Pillioning. Is it discussed enough?

[blackdog]

I might take a little time to fully complete this post, as I have some ideas I would like to develop.

Editing may occur as I hope to formulate a resource that offers a series of hopefully good advice, useful pointers and things to bear in mind for BOTH rider and passenger.

I look forward to getting good feedback from others with pertinant information to share.



I will start with the first thing I tell anyone who has never pillioned with me before.

Simple physics really. The only forces you will feel are forward and backward. Dont even think about the side to side as you are not going to feel it, keep your mind on bracing yourself backward and forward with the machine.

Does that make sense?

[MSTRS:Me]

I tell my pillions to make like a sack of spuds. That means just sit there. Don't 'do' anything.

As many riders need advice on how to take pillions...

[blackdog]

I tell my pillions to make like a sack of spuds. That means just sit there. Don't 'do' anything.

As many riders need advice on how to take pillions...

A sack of spuds will inevitably take a chip out of both of your helmets.

I guess I am also leading into the extra responsibility a rider has when taking a bird on the back too. I would certainly like to put together a list of good practises here if there isn't one already.

Search wasn't my friend.

[oneofsix]

Simple physics really. The only forces you will feel are forward and backward. Dont even think about the side to side as you are not going to feel it, keep your mind on bracing yourself backward and forward with the machine.

Does that make sense?

What do you mean by side to side? They will feel tilt and I tell them not to react to that, just go with it, don't try to correct it or lean into it. Backward and forward is the one they will have most issues with, it they react to tilt that is the one the rider will have most issues with.

[The Singing Chef]

Don't hug the rider tight as it impairs their movement and can lead to annoying helmet banging.

Depending on the rider style, either place you hands on the tank or hold on to grab rails at the back.

Another good place to hold is the waist as that is a more stable movement.

Match your helmet movements with the rider. i.e left to right, don't over compensate.

Be relaxed, move with the motions of the bike, not against it. You will feel it if you are.

Don't adjust anything mid-corner or at slow speed as it will upset the bike.

Have a set of codes between the rider and yourself.

-Slow down
-Speed up you nana
-Can I hop on/off?
-Can we stop? I need to piss.

Can't think of any more at the moment.

[MSTRS:Me]

A sack of spuds will inevitably take a chip out of both of your helmets.

You can tell your pillion to put one arm around you to brace against 'falling off the back' and to lean their other arm against the tank to brace against sliding forwards. BUT...
I find this is only necessary on the track. And even then, not an absolute.
It is up to the rider to be smooth and gentle with their acceleration/braking. That will be far more effective for giving the pillion an enjoyable ride.

[cowboyz]

for a first time pillion .. there is alot to take in... I tell them to hold on with their legs and look over whatever shoulder is on the inside of the corner. they can hold on with their hands anywhere.. or not at all
so basically.. turning right.. look over right shoulder.. turning left.. look over left. their bodies follow if they want to or not without them trying. I recently pillioned a guy from palmy to napier with a 50kg of luggage. never been on a bike before and he loved it.
Holding on too tight causes tired and stress. and banging helmets is just a pain in the arse.

as a rider.. use brakes less. shortshift loads. and take wide sweeping angles into the corners. its sharp movements that make pillions nervous.

[blackdog]

Depending on the rider style, either place you hands on the tank or hold on to grab rails at the back.

The style of bike will make even more difference?

Another good place to hold is the waist as that is a more stable movement.

Match your helmet movements with the rider. i.e left to right, don't over compensate.

Not some thing I had contemplated, cheers


Don't adjust anything mid-corner or at slow speed as it will upset the bike. Yes please

Have a set of codes between the rider and yourself.

Yea I just get the slap upside the back if I start misbehavin'!

-Slow down
-Speed up you nana
-Can I hop on/off?
-Can we stop? I need to piss.

All indicated by a slap upside the back!

.

Thanks for taking the time dude.

[blackdog]

You can tell your pillion to put one arm around you to brace against 'falling off the back' and to lean their other arm against the tank to brace against sliding forwards. BUT...
I find this is only necessary on the track. And even then, not an absolute.
It is up to the rider to be smooth and gentle with their acceleration/braking. That will be far more effective for giving the pillion an enjoyable ride.

This man knows his stuff.

[blackdog]

for a first time pillion .. there is alot to take in... I tell them to hold on with their legs and look over whatever shoulder is on the inside of the corner. they can hold on with their hands anywhere.. or not at all
so basically.. turning right.. look over right shoulder.. turning left.. look over left. their bodies follow if they want to or not without them trying. I recently pillioned a guy from palmy to napier with a 50kg of luggage. never been on a bike before and he loved it.
Holding on too tight causes tired and stress. and banging helmets is just a pain in the arse.

as a rider.. use brakes less. shortshift loads. and take wide sweeping angles into the corners. its sharp movements that make pillions nervous.

Excellent input. Cheers cowboy.

[The Singing Chef]

The style of bike will make even more difference?

Yea definitely, though I have been a pillion on a Honda Deauville, Gixxer1000 streetfighter (Really small seat ) and a Beemer 1100 I think? and a Hornet 900, The only time I ever had to hold on was going up and down the Coro with a heavy pack rack at the back, front wheel was determined to lift off the ground! Going down was exciting as well. So it can also be pretty universal, as MSTRS said, it comes down to the rider being smooth and instilling confidence and trust into your pillion, if I was to ride on the back of somebody's bike that I didn't trust then I would probably tense up.

[Gremlin]

Been discussed before, if that's what you're after. Saves re-typing the info:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...with-a-Pillion
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...t-pillion-ride
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...me-%28Pilot%29

[buellbabe]

Have a set of codes between the rider and yourself.

-Slow down
-Speed up you nana
-Can I hop on/off?
-Can we stop? I need to piss.

.

Yep i reckon thats a good point.

I was once pillion on my own bike and thought that my mate riding was deliberately braking just to cop a feel of my tits against his back (turns out the bike in front was all over the road and braking into corners when it didn't need to...and AJ was just looking for a place to pass) so I thought "righty-o" and deliberately gave him a couple of good "biffs" chest to back which was my way of saying "oi! settle please!". Well he thought I was egging him on to "pass everything in sight and go hell-for-leather!

I realised my mistake and just shut my eyes (yes!) and went with it cos I really had no choice!

DOH!

Communication is vital.

[SMOKEU]

I've never taken a passenger on a bike before. I'd like to find someone really light to put on the back just to start off with.

[James Deuce]

I just strap a bag to the back seat and say, "Sorry, no pillioning here".

Looking at building a single seat bike in the next couple of years.

Nothing like a pillion to ruin a good ride.