First timers

[Staticam]

I took my wife out today, as a pillion, both of us virgins so to speak. There was issue getting her leg over, too big she said. Then there was the ride. This afternoon/evening we went Porirua to Stokes Valley via the George and then returned over Haywards. No real drama, a bit tense and wobbly here and there. At the moment the jury is still out as to whether or not she'll go all the way and get her own gear.
Other than the rush hour split, cages for us are just way more convenient. Its OK, I enjoy both. Still I didn't get a negative result so I guess it must be positive. Good things take time.

[caseye]

Never a truer word spoken, however shes a girl and of course they have been known to take as long as 6 weeks ( an arbitary figure, no guess work involved) to decide if they liked something or not!Especially when it comes to being on the back of a bike.
I hope she enjoyed it and tells you soon.That way buying the leathers will be a pleasure not a chore.
My baby has just got her baby, a pair of cordura trou, new boots a borrowed jacket from her brother and now ordered the leather jacket to go.I couldn't be happier.But it has taken time and I'm still having to be extra good when it comes to riding with her.Worth it all the same, I can tell you, having her riding with me and enjoying the same roads and simply being there is awesome! Go for it.

[Number One]

Good luck getting your missus on board. If she prefers driving to passengering you might just get her wanting her own bike soon enough - was a lovely day for a nice quiet pootle yesterday...try doing that coupled with a coffee and cake stop somewhere, take it easy and she just might be hooked.

[Markw336]

i think you should get her some gear anyway cause its handy to have another set of gear

[klingon]

...There was issue getting her leg over, too big she said...

Well assuming you're not just boasting... it can take a while to get the mount/dismount right when you're new at it. And the lack of dignity involved might mean she's reluctant to do it in public!

Seriously though, I'm tall enough to just swing my leg over, but most of my pillioning friends have to step up onto the left peg before they can swing their right leg over. It's important that the rider has a nice steady footing before trying this!

Also I don't know what gear your wife was wearing for the ride, but when I was starting out as a pillion it made a huge difference when I got my own gear. Make sure she's wearing something warm and well-fitted that doesn't flap around or have gaps for breezes to get in. It can make a big difference to her pillioning pleasure.

If I could give just two tips that might encourage your wife's pillioning experience, it would be these:

1) Find other pillioning couples to ride with, at least early on. Your wife will be able to watch their techniques for holding on, getting off, communicating with each other, etc. When you stop for coffee breaks, she can talk to the other pillions about any issues she has and they can all commiserate together!

2) Get her into shops, looking at and trying on gear. Find something that really fits her and suits her, then point out how sexy she looks in it (which she will!) Knowing she looks good will go along way to encouraging her to ride with you!

[Bender]

Do you think having a communication set up between youand the pillion would help - I'm in the same situation of being about to try to get my wife into and wondered about this.

[klingon]

Do you think having a communication set up between youand the pillion would help - I'm in the same situation of being about to try to get my wife into and wondered about this.

None of the couples we ride with have an intercom system. My partner flatly refuses to try one! Although I have never tried one, I can't imagine it would be any great advantage as I'm happy just sitting there and enjoying the scenery and feel no need to chat as we go along.

On the other hand I do think it's important to be able to communicate with your passenger in some way - you need to know whether she is comfortable, when she needs to stop for a toilet break or to ease the cramp in her legs, or whatever.

So I strongly recommend agreeing on some kind of signal system - two taps on the left sholder for this, a belt on the helmet for that, hands over your visor for something else...

The most important (and consistent) communication for us is that I need to know when he's ready for me to get on or off the bike, and he needs to know when I'm properly settled and ready for take-off.

[YellowDog]

Do you think having a communication set up between youand the pillion would help - I'm in the same situation of being about to try to get my wife into and wondered about this.

I thought the whole point of using a motorbike with the wife on that back is that you can get from A-B without having to hear a word.

[sunhuntin]

Seriously though, I'm tall enough to just swing my leg over, but most of my pillioning friends have to step up onto the left peg before they can swing their right leg over. It's important that the rider has a nice steady footing before trying this!

hell, you shoulda seen me trying to get on and off my first partners bike. he had a harley decker with hard bags and tourpak. even standing on the peg and attempting to swing my leg, i would kick the pack or scuff the seat or lids of the hard bags. we ended up doing things differently in which i would get on first, and then slide back on to the pillion seat. glenn would then get on, and i would have to help him lift the bike off the stand. getting off was also interesting. i would put my right foot down, and then sorta hop one legged away from the bike. looked funny as hell, but it worked for us.

[BiK3RChiK]

The most important (and consistent) communication for us is that I need to know when he's ready for me to get on or off the bike, and he needs to know when I'm properly settled and ready for take-off.

Hahaha.... I often just jump on (after being told I can) and am still putting my gloves on and settling myself as we are roaring off down the street! All adds to the excitement really..

[FJRider]

I thought the whole point of using a motorbike with the wife on that back is that you can get from A-B without having to hear a word.

Often a win win situation for both...

[crazyhorse]

I've hardly been on the back, but have taken my kids numerous times, and yeah, my son used to almost jump on and tip the bike over. Thankfully he's 6 foot now, and easy to get on without any effort. LOL

Intercoms.... yeah, I know lots of couples who use them. I think it would be a good thing for people who are 2-up. My kids used to do the thumbsup or thumbsdown for how things were for them. My boyfriend thought we should get one - but I chat away to myself so much, I'd hate for him to hear the nutty things I say to the cows and sheep, not to mention the singing.......

[klingon]

Hahaha.... I often just jump on (after being told I can) and am still putting my gloves on and settling myself as we are roaring off down the street! All adds to the excitement really..

The problem with the SV1000 is its crazy accelleration and itsy-bitsy passenger seat (and me with my knees up around my ears). If he took off without me expecting it, I would be sitting on the road and he would be in big trouble!

Actually it's not so bad now, but for a beginner and/or nervous pillion I think it's important that s/he is ready for the takeoff.

hell, you shoulda seen me trying to get on and off my first partners bike. he had a harley decker with hard bags and tourpak. even standing on the peg and attempting to swing my leg, i would kick the pack or scuff the seat or lids of the hard bags. we ended up doing things differently in which i would get on first, and then slide back on to the pillion seat. glenn would then get on, and i would have to help him lift the bike off the stand. getting off was also interesting. i would put my right foot down, and then sorta hop one legged away from the bike. looked funny as hell, but it worked for us.

I do the hop-hop-hop on & off when we have the pack on the bike. Last time I ttried to stand on the left peg to get on and really couldn't get my leg between the pack and the rider - so ended up kneeing him in the back of the helmet! Of course he wasn't expecting that, so almost dropped the bike, me and the luggage in a heap on the road.

[Staticam]

I was quite surprised when my wife actually said yes to the ride. I guess she was feeling heckled by Dodgers wife into doing so. We aren’t going to rush out and buy new gear only to find out it’s not her thing... I had a spare jacket (a bit small for her) and borrowed gloves, quality lid and pants. Getting her into shops is never really a problem, especially as she likes to counter my spending by buying sparkly little rocks

Definitely going to try getting out on group rides. So, it’s the hop at the moment, might try the step up and swing next time. She can ride solo, well once or twice around the lawn, but doesn’t like it.

An intercom would great on a decent trip but we’re a long way from that yet. While we’re just getting the hang of it, the fewer distractions the better I reckon.

[Reckless]

I'm with klingons hubby! Definatly no intercom! I ride for a bit a aloness, its good for the soul. Even with my wife on, I still wanna listen to the bike, watch out for cagers and enjoy the ride! Don't wanna know about nothin else. Don't care how pretty that tree is or what I did wrong before we left! Plenty of time to chat at a pit stop or when you get there!! LOL!!

Oh to the point I was thinkin of!
Try goin for a coffee etc don't just do a loop (save loops for just you). If she's anything like mine she enjoys the coffee and timeout as much as the the ride!
Do a loop an she's been for a ride, include a coffee/ lunch or beer break and she's had a lovely afternoon!
Just an idea mate good luck!