Going 2 up first time (Pilot)

**Leyton** · 18th September 2009, 09:47

Hello

I have been unable to find a good thread on going 2 up for the first time. Does anyone have a good thread on this ? Or some good advice in here

The bike is a 07R6, Not the best for 2 up that's for sure!

The only issue I think I will have is with stopping at the odd intersection and maybe pulling off from them, no idea.. have not tried it yet.

My pillion(chicky) weighs probably erm um 50kg ? and looks as nice as my bike so keeping it that way is always good!! Starting small might be the way to go hehe, I had no way of attaching a sack of spuds to the bike as a test run. But yeah, will adjust pre-load for the event and tyre pressure and do a bit of a drill run in the garage to make sure I can hold her weight without any issue as I am quite a short arse!. The Hyosung would have been much easier.

Thought it might be a good way to speed a day with someone I have an eye for LOL. Planning on taking the boring old SH's, nothing twisty.

Cheers in advance

**firefighter** · 18th September 2009, 09:58

It's easier than you've imagined in your head!

Common sense-you tell her when your ready for her to get on (nasty surprises can happen otherwise...surprise we fell over!)

Have her get on in a flattish place, ie at the bottom/top of the driveway! (more for 1st time but a good rule)

Braking definitely takes longer-do'nt forget this!

Come up with signals like-one tap stop, two taps i'm going to open it up lean forward etc.

Tell her to anticipate things, like if your stopped at lights when you take off she needs to be ready for it........(good to remind her here by tapping her leg before you move)

Then she needs to hang on, when you slow down if shes hugging you, her weight will go against you and into your wrists and legs, if she has one hand on the tank it helps stop this.

**FJRider** · 18th September 2009, 10:02

Take it sedately, and she will enjoy it. Scare her and thats the last you will see of her. Get her to hold on tight to you. That way when you lean ... she does too... in the same direction.
Get a few simple hand signals sorted too. 50 kg's isn't much ... it wont be that bad to get used to.

**Leyton** · 18th September 2009, 10:09

Hey that's all good advice

I personalty have only pillion ed a handful of times in my life and only pillion ed on a dirt bike. With respect to the breaking, I expect having to really grip my legs into the tank with the 6 more then I have to when slowing due to the weight transfer from behind.

Should be good fun, I plan to take it easy, I would like her to enjoy it

Riding is such a fun activity!

Thanks for the tips guys

**CookMySock** · 18th September 2009, 10:17

Remember it's a learning curve for both of you, and that it can be a little stressful, so remember to take regular breaks and chill pills.

Tell her "we'll just get out on the open road and cruise along quietly. No fast stuff."

Watch your low speed balance stuff. Really keep that bike riiiite on balance point, no matter what. Don't be tempted to put your feet down hard and muscle the bike, or it (plus her weight) will muscle you.

Over.

Expect the bike to give a little twitch when she shifts her weight, and while it feels very different you should not panic - rather treat it it as if it were a brisk gust of wind and simply ignore it, or apply just a little bar pressure to counteract it.

Everyone has their own style and preferences, and I dont know what difference it might make, but I ask my pillions to not touch the rider please and sit up, relax, and hold on when we are braking or when you feel you need to, but otherwise just sit with their hands on their thighs or in their lap, and relax and look forward over your helmet, not down. Duck a little bit so she can see the road.

Have fun! Doubling chix is really nice.

Steve

**firefighter** · 18th September 2009, 10:17

Originally Posted by Leyton

really grip my legs into the tank with the 6 more then I have to when slowing due to the weight transfer from behind.

Should be good fun, I plan to take it easy

Yeah man, my last time I'd cleand the bike and used normal polish instead of non-slip on my seat.......legs were exhasted afterwards! (through twisties)

Twisties are all good man, just take it easy. Will be more fun for her than a windy open road. Else she might not get 'it' and think it's boring. Just go slow.

**vifferman** · 18th September 2009, 10:25

Originally Posted by Leyton

I have been unable to find a good thread on going 2 up for the first time.

Really?
What did you try? I suggest you try again, and using the 'Advanced Search function", set to "Search titles only".
Or click this, seeing I've already done it. Save re-inventing the wheel, and all that.

We've had this question before, y'see, once or twice.

As for my opinion (even though I've given it before), there's a couple of important things:
1. Explain to your pillion what's expected, and what to do or not do.
2. Ride more carefully than normal, slowing down or accelerating smoothly and gently.
3. Work out with your pillion what works for you with regards to holding on, and so on.

For me, my wife has this down pat, and when we're riding along on the straights or gentle curves, she sits upright, and if she holds on, it's just her hands on my hips (or wherever else she feels like putting them). On twisties, she scoots up close behind me, to centralise the mass, and acts like a limpet. It doesn't affect my riding at all, and helps a lot.

**Leyton** · 18th September 2009, 10:30

Originally Posted by firefighter

Twisties are all good man, just take it easy. Will be more fun for her than a windy open road. Else she might not get 'it' and think it's boring. Just go slow.

Yeah good point!!!, I will link a few towns with a couple of nice twisty sections I am familiar with.

**Leyton** · 18th September 2009, 10:30

Originally Posted by vifferman

Really?
What did you try? I suggest you try again, and using the 'Advanced Search function", set to "Search titles only".
Or click this, seeing I've already done it. Save re-inventing the wheel, and all that.

Haha

I am a bit of a n00b at times, Cheers dude!!

**Kinje** · 18th September 2009, 13:38

Here's what I got when I asked the same question.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=66905

Done a fair few miles 2up now, including road trip up the West Coast

As others have said, be smooth (breaking earlier, make sure of your corner line, smooth acceleration and gear changes) and give her a signal if you're guna twist a bit harder cos, hey, its fun for everyone now and then (once your both used to it). I find that the bike feals really stable with her on the back - so get your line right, roll on and smile. It is slower to respond and can't be flicked around like on your own.

It's quite uncomfortable perched up on the back of a sport bike, so expect to stop quite often (~50km) and work out a signal for this. Hard braking and going downhill in twisties hurts her wrists if she's bracing against the tank.

Enjoy - it's great having someone for adventures on the back

**ckai** · 18th September 2009, 13:44

Originally Posted by Leyton

Haha

I am a bit of a n00b at times, Cheers dude!!

Just what I've found...

EVERYTHING the pillion does you will notice. Head turns, tongue out, ass scratch, the lot! the first time I rode with someone I was amazed at how much them just turning their head is felt.

I found I counter-steered a hell of a lot more. In saying that, I wasn't riding the Daytona, I was riding a GSXF. But still did it a lot more than if I was riding the bike solo.

Tell the chicky just go with you (I actually tell people to not lean on purpose but go with what ever is happening). I had a few bikers ride pillion and they suck! They lean when they want too which screwed things up for my lines. The people that have never ridden a bike were heaps better because they just went with me. Meaning I could do my thing.

Most important thing plant your feet and make sure than stable as hell. Remember you have to hold that bike up for both of you and with someone climbing on. It's better to be a dick about having stable feet before anyone gets on, then having your baby, babe and you assed over.

I wouldn't really shag around with pressure and pre-load if you're going for a short ride. I never on the Hyobag or the GSXF and I took some twisties. You're learning so you're not gonna be a dick.

That's just me though. If it'll make you feel for comfortable, do it.

PS almost forgot...you'll crush you're nuts so don't wear tight undies! Otherwise she want want ya (it certainly ain't for ya body

)

**YellowDog** · 18th September 2009, 13:54

All good advice here.

I am sure you will have no problems and won't even notice the extra 50Kg.

I have found that clutchless shifting avoids the odd helmet bangs and ensures that you ride smoothly.

And don't forget ATGATT.

**BMWST?** · 18th September 2009, 16:38

depending on the bike she may have to actually put her foot on the pillion peg and climb on that before actually being able to swing leg over seat so you have to be ready for all her weight on the peg.Be careful with accelleration ,she will HAVE to hold on to something otherwise she could fall off the back.Make sure the first ride is relatively short,and she has warm gear.

**mrchips** · 18th September 2009, 17:01

I'm no expert here, but i've found having the side stand down helps for stability when it counts. Nothing worse than a pillion slipping on their mount / dismount pulling both you & a fully loaded bike over in front of a croud !

Probably the most important... leave plenty of room for breaking. Your nads will thank you for it.