advise please- pillions

Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

Yep, despite riding for 2 years I have yet to have a pillion on my bike. None of my mates/past girls have been stupid/brave enough to get on the back.
But this is about to change, as a girl I know wants a lift to work on sunday morning. I am a little nervous, I really don't want to look like a twat cos I think I'm actually an ok rider and I would like to impress Wink

so I was looking for some advice on how to ride with a pillion safely. Is it difficult or much different? am I gonna have trouble getting used to it or is it really not a big thing? thanks.

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

I recently did it(took a pillion Rolling Eyes

) for the first time as well. Its not such a big thing really. It made my bike handle shit, but thats cos the supenders are knackered anyway.

Just take it easy and go smooth. Give yourself more time for braking.
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WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 20 Mar 2002 Karma :

it affects everything to be honest, handling feels sluggish, and braking distances increase

less so with ladies on the back, so there is no more ideal first pillion

advise her all teh things they tell you in the highway code..dont wave hands about, lean with me (important) and hold on

and try and be as smooth as possible, dont ride like you would by yourself, and remember they may be higher and more in the wind, so keep the speed reasonable

gd luck
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carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

You'll no doubt have to contend with the usual

"AHHHHHH YOU CAN'T FIT THROUGH THAT GAP AHHH!"

"SLOW DOWN!!!"

This was my pillion on a low powered 125!

As goose said, get them to lean with you, make sure they don't put their feet down, even at lights etc.
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Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Lean with you, hold on, dont ever let go, don't put feet down, and trust you.

It's well different riding at first with a pillion, but it's easy after a bit Smile

Laura · Playboy Bunny Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

I find the best thing you can do to make a pillion feel safe is watch how fast you accelerate and easy when braking!
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Major_Grooves · The Doctor Joined: 10 May 2002 Karma :

I find the worst thing with a pillion is when your going downhill and you get "tram lined" by dodgy cracks in the the road. Always feels worse with a pillion. Confused

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TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

Slow speed riding with a pillion can make you look like a real amatuer, so just remember to slip the clutch lots. Don't accelerate too hard and don't brake at the last minute.

Avoid crashing if possible. Wink

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G1_ · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2002 Karma :

You always learn how smooth you really are when you have pillions. Try to avoid bumbing helmets if you can Laughing

ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Have her hang on to yer wedding tackle, that way you can judge how well or bad you are doing by the amount of pain or pleasure you are receiving....It tends to focus the mind

Racer X · Scooby Slapper Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Karma :

Just rev it up all the way and blow the clutch out and tell the pillion to "HOLD ON"!!!!!!
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Keen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Karma :

Thanks for the advice. Shouldn't be a problem- I'll just take it easy and cop a cheap feel or two along the way Very Happy

Ant · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

As above:
Firstly try and avoid hard acceration and braking.
Try and make gear changes as smooth as possible and try and avoid where possible.

It will take a while to get used to the weight and handling, so don't go trying to get your knee down for a bit Smile

.
It will acentuate dodgy or soft suspension, so expect a bit of wallowing etc.

If it's their first pillion ride then scaring them will just put them off biking (in most cases Smile

) and put them off you as well probably Confused

.

Beezkneez · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Karma :

forget all the other posts Shocked

give it a good handfull, get that front up in the air then step into a nice stoppie...if she wants to go back on after that then you can ride anyway you want Twisted Evil

but remember............"be smooth"

Bazza
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cagiva gezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Karma :

Tell them not to look over your shoulder at high speeds, the wind restistance pulls the bike to the side. Get them to brace themselves on the pegs when you slow down. An important thing to remember is that with a pillion your bike will be alot less nippy, so everything takes longer.

Another point , your bike will become wider, not that i found that out by hitting pillions knees on wing mirrors while filtering!
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