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

[carver]

I've heard of Quasimoto. ^^ I'm gonna start looking around for pants soon, although I should probably get a job first.

you can do better than that!
i knew someone by your name from auckland a few years back.

[GrayWolf]

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.

• 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!

Ok guys that works, NOT!
Seriously, teaching or instructing a pillion has one of the most negative attitudes I frequently see on motorcycles.
I have had the privilage of re aquainting a few ladies (and a guy) with pillion riding over the years. The most frequent complaint is just what you are saying, sit down, shut up act like a sack of spuds.
Most have had the shit scared out of them either as an act of deliberate thoughtlessness or simply not having a clue what to do/expect.
It's just isnt realistic to put a total novice on the rear of a bike without explaining the dynamics (simply) of bike steering. Neither is it realitic to put them on the back and go onto the highway at 100+kph. I tell any pillion I take what I want them to do and what to expect if they are a novice. I show them how to use their hands to steady or brace themselves. Hands on hips, there is bone (leverage) to use under hard/fast acceleration. My preference with light (65kilo or under) passengers is for them to use the heel/palm of the hand to brace against the rear of the pelvic wings under braking. Heel of the hand at the sacrum, fingers out towards the hips. The force they exert is low and does not affect or displace my body position. It prevents 'head banging' and everyone I have shown that technique feels 'safer' and more stable.
We expect rider training to be given? Well pillion instruction is as important, do you want the G/friend 0r B/friend to panic halfway up the Taka's or on the Aka's?
My greastest pleasure was getting an ex girlfriend to ride pillion again after over 10 years, following a serious accident that left her ex with a severe brain injury. I went on the Veteran Japanese bike run at Stratford last month, very amusing for all, one of the riders wives was actualy physicaly sick being taken over the 'saddles' from Stratford to Wangamomona. We were all enjoying what we do best, geting into it on the corners.
A little time spent at low speed getting the feel pays dividends. I think Flossi's post reinforces this.

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

[Hitcher]

The most frequent complaint is just what you are saying, sit down, shut up act like a sack of spuds.

Information should be provided on a need-to-know basis. If they are a physicist, then they should be able to figure most of what they need to know out for themselves. The last thing you want is an interactive pillion. A vector diagram with annotations and formulae adds no value to the experience from the rider's point of view. Once the prospective pillion has got over any initial reservations they may have and learn to anticipate and relax, all is good.

I'm not an advocate of going like shit first up. A new pillion needs a couple of leisurely rides to build their confidence. But the fewer, simpler instructions a rider can provide, the better. Do their PhD thesis for them later.