Gear for pillion

[Neon]

I'm moving up to my full license soon and most probably a slightly bigger bike so I can pillion the wife and go touring with a bit of gear. Thinking about starting to amass some gear for her so she can pillion safely, but have a dilemma. Given I am not sure what kind of success I am going to have getting her on the bike regularly, the question is: shell out for leather or textiles?

Leather: Pros - protection, comfort, stylishness (very important) and longevity. Cons - cost, weather resistance, can't wear normal pants under leathers easily (this could be an issue when it comes to going places - "I'm not standing around for hours in leather pants!"

Textiles: Pros - cost, weather protection, can be worn over regular clothes.
Cons - protection, stylishness.

I think she has a preference for leather, but suiting her up from scratch is going to be $1K+ including gloves, helmet, boots. It's a lot given that she may decide she doesn't like it. Of course she will like it, but we are talking about risk mitigation here. :Pokey:

Maybe the answer is textile pants, leather jacket. Thoughts?

[Henk]

I'm sure you are going to get lots of advice that says leather or nothing.
However in your case I'd go the leather cordura route you have suggested. You can always upgrade later. I wear that combination every day on the commute to work and don't have any issues with it. Weekend rides it's full leathers but they can be uncomfortable and impractical when you're not actually on the bike. I'm also not sure how the precurved pants would work in a pillion as opposed to rider position on the bike.

[Neon]

I'm sure you are going to get lots of advice that says leather or nothing.
However in your case I'd go the leather cordura route you have suggested. You can always upgrade later.

Yeah I've got a full set of both textiles and leathers and most of the time I prefer leather jacket, textile pants so maybe I've answered my own question.

:rolleyes:

[Quailboy]

I have done as previously suggested and got Leather jacket and cordura pants. (only because mum offered to buy me a jacket so I conveniently picked a $900 Alpinestars one!)
Which might be stupid cause if I'm gonna slide I'm gonna slide on my legs/arse I guess?

It sure would suck to buy $1k worth of gear and use it for 20mins and have to sell it for half the new price.

[duckonin]

For your pillion the best of gear, in the event of a mishape they are well protected, a bit less to worry about...Take care ride safe...:niceone:

[CookMySock]

I'm gunna get cruicified by the ATGATT crew for saying this, but if you just want to see if she likes it, then some strong pants/jeans, lace-up boots, any jacket, and some quality knee and elbow armour (80 bucks max) will do for some quiet trips down to the cafe/beach/lake (insert other favourite place).

Of course, if you are going to hit the state highway north and hoof it a bit, this wont be enough, but possibly thats not her thing anyway.

Best of luck. It's awesome taking the mrs for a ride.

Steve

[Henk]

Or you could bludge some gear off a mate for a couple of days to see if the co-pilot is going to climb on the back more than once and then decide. If it's going to a once in 18 months occurance jeans may be enough, I've crashed in em couple of times and can still walk.

[Her_C4]

...... If it's going to a once in 18 months occurance jeans may be enough, I've crashed in em couple of times and can still walk.

I can't:blank::(

[Henk]

Would better trou have helped?

[bobsmith]

Come on... Cordura isn't too bad as long as you aren't going too fast.

I've come off around 100 (maybe slightly faster?) on my cordura and managed keep much more skin than when i've fallen off my bicycles...

Hmmmm.... saying that it depends on how much is acceptable to you. When I came off my bicycle I was doing 40km/hr and I lost a lot of skin and I was in pain for a longggg time. But the cordura still saved me being in the hospital for an overnight visit.

[Her_C4]

Would better trou have helped?

Yep - with armour. The bike bounced on me (my knee) a couple of times before it slid off down the road. I was wearing jeans for a 'quick ride' around the block and to get some petrol.

Even though it was a low speed low side, I still do not recall exactly what happened, I DO know that I curse my decision to wear jeans that day as some days I struggle to walk properly let alone ride.

Who knew:doh:

[Henk]

Fair enough. Im not one of the ATGATT mob. regularly ride in jeans and have done for about 20 years, can't see that changing.
Would be a shame to drop serious coin on top line gear for the pillion if she decides that one ride is enough in my opinion. Of course that doesn't count for much.

[klingon]

Textile jackets don't have to look bad. In fact I have two textile jackets (one for winter & one vented for summer) and they are both quite feminine in their tailoring. Not as sexy as leather of course, but perfectly adequate and not bad looking.

I say get her a (nice, feminine) textile jacket & trou. Even if she only comes out riding with you once every 18 months, you will know she is comfortable and protected. And if she does want to come out more often (or get her own bike! Woohoo!) then she can get leathers or whatever a bit later down the track.

[Bikernereid]

I have spent years pillioning with riders and I have been using textile trousers over jeans and tights for in the winter with plenty of jumpers and a leather jacket. I have my own helmet and good gloves and have recently invested in some new good leather trousers. Have the option to what I wear that way.

If you don't want to splash out you might want to borrow the gear from a friend but make sure that if she doesn't have bike boots that she atleast has something like good hiking boots that protect her ankles. Also borrowing a helmet that fits properly is a must above all else.

If you can buy some gear on trade me or such sites so that it wont cos you an arm and a leg to kit her out provisionally that is an idea. At least that way is she doesn't like it wont cost you a forture and you can resell it and is she does like it then you always have spare gear.

[Neon]

I'm starting to think that perhaps cordura tops/bottoms might be a good option. I have no issue buying helmet, gloves and boots, might go for second hand boots though. She's a size 8 in both shoe and waist, so shouldn't be tooo difficult to find stuff on TM.

Good comments people, thanks! :clap:

[Quasievil]

I'm starting to think that perhaps cordura tops/bottoms might be a good option. I have no issue buying helmet, gloves and boots, might go for second hand boots though. She's a size 8 in both shoe and waist, so shouldn't be tooo difficult to find stuff on TM.

Good comments people, thanks! :clap:

Just watch TM a lot of it is garbage and not worth buying even if its cheap, its often cheap for a reason in that the quality is low, just a friendly warning

[aroberts]

I have good gear like cordura pants, jacket, etc. for commuting, but we both wear draggin jeans for weekend riding/pillioning. Motomail often seem to have jeans on special at the downstairs outlet.

She started off with a normal jacket, but once she had been for a couple of rides and liked it we bought her a proper leather jacket as well.

[Neon]

Just watch TM a lot of it is garbage and not worth buying even if its cheap, its often cheap for a reason in that the quality is low, just a friendly warning

I wouldn't buy new gear off TM, only second hand (which I've seen), and reputable brands.

[CookMySock]

Just watch TM a lot of it is garbage and not worth buying even if its cheap, its often cheap for a reason in that the quality is low, just a friendly warningA fair statement for sure, but I bought my daughter a cheap mohsin jacket off trademe ($135) and the damn thing is much stronger and better built than my dririder at double the price, and the armor is much more rigid, and its a nice sexy red one too. Its not as warm or dry though, but I added a <a href="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=77518&highlight=heated+jacket">heated liner</a> to fix that.

Steve

[klingon]

I have good gear like cordura pants, jacket, etc. for commuting, but we both wear draggin jeans for weekend riding/pillioning. Motomail often seem to have jeans on special at the downstairs outlet.

She started off with a normal jacket, but once she had been for a couple of rides and liked it we bought her a proper leather jacket as well.

I think the key is to wait until she's been on the bike a few times in some cheap-ish gear before investing in some more expensive stuff. When I first started pillioning I didn't really know what I needed/wanted in my gear, so I'm glad I didn't spend too much on my first set of kit. I still have them for spare, but after riding around in them for a bit I discovered what worked and what didn't work for me. My second set of gear (still textile) was much more suitable.

One day I'll win lotto and get a full leather set (and my dream bike :love:) for touring.

[Okey Dokey]

There was a 2 piece ladies Dainese suit for sale here on kb recently. If the size is right it would be worth a look...

[Trick.Import]

i say buy leather, the more protection the better. scars on chicks arent too sexy..

[Bend-it]

Search is MY friend!

I was just wondering if mixing leather jacket and coudura pants was going to look geeky and did a search on KB, a wealth of motorcycle information... At the end of the day, I'll stand in it, parade around the house and see how it looks meself I guess... :)

[klingon]

Search is MY friend!

I was just wondering if mixing leather jacket and coudura pants was going to look geeky and did a search on KB, a wealth of motorcycle information... At the end of the day, I'll stand in it, parade around the house and see how it looks meself I guess... :)

Hold a fashion parade. I'm sure the Wellington ladies will happily give you scores from 1 - 10 for your various combinations of outfits :)

[ManDownUnder]

first things first - borrow some gear, get her on the bike and see if she likes it. After that the outlay will be easier too - she'll possibly chip in and will have an idea of what she wants.

[Swoop]

Go for leather.
Then get a rainsuit that goes over that, for those rainy rides.

[Jerry74]

textile and it is fine until she decides to get into it more often then go leather..

[Colapop]

I think she has a preference for leather, but suiting her up from scratch is going to be $1K+ including gloves, helmet, boots. It's a lot given that she may decide she doesn't like it. Of course she will like it, but we are talking about risk mitigation here.
Ummm... ask her?? "I think she has a prefence for leather..."
Or get her, her own bike and let her decide what gear she wants.
The other thing is - how much is she worth? If you don't she think she's worth it, don't buy her good gear. It doesn't really matter what you get, leather or codura, as long as she's comfortable in it.

[Neon]

Ummm... ask her?? "I think she has a prefence for leather..."
Or get her, her own bike and let her decide what gear she wants.
The other thing is - how much is she worth? If you don't she think she's worth it, don't buy her good gear. It doesn't really matter what you get, leather or codura, as long as she's comfortable in it.

If I can convince her to pillion on a regular basis I will shell out for leathers. I never said I wasn't going to buy good gear, just that I'm looking for solutions as to how I can balance cost, safety and convenience in the short to medium term.

[Quasievil]

If I can convince her to pillion on a regular basis I will shell out for leathers. I never said I wasn't going to buy good gear, just that I'm looking for solutions as to how I can balance cost, safety and convenience in the short to medium term.

Got some specials at the moment Andy, if it helps Im sure there will be something around here she could borrow but depends on her size, pm me if you like.

[Dakara]

After my Bin I said to the other half she wasn't getting back on the bike until we had full Leathers for her... Previously only her top half was protected. Helmet, Leather Jacket, Leather Gloves.... Jeans, Shoes.

[Neon]

I think when the time comes (late Oct) I'll see about borrowing some size 8leathers from some kind person and see how she likes pillioning. I reckon she'll know pretty quickly whether she's into it or not. If not, no loss. If yes, then I'll go buy her a set of leathers.

You're right Dakara, I'd feel shithouse if something did happen and I hadn't done my best to reduce the chances of injury.

[vifferman]

I'm gunna get cruicified by the ATGATT crew for saying this, but if you just want to see if she likes it, then some strong pants/jeans, lace-up boots, any jacket, and some quality knee and elbow armour (80 bucks max) will do for some quiet trips down to the cafe/beach/lake (insert other favourite place).
No.
While I wear all or most of the gear most of the time (I think...), you're right on the money here.
When the WifeAccountantPorcupinePillionist decided she wanted to take more of an interest in my interests (after over 20 years :confused:), I took her for a couple of easy rides on the FahrtSturm: the first around Mission Bay on a nice day (typical cafe cruise, even though I wasn't on a Hogglery), then another out Riverhead way. On both rides I wore the same gear as her (jeans, shoes, lightweight gloves and jacket), to make her feel relaxed, and to make me feel vunerable so I took it easy. It worked well (apart from my nuts getting crunched from us sliding around on the seat :eek5:). Once I determined she liked it, we bought some cheap ($40 or $50) leather trou from Cash Perverters, then I bought her some cheap (but new) race boots on TardMe (Diadora, for around $140, IIRC). This was followed by a 2-piece leather suit (TardMe again) for around $250, and finally her own helmet and gloves (Shoei for $12,399* and gloves were free.)
Soon, if she keeps riding with me (she hasn't ridden for a while), we'll probably buy her a textile suit, as it makes it easier in UnZud's changeable weather.

Although it usually is, bike gear needn't be expensive - there are some real bargains around. While the WifeAccountantPorcupinePillionist's gear's not as good as mine, she doesn't ride every day like I do, so it doesn't need to stand up to the rigours of every day wear'n'tear. It also doesn't need the same degree of comfort, as she's only sitting there, not operating controls, so as long as it's not ncomfortable, and she's warm/cool and dry, and it can protect her in the event of a spill, it's fine. When she's on the back, I ride more carefully, so if there's an accident, it's likely to be of the kind where some other koont takes us out, in which case we're toast anyway. And yes, this is a worry. While I don't care much if I get toasted, it worries the crap out of me having her on the back - I'd really hate it if she was injured in a crash. WHether the pleasure of us riding together outweighs that by a sufficient margin or not, I'm not sure. But (however!) life has a 100% mortality rate, so WTF.


* The helmet was $399, but in the process of buying it she and the salesman made me buy a new bike

[duckonin]

While I don't care much if I get toasted, it worries the crap out of me having her on the back - I'd really hate it if she was injured in a crash. WHether the pleasure of us riding together outweighs that by a sufficient margin or not, I'm not sure. But (however!) life has a 100% mortality rate..

Same here...My wife may just seem to sit but she is also an xtra pair of eye's and ears plus she is my mate, and as she is with me 99% of the time only the best will do, (as above, would not want that to happen!!!!), if she was to be casual as a pillion I would want her gear to be safe and warm..

[The Pastor]

Pillions arnt worth much anyways, just get a cheap cycle helmet from the warehouse and some disposable gloves.