Taking a pillion - learning?

**granstar** · 22nd November 2018, 20:42

Originally Posted by russd7

I use the same procedure for both the wing and the zzr, when ready for the pillion to get on I will have the side stand down, feet planted and legs supporting the bike and front brake held on, I also instruct the pillion to lean on me not the bike. as for riding, they are told on no uncertain terms that there is only one person in control and that's me so they are better off to relax and let me ride, that said, with anyone I haven't pillioned before I am very cautious until I know how they are going to behave. often the worst pillions are those that ride also

Sorry

**russd7** · 22nd November 2018, 20:50

Originally Posted by granstar

Sorry

ahhhh good to see ya back, naa it was just the finger nail gouges in me panniers from having you on the back

actually, you rode surprisingly well on the back given that you ride as well

**neels** · 23rd November 2018, 07:42

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

One thing that's extremely important to me when my pillion is mounting my very high fully loaded adventure bike is that I have a grip on both handgrips, as well as feet planted, legs straight supporting the bike upright against the seat with both inner thighs & handlebars held firm & straight.
The pillion has to mount it like a horse, left foot on left peg, hoist up & swing a leg over the top box.
Easily done & also easily fucked up if systems & communication aren't followed by both parties.

Sounds exactly like the procedure for mrs getting on the back of the ducati, once I'm on and have feet planted she gets the thumbs up, although with her being a bit on the shorter side she uses the left front peg as a step up and me for leverage to swing a leg over.

We don't start moving until I've got the thumbs up from her that she's on, is sitting where she want's to be and has feet on the rear pegs, it's not a great feeling having the bike moving around while the pillion is fidgeting about trying to get comfortable while you're getting going.

I guess you know your pillion is reasonably happy with your riding when they go to sleep on the back, and a smack on the back of the helmet lets you know when they're not.....

**sidecar bob** · 23rd November 2018, 08:09

I have the added bonus that my pillion is the perfect size for pretty much everything, including riding pillion.
Not sure I'd like to have a big bastard try a few things that this one does.

**Blackbird** · 23rd November 2018, 09:34

Originally Posted by neels

I guess you know your pillion is reasonably happy with your riding when they go to sleep on the back, and a smack on the back of the helmet lets you know when they're not.....

Yep, just the same when my wife used to pillion with me. She was the best pillion bar none I've ever had on the bike - hardly knew she was there. She used to get a bit bored though 'cos she couldn't talk to me and hassled me for some comms which was resisted because I didn't want to talk

. I got the odd smack on the helmet too but the worst demonstration of her displeasure was coming back from the Paeroa street races one year. A few of us were going to stop at the Okoroire pub for something cold and I'll freely admit the last couple of km was at a "brisk" pace. We got off the bikes in front of the deck already full of bikers and their partners. My wife and a mate's wife launched into us complete with finger wagging. They didn't keep their voices down either. The deck erupted to cheers and applause. Daren't grin as we all know where that would have led so we just looked down and shuffled our feet. Mortifying with all the smartarse remarks from the deck.

**george formby** · 23rd November 2018, 16:30

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Yep, just the same when my wife used to pillion with me. She was the best pillion bar none I've ever had on the bike - hardly knew she was there. She used to get a bit bored though 'cos she couldn't talk to me and hassled me for some comms which was resisted because I didn't want to talk

. I got the odd smack on the helmet too but the worst demonstration of her displeasure was coming back from the Paeroa street races one year. A few of us were going to stop at the Okoroire pub for something cold and I'll freely admit the last couple of km was at a "brisk" pace. We got off the bikes in front of the deck already full of bikers and their partners. My wife and a mate's wife launched into us complete with finger wagging. They didn't keep their voices down either. The deck erupted to cheers and applause. Daren't grin as we all know where that would have led so we just looked down and shuffled our feet. Mortifying with all the smartarse remarks from the deck.

I had the opposite problem. Once the better half realised I wasn't a testosterone riddled, look at me, nutter, I gave a shit and could ride smoothly, she started giving me the hurry up.

As our courtship developed and she began to learn the local roads and fun bits I started getting smacks on the helmet to increase the lean angle....

I'm not complaining by any stretch of the imagination, she is a feather weight and makes no difference to how the bike performs. Hang on, braking, that's noticeable, I've been the filling in a tank / girlfriend sandwich a couple of times.

**GazzaH** · 23rd November 2018, 18:10

Originally Posted by george formby

I've been the filling in a tank / girlfriend sandwich a couple of times.

Butter or marge?

**Blackbird** · 23rd November 2018, 18:19

Originally Posted by george formby

Hang on, braking, that's noticeable, I've been the filling in a tank / girlfriend sandwich a couple of times.

Yeah, I'm allergic to crushed nuts too

. Bloody hurts, doesn't it?

**george formby** · 24th November 2018, 12:02

Originally Posted by GazzaH

Butter or marge?

Looked more like peanut butter.

Yeah, having the boys smacked into the tank does nothing for concentration but is very focusing.

**skinman** · 26th November 2018, 14:56

another good idea is for a first time pillion, pick a nice day, go somewhere nice, say beachlands (cafe on the beach) not too far away & be gentle. a first timer will have no idea of just how fast a bike is compared to a car so as a rider being gentle will feel to them like going as fast as their car can go. (unless they have a fast car or race something)