Carrying a pillion on smaller bikes

[notbike]

My Ninja 300 seems to handle pillions pretty well despite the fact that I've only taken a couple of mates for rides so far. Surprisingly the bike still maintains a good pull in 6th gear even uphill, but I haven't carried anyone over 70kg and haven't really needed to go over 70mph, and I tend to ride like a granny when it comes to cornering (but that's probably more down to weather atm).

I was just wondering if carrying a pillion for extended periods of time can cause your bike to degrade or wear out faster, and by that I mean things like suspension/tyres/bearings/engine/whatever else can be stressed by additional weight.

Also despite being told this by the instructors and whatnot, is it absolutely 100% necessary to do the whole stiffer rear suspension & higher tyre pressure thing, because my bike seems to handle fine without me doing it?

More importantly does tightening up the rear stop the front from feeling so light? Because despite it handling well I still get a weird feeling that the front is too light, especially when going uphill, round corners, or in gusts of wind.

I also notice after having carried someone and then riding on my own, the bars wobble a lot at slow speed until I get used to it again. Probably cause I'm subconsciously putting weight onto the handlebars like I do when the pillion is on the back. Also it feels about 3.14 times faster when they're off the bike, despite not really noticing the difference when they're on the bike.

tl;dr pillion veterans pls advise me

[c-m]

Stiffening the suspension is going to improve the handling and ride quality.

Carrying extra weight is going to have an effect on the tyres and brakes, and I guess the engine is slightly more stressed but it's nothing that's going to make much difference in the long run.

[covent.gardens]

Taking a passenger in a car also causes extra wear and tear and fuel...
It's not something a normal person worries about TBH.

As for tyre pressures and suspension, if I had a man/woman/trans-mountain coming aboard then I might put a couple more PSI in and adjust the suspension, but then what am I doing letting a fat person on my bike anyway? So probably not.

[notbike]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Adding preload will help the suspension support the extra weight, reduces the risk of bottoming out and increasing tyre pressures will maintain an even contact patch.

Even with pillion settings dialed-in as per owner's manual the front will still feel heavier on the down hills and light on uphills or acceleration. You shouldn't hold the bars any differently with or without a pillion/luggage.

[Moo.]

I did think this was going to be about going 5 up on a C90
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[talkToTheHat]

If you have much extra weight, extra tyre pressure as per manual will keep the tyre the correct shape and you won't lose handling too badly. More preload (presumably waht you mean by stiffer) will prevent you bottoming out the shocks on bumps and again maintain proper handling.

Check the maximum payload stated for your bike. My GZ125 would allegedly take two of me, never tried. This is not the case for many chinese bikes. I paid close attention to this when I bought my current ride as occasional pillion use was part of the plan.
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[Diggs]

Had 4 on a GP125 once as a kid. We all fell off...
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[merquis00]

[Iain.]

Me and Paddy went twos up on my H100 with a stupid pipe on it that removed all power prior to about 1500rpm off the redline. I weighed just over 20 stone, I think he weighs around 14 stone. We made no adjustment to brakes, tyre pressures or anything else really.

I make that about 215kg on a 93kg bike with badly maintained 1980's drum brakes. Nobody died. Havent ever worried about taking people twos up on anything since....worst thing was trying to prevent the wheelie as you pulled away if I'm honest!

[C1REX]

Suspension is the main thing to worry about.
Bottom down few times and it can be damaged.


Performance wise - a bit slower acceleration. Even on 125cc top speed should remain similar.
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[uberkron]

Have pillioned on most sizes of bike myself. Have been dropping my brother to his new job a bit lately, and thats on my 50cc scooter. Aside from the increased mass i dont mind it. Anything over a 125 the bike shouldnt mind too much. If you were doing it every trip you would find brake wear to be a little higher.
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