Nervous Pillion

[Japtwin]

My girl doesn't exactly love my bike, more accurately she doesn't like riding on it. She's been on a few times but basically it scares the crap out of her, even though I ride as smoothly and carefully as I can. Strangely she's an excellent pillion, light, doesnt move round, no unexpected inputs.
So over Easter didn't make it out Fri, Sat, Sun for various reasons so come Monday am suns shining, few clouds but talk her into a little ride and 15 min in it absolutely pissess down. Great ,I can feel her grip getting tighter as the road gets wetter, we stop for coffee, the rain sort of stops so of we go agin do a bit of a loop and home. Now were home and dry the suns out again, thanks for that weather gods.
Any suggestions on how to get the girl to relax more? She mainly says the cars freak her out, despite happily riding a bicycle in heavy traffic w shorts and tshirt all summer??

[FROSTY]

Hate to say it bro but it might be THAT bike.
The whole sitting up above the rider thing and how it delivers power.
To put my theory to rest or confirm it take her for a ride on a FJR1300 or similar. See if shes still not happy.

[cowboyz]

might be a lost cause then. Biking isnt for everyone. Are you lane splitting? Is that why she is afriad of cars on the road? In a funny kind of way Are you concerning yourself more with how she is feeling/what she is thinking than actually riding the bike resulting in not the best riding?
The only answer is to HTFU and get over it.

[Japtwin]

yeah cheers you may have a point, it has been mentioned by her, shes a tall girl and sits up above a bit. I'm loath to change bikes for this reason alone as really enjoy the SV and in another relationship finally talked the girl into riding on my 500 and she was cool but was way underpowered so bought a 1000 took her out once and the extra power/speed so freaked her out she never got back on.
Maybe a busa though?... or a 1200 bandit

[Subike]

why buy a bike to test this out
surely you can "test ride" one from a shop to have a try?
I am sure there are plenty of sales reps who would let you have one for a day to try and sell it.
they dont have to know your objective

[FROSTY]

why buy a bike to test this out
surely you can "test ride" one from a shop to have a try?
I am sure there are plenty of sales reps who would let you have one for a day to try and sell it.
they dont have to know your objective
Yea -what he said. Id even go so far as to say rent a bike for a weekend.
Take it for a ride so you are comfortable on it then take her for a ride.

[James Deuce]

Try a couple of different bikes and if it doesn't work out a well timed, well aimed mega-stoppie on top of the Harbour Bridge on the SV will fix the problem for good.

But seriously, is having your partner ride pillion a defining activity for your relationships? Because if it is you either need a new girl or you need to re-think your priorities. I LIKE not having my wife into bikes AT ALL. It's my thing.

[homer]

I think if you went to where you got the bike from , or where you get it serviced , they will loan you a bike for say friday night thru to sat lunch or monday morn .
Think its the bike , i looked at one test rode it etc
but took the pillion , as i wasnt buying then find its no good

[yungatart]

Chuck her on a big fat lazy Harley....if that doesn't change her mind, maybe you need to look at trading in the girl......
Seriously tho, I pilion occasionally and am a good pillion, but I really don't like it on the GSXR 750, the old GSXR 1100 was primo, but the 750 is just uncomfortable and not set up right, it actually becomes like hard work....

[megageoff76]

I know its a bummer, but if she just doesn't like it you'll have a hard time convincing her otherwise. Its like if someone really wanted me to listen to their britney spears records, no amount of easing me into it will make any difference.

[martybabe]

I don't know if this is your particular problem but my wife really enjoys riding pillion but just craps herself if the bike doesn't have a sissy bar/back rest/top box, she goes from comfortable enough to piss around with her mp3 or gloves n stuff i.e. one handed chilled stylie, to a rigid clasping panicking maniac.

See if ya can blag a ride with comfy pillion accommodation + back rest of some sort.If that doesn't make her feel more secure your buggered mate, keep it as a solo pastime like J2.

Honestly though, have a look at some pillion seats. wouldya? I bloody wouldn't, knees under your chin, a pad half the size of a ciggy packet to sit on and bugger all to hold onto. It's a big ask. :shit:

Good luck. :msn-wink:

[slimjim]

matey yup reckon you's best look hard at another style of bike ride for her,,, or you'll never get total involvement, an that's a whole lot of singleness on your part

[peanuteater]

well, my 2 cents worth-i wanted to upgrade to either a sv or a bandit, the wife went on the back of both, and said no way shes getting on the back off the sv again- reminded her of a rocket launcher . so got the bandit, (actually also preferred the upright position).

[jrandom]

Yeah, I find it a little amusing that riders wring their hands over their women not wanting to get on the back of a bike.

Hell, I hate pillioning. Why should girls like it any better?

If you're all about riding with the missus on the back, then that's a huge part of what defines your needs in a motorcycle. Choose your bike accordingly.

The pillion seats on modern sportbikes (the SV counts as such) are complete afterthoughts, good for nothing but emergency transport over relatively short distances. It's ridiculous to expect someone to enjoy riding on such a perch regularly.

Consider test-riding a GSX1400, XJR1300 or fully-faired tourer with her.

[Unit]

My girl doesn't exactly love my bike, more accurately she doesn't like riding on it. She's been on a few times but basically it scares the crap out of her, even though I ride as smoothly and carefully as I can. Strangely she's an excellent pillion, light, doesnt move round, no unexpected inputs.
..... talk her into a little ride and 15 min in it absolutely pissess down. Great ,I can feel her grip getting tighter as the road gets wetter, She mainly says the cars freak her out, despite happily riding a bicycle in heavy traffic w shorts and tshirt all summer??
So, shes initially prepared to get on the back. She appears to not have an overall fear of traffic if she rides her bike in it which can be very entertaining and lively at times. Has she had a scare on a motorbike in the past? Is it the speed? What speeds are you doing? Is it when the bike leans? All that weight and power leaning over? Im sure if she wants you could both discover what her real fear is.
Depends on if she is really keen to spend that time with you, or if it doesnt bother her and she is happy for you to disappear on your bike when you need to?

[Japtwin]

Its all becoming clear; what I need is an extra bike for those pillion days.
A big cruisy torquey beast And keep the SV or get a gixer RI.

True jrandom I've pillioned a few times due to mechanical probs on a trip and hated it. But hey she aint gonna be riding so ...

[The Pastor]

stop. doing. wheelies.

[martybabe]

Its all becoming clear; what I need is an extra bike for those pillion days.
A big cruisy torquey beast And keep the SV or get a gixer RI.

True jrandom I've pillioned a few times due to mechanical probs on a trip and hated it. But hey she aint gonna be riding so ...


:killingme Thats the way, get more bikes, It solves 99% of all known problems. A top excuse for buying a second bike, I bought it to make you Happy hunny. I am tottaly gonna use that one....Where's my bike trader gone?

[homer]

well, my 2 cents worth-i wanted to upgrade to either a sv or a bandit, the wife went on the back of both, and said no way shes getting on the back off the sv again- reminded her of a rocket launcher . so got the bandit, (actually also preferred the upright position).

yep so true .
the sv wasnt a well design for the pillion . try adding a bag rack

[BiK3RChiK]

Its all becoming clear; what I need is an extra bike for those pillion days.
A big cruisy torquey beast And keep the SV or get a gixer RI.

True jrandom I've pillioned a few times due to mechanical probs on a trip and hated it. But hey she aint gonna be riding so ...

Shame she isn't going to be riding! I also hate being a pillion, but, I have my own bike now, so no need!

M

[sels1]

Having a suitable bike with a comfortable perch is important as others have discussed (and one of the reasons I bought a Triumph Tiger)
Another factor in having a happy pillion is having the right gear - her own helmet, gloves ,jacket, boots, Draggin jeans/leathers that fit properly - this will help with the sense of security.

[Stirts]

BUY ANOTHER BIKE......you can never have too many!!!

I am always nervous when getting on the back.....but a comfortable perch makes ALL the difference in the way I feel when pillioning. On the back of a GSXR1000, RSVR, and the likes, seat so small I can barely fit one arse cheek on (feck off bout the size of my arse comments too)

Had a ride on the back of Units ZX14 in the weekend and I felt so comfy, enough to hold on one handed while carrying 12 pies :Punk:

Have you actually had a chat with her about what you want her to do when she is on the back?....this helped me when I first started pillioning as I was concerned about annoying/distracting the rider.

[90s]

I've got an excellent bike for pillions, and also a very large packrack to give a sense of security. But the missus was not mad keen. At first she was quite nervous, but then we did the RRRS course together (I wrote it up on here somewhere). After learning a lot about the bike, seeing it all happen in controlled conditions, and talking to other female bikers about their pillion experiences etc, she felt a lot more comfortable.
I didn't change our riding style at all, but she just felt better understanding things more. She's still not too enthuasiastic, but she likes the odd day out.

Your bike could be more comfortable, but talking to other pillions etc seems to help.

[sunhuntin]

try her with a packrack... i hate being pillion without one, mainly cos i like my own space and being able to safely sit up without worrying about arsing off. hanging onto the rider all the time annoys me. i also prefer bikes with more than a sheet of fabric as a seat... as stirts said, being able to get more than half a cheek on the seat is a bonus.

i take my missus on the back occasionally, and while she loves it, the virago is not passenger friendly, so our rides together have ceased until i can get a more comfy bike. its good, cos i love riding solo, and she allows me that freedom so long as i send her a txt to let her know im ok.

as said, if you are that determined that she ride with you, then you need to get a bike to suit both her comfort and yours. otherwise, a girlfriend upgrade is in order.