riding with a passenger?

[DJ_Dan23]

hello guys my names Dan. was just wondering because i want to get my A1 so i can give my mates lifts etc im 17 gonna be 18 in november.

just wanted your opinion of whether i should do it. and also how much more different is it riding with a passenger on the back. Because all my mates live on the other side of town (50 min walk) (5min rid) and my other friend kive basically next door. and i was thinking when i go out i can give them a lift.

just want to know some tips on how to ride with a passenger and also tips to give to the passenger etc. much appreciated guys.
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its been emotional

[P.addy]

Well, it is heavier for a start, you'll get used to it though.

Typically you should adjust the suspension and tyre pressures, but it is all down to the bike and weight of the unlucky fellow on the back

[snomag]

When riding with someone else on the back of the bike, I usually do two things:

1, Adjust the mirrors. I know, you're supposed to adjust a few other things as well (suspension, tyre pressures, etc...) but honestly, I never bother with those.
2, Pay a bit more attention to forward planning. Passengers usually don't like heavy acceleration and breaking, especially someone that's not used to it.

And that's it really. The bike behaves a bit differently with a person on the back, but that's something you can get used to easily.

[metalangel]

You'll be heavier, so brake sooner. Take it easier. You are first to get on the bike and last to get off.

Tell them:
-no squirming around, no matter what.
-no putting your feet down, no matter what.
-look over my shoulder into corners, but don't try to lean.
-tap my right arm to speed up, left to slow down, helmet three times to stop asap.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[snomag]

[Zen Dog]

A pillion can seriously affect the handling of a bike, if they want to. My dad used to tell me the first time he took one of his mates out, when they got to the first corner his mate leant the other way and they went straight into the nearest hedge.

I usually just tell them to sit like a sack of potatoes, and not try to fight the bike when cornering. Just tell them to completely relax (but not so much they fall off the back...). Oh, and counterintuitively, if they want/need to move about, to do it at higher speeds (it'll have less of an effect).

As a rider, if they're a decent pillion, the only difference will be that the bike feels heavier. Try to be smoother than usual, and anticipate further in advance.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, '11 600 Hornet - Previous - '11 CBF125, '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[-Matt-]

As i said on the other thread really mate, if you are going to do it i'd get a bit more riding experience first.

Ideally for your benefit also, find a reliable mate whos willing to go with you in their car or whatever to an empty carpark for a bit of practice first, failing that up and down a quiet road etc. And of course just go extremely cautiously the first time out on the road until you feel comfortable with yourself and also with the pillion, if they suddenly start jumping about behind you stop right away before they make you swerve off into a wall or something

Presume you have/will get a bike you can get both feet down on the flats on also, a friend whos very short said he doesn't feel able to take pillions as normally he perches on his toes and its just not stable enough with another person on the back like that.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Like snomag said, just be even smoother innit. Make sure you keep both legs wide apart on the ground when they're getting on and off, helps keep the bike stable. Make sure they know not to get off till you tell 'em else might end up with the both of you under the bike. Other than that just rag fuck out of it and make 'em brown 'em sens in the first five minutes.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[J.M.]

I tell my passengers:
- if you move around at low speed we may well crash, so don't do it.
- don't try to lean or do anything for me. Keep your body pretty much in line with mine. Generally act like a bag of spuds.
- if you need me to stop, tap me.

At speed there are no issues. It's only really notable when at low speed around traffic. Also note that your braking distance will increase a bit with the added weight.

Please don't take a pillion until you're a competent rider though; it'll only end badly.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[-Matt-]

[metalangel]

[DJ_Dan23]

thank guys that has helped alot actually
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its been emotional

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I'm sure the rear brake was invented just for pillion use.

Use it when coming to a stop, it'll reduce fork-dive and make it more comfortable for the pillion. Use it for slow speed maneuvers...like if you've got a tight left turn at a T-Junction. Set off with just a whiff of rear brake applied and it'll feel much more stable...same when filtering..It just makes the bike feel better at really slow speeds. If you have really good throttle control and a bike with a smooth power delivery from low revs then you I wouldn't need to use so much of it.
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[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]