Who rides but won't go pillion?

**TOTO** · 15th July 2008, 08:50

I'd be pillion on someones big bike who I've ridden before with and know what to expect.

In saying that I've been a pillion 1 only.

if its a cage tho, i would love to be passenger - relax and look around - good fun espessially on a long trip.

**007XX** · 15th July 2008, 08:54

I've only been riding my own bike for a couple of years, but in that time went back to pillioning a handful of times behind hubby....and didn't like it anymore! *sob* We both used to love it and he still does, but I catch myself trying not to act based on the road.

I resorted to hiding behind him so I can't see too much of the road, but it's hardly a satisfactory answer.

**JimO** · 15th July 2008, 09:08

Originally Posted by Katman

I'm getting the distinct impression that there's a lot of motorcyclists that don't like the way other motorcyclists ride.

perhaps but i know a few guys who seem to revel in the idea of scaring their passengers to death, i have a mate who thought it was funny to tow my wife at 50 mph waterskiing one day, needless to say none of my family will ever go behind his boat again (and he rides as well)

**vifferman** · 15th July 2008, 09:27

I did many, many pillioning miles as a feckless yoof, but can't remember when I last did. I don't like it, probably because I had some bad experiences:

Sister's boyfriend tried to "crack the ton" (100mph) on our road, midday, on a Saturday, with me on the back of a T500. We managed 95...
My best friend laid down on the tank of his BSA with me on the back, doing about 75-80mph, "to give me a fright".
Same friend, cracked 95mph, on my street (but the other direction to the Titan) one night, on a Z1. Fortunately, I was really used to pillioning for him, and somehow twigged he was going to crack the throttle. I had to hang on tight, but there wasn't a huge amount of danger.

I'm usually very considerate when carrying a pillion, as I know how dangerous it is if the pillion gets a fright and lurches suddenly. (Or she's your wife, and gives you a beating for going too fast...) When I was 16 or 17, I did once see a nice bit of sand on a smooth road, and did a beautiful feet-up slide with my mate on the back, which scared the crap out of him, but that's about the only incident I can think of.

I must say, the thought of pillioning now fills me with dread. Maybe I'd make an exception for a nice female rider...

I pillioned the venerable SpankMe once. He didn't complain at all, but maybe he was being polite.

**Crisis management** · 15th July 2008, 09:34

I'm surprised how many of you are "non-pillion" types, I trust all the people I ride with (you have to in a group ride) and would pillion with any of them, it's no different from riding on the road near them.

Pillioning is fun anyway, you get to wave to everyone, pull faces at kids and generally misbehave without having to worry about where you're going.

Whats not to like?

**Katman** · 15th July 2008, 09:40

Originally Posted by jimjim

perhaps but i know a few guys who seem to revel in the idea of scaring their passengers to death, i have a mate who thought it was funny to tow my wife at 50 mph waterskiing one day, needless to say none of my family will ever go behind his boat again (and he rides as well)

My point exactly Jim.

**fridayflash** · 15th July 2008, 10:08

ill pillion with any mates etc whom i know their riding style etc etc and actually enjoy it, in the late eighties when at high school we only had bikes
so a whole group of us would go eveywhere on them always with pillions
and it was a great way to get around. i still ride with some of those guys today and on the occasional time weve had a breakdown (vfr reg/rec!!!)
we'll go 2up.

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th July 2008, 10:11

I could count on one hand with fingers to spare the number of times I've been pillion. I'm nervous and tense, just can't relax. Same as being a passenger in a car. I think it is because everyone develops their own 'style' and way of doing things, and since they are very different from mine, I have trouble with the old 'brake/accelerate/avoid NOW' scenario....

**fridayflash** · 15th July 2008, 10:28

just reminiscing about my early days of riding,there was one guy id loosely
refer to as a "mate" who youd only ever go on the back with ONCE! lol
he was an absolute psychopath..we'd go to partys and hed be popping valiums,smoking dope as well as drinking hard, then preceed to ride everywhere at full throttle,peg scraping corners,clutch slipping into
the powerband and launching into full vertical wheelstands at every possible
opportunity (intersections) true story!

his bike was a real machine...gt250x7 matt black with red frame, gt380 carbs
modded pipes,modded reed induction etc etc and most alarming of all
it sported a (too big) pair of clip'on bars packed to fit the fork legs with
rags! and people think 15yr olds are mischeif nowadays!! lol

**slofox** · 15th July 2008, 10:45

Originally Posted by HornetBoy

Yup,Had to go pillion for a couple of months whilst getting the bike fixed and absolutely hated it, i think personally its because i hate the feeling of not being in control that makes me refuse to go pillion.

Ditto brother........not in control...BRRrrrrrrrrrrr!

**MIXONE** · 15th July 2008, 11:46

Being a passenger in a car is no worries unless the driver is a dickhead however if I haven'y got the bars in my hands I'm not getting on the bike!!!

**vifferman** · 15th July 2008, 11:53

What about pillions you've had that made the experience terrible?
I can't think of any off hand, but I can think of my favourite pillion (next to the vifferbabe, of course): my youngest son - he weighs next to nothing, and sits very still, so it's like having no pillion. #2 Son tends to steer the bike, and #1 Son seems a bit nervous. Last time I pillioned him (on the VTR1000), he was vibrating when I stopped at the lights.
"Are you cold?"
"No."
"Are you scared?"
"N-n-n-n-o..."

**Swoop** · 15th July 2008, 12:01

Originally Posted by fridayflash

weve had a breakdown (vfr reg/rec!!!)
we'll go 2up.

Bloody reg/rec units! Better than pushing the bike and then waiting for a trailer.

**Big Dave** · 15th July 2008, 12:03

I'd rather piss in my boots and swim.

**beyond** · 15th July 2008, 18:25

My daughter would be the best pillion I ever had.
First time on the bike (she was 23 then) told me she wanted to go faster than anyone else had ever been on the back before.

Had to oblige but on a very safe piece of road. She was so relaxed and weighs next to nothing that it was like she wasn't there. Problem was she gets so relaxed that even after a shortish ride she falls asleep on the back.

Now that's trust

How the hell do you hang on in the tight stuff when you are snoozing???