Tips carrying a pillion?

[Kinje]

Well I've finally taken a passenger, and discovered my g/f is a wee bit of a biker chick Now that shes had a taste she's been 'can we go for a ride today???' and buzzin when we get back. Its great to share the 2 wheeled feeling.

Just wondering if there are any little tricks people have discovered to help make it a bit more comfortable for the passenger. I've got a CBR600RR, and when I sit in my normal riding position (at front of seat by tank) theres a huge gap between me and the start of the rear seat. I've tried pushing back a bit so I'm sitting further back on the seat which seemed to help. Other ideas?

[Nagash]

Lots of a basic safety things like give yourself more time to brake, don't go as fast, be smooth on the take offs and warn the pillion before you take off if you've been sitting at the lights for a wee while.

Other than that you need to teach your pillion how to lean properly, I usually just tell them to line up with the back of my helmet and to not let the feeling that the bikes gonna tip over get to them, if they start trying to lean against you just take it a bit slower.

That's all I got for now.

[EDIT] Oh and something somewhat random, warn them about the exhaust pipe! Had a couple of pillions with enormous burns on their legs, not pretty..

[jrandom]

Just wondering if there are any little tricks people have discovered to help make it a bit more comfortable for the passenger.

Yeah, heaps.

I've got a CBR600RR...

There's your first problem.

[MSTRS:Me]

Don't know about your bike, but I would say that mid-sized sprotbikes would be better served by keeping weight forward as much as possible. Pillion seat centre is often behind the rear axle which means the weight is taken off the front, making the steering/tracking a bit vague.

[Squiggles]

Unless you've got a grab rail your balls will most likely become one with the tank

No sitting up/leaning over midcorner, she'll enjoy it more if she just goes with the bike (i..e when it leans over she doesnt try to stay vertical), but tell her not to wriggle midcorner

Try not to jam on the brakes or you'll hear a twack and the paint on your helmet will start to dissapear.

Packframes are always nice, you can always just use the grab rail attachment, that way she's not crushing balls (so you can move around) and she'll still feel secure

Enjoy and ride safe

[TerminalAddict]

see if she can reach the tank, so she can place her palms on the tank.

Works a treat for heavy breaking.

I have a venture pack rack, which does nothing, but makes them feel far more secure. Especially if you are a bit "ham fisted"

[johnnyflash]

Sorry but you did ask, buy a bike built for two, unfortunately many of the more sporty versions are not wel designed for the poor old pillion :-)

[NOMIS]

Well I've finally taken a passenger, and discovered my g/f is a wee bit of a biker chick Now that shes had a taste she's been 'can we go for a ride today???' and buzzin when we get back. Its great to share the 2 wheeled feeling.

Just wondering if there are any little tricks people have discovered to help make it a bit more comfortable for the passenger. I've got a CBR600RR, and when I sit in my normal riding position (at front of seat by tank) theres a huge gap between me and the start of the rear seat. I've tried pushing back a bit so I'm sitting further back on the seat which seemed to help. Other ideas?

Yeh girl i no exactly the same but she hates when i make her put on all the proper gear ( as i dont want her to get hurt if something does happen ) problem with my bike tho hasnt got any grab bars, and the rear seat on quite an angle that when i slow down her weight against me pushes my ahhh my balls quite hard in to the tank wich kinda hurts, any one got any ideas to over come this,?

[jrandom]

I carried a 150kg gentleman as pillion on Betty yesterday.

The slightly altered loading caused her to perform her very first ever wheelie away from traffic lights.

[sels1]

Other than that you need to teach your pillion how to lean properly, I usually just tell them to line up with the back of my helmet .

I tell them to look over my right shoulder on RH corner, over my left on a LH corner - gets them leaning without thinking about it.

And yes, there are more pillion-friendly bikes around than yours.....

[surfer]

Tell her no excited waving to her friends as you zoom along. The bike will wobble all over the place. My missus likes to try to do this despite constant reminders.

Don't show off or ride like a nutter as this is more likely to end in tears.

Realise that you won't be going as fast with a pillion.

You also need to get used to the extra weight on your bike and how it performs. And build up your confidence and experience gradually if you are not used to taking a pillion.

You might want to tell her what is going on in terms of why you are riding at a certain speed and place in the road so she understands the bikes and your limitations. Especially when being passed by other bikers or struggling to keep up with others. Nothing worse than being pushed to do stuff that you know you shouldn't be doing because you don't have the skills to do it.

The rest has all been said.

[Kinje]

Yeah, been taking it pretty easy and trying to brake and accelarate smoothly, but still need work on this, esp when we're going through the city. Shes been pretty good with leaning, told her to just move with me into the corners and hasn't seemed to upset things at the gentle riding we've been doing.

She can reach the tank so moves her hands there sometimes when slowing down, but her biggest concern is sliding forward off into the abyss between her perched up seat and my pilot seat.

And I hear your comments about unfriendly bike for pillions

[surfer]

I carried a 150kg gentleman as pillion on Betty yesterday.

The slightly altered loading caused her to perform her very first ever wheelie away from traffic lights.

150kg, that is brave and impressive . Bike all right?

[jrandom]

150kg, that is brave and impressive . Bike all right?

It's a GSX1400. It barely noticed.

[Trudes]

Hey Kinjey, good stuff dude!!
Having sat for years as a pillion, most important word to remember is smooth..... on the gear changes, braking, throttle, cornering etc etc.
I know you're a good boy, so I know you will remember that she's on the back, I've riden with people who have forgotten, so please remember, you have another person's life very much in your hands.
Take care out there, and make sure she wears the gear!