Riding with a Pillion?

[placidfemme]

I'm currently on my restricted and can do my full license test next week. I havn't booked it yet as right now I need to choose between a gear mount bracket (about $147) or a "B" Service (approx $350) or my full license (no idea how much this costs yet).

Anyway... I was meant to try pillioning with Sam last weekend or the weekend before but couldn't find an open enough space close to home that Sam could walk to for us to try it out...

So as of yet I'm a pillion virgin so to say...

Sam only weighs about 5kg's more than me, and she is shorter than me...

Any tips on pillioning? The basics? etc...

Thanks in advance

PF

[bugjuice]

don't waste money on services unless it's something tricky like carb balancing or engine internal stuff.. brakes, fluids, checks etc.. just ask someone to help you out. You know where I am anyway..

As for pillion, double everything. Braking distance, length of accelerating, a third less speed in corners until you're confident.. Pillions do have a lot of control over the bike. If they shuffle, you'll feel it. If they lean into the corner, the bike will dive in. If they lean out of a corner, the bike will run wide. With the extra weight, the bike will take longer to stop. You can't accelerate too much, on bigger bikes anyway, cos the balance is off over the back.

Again, if you want, come over and take me as a pillion round the block

oh, and come up with a basic hand system. I use;
a tap on the knee = you/everything ok?
a tap on the shoulder = need to stop
few taps on the shoulder = need to stop asa
crack around the head = stop pulling wheelies

[bladez]

good luck my advise is to get them to hold on to the tank as gives good grip breaking and taking of. no preasure on rider and they go with the bike when you lean my partner loves it that way when she holds on

[skelstar]

pf, have a read of this thread. Lots of great advice in it.

[Squeak the Rat]

What buggy said re doubling everything. Especially watch out for the braking - it always catches me out if I haven't pillioned for a while.

I'd also suggest short shifting a little to make the gear changes a little less violent on the pillion, but being a 250 I'm not sure how practical that is having never ridden one.....

[placidfemme]

don't waste money on services unless it's something tricky like carb balancing or engine internal stuff.. brakes, fluids, checks etc.. just ask someone to help you out. You know where I am anyway..

Well... The ZXR had its last service about 2-3 weeks before I crashed it. Since the crash it spent months in limbo before being brought back to life (thanks Jono ) And since then its had 3 oils changes (first two were to get rid of the green gunk that was once oil)... But the rest of the bike hasn't been touched much... It just feels like its sluggish, so I thought a service would sort it out... cheapest quote so far is $350 by Mt Eden motorcycles...

As for pillion, double everything. Braking distance, length of accelerating, a third less speed in corners until you're confident.. Pillions do have a lot of control over the bike. If they shuffle, you'll feel it. If they lean into the corner, the bike will dive in. If they lean out of a corner, the bike will run wide. With the extra weight, the bike will take longer to stop. You can't accelerate too much, on bigger bikes anyway, cos the balance is off over the back.

Again, if you want, come over and take me as a pillion round the block

oh, and come up with a basic hand system. I use;
a tap on the knee = you/everything ok?
a tap on the shoulder = need to stop
few taps on the shoulder = need to stop asa
crack around the head = stop pulling wheelies

Sweet thanks for the tips... I was thinking of just getting into it, and having Sam hop on the back and go around the block or something, but am worried about being busted (on a restricted with a pillion)... I know the chances are slim of being busted, but I'm not into taking financial risks that right now I can't afford...

Hopefully the weather this weekend will be decent and on Sunday I'll attempt to take her for a little spin... it'll make life so much easier (RE: Less bitching that I'm going for a ride and she isn't - lol)

[WickedOne]

Hey Tammy, make sure she keeps her feet on the footpegs at all times, this is important for balance. Tell her to just move with you, sometimes pillions (who have riden before) will try to anticipate leaning into or out of corners as they would when riding but because your riding styles may be different you may find yourself leaning against them which you don't want. Just ease into it, you will both become comfortable in no time. You may find that Sam holds onto you tightly and your helmets may bump into each other occasionally. As she becomes more confident being your pillion she will be able to loosen her grip on you and this will allow her to move back a little bit which will give you more manouverability (sp) and make the ride more comfortable for both of you. Start with short rides and slowly progress to longer rides. Eventually you will hardly notice she is there. Enjoy!!!

[degrom]

Quick tip... Don't get a first time pillion to practice on!!!

[placidfemme]

Hey Tammy, make sure she keeps her feet on the footpegs at all times, this is important for balance. Tell her to just move with you, sometimes pillions (who have riden before) will try to anticipate leaning into or out of corners as they would when riding but because your riding styles may be different you may find yourself leaning against them which you don't want. Just ease into it, you will both become comfortable in no time. You may find that Sam holds onto you tightly and your helmets may bump into each other occasionally. As she becomes more confident being your pillion she will be able to loosen her grip on you and this will allow her to move back a little bit which will give you more manouverability (sp) and make the ride more comfortable for both of you. Start with short rides and slowly progress to longer rides. Eventually you will hardly notice she is there. Enjoy!!!

Cheers

While Sam was pillioning with you (and this question also goes to BugJuice cause he's taken Sam pillion too)... where there any things that she did (as a pillion) that either of you found annoying or could be improved on?

[ManDownUnder]

Tam - Come out on the Wed night mentor ride. I can pick up Sam if you want and take her to wherever you guys can safely practice (some quiet roads - if you know of any) and I'll take her home again afterwards.

Or any sensible variation of that thought.

Let me know.
MDU

[placidfemme]

Quick tip... Don't get a first time pillion to practice on!!!

lol no worries about that... Sam's been pillion heaps of times... but each time with guys on bigger bikes (as in bigger than my 250) and all the guys have been bigger and physically stronger than me... and more experienced... So I'm assuming she has it down pat almost... its just my side of things (the riding) thats worrying me cause I've never done it before...

[placidfemme]

Tam - Come out on the Wed night mentor ride. I can pick up Sam if you want and take her to wherever you guys can safely practice (some quiet roads - if you know of any) and I'll take her home again afterwards.

Or any sensible variation of that thought.

Let me know.
MDU

The weather on Wednesday looks a bit crap... but other than I don't see any issues as to why not

I'll confirm with Sam tonight if she's keen to come along and try pillioning... otherwise I'll just potter along on my own

[bugjuice]

Cheers

While Sam was pillioning with you (and this question also goes to BugJuice cause he's taken Sam pillion too)... where there any things that she did (as a pillion) that either of you found annoying or could be improved on?

nope, she was a good girl
actually, with her lack of weight, the bike acted like I was riding round with a heavy rucksack on, which isn't anything unusual. Just tell Sam to just stay upright and not to lean in too much, until you get comfy.
I rode down to Wellington with HDTBoy on the back from Rotorua onwards. He can give you some tips on being pillion. And how to take the corners so the rider doesn't have to do anything!!

But, the best tip by far; relax. If both of you relax and don't stress, it's a lot easier. And just go for it. Up the road and back, take a few corners around some of the quiet streets, and you'l be fine. Really isn't much to it

[WickedOne]

Cheers

While Sam was pillioning with you (and this question also goes to BugJuice cause he's taken Sam pillion too)... where there any things that she did (as a pillion) that either of you found annoying or could be improved on?

Nothing really, just the usual things when taking a new pillion, but these things change with experience. When we went to Hamilton we didn't go though any twisties so it's quite difficult to comment on cornering. She was holding on tight and out helmets bumped quite often but that is to be expected. As she becomes more confident she will relax (she was quite tense) and your helmets won't bump and it will become comfortable. Just take your time and you'll be fine.

[ManDownUnder]

Sounds like mileage might be the answer... learn to ride together as pillion and rider... the problems will sort themselves after a while anyway.

Still happy to give any pointers of course