Why would you be a pillion?

**Deviant Esq** · 10th April 2007, 05:24

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

Hey that's pretty good. I seem to be only able to manage 220 on the GSXR (In top, perhaps in 5th it would go faster) 2up. The wall of air doesn't let up.

Hey LBTW. Thinking it's gotta be the rider...

Nah kidding mate. Gear maybe? I've been pillion on Fat Tony's K6 GSXR750 and seen around 150mph (~250km/h) two up - on a closed private road, of course. Not sure if he ever used 6th gear at that sort of speed, but you'd have to ask him about that as I was just hanging on!

So my opinion on being a pillion? If you trust the rider (trust is a big thing for me), it's a absolute blast. I'd happily go pillion with Fat Tony again. Only having my restricted licence (not to mention having no bike over here in the UK) means I don't get to ride bikes of that kind of speed and handling (I mean, just handling... can't exceed 100km/h anyway...

), so being pillion is the next best thing for me. Still love riding my own bike and looking forward to being able to upgrade, but had a great time being pillion too.

**Rosie** · 10th April 2007, 08:39

I hate being a pillion. That's probably one of the reasons I bought a bike.
'cos Clint was out doing all this fun-sounding motorbike stuff, but there was no way I was going on the back of his bike. So I went and got my own. He likes to joke that after being on the back of the KTM once, I went and bought my own bike, so I'd never have to go on the KTM again.
I don't think he particularly likes taking a pillion, and the KTM is pretty pillion-unfriendly, so everyone is happy.

**T.I.E** · 10th April 2007, 09:13

did it once but it was hard to stay still. once ya been a rider always a rider.
felt sorry for the guy givin me the lift, i was heavier than him, it made for an interesting ride. cant say id do it ever again.
rule of thumb, make sure the passenger is lighter than you. makes it alot easier.

**placidfemme** · 10th April 2007, 10:10

I've only ever gone pillion when I didn't have my own bike. With my partner she likes to go pillion on bigger bikes because they're more comfortable than a 250... but once she gets her own bike (or mine when I upgrade) then there'll be no more pillioning

**yungatart** · 10th April 2007, 11:12

I pillion and enjoy it!
Mstrs rides much faster than I do, and I like going fast....as long as its not on my bike

**sidecar bob** · 10th April 2007, 21:24

Pillioning comes down to trust, & i guess sidecar passengering is the ultimate form of pillioning.
I know i trust my s/c driver because throughout the entire nationals i didnt once doubt or question any decision he made on track, & even though he absolutely brings the sidecar alive like no other competitor, i never once feared for my safety.
If a rider makes you scared, or you doubt their judgement that is all you need to know.
People often ask me how it is i can get on the side of one, i ask them if they have ever flown to Australia, I mean, how the hell can you trust someone with an aeroplane that much?

**Rhino** · 10th April 2007, 22:16

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

Pillioning comes down to trust. If a rider makes you scared, or you doubt their judgement that is all you need to know.

I would totally agree.

My philosophy is "If I am happy to group ride with this individual, I will sit behind them on their bike."

Anyone else gets the "no thanks" answer when they ask if I want to pillion with them.

**sidecar bob** · 10th April 2007, 22:32

Originally Posted by Goblin

I pillioned today to relieve the withdrawls due to injury.

Loved every second of it because I consider the rider an equal in terms of ability and experience.

For those who were not taking notice, i was the rider in this instance.
Isint it interesting that this person is also my favourite group ride companion due to being totally on to it on a bike.
I had never made the connection between the two.

**Goblin** · 10th April 2007, 22:52

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

.
I had never made the connection between the two.

Well you have now.

I didnt think I would enjoy it as much as I did. If I cant ride my own bike, at least I'm lucky enough to have mates to take me....thanks Bob!

**HDTboy** · 12th April 2007, 19:49

I'd take you Kel, I still owe you one too

**Goblin** · 13th April 2007, 11:01

Originally Posted by HDTboy

I'd take you Kel, I still owe you one too

Might have to keep you up on that.

It was funny with you on the back....most people who hop on the back are bigger than me which makes it interesting. Little Matthew(my 9 yr old) is the best pillion I've ever taken.

Reminds me of before I was a mum....boyfriend at the time was the worst pillion ever and used to sit right back and bolt upright which made it difficult to keep the front down. It was as if he had no balance and we'd wobble everywhere. One night after drinking at a mates place, I was too pissed to ride so he did and in my drunken state I was showing him how it felt to wobble around on the back like he did. He soon grew tired of my behaviour, stopped, got off the bike and said 'you blardy ride then!' I got to the first sharp corner and we fell off and slid across the road into the gutter. Picked the bike up and rode home but when we hopped off the whole tailpiece fell off. The rego on that bike was 63NTF and it got named Not Totally Fucked after that.