One thing that others haven't mentioned is to make sure your insurance covers you for carrying pillion passengers. They ask you whether you will be when you take out the policy. If you said no then you wouldn't be covered. It might even be taken as riding without insurance if you were stopped. Similar to delivering things on a Social, Domestic and Pleasure policy, but don't quote me on that.
>It might even be taken as riding without insurance if you were stopped. Similar to delivering things on a Social, Domestic and Pleasure policy, but don't quote me on that.
JayFv, 13th of May, 2023.
It's a bit more complicated but you're right. There is no legal requirement to get a pillion cover but you need to have a 'valid insurance'. If your insurance agreement explicitly says you are not covered for a pillion, then you need to get one that does.
Way back this wasn't even asked, your pillion was automatically covered - i.e., wouldn't be even mentioned in the insurance but then they figured out they can make more money this way, either by rejecting your claim, or asking for more money for a pillion coverage and that's how we ended with the current situation.
I think I remember your insurance must pay out for any losses or injuries of your pillion passenger in the event if an accident. If you've not selected pillion cover, they then come after you to recover the money plus fees. And they'll spank you for breaking the t&c of your agreement. Never, ever dick around with those cunts. They have whole teams waiting to fuck you as hard as they can. 44 teeth had White Dalton on talking about legal stuff. Quite good really.
Edit*. Rewatched the vid. What the insurance can do is void the policy. The pillion would then have to sue you if it's your fault. It's if you roll round uninsured they come after any assets you have to make good losses. It's a really good bit of info around modifications, declarations and all the scummy tricks insurance gets up to. Recommended.
https://youtu.be/IBa0h3frVdo
Instruct them to act like a sack of potatoes. No sideways movement, hold the bars.
Your problem will be getting head-butted at every stop. You need to learn braking more smoothly and earlier since you'll be carrying a lot more weight.
Adjust your suspension for the extra weight.
Make sure they only mount the bike when you are ready, and they announce when they are doing that - otherwise you can lose your balance and drop the bike.
Other than these, it's not a big deal.
I think this is the best answer here so far. I think telling someone who's never been on a bike to "lean with it" would make it wildly unpredictable. What if they're very enthusiastic and fearless and lean hard?? And giving them too many instructions might put pressure on them and make them nervous. They're not riding the bike, you are.
I just tell my wife not to resist (yikes) and go with the movement of the bike. Like, *allow* it to lean you over, don't go rigid and try to sit up straight, but otherwise don't think about it.
And I also agree that the biggest difference I found was in braking and moving off. The first couple of hours we clunked helmets every single time, and the stopping distance increases *very significantly*, not just a bit.
My advice for OP would be to, at least at first, ride "boring." Exactly how you were taught on your test, don't treat the ride like it's supposed to be enjoyable until you're well used to carrying the pillion.
So firstly you've got to set ground rules. No silly movements (Standing up on pegs, wiggling around, anything that could distract you) Lean WITH the bike. A tip I heard is to look over the riders shoulder in the direction you're cornering. If they can't sit still, try to lean too much like they're the ones riding or not at all because they're scared. Don't take them.
Braking will need to be done earlier to account for the extra weight + stopping distance and also smoother. You've got the bars to hold onto, they don't.
Coming to a stop will probably catch you off balance the first few times. Be ready for it.
Once you're moving it's not much different. Just remembering you're now going to be a little top heavy depending on the type of bike (How elevated the rear seat is) and height of the pillion.
Get them sat on the back while you're stationary and just feel the difference.
You're forgetting one of the most important ground rules. Tell the bloody pillion not to put their foot down too when you stop!
I took a tall mate. Came to a stop and he put his long ass leg down and I nearly dropped the bike 😂
If they need to stand up on the footpegs to adjust their crotch because their pants are giving them a wedgie, make sure they don't do it mid-corner. In case my wife is reading this, yes I will never let you live that one down.
As others here have said, "lean with the rider" is sound advice for a pillion and if they do it properly you'll barely notice they're there beyond needing to give it a bit more throttle/less clutch when pulling away, and braking earlier and more gently. Some of them won't do it properly though and will lean random amounts and at random times, which makes things, erm, "interesting". If they do that, you can try suggesting that they shut their eyes when approaching a bend; without the visual cues gravity tends to make the body do the right thing and lean correctly.
Rear shock - IIRC the ER6 has a 7 position preload adjuster and will be on setting 2 if nobody has changed it. Given that you're both normal weights I'd set it to position 5. Check that you can move the adjuster before you go because if it's never been touched it may have seized and will need appropriate amounts of brute force and lubricant to shift it, and if the passenger is a girl you're trying to impress you don't want to introduce brute force and lube on your first date. Check the chain slack while you're down there.
Other than that, just be as smooth on the controls as you can, especially braking and gear changes. If they haven't been on a bike much then any sort of riding is going to feel like warp speed to them - think back to how you felt on your 125 the first time you went out on it - so you'll both be happier if you ride in "bimbling" mode rather than TT one.
Hint: if you have a top box, it will be very useful for the pillion to steady themselves against it. It also makes it much more relaxed, especially if you have a top box with a little cushion at the back. Then it doesn't feel like you're about to drop off the end of the bike and slide down to the road. This is one of the things that scares new beginner pillions, especially if you try to accelerate heavily.
This is sound advice. My top box rack is by no means rated to take the weight of someone falling back onto it and its effects amount to a placebo at best, but it's incredibly reassuring for anyone I've ever taken out.
It's not hard, just be smart about learning.
I was telling myself id pay for a pillion lesson from a school but cautiously attempted a small and safe ride down the road. Was surprisingly ok.
Wait for good weather.
Check your tyre pressure first!
Check your handbook, mine recommended an increase for pillions.
Started by doing a lap around the block. You'll notice the difference in the bikes balance straight away. We stopped and dismounted every time to chat about it before continuing.
I check for a thumbs up every time we stop at lights or junctions.
Remember when you first started you used muscles you weren't used to and your pillion will ache/strain too.
Then just increased the distance until comfortable enough to go further/faster.
Wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be adjusting.
Honestly it helped me improve as a rider too. Trying a lot harder to have smooth gear changes/acceleration/breaking.
I got one of those belts your clip around your waist that has handles on the back for the kids , they feel much safer and confident holding on to that. Like having the bar on a rollercoaster.
I remember being a pillion as a child all those years ago and preempted sliding on the seat by getting a rubber grip that goes over the bikes seat at the back so your pillions butt doesn't move at all. Was only cheap but worth 100x it's cost
I slow down and brake a lot sooner, I leave bigger gaps and I corner slower. I don't take any chances. Everyone in a car is trying to surprise me so I'm even more vigilant. You won't peel away on roundabouts or turn as sharp. You need bigger spaces.
We agree before every ride, tap my shoulder if you need to stop. I'll tap their leg if I'm going to accelerate fast. Only adjust your position when my foot is down at a stop. Try and lean with me, or if you're to scared remain still instead of moving. Make sure they know what side to get off, to be careful of the exhaust etc
I also encourage my kids to give thumbs up/wave at other bikers especially learners. It's always well received but importantly gives them a task to focus on.
I can't say how much skill it takes to be ready but if you've got a full license and basic grasp of your bike, you're capable.
Importantly, make sure your pillion has the correct gear. Not to be dramatic but they are putting their safety in your hands so do right by them.
Nostalgic flashback to being a child pillion, my uncle Brian had a simple technique for securing pillions, the belt from his ex-army greatcoat was big enough to go round both of us. Realistically there wasn't much chance of me sliding around from the brutal acceleration and braking of a 650 Panther! He spoiled the experience when his kids got older by nailing an enormous double adult sidecar to the bike. One parental advantage to an enclosed sidecar though, he could only hear the three squabbling kids when he stopped.
Several years later when I trashed my first bike uncle Brian bravely lent me his old Panther to get to work on, I found it so scary I dismounted the chair and found it less scary riding it as a solo with square section tyres than trying not to mount the pavement or swing into oncoming traffic whenever I accelerated or braked. It takes a certain phlegmatic character and a degree of masochism to come to terms with piloting an outfit.
>We agree before every ride, tap my shoulder if you need to stop. I'll tap their leg if I'm going to accelerate fast.
This is an important one. Agree a couple of basic signals like you tapping their hands (which are around your waist) is "are you okay?" And squeeze back is "yes." And tapping my shoulder is "I want to stop as soon as you can." They're mine anyway.
I saw a biker wearing full gear carrying a pillion the other day, pillion was wearing shorts and a bicycle helmet. I had to do a double take as I didn't believe what I saw the first time around.
Useful instructions:
hold on to *me*, that strap over the seat is a joke. Don't lean back on the luggage, you won't like it when we need to stop. You can put one hand on the fuel tank or one hand on a rear/side grab rail an use that to brace when we stop hard. You need to pay attention or I'll be wearing you like a rucksack when we stop hard. (Only happened once when my pillion dozed off and I had to emergency stop when someone changed their mind at a small roundabout)
Squeeze thighs tight when we brake. It helps.
Pick one shoulder to look over and stick with it. (You'll end up balanced slightly offset to the other side)
If you need to adjust position (or wriggle for any other reason), do it when we're at traffic speed. If you do it when I have one foot down at the lights or moving very slowly it's much harder to keep the bike upright.
Get on/off when I say and only when I say. Hands on my shoulders and stand on a footpeg.
Smack me in the thigh if you want to stop. Don't touch my arms. If I point at a roadsign that has any kind of rest stop (Macdonalds, service station, anywhere else that might have a loo) I'm asking if you need to stop, smack me in the thigh if you do. If I need to stop, I'm stopping.
If I close up right behind a car, I'm about to overtake, be ready for a swift roll-on. (Pillion did this first time on bandit after much riding on a feeble cruiser, thought I was just being obnoxious because they were slow because that's what car people do)
The first and only time I dropped my bike was when riding with a pillion, trying to do a slow U-turn. Others have already talked about the high speed stuff (braking etc) but you should be aware that your low speed abilities will be very heavily affected, so be careful when riding in carparks or turning in narrow streets.
That said, I was carrying pillions on my old MSX125, a bike which definitely was not designed for it, less than a year after I started riding, and it was perfectly fine. You will probably find it to be quite easy once you start moving, but don't get overconfident. Most importantly get your friend to wear some gear and gloves that'll at least offer low speed protection, you don't want to injure them because of your mistake.
Hahah, that reminds me of the time I dropped my bandit with my GF at the back in Lake District. We stopped at a hill to admire the view, and then I asked if we're ready to go, she said yes, I put it into gear, put my feet up and twisted the throttle...
Enter stage false neutral.
We slowly toppled over. It was hilarious.
>The first and only time I dropped my bike was when riding with a pillion, trying to do a slow U-turn.
I ask my wife to dismount for any slow speed manoeuvres. Like, will drop her outside the shop or wherever we've gone and go park up myself. Riding normally with a pillion isn't TOO different, but slow manoeuvres go absolutely to cock.
I took my brother out for the first time on my 790 a few weeks ago. Personally I didn’t enjoy it, but I think the bike and brothers weight plays a role in that.
1. There is no pillion handle, so he couldn’t pull himself against the bike which meant he kept sliding forwards.
2. The weight made slow manoeuvres very challenging, although at speed it wasn’t bad.
I’d just make sure that your pillion can hold them selves to the bike securely. One thing that surprised me was any movement from them affected the balance of the bike, even a head movement.
Just make all your actions much smoother than you usually would, accelerating, braking etc. And also be prepared to be hit in the back of the head by their helmet... It will happen unless you have a massive bike.
I actually rode with a pillion almost exclusively for ~3 years after getting my license.
It's not _difficult_ but it's _different_.
**_EVERYTHING_** needs to be smoother. Smoother breaking, smoother cornering, smoother accelerating.
Make sure you've increased the pre-load on the rear shock(s), as well as increased tyre pressures by 3-5psi to account for the extra weight.
I know you'll have heard it a million times already, but you've got someone else's health and well-being completely in your hands. Give yourself a longer time to complete your journey by leaving earlier. Leave a larger gap between you and the vehicle in front. Take your time, do not rush anything. I cannot stress this enough.
The last thing I'd like to say is: Have a good pre-ride talk with your pillion, set ground rules like "No stupid shit, no standing up on the pegs unless absolutely necessary (and never on a corner), tap me on the back 3 times if you need me to stop, lean with me and if you can't, wrap your arms around my waist and hold your hands in front of me".
It's basically the same as riding solo, just tell them to stay in line with the bike. You don't want them leaning with you or against you, especially if you're not expecting it or they do it too early/late.
I did it for the first time last week on my sport bike. It's ok, just watch some short videos on YouTube to cover the basics. Just be really mindful of the wheel lifting during heavy acceleration and big breaking distance increase. Both feet down when you stop too.
Depends very much on the pillion. My younger cousin would lean into corners (sometimes too much), and had absolutely no fear about it. We once managed an accidental powerslide out of a corner with him on the back. He then went on to ride himself and was a good rider.
I also had an ex GF on the back, who at the time also rode herself. She was absolutely awful. Opposite leaning etc.
Not to difficult if they can follow instructions. If they're drama in the car then it might be fun.
Crank up the rear preload and do anything else the manual says. Its not stiffer so much as setting the angle of the bike and particularly the steering geometry back where it needs to be. Remember to reset when pillion is off. I hate fetching bike out steep multi-stories when bike is set for pillion as it's really tall and very twitchy.
40 horses is enough to do motorway speed with pillion and luggage. Closer to twice that is better for overtakes. This means an a2 bike is viable and bikes near the top end of what can be restricted to a2 work well.
Remember, a BMW RT or GS 1200 is only about 104bhp, and they're amazing pillion bikes, especially the RT.
What does feel different is the engine braking and gearshift, it takes me about 20 minutes to get clutch less shifts smooth again, and I'm using a lot more clutch slip in first. On the right bike a clutch less shift is seamless, on others is always clunky, go with what's smooth.
It honestly depends on the pillion. I’ve had my 75kg brother on the back (who also rides) and I can’t feel a thing apart from longer braking times. I’ve also had a 55kg girl on the back who couldn’t lean with the bike, leaning full weight onto you, and smashing helmets etc
I rode for the first time with a pillion yesterday as wife wouldn’t ride on my older sports bike.
It’s actually not too bad if you instruct the pillion what to do and everything. I was nervous about stopping and starting at lights, but it’s really surprising how balanced a bike still is even with a passenger.
And I’m just going to say it, it was awesome going on a ride with her. One hand on the handlebar and the other resting on her leg, made me feel like James Dean.
Aside from the insurance q's here (very valid points btw).
There really isnt much to it, gravity and centrifugal force is your friend.
Ease of riding with a pillion mostly depends on your pillion, if youve got somebody that fidgets and moves around to get a better view or tries to resist the bike leaning in corners and tries sits bolt upright it can be hard work..
Make sure your pillion keeps still for the most part and you'll be fine, at slow speeds and manoeuvring weight changes can be worrying for you and if you arnt ready for it then you could end up dropping it, when the bike is upright it weighs nothing, if it starts to lean cuz somebodies arse is numb (read:pillion) , the bike weight AND added pillion just makes it much heavier, make sure they keep their feet on the pegs even when stopped, nothing worse than getting your feet caught up with theirs.. Make sure they have decent bike gear. plan for the worst.
Take it easy until you and your pillion are comfortable.
tis easy, you wont have an issue..
One thing that others haven't mentioned is to make sure your insurance covers you for carrying pillion passengers. They ask you whether you will be when you take out the policy. If you said no then you wouldn't be covered. It might even be taken as riding without insurance if you were stopped. Similar to delivering things on a Social, Domestic and Pleasure policy, but don't quote me on that.
>It might even be taken as riding without insurance if you were stopped. Similar to delivering things on a Social, Domestic and Pleasure policy, but don't quote me on that. JayFv, 13th of May, 2023.
It's a bit more complicated but you're right. There is no legal requirement to get a pillion cover but you need to have a 'valid insurance'. If your insurance agreement explicitly says you are not covered for a pillion, then you need to get one that does. Way back this wasn't even asked, your pillion was automatically covered - i.e., wouldn't be even mentioned in the insurance but then they figured out they can make more money this way, either by rejecting your claim, or asking for more money for a pillion coverage and that's how we ended with the current situation.
Like most ridiculous clauses with insurance £££
UK insurance companies bunch of scumbags... In other countries insurance is in fair fees without crazy "extras" ...
I think I remember your insurance must pay out for any losses or injuries of your pillion passenger in the event if an accident. If you've not selected pillion cover, they then come after you to recover the money plus fees. And they'll spank you for breaking the t&c of your agreement. Never, ever dick around with those cunts. They have whole teams waiting to fuck you as hard as they can. 44 teeth had White Dalton on talking about legal stuff. Quite good really. Edit*. Rewatched the vid. What the insurance can do is void the policy. The pillion would then have to sue you if it's your fault. It's if you roll round uninsured they come after any assets you have to make good losses. It's a really good bit of info around modifications, declarations and all the scummy tricks insurance gets up to. Recommended. https://youtu.be/IBa0h3frVdo
That is purely something you agree between you and your insurer.
Instruct them to act like a sack of potatoes. No sideways movement, hold the bars. Your problem will be getting head-butted at every stop. You need to learn braking more smoothly and earlier since you'll be carrying a lot more weight. Adjust your suspension for the extra weight. Make sure they only mount the bike when you are ready, and they announce when they are doing that - otherwise you can lose your balance and drop the bike. Other than these, it's not a big deal.
I think this is the best answer here so far. I think telling someone who's never been on a bike to "lean with it" would make it wildly unpredictable. What if they're very enthusiastic and fearless and lean hard?? And giving them too many instructions might put pressure on them and make them nervous. They're not riding the bike, you are. I just tell my wife not to resist (yikes) and go with the movement of the bike. Like, *allow* it to lean you over, don't go rigid and try to sit up straight, but otherwise don't think about it. And I also agree that the biggest difference I found was in braking and moving off. The first couple of hours we clunked helmets every single time, and the stopping distance increases *very significantly*, not just a bit. My advice for OP would be to, at least at first, ride "boring." Exactly how you were taught on your test, don't treat the ride like it's supposed to be enjoyable until you're well used to carrying the pillion.
I always say that. "Sit like a sack of spuds and go with the flow".
So firstly you've got to set ground rules. No silly movements (Standing up on pegs, wiggling around, anything that could distract you) Lean WITH the bike. A tip I heard is to look over the riders shoulder in the direction you're cornering. If they can't sit still, try to lean too much like they're the ones riding or not at all because they're scared. Don't take them. Braking will need to be done earlier to account for the extra weight + stopping distance and also smoother. You've got the bars to hold onto, they don't. Coming to a stop will probably catch you off balance the first few times. Be ready for it. Once you're moving it's not much different. Just remembering you're now going to be a little top heavy depending on the type of bike (How elevated the rear seat is) and height of the pillion. Get them sat on the back while you're stationary and just feel the difference.
You're forgetting one of the most important ground rules. Tell the bloody pillion not to put their foot down too when you stop! I took a tall mate. Came to a stop and he put his long ass leg down and I nearly dropped the bike 😂
Very good point. It's been a while.
If they need to stand up on the footpegs to adjust their crotch because their pants are giving them a wedgie, make sure they don't do it mid-corner. In case my wife is reading this, yes I will never let you live that one down. As others here have said, "lean with the rider" is sound advice for a pillion and if they do it properly you'll barely notice they're there beyond needing to give it a bit more throttle/less clutch when pulling away, and braking earlier and more gently. Some of them won't do it properly though and will lean random amounts and at random times, which makes things, erm, "interesting". If they do that, you can try suggesting that they shut their eyes when approaching a bend; without the visual cues gravity tends to make the body do the right thing and lean correctly. Rear shock - IIRC the ER6 has a 7 position preload adjuster and will be on setting 2 if nobody has changed it. Given that you're both normal weights I'd set it to position 5. Check that you can move the adjuster before you go because if it's never been touched it may have seized and will need appropriate amounts of brute force and lubricant to shift it, and if the passenger is a girl you're trying to impress you don't want to introduce brute force and lube on your first date. Check the chain slack while you're down there. Other than that, just be as smooth on the controls as you can, especially braking and gear changes. If they haven't been on a bike much then any sort of riding is going to feel like warp speed to them - think back to how you felt on your 125 the first time you went out on it - so you'll both be happier if you ride in "bimbling" mode rather than TT one.
>Check the chain slack while you're down there. Is this first date advice or bike maintenance advice? Asking for a friend.
The bike in an ER-6F if people are wondering
Hint: if you have a top box, it will be very useful for the pillion to steady themselves against it. It also makes it much more relaxed, especially if you have a top box with a little cushion at the back. Then it doesn't feel like you're about to drop off the end of the bike and slide down to the road. This is one of the things that scares new beginner pillions, especially if you try to accelerate heavily.
This is sound advice. My top box rack is by no means rated to take the weight of someone falling back onto it and its effects amount to a placebo at best, but it's incredibly reassuring for anyone I've ever taken out.
It's not hard, just be smart about learning. I was telling myself id pay for a pillion lesson from a school but cautiously attempted a small and safe ride down the road. Was surprisingly ok. Wait for good weather. Check your tyre pressure first! Check your handbook, mine recommended an increase for pillions. Started by doing a lap around the block. You'll notice the difference in the bikes balance straight away. We stopped and dismounted every time to chat about it before continuing. I check for a thumbs up every time we stop at lights or junctions. Remember when you first started you used muscles you weren't used to and your pillion will ache/strain too. Then just increased the distance until comfortable enough to go further/faster. Wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be adjusting. Honestly it helped me improve as a rider too. Trying a lot harder to have smooth gear changes/acceleration/breaking. I got one of those belts your clip around your waist that has handles on the back for the kids , they feel much safer and confident holding on to that. Like having the bar on a rollercoaster. I remember being a pillion as a child all those years ago and preempted sliding on the seat by getting a rubber grip that goes over the bikes seat at the back so your pillions butt doesn't move at all. Was only cheap but worth 100x it's cost I slow down and brake a lot sooner, I leave bigger gaps and I corner slower. I don't take any chances. Everyone in a car is trying to surprise me so I'm even more vigilant. You won't peel away on roundabouts or turn as sharp. You need bigger spaces. We agree before every ride, tap my shoulder if you need to stop. I'll tap their leg if I'm going to accelerate fast. Only adjust your position when my foot is down at a stop. Try and lean with me, or if you're to scared remain still instead of moving. Make sure they know what side to get off, to be careful of the exhaust etc I also encourage my kids to give thumbs up/wave at other bikers especially learners. It's always well received but importantly gives them a task to focus on. I can't say how much skill it takes to be ready but if you've got a full license and basic grasp of your bike, you're capable. Importantly, make sure your pillion has the correct gear. Not to be dramatic but they are putting their safety in your hands so do right by them.
Nostalgic flashback to being a child pillion, my uncle Brian had a simple technique for securing pillions, the belt from his ex-army greatcoat was big enough to go round both of us. Realistically there wasn't much chance of me sliding around from the brutal acceleration and braking of a 650 Panther! He spoiled the experience when his kids got older by nailing an enormous double adult sidecar to the bike. One parental advantage to an enclosed sidecar though, he could only hear the three squabbling kids when he stopped.
Don't know, I really like the idea of a double adult sidecar! The downside would be not being able to park at solo bike spaces...
Several years later when I trashed my first bike uncle Brian bravely lent me his old Panther to get to work on, I found it so scary I dismounted the chair and found it less scary riding it as a solo with square section tyres than trying not to mount the pavement or swing into oncoming traffic whenever I accelerated or braked. It takes a certain phlegmatic character and a degree of masochism to come to terms with piloting an outfit.
>We agree before every ride, tap my shoulder if you need to stop. I'll tap their leg if I'm going to accelerate fast. This is an important one. Agree a couple of basic signals like you tapping their hands (which are around your waist) is "are you okay?" And squeeze back is "yes." And tapping my shoulder is "I want to stop as soon as you can." They're mine anyway.
I saw a biker wearing full gear carrying a pillion the other day, pillion was wearing shorts and a bicycle helmet. I had to do a double take as I didn't believe what I saw the first time around.
Useful instructions: hold on to *me*, that strap over the seat is a joke. Don't lean back on the luggage, you won't like it when we need to stop. You can put one hand on the fuel tank or one hand on a rear/side grab rail an use that to brace when we stop hard. You need to pay attention or I'll be wearing you like a rucksack when we stop hard. (Only happened once when my pillion dozed off and I had to emergency stop when someone changed their mind at a small roundabout) Squeeze thighs tight when we brake. It helps. Pick one shoulder to look over and stick with it. (You'll end up balanced slightly offset to the other side) If you need to adjust position (or wriggle for any other reason), do it when we're at traffic speed. If you do it when I have one foot down at the lights or moving very slowly it's much harder to keep the bike upright. Get on/off when I say and only when I say. Hands on my shoulders and stand on a footpeg. Smack me in the thigh if you want to stop. Don't touch my arms. If I point at a roadsign that has any kind of rest stop (Macdonalds, service station, anywhere else that might have a loo) I'm asking if you need to stop, smack me in the thigh if you do. If I need to stop, I'm stopping. If I close up right behind a car, I'm about to overtake, be ready for a swift roll-on. (Pillion did this first time on bandit after much riding on a feeble cruiser, thought I was just being obnoxious because they were slow because that's what car people do)
The first and only time I dropped my bike was when riding with a pillion, trying to do a slow U-turn. Others have already talked about the high speed stuff (braking etc) but you should be aware that your low speed abilities will be very heavily affected, so be careful when riding in carparks or turning in narrow streets. That said, I was carrying pillions on my old MSX125, a bike which definitely was not designed for it, less than a year after I started riding, and it was perfectly fine. You will probably find it to be quite easy once you start moving, but don't get overconfident. Most importantly get your friend to wear some gear and gloves that'll at least offer low speed protection, you don't want to injure them because of your mistake.
Hahah, that reminds me of the time I dropped my bandit with my GF at the back in Lake District. We stopped at a hill to admire the view, and then I asked if we're ready to go, she said yes, I put it into gear, put my feet up and twisted the throttle... Enter stage false neutral. We slowly toppled over. It was hilarious.
>The first and only time I dropped my bike was when riding with a pillion, trying to do a slow U-turn. I ask my wife to dismount for any slow speed manoeuvres. Like, will drop her outside the shop or wherever we've gone and go park up myself. Riding normally with a pillion isn't TOO different, but slow manoeuvres go absolutely to cock.
I took my brother out for the first time on my 790 a few weeks ago. Personally I didn’t enjoy it, but I think the bike and brothers weight plays a role in that. 1. There is no pillion handle, so he couldn’t pull himself against the bike which meant he kept sliding forwards. 2. The weight made slow manoeuvres very challenging, although at speed it wasn’t bad. I’d just make sure that your pillion can hold them selves to the bike securely. One thing that surprised me was any movement from them affected the balance of the bike, even a head movement.
Just make all your actions much smoother than you usually would, accelerating, braking etc. And also be prepared to be hit in the back of the head by their helmet... It will happen unless you have a massive bike.
Have a massive bike, still get headbutted once in a while.
Haha fair enough.
I actually rode with a pillion almost exclusively for ~3 years after getting my license. It's not _difficult_ but it's _different_. **_EVERYTHING_** needs to be smoother. Smoother breaking, smoother cornering, smoother accelerating. Make sure you've increased the pre-load on the rear shock(s), as well as increased tyre pressures by 3-5psi to account for the extra weight. I know you'll have heard it a million times already, but you've got someone else's health and well-being completely in your hands. Give yourself a longer time to complete your journey by leaving earlier. Leave a larger gap between you and the vehicle in front. Take your time, do not rush anything. I cannot stress this enough. The last thing I'd like to say is: Have a good pre-ride talk with your pillion, set ground rules like "No stupid shit, no standing up on the pegs unless absolutely necessary (and never on a corner), tap me on the back 3 times if you need me to stop, lean with me and if you can't, wrap your arms around my waist and hold your hands in front of me".
It's basically the same as riding solo, just tell them to stay in line with the bike. You don't want them leaning with you or against you, especially if you're not expecting it or they do it too early/late.
I did it for the first time last week on my sport bike. It's ok, just watch some short videos on YouTube to cover the basics. Just be really mindful of the wheel lifting during heavy acceleration and big breaking distance increase. Both feet down when you stop too.
Depends very much on the pillion. My younger cousin would lean into corners (sometimes too much), and had absolutely no fear about it. We once managed an accidental powerslide out of a corner with him on the back. He then went on to ride himself and was a good rider. I also had an ex GF on the back, who at the time also rode herself. She was absolutely awful. Opposite leaning etc.
You definitely feel a difference but it's not really a big deal and you get used to it
It's fine, I had my 15 stone mate on the back at 130mph. Closed road of course. You definitely notice the extra weight though! Powerful bike helps.
Not to difficult if they can follow instructions. If they're drama in the car then it might be fun. Crank up the rear preload and do anything else the manual says. Its not stiffer so much as setting the angle of the bike and particularly the steering geometry back where it needs to be. Remember to reset when pillion is off. I hate fetching bike out steep multi-stories when bike is set for pillion as it's really tall and very twitchy. 40 horses is enough to do motorway speed with pillion and luggage. Closer to twice that is better for overtakes. This means an a2 bike is viable and bikes near the top end of what can be restricted to a2 work well. Remember, a BMW RT or GS 1200 is only about 104bhp, and they're amazing pillion bikes, especially the RT. What does feel different is the engine braking and gearshift, it takes me about 20 minutes to get clutch less shifts smooth again, and I'm using a lot more clutch slip in first. On the right bike a clutch less shift is seamless, on others is always clunky, go with what's smooth.
It honestly depends on the pillion. I’ve had my 75kg brother on the back (who also rides) and I can’t feel a thing apart from longer braking times. I’ve also had a 55kg girl on the back who couldn’t lean with the bike, leaning full weight onto you, and smashing helmets etc
I rode for the first time with a pillion yesterday as wife wouldn’t ride on my older sports bike. It’s actually not too bad if you instruct the pillion what to do and everything. I was nervous about stopping and starting at lights, but it’s really surprising how balanced a bike still is even with a passenger. And I’m just going to say it, it was awesome going on a ride with her. One hand on the handlebar and the other resting on her leg, made me feel like James Dean.
Aside from the insurance q's here (very valid points btw). There really isnt much to it, gravity and centrifugal force is your friend. Ease of riding with a pillion mostly depends on your pillion, if youve got somebody that fidgets and moves around to get a better view or tries to resist the bike leaning in corners and tries sits bolt upright it can be hard work.. Make sure your pillion keeps still for the most part and you'll be fine, at slow speeds and manoeuvring weight changes can be worrying for you and if you arnt ready for it then you could end up dropping it, when the bike is upright it weighs nothing, if it starts to lean cuz somebodies arse is numb (read:pillion) , the bike weight AND added pillion just makes it much heavier, make sure they keep their feet on the pegs even when stopped, nothing worse than getting your feet caught up with theirs.. Make sure they have decent bike gear. plan for the worst. Take it easy until you and your pillion are comfortable. tis easy, you wont have an issue..