My mate binned with no jacket = hospital ! (Rules for pillions)

**Radar** · 17th February 2009, 10:57

Just saw my mate, bandaged up after going to hospital yesterday. Scraped the shit out of his right hand, arm and shoulder. And he wasn't wearing his kick-ass leather jacket!

So why wasn't he wearing his jacket and why did he bin? Because he gave his jacket to a friend who rode pillion and when doing only 15 kph around a corner his friend holds onto my mate's shoulders, causing crap steering. Not sure why he wasn't wearing his gloves - probably the pillion had them.

When you ride two up and one of you does not have protective gear, someone could wind up in hospital, even at slow speeds. Think about it.

Rules for pillion passengers:

1. If you have to hold on to the rider, grab his waist and do nothing at all to interfere with his steering. Keep away from his arms and shoulders.

2. When stopped at a light, do not put your feet down or do anything to cause the rider to lose balance; he may be trying to find neutral and have only his right foot down.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE BE TELLING PILLIONS TO DO OR NOT TO DO?

**skidMark** · 17th February 2009, 11:04

Sit down... hang on....shut up....go where i go...i dont care if its scary to lean...your coming with me.

I can manage if they force themselves upright for the corner...its when they lean in with you then try stay upright that you get in the shit.

**MyGSXF:Me** · 17th February 2009, 11:07

I would not be taking a pillion unless they had gear on in the first place..

& that doesn't mean giving up my gear, compromising my own safety, for them.

it's the riders responsibility to ensure their pillion is adequately protected. The rider also needs to brief their pillion on "how to be a pillion" BEFORE they set off.. ie: hold on round waist, sit still, feet up etc. Common sense really

**ManDownUnder** · 17th February 2009, 11:13

1) Have the gear
2) Sit on the back - make like a sack of potatoes. Don't move, don't put feet down
3) Hold onto me, or the grab rail on the back of the bike - whatever works best for the pillion
4) Pillion get priority. Two taps on my hips means slow down, three means stop... NOW
5) Rider shall respect pillions wishes - every time

**Zoolander** · 17th February 2009, 11:21

Ummm... don't pillion with Skidmark perhaps?

**Gareth123** · 17th February 2009, 20:16

My brother is a bit of a pain when your on the back of his bike. He'll lean it over no matter what you say. Hmmm maybe he only does that to me? Maybe it scares me because I have control issues? All I know is he doesn't slow down at all and he has no hand holds for the pillion. Crazy bastard, glad I have my own bike now. No more pillion passenger for me thanks!

**Quailboy** · 17th February 2009, 20:26

Sound advice and a good reminder!

**klingon** · 17th February 2009, 20:33

I think the main thing is not to assume a pillion knows anything about being a pillion. I watched my partner take his teenage niece as a pillion for the first time. He was ready to just hop on and go, and really didn't get that she had no idea what to do.

We ended up explaining to her:
- which side of the bike to get on
- where to put her feet ("these are your pegs here")
- where to hold on
- not to put her feet down again until she was getting off
- to sit still at slow speeds and/or uneven surfaces and/or corners
- to let the rider know when she was about to get on or off
- that wearing her gloves and doing up her helmet were not optional - the bike wasn't moving until she had her gear on properly!

**Hitcher** · 17th February 2009, 21:24

Get on from the lefthand side
Don't get on until I tell you
Watch out for the exhaust pipe(s). Burnie, ouch!
If you can't see the back of my head, you've got on the wrong way. Please get off and try again
Hold the grab handles, not the love handles
Tap me on the shoulder if you want me to stop
Sit like you're a sack of potatoes. Neither I nor the motorcycle needs any help cornering
Keep your feet on the pegs at all times, particularly when the motorcycle stops
Do not get off until I tell you
Get off on the lefthand side
Enjoy your ride!

**gatch** · 17th February 2009, 21:48

first rule of pillion club - do as i say, not what i do

second rule, of pillion club - DO AS I SAY, NOT, WHAT I DO

any breaches of rules one or two, will result in a sore groin, and no ride, savvy ?

**Quasievil** · 17th February 2009, 21:52

First rule of pillions is dont have one, second rule is refer to first rule

**Flossi** · 17th February 2009, 21:58

wow! ouch for your friend!

my first experience as a pillion, about 12 years ago, I had nothing explained to me and had no clue. I was on the back of my partner's dad's bike, I'm sure he was cursing and swearing at me as he was going up hill and round corner, leaning, and I was trying to keep myself upright! (ie, I was leaning the opposite way!)

Yep, definitely need to brief a pillion on what is expected of them

**hospitalfood** · 17th February 2009, 22:12

bikes = hospital sooner or later. thats just how it is.
pillions = ?
its your mates fault, regardless.
like i say, bikes = hospital.

its all good for him in this case. minor damage and good learning. skin grows back. at least he didn't fuck his bike right up!

**ital916** · 17th February 2009, 22:52

haha does anyone else see this thread as slightly silly, dont ya know mate its a free country, your a silly boy for suggesting people wear gear and pillions should too. Better hide before jrandom finds you.

p.s

I actually agree with you but putting up a thread like this does nothing, people dont listen or learn until the make the same mistake. Maybe though the odd learner or other motorcyclist might heed your advice.