To all pillion riders

[rocketman1]

If I was to impress her indoors with coming (pillion) on the back of a motorbike, what would be the best bike to go touring as far as a pillion on?
I am likely to hire the bike for a weekend to give her a chance to see how good motorcycling can be.
I don't think riding on the back of my SV would impress her much.
Your educated opinions would be appreciated.
PS I have never ridden pillion on any bike so I would have no idea?

[Blackbird]

If I was to impress her indoors with coming (pillion) on the back of a motorbike, what would be the best bike to go touring as far as a pillion on?
I am likely to hire the bike for a weekend to give her a chance to see how good motorcycling can be.
I don't think riding on the back of my SV would impress her much.
Your educated opinions would be appreciated.
PS I have never ridden pillion on any bike so I would have no idea?

Any BMW or Honda ST 1300 etc with plenty of leg room. Decent screen to protect her. Trouble is, if she likes the non-sports bikes, that's you stuffed for the future. Bye bye SV

[shafty]

GL1800, put her favourite music on, bottle of bubbly in the top box...............

[MIXONE]

My beema K75S which is fitted with a corbin king and queen seat You can ride all day long without getting a numb bum.
It's for sale to just by coincidence.

[sunhuntin]

anything thats not a sports bike. oooorrrrrrr anything where the knees are below the hips. lol.

[klingon]

The VStrom! Same innards as the SV but much squishier on the outside!

My partner has an SV and I think it must be about the least comfortable bike to pillion on. But the VStrom is lovely!

[Hitcher]

Having pillioned on many rides, Mrs H loves the FJR1300. Easy to get on and off; not too slopey a seat; easy-to-reach grab handles; good padding; good leg room. The addition of a Givi topbox with backrest clinched it for her for the 14,500km she pillioned on it in the US and Canada.

[JATZ]

MrsJatz has been known to nod off on the back of the Triumph so it must be comfy, mind you the seat has been modded a little and the susp has had a serious upgrade

[CookMySock]

Just go for it on the SV. Make it a short trip, and remember, non bikers feel like they are on a missle with footpegs.. even just a wee blip past a car can be very frightning. The first ride with my mrs on the back and she was white as a sheet.

Steve

[klingon]

A friend has an SV (the black one that belonged to Unit first, then Keystone19 ... I tell him it's a girls' bike ). Anyway he took his wife out on it for a few gentle rides and she decided that if that's what pillioning was like, she is never going to do it again.

The pillion seat on the SV is very high, small and uncomfortable, stepped well up and back from the rider's seat, and leaves the pillion exposed to the wind not just blasting them in the helmet but also buffetting in the chest and body (because there is such a big gap between rider and pillion).

Being a pillion on the SV is much harder work than being the rider on the same bike.

The Vstrom on the other hand has a lower, wider seat, and it is possible for the pillion to snuggle up much closer to the rider. It gives you much less wind buffetting, makes you able to move with the rider much better (especially for an inexperienced pillion), and gives you a sense of security that you are tucked in tight, not perched out on your own.

I can't comment on other bikes, but it sounds like the comfy bikes have a lot in common - the low, wide seat and the pillion position in relation to the rider position. The addition of a top box with back rest also makes a huge difference.

[Jantar]

The VStrom! Same innards as the SV but much squishier on the outside!

My partner has an SV and I think it must be about the least comfortable bike to pillion on. But the VStrom is lovely!

Stromfrau agrees with this.

[Thani-B]

Definitely NOT an R1, must be the most uncomfortable bike I've been a pillion on. If you like sportsbikes the VTR1000 isnt actually that bad for a pillion. I've been pillion on quite a few (sports)bikes including a SV1000, GSX-R750, VFR400, ZX6R (plus others I cant remember), and the VTR was the one that was the most comfortable for me. However, BMW's do look like they would be good, can't say I've tried one though.

[coffeejunkie]

TL for the win!!!!

[Okey Dokey]

I can't help you with your choice of hire bike. I've pillioned lots on the back of a gsx-r 750. I found it fine, except in gale force winds.

I think the SV would be okay if you ride smoothly. Remember to arrange some basic hand signals with her first. For instance, a bang on the right shoulder means stop asap.

Hope you have a good weekend

[Dodgyiti]

Make sure you like the bike too, because if she really likes a nice squishy rent-a-tourer, she will always compare the comfort to anything else after that ride.... it's a slippery slope to ending up with a BMW, watch out!