Nervous Pillion

[Japtwin]

My girl doesn't exactly love my bike, more accurately she doesn't like riding on it. She's been on a few times but basically it scares the crap out of her, even though I ride as smoothly and carefully as I can. Strangely she's an excellent pillion, light, doesnt move round, no unexpected inputs.
So over Easter didn't make it out Fri, Sat, Sun for various reasons so come Monday am suns shining, few clouds but talk her into a little ride and 15 min in it absolutely pissess down. Great ,I can feel her grip getting tighter as the road gets wetter, we stop for coffee, the rain sort of stops so of we go agin do a bit of a loop and home. Now were home and dry the suns out again, thanks for that weather gods.
Any suggestions on how to get the girl to relax more? She mainly says the cars freak her out, despite happily riding a bicycle in heavy traffic w shorts and tshirt all summer??

[FROSTY:Me]

Hate to say it bro but it might be THAT bike.
The whole sitting up above the rider thing and how it delivers power.
To put my theory to rest or confirm it take her for a ride on a FJR1300 or similar. See if shes still not happy.

[cowboyz]

might be a lost cause then. Biking isnt for everyone. Are you lane splitting? Is that why she is afriad of cars on the road? In a funny kind of way Are you concerning yourself more with how she is feeling/what she is thinking than actually riding the bike resulting in not the best riding?
The only answer is to HTFU and get over it.

[Japtwin]

yeah cheers you may have a point, it has been mentioned by her, shes a tall girl and sits up above a bit. I'm loath to change bikes for this reason alone as really enjoy the SV and in another relationship finally talked the girl into riding on my 500 and she was cool but was way underpowered so bought a 1000 took her out once and the extra power/speed so freaked her out she never got back on.
Maybe a busa though?... or a 1200 bandit

[Subike]

why buy a bike to test this out
surely you can "test ride" one from a shop to have a try?
I am sure there are plenty of sales reps who would let you have one for a day to try and sell it.
they dont have to know your objective

[FROSTY:Me]

why buy a bike to test this out
surely you can "test ride" one from a shop to have a try?
I am sure there are plenty of sales reps who would let you have one for a day to try and sell it.
they dont have to know your objective

Yea -what he said. Id even go so far as to say rent a bike for a weekend.
Take it for a ride so you are comfortable on it then take her for a ride.

[James Deuce]

Try a couple of different bikes and if it doesn't work out a well timed, well aimed mega-stoppie on top of the Harbour Bridge on the SV will fix the problem for good.

But seriously, is having your partner ride pillion a defining activity for your relationships? Because if it is you either need a new girl or you need to re-think your priorities. I LIKE not having my wife into bikes AT ALL. It's my thing.

[homer]

I think if you went to where you got the bike from , or where you get it serviced , they will loan you a bike for say friday night thru to sat lunch or monday morn .
Think its the bike , i looked at one test rode it etc
but took the pillion , as i wasnt buying then find its no good

[yungatart]

Chuck her on a big fat lazy Harley....if that doesn't change her mind, maybe you need to look at trading in the girl......
Seriously tho, I pilion occasionally and am a good pillion, but I really don't like it on the GSXR 750, the old GSXR 1100 was primo, but the 750 is just uncomfortable and not set up right, it actually becomes like hard work....

[megageoff76]

I know its a bummer, but if she just doesn't like it you'll have a hard time convincing her otherwise. Its like if someone really wanted me to listen to their britney spears records, no amount of easing me into it will make any difference.

[martybabe]

I don't know if this is your particular problem but my wife really enjoys riding pillion but just craps herself if the bike doesn't have a sissy bar/back rest/top box, she goes from comfortable enough to piss around with her mp3 or gloves n stuff i.e. one handed chilled stylie, to a rigid clasping panicking maniac.

See if ya can blag a ride with comfy pillion accommodation + back rest of some sort.If that doesn't make her feel more secure your buggered mate, keep it as a solo pastime like J2.

Honestly though, have a look at some pillion seats. wouldya? I bloody wouldn't, knees under your chin, a pad half the size of a ciggy packet to sit on and bugger all to hold onto. It's a big ask.

Good luck.

[slimjim]

matey yup reckon you's best look hard at another style of bike ride for her,,, or you'll never get total involvement, an that's a whole lot of singleness on your part

[peanuteater]

well, my 2 cents worth-i wanted to upgrade to either a sv or a bandit, the wife went on the back of both, and said no way shes getting on the back off the sv again- reminded her of a rocket launcher . so got the bandit, (actually also preferred the upright position).

[jrandom]

Yeah, I find it a little amusing that riders wring their hands over their women not wanting to get on the back of a bike.

Hell, I hate pillioning. Why should girls like it any better?

If you're all about riding with the missus on the back, then that's a huge part of what defines your needs in a motorcycle. Choose your bike accordingly.

The pillion seats on modern sportbikes (the SV counts as such) are complete afterthoughts, good for nothing but emergency transport over relatively short distances. It's ridiculous to expect someone to enjoy riding on such a perch regularly.

Consider test-riding a GSX1400, XJR1300 or fully-faired tourer with her.

[Unit:Me]

My girl doesn't exactly love my bike, more accurately she doesn't like riding on it. She's been on a few times but basically it scares the crap out of her, even though I ride as smoothly and carefully as I can. Strangely she's an excellent pillion, light, doesnt move round, no unexpected inputs.
..... talk her into a little ride and 15 min in it absolutely pissess down. Great ,I can feel her grip getting tighter as the road gets wetter, She mainly says the cars freak her out, despite happily riding a bicycle in heavy traffic w shorts and tshirt all summer??

So, shes initially prepared to get on the back. She appears to not have an overall fear of traffic if she rides her bike in it which can be very entertaining and lively at times. Has she had a scare on a motorbike in the past? Is it the speed? What speeds are you doing? Is it when the bike leans? All that weight and power leaning over? Im sure if she wants you could both discover what her real fear is.
Depends on if she is really keen to spend that time with you, or if it doesnt bother her and she is happy for you to disappear on your bike when you need to?