Rider/pillion weight ratio?

[PrincessBandit]

Did a quick search using "pillion weight balance" to find out what i'm after but with zippo results. This week I just spent a few days staying with a girlfriend in Tauranga and she was keen to go for a ride on the back of my bike. I'm not sure of her weight but it wouldn't be over 70kg and I weigh 58kg. It was a great ride we did and she indicated that her husband would be keen to do a ride with me. He used to ride years ago but doesn't have a licence so I wasn't prepared to let him take my beloved bike on his own. In the end I didn't offer him a ride because (and this leads to my question) I wondered if his weight, probably not much more than 90kg, would be unbalanced with an under60kg rider. Is there a ratio for front and back weights? I know most blokes who take their girlfriends don't have that problem, unless they're the joker whose woman put on an extra 200kg cos he likes em reeeeeaaaallllll big and then to sit on him (but that's another story.....) [i read it in a magazine.....]
Anyways, since guys usually have a heavier weight than their girlfriend (or at least comparable to their male pillions?) the question of balance doesn't really come into it. But for lighter weight riders like myself am i only ever destined to ride solo or with kids or lightweight females on my pillion seat?
What kind of "limit" would there be in regard to me taking someone heavier than myself? Any insights would be really appreciated.

[Hitcher]

If the front wheel still touches the road with your pillion on board, the balance should be OK.

[Virago]

I've pillioned people much heavier than myself. Provided that they behave themselves, and don't move around or fight the lean on the corners, you shouldn't notice too much difference.

A gentle little pootle should be fine. Don't do it in the rain. Don't expect to be able to throw it around in the corners, or brake heavily. On the subject of braking, always brace yourself for a really heavy weight on your back should the pillion be caught unawares.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

In theroy weight shouldn't to much a problem... depending on the bike... some sports tours do have an overal recommended weight limit (usually due to the rear sub frame limit)

You may notice the front end being a little lighter than normal. Longer wheel base and longer forks you notice less...

As the others have said... take it easy, you can't flick the bike... allow more room for braking etc. Make sure they don't fight the flow of the bike, and as Virago says always brace yourself for a really heavy weight on your back should the pillion be caught unawares.

[PirateJafa]

As a rule of thumb, I don't carry anyone heavier than myself, unless it's just a couple of blocks.

This rules out most people, as I weigh 53-55kgs depending on how large my breakfast is.

However I did do a 2am highway stint with a 105kg pillion (and a 5-10kg backpack on top of that) on the back of my VFR. Which was a mission.

[Edbear]

As has been said, should be oksy.

I did notice on my old 600 GSX-F that if I loaded the top-box too heavy the bike developed a slight head-shake at certain speeds. I guess just try a short ride and see how it goes, certainly the all-up weight doesn't sound excessive.

[rie]

I weigh 53-55kgs depending on how large my breakfast is.

i totally agree that 2kg of bacon & egg toasties are the way to start a ride.


on the topic of pillion-ing i like to think that my bike will happily carry two japanese people. once we tried to carry myself and a 90kg man. i believe that was one japanese person too many.

[Jerry74]

I have done2 up a few times on the Kwakka however the rear shock bottoms out on the bumps which gives the old arse a good thump....

I think with a bigger bike its not too bad.

[slofox]

[i read it in a magazine.....]

A LIIIIIKELY story.....!!

[slimjim]

think that rear weight is not a great problem unless there is a lot hunging to far off the rear seat......gees only gota look at some of those poor bikes oversea's, with wife....kiddies..and stores ..hunging off any part of the motorcycle....an the bikes are only scooters...

[cold comfort]

pillions are great for impromptu wheelstands-just ask Ruralman

[jrandom]

pillions are great for impromptu wheelstands

Yeah, what he said.

I have taken a 140kg ish gentlemen on the back of Betty - it was fine (apart from the fact that the rear suspension was pretty much turned into a hardtail) right up until I pulled up next to another bike and did the Traffic Light GP thing. Front end went straight up in the air. Much chortling.

[Pussy]

As someone your size, Dawn, who has to run around in the shower to get wet, I would be inclined to only pillion lighter passengers.
Keep the odds in your favour!

[Gremlin]

As a general rule, the pillion should be a certain percentage of your weight, or less, I think it was 70% or something?

I am 100kg, and I have pillioned a 140kg mate, but it was hard work.

Normal rules for changing your riding apply (more gentle on controls, takes longer to respond etc) but its just more important, and the differences are much more obvious.

Much easier if the pillion is lighter, won't tire you as much etc. Also, you have to factor in how much weight the bike can take, I still blame my mate for killing the swingarm bearings

[Dodgyiti]

I have only taken someone heavier than me once (82kg vs 110kg) and it was not at all fun. The bike was rated to 210kgs but it handled in an unsafe manner with 190
Bikes have a maximum pillion/rider/luggage amount usually described in the owners handbook with a corresponding tire setting. Plus you would be best to bump the rear shock preload up to max.
All the pillion's weight is on the rear shocks and tire making the front twitchy and light, not pleasant really and affects stopping distances and cornering clearance.

Some bikes actually handle better with a good rider/pillon distribution but I don't know how to work out mathmatically but it would be a calculation based on weight/suspension spring rates/load distrubution/tire pressures etc etc

Would love to know if there is one though