Discussion Riding with a Pillion Passenger

Hey Chris
Very interesting topic, one I hadn't given much thought to.
When I first started riding I seemed to have pillion passengers galor, a ride to school, a lady friend, whatever we always had a passenger. From memory the majority were good, always following my lead into corners and hence what I'd call an easy ride.
Some people do not always share your sense of balance and this is when things can get ugly.
We know from experience that smooth acceleration whilst negotiating a bend is vital as the bike is somewhat stable. If your passenger is in zinc with you, ALL GOOD. But if the opposite occurs, deceleration coupled with braking can happen to compensate and the bike has become a very unstable platform. The clear answer to this is simple, FOLLOW MY LEAD.
I will be interested to hear what other have to say on this subject.
As always, if one up or with a pillion passenger  ENJOY THE RIDE. 
                                                          Cheers Phil

 

A huge thing I found, especially on a sport bike is my pillion would lean into a corner before me. I guess this is because of the higher seating position. Ive had a few close calls being dragged into a corner but with a little pre ride communication this can be avoided. I prefer to ride by myself anyway but riding with a passenger really makes u more aware of things around you.

 

Great subject Chris, I have cheated lots and attached the chapter complete from the e-book from my website, somethings will be mentioned again but the bit about the pillion limiting their body movement to their head over your shoulder is a good tip, and if you can convince them to look further up the road through the exit then is almost as if they have fallen off as their movements match yours exactly and the you are moving as one.

Alison and I ride two up regularly and getting her on the track was the best thing I ever did, it allowed her to experience braking and acceleration forces beyond what you would use on the road, but might be needed to avoid an accident.

If anyone is interested in an observed ride with a pillion I would like to offer a discounted rate of $125/half day or $200/full day.  On previous courses I have covered everything from safe mounting/dismounting and advanced riding techniques, taking the pillion on the back of my bike so the rider can practice solo and also answer any questions from the pillion.



Advanced Riding Techniques

By Mark Garrad, Principle Advanced Rider Training

Pillions;

However you and your pillion opt to ride, you want them to have enjoyed the experience enough to do it again, so trying hard to impress them with speed and acceleration is not such a bright idea, rather be aware they may be nervous and ride smoothly.

If you as a rider are contemplating taking a pillion for the first time there are some basics you should both discuss and be aware of before setting off.  Most importantly, you the rider, are totally responsible for their safety, providing proper kit if they don't have their own, to the extent of giving them your matching leathers and you wearing the jeans, NOTE

 

Well said! Well worth the read, and common sense.

 

Many years ago I had a girlfriend who, believe it or not, eventually left me for the drummer in The Cult. She was absolutely drop dead and didn't mind showing it. I had an RGV at the time and I said to her one morning that I'd like to take her for a ride around the Gold Coast with her wearing nothing but a g-string bikini and stilletos. To my eternal gratification she was keener to do it than I was. Got some looks as you can imagine and I don't think it was the bike. After that she wanted to do it all the time but eventually we came to our senses and invested in some safety gear for her.

 

OMG, how good is that. A girlfriend who wishes to ride pillion with nothing but a G-string bikini and stilettos and tour the gold coast, this has the making of a Hollywood classic. Quick find me a producer and lets get started.

Then you ruined the whole thing by wanting her to wear safety gear, and that is probably when she left You???? for some drummer.

The morale of this story is:" never cover something of beauty or you may loose it".

 

Yeah she even invited me to the wedding which I politely declined. Don't think it lasted though. She's living in Malaysia now doing movies I think. She's had some bit parts in Hollywood; coke ads that sort of thing. Some TV shows etc. She always had ambition along those lines and I knew she was only hanging round until something better came along but I was still rather put out by it all. But you know how the the old saying goes - lick up the honey stranger and ask no questions; and I did plenty of licking.

 

I guess it depends on who you have on the back

 

Another thing I say to pillions is that if the do feel the selves sliding forward. They can use the fuel tank to push on( provided they can reach). We have all had someone slide into our backs and we get nutted in the process lol

 

All pillion passenger should be made aware that damage to the BOYS can result in a long walk home, no if's or buts!

 

big thing i found with pilion riders: tell them not to wiggle and jiggle around at traffic lights/stops... makes life for the rider hard.

 

Only issue I find is round abouts as soon as they s**t themselves they sit up feels like back end bout to go

 

I will always try to ride within the comfort zone of the pillion. I know how much a pillion can throw your bike around when they move around. Also I always make sure they hang onto my jacket and so that way they can wrap their arms around me if they freak out. But if the person likes to go a bit faster and corner faster I ask them to act like my back pack. Lol.

 

I agree. It's bad enough sitting on the back let alone on the back with a nut case. I had a mate who was like that. Thought it was funny to try and scare anyone on the back. He ended up going down the road at 150+ with another one of my mates on the back. Wasn't pretty.

 

I don't hoon around corners and that, just seem to have people on the back who like to sit up, I rarely double as I hate to have a accident like someone pull out and pillion gets hurt!!

 

Wasn't saying you wereMclaren. Sorry if you misunderstood. I just have a morbid fear of going on the back of bikes, even at snails pace, and my mate was a complete nut.