Pillion advice wanted.

[The Pastor]

when in doubt, power out.

[MSTRS:Me]

So the general consensus seems to be have a hand on the tank? What's up with pillions holding on behind their backs to a grab rail? Good? Bad? Pros and cons please.

I think holding the 'grab rail' forces them to sit a bit too far back, or at least their upper body is. Holding this way against acceleration and braking would be hard on one's arms and shoulders. And the upperbody seperation between rider and pillion makes for less stability.
One arm holding around rider helps with acceleration. Other hand against tank helps under brakes.

[Reckless]

Na you guys got it all wrong!

Tits in your back, arms around your middle, fanny on your tail bone!!

The only way to transport a pillion!

Oh and BTW if its a guy, he's on the pack rack! LOL!!!

Have a good day!!!

[PrincessBandit]

Oh and BTW if its a guy, he's on the pack rack! LOL!!!

There's a certain world-famous-in-kb group here who might disagree
Closer the better mano a mano for dem.

[MadDuck]

I think holding the 'grab rail' forces them to sit a bit too far back, or at least their upper body is. Holding this way against acceleration and braking would be hard on one's arms and shoulders. And the upperbody seperation between rider and pillion makes for less stability.
One arm holding around rider helps with acceleration. Other hand against tank helps under brakes.

I had the opportunity to be a pillion on Tuesday with two different (loverly) Wellington riders. With both riders I held on to the pack rack or rear of the bike and have to say I agree. My arms and shoulders were blimmin sore at the end of the day.

I guess as a rider I was trying my best not to interfere with the riding of either. If that makes sense.

Didnt help I didnt have a step ladder to assist getting on and off!

[Maha]

I had the opportunity to be a pillion on Tuesday with two different (loverly) Wellington riders. With both riders I held on to the pack rack or rear of the bike and have to say I agree. My arms and shoulders were blimmin sore at the end of the day.

I guess as a rider I was trying my best not to interfere with the riding of either. If that makes sense.

Didnt help I didnt have a step ladder to assist getting on and off!

Did neither of them park close to the curb...........like I do

[Hanne]

I think holding the 'grab rail' forces them to sit a bit too far back, or at least their upper body is. Holding this way against acceleration and braking would be hard on one's arms and shoulders. And the upperbody seperation between rider and pillion makes for less stability.
One arm holding around rider helps with acceleration. Other hand against tank helps under brakes.

Does depend on the bike though.
On the back of the DR650 I find it much comfier to have one hand behind as the position is very upright.
On the Tl1000 though, definitely arms round the waist, as you are sitting so much higher up and leaning forward.

[Reckless]

There's a certain world-famous-in-kb group here who might disagree
Closer the better mano a mano for dem.

Good come back LOL!! bling sent!!

[pritch]

Clutchless upshifts are smoother - if you already use them. That should help eliminate helmet clonk, and is better than the usual alternative which is to frighten the pillion stiff

If the pillion needs to adjust her nether garments, or anything else, that must be done at road speed. Any movement at low speed will create big problems.

If she must move, move straight up and down. No wriggling.

She only gets on or off on your say so. That may or may not be how the relationship usually works, but any other arrangement will probably eventually have both of you, and the bike, on the ground in a heap. That usually doesn't help the relationship either...

Once she becomes proficient as a pillion, tell her to look over your inside shoulder as the corner approaches.

Enjoy.

[nunesvaz]

No riding handling pointers as they have all been covered and in better detail than I ever could.
But thinking back to the first time my wife got on the back of my bike.......she hated it and not because of my riding skills or lack of.
Or sliding on the seat or knocking heads .
.....BUT because she got very cold and that in its self took all the enjoyment out of the ride for her.

Maybe just wearing some jeans and a t shirt under her jacket didnt help but I don't think she realized how cold that wind can get.

Jim

[yungatart]

I am gonig to suggest that you practice with an experienced good pillion first....they won't do anything that will unsettle the bike and you can learn about being smooth without worrying about them...then take wifey...she will be well impressed and fall in love with you all over again!

[Rob Taylor]

Seems like a lot of info to take in....Keep it basic.Make sure she is wearing good protective clothing,tell her to hold on to you ,not the tank,and go for a short 50kph ride round the block & see how she feels...If all good your away.Remember pillion comfort level is not as good as rider so short rides to start...Good luck

[varminter]

As a newbie I found the wife on my Katana 250 felt like the front wheel was off the ground, made the steering very interesting at low speed (no, she's not a big girl) also we fell off when testing a v-strom on a tight corner into the bike shop, excuse is going too slow and a steep camber. It's an interesting experience, banged helmets just once. Make sure she has all the gear.

[CookMySock]

It can be stressful for both of you. Take short rides and regular breaks until she is up to it.

Your passenger WILL move around. The bike will respond similar to being hit by a gust of wind. Simply conteract with pressure on the bars to hold the bikes' position or line.

It goes without saying, don't be an arse. It's just too tempting to give a little demo, but there is nothing more horrible than chix skin, hair, and bone, on the road. Even just a little "zoom" might leave her wondering if she likes it - not what you need.

She must know that she can ask to stop, and that it is no problem. Tap on shoulder, then flat palm upwards - "stop."

Watch the slow speed balance stuff. Approaching stop signs and so on - you must not rely on putting your feet down and holding any substantial bike weight, or it will pull you over.

Don't drop the bike into neutral and coast to a stop. If you have to manoevre, you will have no power and this gets bad, quick.

I love pillioning chix. That warm soft girlie crotch wrapped around me is about the best thing in the world.

Steve

[Clubbie]

Thanks so much guys and gals. I took her out for a quiet ride after our wee briefing and a sit on the bike in the shed.
She didn't say much but was grinning when we got home! The following weekend, she asked if I could run her to an appointment on the bike.... needless to say I took the long way home.
Last night I got a "we should have done this much sooner, like before we had kids"

YAY!!!!!!

She's not terrified of it :-)

Should I be practising stuff like emergency braking with her on? Starting a slow speed and building it up?

I figure that way if she sees a situation developing in front of us, she'll know what to expect.