The Physics of Pillions

[JohnBoy]

the best advice i was ever given was to tell the pillion to relax and when it comes to corners either lean or dont!! nothing more disturbing when your thinking "are they or not gonna lean for this one..."

take him around locally for a while to help him get over any fears and to help[ him understand what to expect.

oh... and put something soft on the front of his helmit cause he'll be tapping you on the back of the head everytime you stop and go!

[MSTRS:Me]

Probly wise

[Hitcher]

I'd recommend going and playing around in a large open space somewhere before you hit the highway. Like riding solo, low-speed skills are important. And it's important too that you give your pillion a stern talking to before starting:

Get on and off only when I tell you.
When you're on the back, keep your feet on the pegs at all times.
Reach an agreement as to how your pillion should hold on -- either to you or the bike.
Watch the exhaust pipe -- it's hot.
Sit still, like a sack of potatoes. Move with me, and don't anticipate what I might do.
Reach an agreement for signals, like "slow down", and "stop", and "that's OK, go faster!"

You'll notice that with a pillion you carry more momentum into corners. You will need to brake earlier and more decisively than when you're on your own.

Enjoy!

[Biff]

Pillions are like glamour models aparently - top heavy and unstable.

Nice and smooth on the acceleration, braking and gear changing front. Otherwise he'll be head butting the back of your head for the entire journey - which can be very annoying and distracting!

[750Y]

ride smooooth & you'll be sweet. when you wanna slow down, gently squeeze the rear brake first(before adding the front brake) which will pull the back of the bike down so the weight won't all rush to the front so much. good luck

[Storm]

ride smooooth & you'll be sweet. when you wanna slow down, gently squeeze the rear brake first(before adding the front brake) which will pull the back of the bike down so the weight won't all rush to the front so much. good luck

Never knew that. Thanks for that mate, it will make my next trip with the missus a lot better hopefully

[pommie girl]

Awesome - thanks so much for all your advice!! Great suggestion about practising somewhere quiet - I think I'll find a car park and have a go around that for a while - get us both feeling confident about it. Really appreciate the feedback. Might see if I can ride pillion myself with a friend to remind me what it feels like

[inlinefour]

A pillion on my 400cc is horrible as its set up for rider only. My theory is that if I have to transport someone I might as weel take a cage. I'd hate to think what it'd be like on a 250cc

[XP@]

Echo the ride smooth... if you don't then be prepared for a ding on your lid every time you go faster or slower.

Also resist the urge to give the throttle a handful when overtaking. the front end will come up a lot easier than before.

Even the lightest pillion can make your life difficult.

[Lou Girardin]

Greater love hath no man. Than to get on the back of his wifes bike.

[pommie girl]

Greater love hath no man. Than to get on the back of his wifes bike.

Guess he figures it'd get him in my good books, either that or he likes the leather pants I've got .... errrr

[Ixion]

Guess he figures it'd get him in my good books, either that or he likes the leather pants I've got .... errrr

Pictures. pictures. Where's the pics.

[Two Smoker]

A pillion on my 400cc is horrible as its set up for rider only. My theory is that if I have to transport someone I might as weel take a cage. I'd hate to think what it'd be like on a 250cc

Took a 95 kg person on my 400... scraped the pegs easy as, but pulled really well... Took a 45kg perosn on the RG... was a little slower in all aspects but still quick... Took a 95kg person on the RG, scraped everything quickly, but was still good for 140kmh (maybe even more)

I wont start on the bike bikes and what they do

[pommie girl]

Pictures. pictures. Where's the pics.

Safely locked away ...

[bugjuice]

also be warey of the change in characteristics in the bike, like was mentioned before, things like the brake become 'less effective', not that they do, but you have a lot more weight to stop. It'll feel like there's no power in it any more (you have more weight to get going), and the front *may* feel a bit lighter than normal as all the weight is now more on the back of the bike. Just be aware of these when you're heading into the corners. As Frosty said, give them a brief about what to expect too.

I also never start a ride without working out hand signals. There's a high chance they won't be able to hear you too well, so work out some simple signals to reassure them that they don't feel too isolated back there. A good one I've found is tapping on the shoulder when they want to stop. This action isn't something you can do by accident so it plainly obvious that they want a break. One thing that I do just to be sure (and I tell the pillion this) is tap their left leg/knee. This is me asking if they're ok. Again, a reassurance if something could have been a bit unnerving for them. This can be following by a quick squeeze from them or tapping your waist etc. This way, you can keep communications open without having to scream your lungs out.

Also just bear in mind any lisence restrictions, just incase you get any unwanted attention

Most of all, tell them to relax and enjoy it. If anything, them being relaxed will help you ride. And just take everything extra careful and plenty of time..