First pillion ride

[90s]

Wife and I tried pillion riding at the RRRS course last weekend as we had only ever shared a scooter on holiday before. She got lots of good advice from the instructors and other riders and we were able to practice trying different things.
Low speed handling subtle differences were very noticable - doing a slow tight figure of 8 with the wife sitting upright the rear of the bike wallowed all over. With her moved in and gripping me with her thighs upright things improved. But when she looked the other way or kept upright the bike felt sluggish. With her gripping with her thighs and leaning with me looking in the same direction I did not notice her there.
And this was on the GSX designed for 2.

Now with motoracer on the back of my old RG150 last week and a combined rider weight of 170k the back was always going to feel well down and sluggish.

Practice together off the road so you can agree what you are going to try and then discuss how it went for both of you.

Have fun riding together!

[placidfemme]

Wife and I tried pillion riding at the RRRS course last weekend as we had only ever shared a scooter on holiday before. She got lots of good advice from the instructors and other riders and we were able to practice trying different things.
Low speed handling subtle differences were very noticable - doing a slow tight figure of 8 with the wife sitting upright the rear of the bike wallowed all over. With her moved in and gripping me with her thighs upright things improved. But when she looked the other way or kept upright the bike felt sluggish. With her gripping with her thighs and leaning with me looking in the same direction I did not notice her there.
And this was on the GSX designed for 2.

Now with motoracer on the back of my old RG150 last week and a combined rider weight of 170k the back was always going to feel well down and sluggish.

Practice together off the road so you can agree what you are going to try and then discuss how it went for both of you.

Have fun riding together!

Thanks for the tips

[vifferman]

Tammy, get Sam to do what my wife does when pillioning: when we're going in a straight line or riding slowly, she sits back a bit to give us both room, and when we get to corners (especially really tight ones) she scoots forward against me and holds onto me. The closer you two are together when cornering, the more the [seemingly insignificant!] mass is centralised. Also, make sure Sam knows that where she puts her head (i.e., where she is looking) is just as important as where yours is when riding. If she must move around at all, get her to look through the inside of the corners. If nothing else, it's good practise for her own riding.

[placidfemme]

Thanks... I'll let her know about the look where I look tip... I don't know if she does that already but I'll find out tonight lol

[Gremlin]

Try having your pillion hit you before you even get to a tasty bit, when they know what you will do

When you have you pillion wrapping their arms around you, it means they have less options in movement, compared to them holding the grab rails, or nothing. You will also be able to sense what they are doing on the seat, even when they are not touching you (ie, under acceleration, you can feel them move backwards - even if its only their upper body) and you can manage the throttle as required.

Get them to keep their arms around you, and instruct them to use the tank to brace themselves, when braking... this is 'speshly important for the guy riders... it can bloody hurt when someone comes slamming into the back of you

Don't forget, that if they are confident riders in their own right, you might notice them actually leaning into corners before you want them to, so be aware of how your pillion might respond to a situation (this is where the holding around you comes in, their reactions are limited).

Weighing about 95, and pillioning a mate around 125... mmm very good lesson in the effects of pillions

[placidfemme]

Try having your pillion hit you before you even get to a tasty bit, when they know what you will do

When you have you pillion wrapping their arms around you, it means they have less options in movement, compared to them holding the grab rails, or nothing. You will also be able to sense what they are doing on the seat, even when they are not touching you (ie, under acceleration, you can feel them move backwards - even if its only their upper body) and you can manage the throttle as required.

Get them to keep their arms around you, and instruct them to use the tank to brace themselves, when braking... this is 'speshly important for the guy riders... it can bloody hurt when someone comes slamming into the back of you

Don't forget, that if they are confident riders in their own right, you might notice them actually leaning into corners before you want them to, so be aware of how your pillion might respond to a situation (this is where the holding around you comes in, their reactions are limited).

Weighing about 95, and pillioning a mate around 125... mmm very good lesson in the effects of pillions

Thanks for that