Riding with a Pillion?

**Gineen** · 11th December 2006, 23:42

I didn't realised being a pillion was such a big deal to the rider.

I've been doing it for decades, so if anyone needs a lightweight pillion to practice with in the Manawatu, (all 35kg of me) PM me. Just have a seat for me to actually sit on please!

Me thinks some learning is in order for me here too, though I've never run into any problems, umm well maybe once

my lips are sealed

**placidfemme** · 12th December 2006, 07:53

Thanks all for your tips and advice...

Spoke to Sam last night about all the tips/advise and we talked about and decided on some hand signals... (ie... her tapping my leg twice = slow down, more than twice = stop NOW, if I tap her leg = holds on etc).

My aunt came over from Aussie yesterday so it looks like I won't be on the Wednesday & Thursday rides this week... but I'll definatley try the pillion thing as soon as we get the chance

Thanks again

**ceebie13** · 12th December 2006, 08:28

Before your pillion even gets on (or off) the bike, be sure you are settled and feet are firmly on the ground in readiness for their "leg-over" (if you'll pardon the expression). The extra weight on whichever side as they step on the footpeg can catch you unawares. Soften your braking and your acceleration too.

**Hawkeye** · 12th December 2006, 08:39

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

One trick to ease you into and to get use to the extra weight is to load up your pack rack with some weighty (ensure secured tightly). Turn inward so it sits on the pillion seat... you will feel that the bike handles slightly differently and maybe a little lighter upfront... and you will notice more at slower speeds... and maybe we you acelletrate

Once use to the idea of extra weight take your friend around the block...

I was also about to suggest this. I have never ridden with a pillion and it's years since I was a pillion myself. The one thing I know is when I nip down to the shops and have a full load coming back, the extra weight on the back totally changes the dynamics of the bike.
From previous posts, your pillion is experienced but your not. Try riding with a loaded pack on the back for a few days. You will not be putting your restricted at risk but it will give you a feel of the extra weight on cornering, stopping etc.

**skelstar** · 12th December 2006, 08:39

In my (very) brief pillioning experience:

1. Don't let you pillion get on or off the bike unless youre very comfortable with where the bike is...ie secure footing, not on a slope, not slippery gravel etc. Yeah as ceebie says, the lurch of the bike when the P gets on and off gives you a bit of a surprise sometimes.

2. Move the bike out onto the road a bit so that once the pillion is on the bike you can take off with as few problems as possible ie with no tricky manouvres.

3. P doesn't get on unless engine is running, and knows not to get on unless engine is off or has been told to get off.

**ManDownUnder** · 12th December 2006, 08:42

Originally Posted by ceebie13

Before your pillion even gets on (or off) the bike, be sure you are settled and feet are firmly on the ground in readiness for their "leg-over" (if you'll pardon the expression). The extra weight on whichever side as they step on the footpeg can catch you unawares. Soften your braking and your acceleration too.

So to clarify... I need to brace myself before my wife can get her leg over?

**placidfemme** · 12th December 2006, 08:43

Thanks for the extra tips... I'm printing this thread out now so Sam can have a read of it too

**RantyDave** · 12th December 2006, 08:49

Originally Posted by M1CRO

Hint: Zoom in onto the pillion

*That*, is cool.

Dave

**Keystone19** · 12th December 2006, 09:00

Just one more thing to add. I quite often pillion people (often quite bigger than me eh Texmo...).

I find it can be helpful to have the side stand down and the bike leaning on it when the pillion is getting on and off the bike. This means that if you are worried about the pillion unbalancing you the side stand actually holds the weight of the bike. The only minor issue then is hoisting the bike upright off the stand to ride off.

With Texmo I found I didn't need to do that as he was so big he just had to put his feet out and he'd touch the ground from the pillion seat if we unbalanced...

**NotaGoth** · 12th December 2006, 09:14

The ride down from Auckland to Hamilton was my 3rd ever pillion... Longest ride I've been on too....... Was real real nervous so I'm lucky I'm quite light... Glen reckons he barely noticed me on the back... (yeah right)

For me it was a difficult pillion down... But later on I got to watch who I think was Quasi and his Mrs... I watched the two of them in front... Watched her positioning on the bike... Adjusted my positioning.. And in turn found my ride much more enjoyable... (For me... Will wait on Glens comment on that one...)

Glen was also a perfect height for me... And I was able to see just over his shoulder... Which was comforting for me... Start of the ride I'd been sliding around on the seat alot.. Being able to see what was going on in front of me was fantastic... I knew when to put my hand on the tank etc.... And I think during the whole trip I only tapped helmets once...

Hand signals sound like a good idea... Though a nice poke in the ribs is an obvious sign to slow down hehe..

**placidfemme** · 12th December 2006, 09:28

Originally Posted by XxKiTtiExX

The ride down from Auckland to Hamilton was my 3rd ever pillion... Longest ride I've been on too....... Was real real nervous so I'm lucky I'm quite light... Glen reckons he barely noticed me on the back... (yeah right)

For me it was a difficult pillion down... But later on I got to watch who I think was Quasi and his Mrs... I watched the two of them in front... Watched her positioning on the bike... Adjusted my positioning.. And in turn found my ride much more enjoyable... (For me... Will wait on Glens comment on that one...)

Glen was also a perfect height for me... And I was able to see just over his shoulder... Which was comforting for me... Start of the ride I'd been sliding around on the seat alot.. Being able to see what was going on in front of me was fantastic... I knew when to put my hand on the tank etc.... And I think during the whole trip I only tapped helmets once...

Hand signals sound like a good idea... Though a nice poke in the ribs is an obvious sign to slow down hehe..

That was you on Glens bike? Now I feel rude cause I didn't say hello

*sez hello*

**TerminalAddict** · 12th December 2006, 09:43

here's my biggest tip I can offer.

Buy some "love handles" from quasi.

they provide:
1. Something for the pillion to hold on to
2. free movement for the rider even while the pillion is holding on.
3. The ability for the pillion to move thier head without smacking you in the back of the helmet

It is by far .. and I mean *by far* the best money I have spent on riding apparel (sp?)

Mrs TA couldn't go 1 hour holding around my waist without a rest for her to stretch her neck, and move her spine a bit. Also I felt like she was going to pull me off when accelerating hard.
With the love handles she can move her head and back freely without pushing me around, because she has the ability to lean back a bit, and make a gap of a couple of inches between her and I

Great for the kids too !!!!

**BarBender** · 12th December 2006, 09:50

I find riding with a pillion tends to exagerate any weaknesses you may have in your riding style. You'll soon be on your ass if you tend to break late, accelerate too soon or take dodgy lines into corners.

I make a point of checking my tyre pressures and suspension settings before going out with a pillion. More from a comfort and safety perspective than anything else.

I also tend to use the clutch alot more (smooth changes) and rear brakes to initially slow the bike down so weight transfer to the front end is smooth

Pillion handles are useful (see www.quasimoto.co.nz) They help the pillion move with you and give your pillion some confidence.

**bugjuice** · 12th December 2006, 10:03

Originally Posted by TerminalAddict

here's my biggest tip I can offer.

Buy some "love handles" from quasi.

they provide:
1. Something for the pillion to hold on to
2. free movement for the rider even while the pillion is holding on.
3. The ability for the pillion to move thier head

they're not just great on the bike you know