I've fallen asleep many times on the way home from Cold Kiwi - the combination of lots of riding, cold weather, late nights, not much sleep - the cold you understand, and the noise :innocent: First time I fell asleep was on an XS Eleven without a packrack - that was a bit alarming. Then husband bought a GL1000, put a big padded seat on it and an Electroglide topbox - it was great to sleep on, but not much else - you didn't even know you were riding a bike - corners were barely perceptable.

As for hopping on the back of a sports bike, love it - though for long rides, probably not so great (poor old knees hehe). I absolutely love the RSV1000, it's utter sex on wheels and the pipes Steve's got on it sound divine. It's nice to be looked at too - at my grand old age it doesn't happen as often as it used to. Shame I've got a helmet on so I just know they're not looking at me!

In essence, pillioning on a sports bike is total foreplay - just gotta hope I don't slide off the seat :devil2: :bleh:

[BIHB@0610]

:
WOULDN"T BE FALLING ASLEEP EITHER - YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT BE NEEDED ON A SPORTSBIKE.

You make a very good point, falling asleep is probably a really dumb idea...... I think I'll make a concerted effort to stay awake in future. I'd like to hear from riders (I've never pillioned anyone) - if things turn to custard, is it helpful to have a pillion to throw their weight in the right direction, or can it actually make things worse if they get it wrong?

[Number One]

You make a very good point, falling asleep is probably a really dumb idea...... I think I'll make a concerted effort to stay awake in future. I'd like to hear from riders (I've never pillioned anyone) - if things turn to custard, is it helpful to have a pillion to throw their weight in the right direction, or can it actually make things worse if they get it wrong?

You def want your pillion to have some clues if the shit hits the fan (especially if they aren't small) cos it can really get ugly.Actually I can imagine how you might be able to fall asleep if comfy enough I just a fraidy cat - can't even fall asleep on trains! :angry2: Thank god I didn't commute on those for long.

[n0regret5]

lady friends seem to enjoy the plush TLS seat..apparently its way better than a vtr..funny!

[Number One]

the plush TLS seat..apparently its way better than a vtr..funny!

mmmhmmmm and when it has two bros on board there are some good vibrations too :shutup::sunny:

[breakaway]

Yes my ex use to fall asleep on th eback of the XJ, she would tuck her hands in the handles of the side panners which would stop her flopping about... and with the back rest (the shape curver around her) happily nod off... I know this cause I could hear the snoring over the intercom...

Did you ever yell out "FUUUUUUUUCK" loudly for shits and giggles?

[n0regret5]

mmmhmmmm and when it has two bros on board there are some good vibrations too :shutup::sunny:

oh. oh my god. all that moaning suddenly makes sense.

[n0regret5]

Did you ever yell out "FUUUUUUUUCK" loudly for shits and giggles?

AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

once, my mate fell asleep in his car (drivers side, what a tool) and i rode towards the car with my highbeams on and other mates in the car woke him up with screaming and yelling, he puked from the fright. it was hilarious. in hindsight, could've given him a heart attack, but whaddaya gonna do..

[R6chick]

I have only been a pillion on 1 sport bike and that was my R6 when the dealer i brought it off wouldn't let me take it 4 a test ride (was only on my restricted) and I HATED every second. Never ever will I be a pillion on that bike again! :oi-grr:

that is amazing some people can fall asleep being a pillion!!:shit:

[Okey Dokey]

Oops, I hope my sleeping remark hasn't de-railed this thread too much. May I just clarify something? In my initial comment, I didn't mean to imply that people who said they fell asleep didn't. I've always believed it was true; I just felt that my experiences on sport bikes were NOT conducive to naps!

Good stuff, everyone. I love all these experiences people share. It's why I signed up to kb.

[breakaway]

AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

once, my mate fell asleep in his car (drivers side, what a tool) and i rode towards the car with my highbeams on and other mates in the car woke him up with screaming and yelling, he puked from the fright. it was hilarious. in hindsight, could've given him a heart attack, but whaddaya gonna do..

I saw a mate parking his car up near another mate's house, and I just happened to be passing by at the time. Great timing. He hadn't noticed me, so I started honking at him frantically like he had done something wrong and let go of the bars, twisted around and gave him the finger. I then did a U-Turn to come say Hi and my mate was sitting in the drivers' seat, both hands on the steering wheel, petrified. He was SO relieved when he found out it was just me taking the piss.

I must look pretty menacing with all my gear on :D

[n0regret5]

I saw a mate parking his car up near another mate's house, and I just happened to be passing by at the time. Great timing. He hadn't noticed me, so I started honking at him frantically like he had done something wrong and let go of the bars, twisted around and gave him the finger. I then did a U-Turn to come say Hi and my mate was sitting in the drivers' seat, both hands on the steering wheel, petrified. He was SO relieved when he found out it was just me taking the piss.

I must look pretty menacing with all my gear on :D

hah! yeh i just freaked out a lady i work with cos i cruised up behind her and revved the shit outta the big boy, two bros pipes don't muffle alot..she just swerved off the road. hahaha!