First pillion ride!

**howdamnhard** · 16th October 2007, 19:12

Just got my full licence so I invited the other half for a ride as pillion.Luckily my brother in laws missus who has full riding gear is the same size as my missus.So after getting kitted up and stiffening up the suspension and giving her a how to be a good pillion brief it was off to Clevedon for a quick spin on the country roads.We both were a little nervous but it went really well.Took it real easy and concentrated on being smooth.The bike handled as expected,slower on the acceleration and braking and a little mushy in the corners(need to crank the preload up a bit more and maybe the tyre pressure too).Well the missus was a great pillion ,hardly knew she was there.We both had great fun and she wants to go out again tomorrow.Sounds like I've got another bike convert.

**ZeroIndex** · 16th October 2007, 19:18

Nice one dude! Have fun out there

**Cache Wraith** · 16th October 2007, 19:30

Awesome one. Well overdue to get my full, just haven't got around to it, but you've inspired me to get it and take my boys for a spin, as long as I can get some gear for them.

**howdamnhard** · 16th October 2007, 20:02

Glad to have been an inspiration,now go out there and get your full licence.

Originally Posted by Cache Wraith

Awesome one. Well overdue to get my full, just haven't got around to it, but you've inspired me to get it and take my boys for a spin, as long as I can get some gear for them.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 16th October 2007, 20:18

Originally Posted by howdamnhard

Took it real easy and concentrated on being smooth.The bike handled as expected,slower on the acceleration and braking and a little mushy in the corners(need to crank the preload up a bit more and maybe the tyre pressure too).

Well done... and yes it can be a little different with a pillion especially on the smaller bikes such as a GN. Longer sluggish braking and slower acceleration etc... You got the right idea checking the tyre pressure and suspension etc However on the bigger bikes it isn't as bad... (noticable but not as bad) if your pillion is good it also makes it easier for the rider (example; I took a friend for a ride on the VTR1000 didn;t notice she was there...)

Have fun, but take it easy especially when you do have a pillion its not just your safety now, but also hers...

**Kendog** · 16th October 2007, 20:18

Nothing beets a couple that ride together.

If you did that on the GN, wait till you try two up on a bigger bike, you both will love it. Even better, a bike each.

**howdamnhard** · 16th October 2007, 20:33

Yes,one can only dream,someday I'll make it happen!

Originally Posted by Kendog

Nothing beets a couple that ride together.

If you did that on the GN, wait till you try two up on a bigger bike, you both will love it. Even better, a bike each.

**klingon** · 16th October 2007, 22:15

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

Well done... and yes it can be a little different with a pillion especially on the smaller bikes such as a GN. Longer sluggish braking and slower acceleration etc...

Too right, NighthawkNZ. My partner has been riding and taking pillions on a variety of bikes for many years. But when we both get on the Volty he has to make a very conscious decision to adjust his riding style - allow huge gaps in the traffic if coming out of an intersection, heaps of following distance in case of sudden stops, all that kind of thing.

Congratulations to both Mr and Mrs Damnhard for embarking on this new adventure together. May you have many years of pillioning pleasure.

**EJK** · 16th October 2007, 22:52

Now thats love!

I envy you...

lol

**manwithav8** · 17th October 2007, 19:51

as my first time with a pillion. My partner and I joined in a group ride and both had a blast. Mrs V8 was smiling from ear to ear.

I would imagine on a small bike there will be more work however, the monster handled us both well, never short of power and I hardly knew she was on the back... Excellent day out for us both and there will bemany more to come...

**ambler** · 18th October 2007, 19:19

When she's not on her own bike, my wife is a pretty good pillion. Over time, she has learnt that a tap on the knee from me means that it might be a good idea to hang on tight! And I have learnt that I can get a free hug any old time with just a tap on the knee hahaah

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 18th October 2007, 19:23

Originally Posted by ambler

And I have learnt that I can get a free hug any old time with just a tap on the knee hahaah

I use to do that with an ex...

**90s** · 19th October 2007, 09:23

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

I use to do that with an ex...

Is this why now 'ex'?

Wife was nervous on pillion, so we did the RRRS course together. What was really interesting was doing the same exercise in controlled conditions (ie. a continous tight '8' loop) and the pillion trying different but subtle styles. The difference ranged from a sluggish bike I could hardly control to a bike where I could not notice any difference from solo handling.
Pillion rides the bike too remember - and if they understand cornering etc. they will be less nervous and understand more how they effect the bike.

In relation to this when I had a scooter at school I used to give a pillion to one friend who would never listen about leaning with me. With tiny wheels, a person over the back and rear engined a crap pillion is not much fun. He used to try and 'counter' the leans to 'help' me. Nearly killed us both once.
(now he's a fairly well known car designer. Typical eh?)

**007XX** · 19th October 2007, 09:44

Originally Posted by Kendog

Nothing beets a couple that ride together.

If you did that on the GN, wait till you try two up on a bigger bike, you both will love it. Even better, a bike each.

+1 on that...

I got my own licence after 007XY got a SV1000, and it was way too uncomfortable!

But I do jump on the back from time to time, cos I miss the closeness so much

Good on you two for taking that step. It's always nice hearing about another biker couple!