Carrying pillions?

[mikesaa309]

I've got my theory test on Saturday and plan to have my bike test done by the end of March, April at the latest.

Obviously I'd be able to carry pillions, just wondering how long it takes to get used to extra weight on the back and any tips for carrying pillions?

[BG5067]

[Aff]

It's mostly down to how good the pillion is, with a good one you will barely notice the difference.

Just make sure they act like a sack of spuds, you don't want them to lean with or against you, just staay in line with the bike.

Also make sure they don't fidget when you are going slow or stopped and that they only get on or off when you tell them to.
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[hedgehugger]

You adjust quite quickly to carrying a pillion, so much so that you can 'forget'. This makes for interesting braking at junctions!!!*
and turning across traffic!!**

It is also strange riding a bike after just carrying a pillion, I find the front end seems light, but again you adjust quickly.


* daughter on the back, stopping at a junction at the bottom of a hill, my bad forgetting that I needed more braking distance, nearly planted us in the traffic, but didn't, we aint deaded yet

** Hubby on the back, turning came up a bit too quickly for carrying a pillion, I slowed and braked for the turn as a solo rider, not a pillion carrier, and overbalanced the bike, which resulted in us both trying to upright the bike while both still sat on it, with traffic coming towards us

Both were very poor planning/riding by me, not adjusting to pillion.
Most times I do remember!

[map]

All it takes is a little practice.
Some pointers from my experience...

As said, ask them to be a sack of spuds. Lean with you, not opposite.
Tell them not to put feet down when stopping at junctions, etc.
Work out a basic communication, e.g. tap on left, faster, tap on right stop.
Treat like riding in the wet. So increased braking distance.
Short shift with the gears. It's smoother. Prevents helmets knocking together.

Best advice is to keep it smooth and don't show off. My wife was a pillion once. Rider (not me) decided to scare (I'm sure in his mind impress) her. She refuses to ride pillion now due to that experience.

Worst I've found is at junctions. For some reason turning right. As said, just practice though.
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[Monkeypony]

Remember,

The extra weight will mean greater breaking distances and slower acceleration.

The object is not to scare the crap out of your passenger, so be smooth and sensible.

If you have grab rails, get them to use them. There's less chance of annoying head clonking.
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[Clutchy]

[Polarbear]

The bigger the bike, the less effect. My Trohpy (or the Goldwings I had) make almost no difference at all. The pillion is held in position by the seat so isn't able to move around. The brakes are designed to take the weight.

My STR, noticable because it was quite a flighty bike so you were aware of the pillion but not that bad.

My daughters old SR125, no effing chance It was bad enough with just me on it!
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[NooBish-AbbZ]

Took me to the end of the road to get used to it although being on a 125 it's difficult to forget.. Especially when your nads are being crushed on the tank, too
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[mikesaa309]

[Monkeypony]

Not really more difficult, just different.

The bike will not behave quite how you are used to going into and through a bend, but it just takes a bit of getting used too.

Sticking your mate on the back and going for a knee down at the first roundabout you come to is almost certainly going to end in tears though!
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[blue2]

I have found going UP through the gears and not using the clutch makes the shift a lot smoother when someones on the back....

[Copycat73]

carrying passengers is a pita .. have done little since `94
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/google.php?q=Carrying+pillions
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