Pillion messages

[Conquiztador]

Took a young lass for a ride today. told her that if I go too fast or if something is wrong juts tap my leg.

She never did. Perhaps she felt uncomfy touching an old guys leg?

Later I started thinkin that someone who is new to pillioning would have no idea how to send messages. (Apart from whacking you hard).

And that took me down the next thinking path: Is there some pillion messages that should be told to newbies???

[Mully]

Just the usual:

Lean with me - don't fight the lean.
Try not to shift your weight suddenly.
I get them to tap my shoulder if they aren't happy

[Daffyd]

If they're young enough and good looking they can tap my leg as often as they like.

[Conquiztador]

If they're young enough and good looking they can tap my leg as often as they like.

Yep. That was what I was planning. Sadly I know her mother...

[Daffyd]

I guess that could complicate things, or make them more interesting.

[Blinkwing]

Yep. That was what I was planning. Sadly I know her mother...

And why should that stop ya?

[Conquiztador]

And why should that stop ya?

See, somewhere inside I am a decent guy....and I was sober.

[kave]

I tell my pillions that if they need to stop to tap me on the leg twice and I will pull over as soon as is safe. I also tell them that if I am about to carry out a maneuver that requires firmer acceleration or braking than normal I will tap them on the leg twice if I have time to do so. Have never needed any more communication while moving than what is covered by those two options.

[Conquiztador]

Normally when someone you know well is on the back all is swell. but then you get this hot 17 yo that wants a ride and you have two options: be responsible or show off. And I recon that is when you need the message. And tapping a old guys leg might not be what she wants to do...

[gijoe1313]

A couple of pats on the left thigh means stop, a couple on the right thigh means speed up - and a smack on the back of the helmet means "I ain't happy with the way you are riding!"

Also a thumbs up using your left hand to indicate if all is well and good.

A questing hand to the crotch is hopefully a promising proposition! From another guy, must be a Honda rider being pillioned!

[Conquiztador]

A couple of pats on the left thigh means stop, a couple on the right thigh means speed up - and a smack on the back of the helmet means "I ain't happy with the way you are riding!"

Also a thumbs up using your left hand to indicate if all is well and good.

A questing hand to the crotch is hopefully a promising proposition! From another guy, must be a Honda rider being pillioned!

Ah yes, the hand in the crotch... but not really what her daughter should be told to fo...

[PrincessBandit]

For me as a pillion it very much is dependent on who it is in the saddle - hubby or brother would be tap the leg; any other rider (male or female) I'd tap the back of the shoulder.

As a rider I don't care much where I'm touched by the person behind me as long as it's not stupidly. My son tried resting his hands on top of my shoulders the first time he got on behind me and I hated it - felt like he was pushing down real hard even though I don't think he was. Told him (a) never do it again and (b) it's a dumb place to rest your hands, hold the grab rail or the sides of my jacket.

[Gremlin]

A questing hand to the crotch is hopefully a promising proposition! From another guy, must be a Honda rider being pillioned!

Hey, I grabbed your tits, not your crotch!! The real bugger was that you had come prepared for pillioning a honda rider, and was wearing chest and back protection. It must be added that then you even questioned the lack of a reacharound.

If a pillion is brand new, the important thing is to take it easy, get them to relax and enjoy. Hold on here and there (wherever is comfortable for you, NOT THERE), pretend you're a sack of potatoes.

Once they are getting more comfortable (even on the same ride), start giving them stuff like looking over your shoulder into the corner (automatically makes them lean), signals for touching, giving signals etc. Initially, their primary focus is holding on, your primary job is keeping things as smooth as possible.

[scracha]

You forgot the "handbrake". It WILL make you stop quite suddenly.

[warewolf]

My son tried resting his hands on top of my shoulders the first time he got on behind me and I hated it - felt like he was pushing down real hard even though I don't think he was. Told him (a) never do it again and (b) it's a dumb place to rest your hands, hold the grab rail or the sides of my jacket.

The best pillion I've had (apart from my pillion-in-a-million) put at least one hand on my shoulder. He was brilliant. His weight was always where it needed to be, and this on a rocky rough 4wd track where I had to stand up and move suddenly in order to control the bike.

Shoulders are a bad spot to suggest tapping when, for any reason, the pillion is uncomfortable. It's too hard to reach comfortably. Thighs/waist if you must specify a place. Three taps for all ok, two taps for stop at next convenient place, one tap for stop! NOW! Signals should always be shorter/quicker/simpler for greater severity.