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| mauzo |
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mauzo
Nova Slayer
Joined: 30 Jun 2015
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 Posted: 09:59 - 23 Aug 2015  Post subject: Pillions and tyre pressures |
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I've just done my test and got a full licence (yay!), and I'd like to ask a bit of advice about taking pillions. The Book says you need to adjust both the suspension and the rear tyre pressure; the suspension is easy (and I've already noticed it makes a difference when carrying a load), but how important is it to put more air in the tyre every time, and take it out again when I'm on my own?
Obviously if I were doing a long journey I would Do It Right; but if we'd just be going a few miles faffing about with bike pump and tyre gauge seems like it would quickly get irritating. This is, for the moment, on a CG; I need to think about how much money I've got before looking for something else. (DAS ain't cheap  .) |
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| pja8 |
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pja8
Borekit Bruiser
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Posted: 14:18 - 23 Aug 2015  Post subject: |
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Check your insurance you can take pillion, these days it's an optional extra often. Apologies if you know that 
I agree with you it can be a bit of faffing about so I tend to leave the suspension pillion ready and the tyre pressure as well. Just means you may notice a stiffer ride when solo and you may like that, who knows.
Thankfully my current bike the tyre pressures are the same whether solo or pillion bit of a bonus that as I commute solo during the week and ride outs at weekend are often with wife.
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Current - Triumph America LT Previous - Honda VT750S, Kymco Pulse S 125cc, Suzuki GS500e, Kawasaki KH100ex & Suzuki TS50er |
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| Andy_Pagin |
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Andy_Pagin
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| Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg
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| thx1138 |
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thx1138
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| Posted: 15:38 - 23 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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I don't have pillion cover, but I take my wife pillion occasionally, I suppose she could sue me in the event of an accident  but all the assets are in her name anyway. |
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| Undinist |
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Undinist
Nearly there...
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| Posted: 16:46 - 23 Aug 2015 Post subject: Re: Pillions and tyre pressures |
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| mauzo wrote: | I've just done my test and got a full licence (yay!), and I'd like to ask a bit of advice about taking pillions. The Book says you need to adjust both the suspension and the rear tyre pressure; the suspension is easy (and I've already noticed it makes a difference when carrying a load), but how important is it to put more air in the tyre every time, and take it out again when I'm on my own? |
Under or overinflated tyres don't usually matter on short trips, but they can be dangerous if you're riding near the limit of the tyres' adhesion, e.g. with extreme lean angles, very hard braking or wet roads.
Wrong pressures can be expensive on long journeys, especially on the motorway, because you get more tyre wear. And if the rear tyre gets squared off, even though it may still have lots of tread before you reach the legal limit, it may make cornering less pleasant because the bike doesn't turn in so nicely.
With a pillion, don't forget to use the rear brake. When solo it's easy to get in the habit of barely touching the rear brake, but that means a pillion will bash into you at junctions and it doesn't help their confidence or the paint on the back of your helmet.
Pillions sometimes get nervous if you ask them to lean into corners. Just ask them to always look over your inside shoulder when cornering. That way they'll get the leaning right without thinking about it.
Ask them to hold on mostly by gripping with their inner thighs and knees, as if they were on a horse. If you ride smoothly they won't need to hold on with their hands, which makes the ride more comfy for both of you. You don't really want them clutching the grab rail like a limpet, it spoils the weight distribution. And pillions can get very tense painful shoulders if they think they have to grip with their hands the whole time.
Also ask them to keep their feet firmly on the pillion pegs. The more weight transferred through the pegs, the lower the centre of gravity of the bike. They should have heels so they can brace themselves against the pegs when you're braking. This helps them a lot.
Also ask them never to grab you anywhere higher than your hips. If they start pulling on your shoulders or chest you can quickly lose control of the bike.
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S |
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| mauzo |
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mauzo
Nova Slayer
Joined: 30 Jun 2015
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| Posted: 17:40 - 23 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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| Rogerborg wrote: | Since OP would have been on a provisionaL policy (and pillions shouldn't have been a consideration) then there's no guarantee that his current underwriter will even still cover him now he's on a full license, pillion or otherwise.
Might want to inform the broken of the change in license, ideally without actually getting into a conversation about it that will end with "... and how would Sir like to pay the £50 admin fee?" |
I am covered for taking a pillion; my insurers explicitly didn't care that I was on L-plates when I took out the policy. (I told the nice lady on the phone and she said it didn't matter.) I did go to a Real Insurance Company rather than a broker, which may make a difference. I looked around a bit when I got the insurance and the brokers didn't seem to be any cheaper than the quote I got, and anyway brokers make me a little suspicious ('B Ark' people, if anyone remembers that...).
| Undinist wrote: | With a pillion, don't forget to use the rear brake. When solo it's easy to get in the habit of barely touching the rear brake, but that means a pillion will bash into you at junctions and it doesn't help their confidence or the paint on the back of your helmet. |
It's a CG, I use the rear brake a fair bit anyway  . I do need to get out of the habit of doing clutchless upchanges until I can do them properly, though...
| Undinist wrote: | Ask them to hold on mostly by gripping with their inner thighs and knees, as if they were on a horse. If you ride smoothly they won't need to hold on with their hands, which makes the ride more comfy for both of you. You don't really want them clutching the grab rail like a limpet, it spoils the weight distribution. And pillions can get very tense painful shoulders if they think they have to grip with their hands the whole time. |
Hah! I said exactly that ('hold on mostly with your legs'), when my DAS instructor was taking me through 'what should you tell a pillion', and he squawked a bit and said I had to (say I would) tell them to hold on with their hands...
Thank you, that's what I was hoping (but not entirely expecting) to hear . |
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| bamt |
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bamt
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| Undinist |
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Undinist
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| Posted: 18:58 - 23 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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| mauzo wrote: |
Hah! I said exactly that ('hold on mostly with your legs'), when my DAS instructor was taking me through 'what should you tell a pillion', and he squawked a bit and said I had to (say I would) tell them to hold on with their hands...
Thank you, that's what I was hoping (but not entirely expecting) to hear . |
Well, I should probably expand a bit! Best to agree with the pillion on exactly where they should grip with their hands if they feel the need. Options will vary a great deal depending on the model of bike and what you're wearing. Then they can keep their hands near or gently resting on the agreed handhold.
Once you're used to carrying a pillion, try not to forget they are there. Otherwise when you dismount you will kick them off the bike and they will sit on their backside looking upset and more convinced than usual that "you take me for granted, you bastard."
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S |
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| c_dug |
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c_dug
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| Posted: 23:21 - 23 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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The getting them to lean into corners malarkey is far from what I would go with.
'sack of spuds' is the expression that comes to mind. I don't care much where they hold on, or how tight, I just dont want them moving once they're on. That way the pillion is basically just heavy luggage.
I carry pillions a fair bit and very rarely adjust my tyre pressures, and never the suspension. Tyres basically only if I'm planning on doing several hours riding, 200 miles plus sort of thing.
Smoothness is key to avoiding banging heads, front/back brake won't make a difference to the likelihood of clashing lids, unless you have fingers made of wood and cant brake smoothly with the front. That said, the back brake shouldn't really be ignored anyway, even when riding solo, so the point is moot.
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| Rogerborg |
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Rogerborg
nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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| Posted: 08:27 - 24 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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(Bit off topic, but... BCF)
| thx1138 wrote: | I don't have pillion cover, but I take my wife pillion occasionally, I suppose she could sue me in the event of an accident |
My understanding is that it was a big payout to a Mrs Pillion that brought the issue to a head and prompted insurers to consider it as a risk factor.
So in a big off where she gets quadraspazzed she could and probably should sue you. She'd get her whole life care payout from the insurer, and they may chase you up to try and recover it. Worst case you (as a couple) are no worse off, best case you (personally) weasel out of it somehow.
Cheery stuff.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike |
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| Undinist |
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Undinist
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| Posted: 15:28 - 24 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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| c_dug wrote: | I just dont want them moving once they're on. That way the pillion is basically just heavy luggage. |
Got to disagree there. It's important to me that they enjoy being my pillion. They need to move around a bit quite often to stay comfy and enjoy the view. If they are new to being pillion they tend to assume that moving around is safe when you are stationary but dangerous when you are moving. Actually the opposite is true.
When the bike is moving it makes very little difference if they move a bit, the bike doesn't change direction. But when you're stationary, if they move at the same time as you, e.g. when you are shifting your weight from one foot to another, they can cause you to topple over. This can happen very easily if you're touring on a big bike. The bike is all loaded up so the C of G is high. If it's an adventure bike, the seat is high so your legs may be at full stretch. The road surface, particularly at a junction, may be uneven or gritty or slippy. One twitch from your beloved's beautiful backside and down you go.
So my rule is 'move around as much as you like when we're moving, but don't move around when we're stationary without getting my consent.'
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S |
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| pja8 |
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pja8
Borekit Bruiser
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| Posted: 19:09 - 24 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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Totally agree, nothing worse than a twitchy pillion when stationary or a pillion when on the go that does not stay in line with the rider.
Had a mate riding pillion for the first time years ago, I think fear over took him as every time we went round a corner it was like riding a brick, the bike would not go in, very scary. All because my mate could not bring himself to be anything other than sitting upright regardless of the need for bike to lean. Lol
Never let him go pillion again after that. Thankfully from day one, wife is a natural, just goes with the flow of the bike, gives it no thought and just relaxes, perfect.
My biggest risk with wife is on a few times she is so relaxed she has nearly fell asleep.
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Current - Triumph America LT Previous - Honda VT750S, Kymco Pulse S 125cc, Suzuki GS500e, Kawasaki KH100ex & Suzuki TS50er |
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| Undinist |
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Undinist
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| Posted: 19:18 - 24 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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I had a gf who would fall sound asleep - fortunately she always slumped forward, rather than sideways or backwards. Being bashed between the shoulder blades by her helmet on the autoroute was a bit surprising.
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Current bike: K1100RS. Previous: CD200, GSX250, GT550, VFR750, K100LT, K1100LT, R1100GS, R1150GS, ZZR1100, Hayabusa, RSV Mille, MV F4 750S, R1, ZX-10, KTM Adventure 950S |
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| Barnoe |
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Barnoe
Trackday Trickster
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| Posted: 22:40 - 24 Aug 2015 Post subject: |
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Some people are just bad pillion, some are natural.
Even so, the more you share the ride the better they get because they learn how you ride and know what to expect.
When on the move my wife doesn't hold on in normal conditions (Straightish roads).... or at least holds so light i dont know.
But she has learned how i approach cars, she can tell if im going with the flow or about to launch into a fast overtake.
She suddenly gets hold before i twist the throttle
Which is good... i wouldn't want 2 boots under my armpits 
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| mauzo |
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mauzo
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| talkToTheHat |
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talkToTheHat
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 11 years, 20 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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