Riding pillion on a sport bike?

[NinjaBoy]

Done 2 circuits of S Island and 1 of N island this way.

I've heard from quite a few pillions who claim to have fallen asleep on the back of a bike (never a sport bike). That amazes me! I can't imagine being that comfy and relaxed- I like looking ahead to the next corner and anticipating overtaking, etc.

2 circuits of SI and 1 of NI, you're keen.

My wife has done several annual rides to Paeroa on the back of my Ninja's. She has commented she almost fell asleep on at least a couple of rides on the homeward leg. Its all got to do with the smoothness of the rider in control. The lower gearing of my previous Ninja's and a CBR helped with that.

[Number One]

once we hit a large bump while leant right over mid corner and I was left hanging on for dear life as my arse slid off the seat, NOT fun. He got a good slapping for that!

Bin there done that too he he. I remember a rather hair raising pillion experience on the back of a 1986 GSXR 750 in the dark out Whitemans Valley..... But quite the rush too...once it was over and I was back standing on the ground safely.

Being a pillion on a sports bike? First I enjoyed it, then hated it and now I'm learning to enjoy it in a completely different way.

Initially I really got into it and caught myself leaning off the inside of the bike in corners, laughing in the face of bumps! Ha ha our big tyres can eat you all up! Happily closing my eyes at high speed and feeling that lightness of your helmeted head getting blown about on your neck - almost like being reset by the Chiropractor.

Then I went completely the opposite direction and found myself freaking out and feeling quite irrational actually - paranoid about tyre stickability, mad cagers, loosing my grip (hahahahaa) ALL where there really was no reason for it.

Freaking out inside only mind only though as my commitment to being a good and useful pillion (especially in corners) is worth my weight in gold!!! )

Now I choose to be on the back and the rules are you don't fwighten me and we are not in a hurry Just love cruizing with my man, and while I love to ride my bike, I enjoy being on the back of his...have much more faith in his riding and know he knows he'll pay if I get scared so I can relax and enjoy and feel his bum n things up Which really gets innocent cagers going when they are coming down the road towards you...specially when the rider stands up so you can slip your hand all the way round

RE the positioning - IT SUCKS! Some are much better than others. I saw two up coming towards me on the motorway the other day and the poor pillion was head and shoulders above the rider...crikey that had to be tough on the neck! I reckon the absolute worst ever I have experienced was the 1986 GIXXER, the best was a Guzzi, the most daring and exhilirating TL1000S, the most comfortable (but boring) Huge BMW thinga mee (R1100? meh) ...hubby in garage can't be bothered asking....the most alround enjoyable def the mans bike.

My technique re gripping and what to grip onto (well it works for me and I have scoliosis and arthritic hips ) - is firstly wherever possible ONLY bother pillioning on bikes that have decent not tinny grab rails (and preferably decent ish seats) and grip the footpeg struts and tailpeice with your heels, ankles and inner calves and but be loose in your knees and hips...kinda racing horse stylz



there is a great angle on the SV that allows me to lock my feet in and be loose but reactive 2 be in synch with the rider and help to get us round corners.

WOULDN"T BE FALLING ASLEEP EITHER - YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT BE NEEDED ON A SPORTSBIKE.

[BIHB@0610]

I've fallen asleep many times on the way home from Cold Kiwi - the combination of lots of riding, cold weather, late nights, not much sleep - the cold you understand, and the noise First time I fell asleep was on an XS Eleven without a packrack - that was a bit alarming. Then husband bought a GL1000, put a big padded seat on it and an Electroglide topbox - it was great to sleep on, but not much else - you didn't even know you were riding a bike - corners were barely perceptable.

As for hopping on the back of a sports bike, love it - though for long rides, probably not so great (poor old knees hehe). I absolutely love the RSV1000, it's utter sex on wheels and the pipes Steve's got on it sound divine. It's nice to be looked at too - at my grand old age it doesn't happen as often as it used to. Shame I've got a helmet on so I just know they're not looking at me!

In essence, pillioning on a sports bike is total foreplay - just gotta hope I don't slide off the seat

[BIHB@0610]

:
WOULDN"T BE FALLING ASLEEP EITHER - YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT BE NEEDED ON A SPORTSBIKE.

You make a very good point, falling asleep is probably a really dumb idea...... I think I'll make a concerted effort to stay awake in future. I'd like to hear from riders (I've never pillioned anyone) - if things turn to custard, is it helpful to have a pillion to throw their weight in the right direction, or can it actually make things worse if they get it wrong?

[Number One]

You make a very good point, falling asleep is probably a really dumb idea...... I think I'll make a concerted effort to stay awake in future. I'd like to hear from riders (I've never pillioned anyone) - if things turn to custard, is it helpful to have a pillion to throw their weight in the right direction, or can it actually make things worse if they get it wrong?

You def want your pillion to have some clues if the shit hits the fan (especially if they aren't small) cos it can really get ugly.Actually I can imagine how you might be able to fall asleep if comfy enough I just a fraidy cat - can't even fall asleep on trains! Thank god I didn't commute on those for long.

[n0regret5]

lady friends seem to enjoy the plush TLS seat..apparently its way better than a vtr..funny!

[Number One]

the plush TLS seat..apparently its way better than a vtr..funny!

mmmhmmmm and when it has two bros on board there are some good vibrations too

[breakaway]

Yes my ex use to fall asleep on th eback of the XJ, she would tuck her hands in the handles of the side panners which would stop her flopping about... and with the back rest (the shape curver around her) happily nod off... I know this cause I could hear the snoring over the intercom...

Did you ever yell out "FUUUUUUUUCK" loudly for shits and giggles?

[n0regret5]

mmmhmmmm and when it has two bros on board there are some good vibrations too

oh. oh my god. all that moaning suddenly makes sense.

[n0regret5]

Did you ever yell out "FUUUUUUUUCK" loudly for shits and giggles?

AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

once, my mate fell asleep in his car (drivers side, what a tool) and i rode towards the car with my highbeams on and other mates in the car woke him up with screaming and yelling, he puked from the fright. it was hilarious. in hindsight, could've given him a heart attack, but whaddaya gonna do..

[R6chick]

I have only been a pillion on 1 sport bike and that was my R6 when the dealer i brought it off wouldn't let me take it 4 a test ride (was only on my restricted) and I HATED every second. Never ever will I be a pillion on that bike again!

that is amazing some people can fall asleep being a pillion!!

[Okey Dokey]

Oops, I hope my sleeping remark hasn't de-railed this thread too much. May I just clarify something? In my initial comment, I didn't mean to imply that people who said they fell asleep didn't. I've always believed it was true; I just felt that my experiences on sport bikes were NOT conducive to naps!

Good stuff, everyone. I love all these experiences people share. It's why I signed up to kb.

[breakaway]

AAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

once, my mate fell asleep in his car (drivers side, what a tool) and i rode towards the car with my highbeams on and other mates in the car woke him up with screaming and yelling, he puked from the fright. it was hilarious. in hindsight, could've given him a heart attack, but whaddaya gonna do..

I saw a mate parking his car up near another mate's house, and I just happened to be passing by at the time. Great timing. He hadn't noticed me, so I started honking at him frantically like he had done something wrong and let go of the bars, twisted around and gave him the finger. I then did a U-Turn to come say Hi and my mate was sitting in the drivers' seat, both hands on the steering wheel, petrified. He was SO relieved when he found out it was just me taking the piss.

I must look pretty menacing with all my gear on

[n0regret5]

I saw a mate parking his car up near another mate's house, and I just happened to be passing by at the time. Great timing. He hadn't noticed me, so I started honking at him frantically like he had done something wrong and let go of the bars, twisted around and gave him the finger. I then did a U-Turn to come say Hi and my mate was sitting in the drivers' seat, both hands on the steering wheel, petrified. He was SO relieved when he found out it was just me taking the piss.

I must look pretty menacing with all my gear on

hah! yeh i just freaked out a lady i work with cos i cruised up behind her and revved the shit outta the big boy, two bros pipes don't muffle alot..she just swerved off the road. hahaha!