Giving pillion first time on a R1

[Urban Climber]

Hey all, I'm just wondering if any fellow R1 owners can give me any advice on giving pillion for the first time.

Ever since I got the R1 the missus has asked to go on the back, I've had it for a couple of months now and feel confident in myself on the bike so I've agreed to take her on it sometime this week after work.

Any advice and tips?

Cheers, Michael.

[CaNsA]

This is the advice I give to everyone who asks the "Pillion" question.

[Diggs]

She needs to make like a sack of spuds...
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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...

[Eddie Hitler]

Rag the fuck out of it. Wheelies and stoppies. She will love that. .

[MCN]

[MCN]

There are tons of threads on pillion-ing on here.
You need to start off on level ground (unless you are confident you can manage and have had someone on the back before).

Again:
Both Pillion pegs out.
Both feet on firm ground.
Hold the front brake on.
The pillion puts the left foot on the left peg.
Then holding onto your shoulders for some support, swings the right leg over and onto the right peg to climb aboard.
The instructions to the pillion should be for them to just follow the rider and not lean into bends. A wobbling pillion will have you in a ditch.
Rider asks pillion if comfy (Not on the pillion pad of any sports bike mind you) and get ready to ride off.
Normally easy acceleration or you risk losing your load off the back.
And on braking the pillion will be pushed into the rider which impedes steering etc.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[kramdra]

^ Load of bollocks, its no different really to riding solo.. and my bike prefers it. If you have any balance and right to be on an R1, pillion will be easy.

Only thing to note, be very smooth rolling off throttle and braking, else pillion lid will keep smacking into yours, which makes quite an uncomfortable, unpleasant ride.

[Diggs]

Watch those nuts on the brakes too...
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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...

[Albigularis]

[Old Git Racing]

[MCN]

[CaNsA]

[J.M.]

I would consider getting some form of grip for the pillion seat. I've taken the missus out on my R1 and on the stock seat she slides a lot under braking. It puts a lot of weight on the wrists/bollocks.

I haven't invested in one for myself yet, as she rarely comes out with me, but I am certainly going to before the next decent journey.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[MCN]

If the rider is not too phat and it's possible, the pillion can rest on the tank for braking. But I have yet to know a bird that can get her arms around me on a bike.

Holding onto the rider's hips is usually enough. Those strap-it-on-to-me belt things look fucking more awful than fuck. (Like those extended mirrors for cnuts who tow caravans around our perfectly innocent roads.)

The extra grips for seats seem too low. I've not used any of above 'devices' so I could be talking bollocks again.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Chuffin Nora]

A fullish tank of fuel at the outset will help to keep the front end planted, and by the time that it's emptyish the other half, if she has the Gift, will have bestowed the trinity of rider-pillion-bike with the Oneness for which Life, the Universe and Everything was invented.

And if she ever wanders off to sleep while on the back . . . well, that's the ultimate accolade for any such marriage.


AAAHH! Happy days . . .
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There's a fine line between integrity

[Vincent]

[Albigularis]

[J.M.]

[deadwolf]

[winz]

Just take a wet wipe because she will dripping all over the seat when you're done.

[wr6133]

Ensure she doesn't wear a bra and be sure to brake hard.

[Copycat73]

some thing I`ve never done on mine .. ever..
frankly I don`t think its suitable for 2 up ..
let me know how you get on
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Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

[RhynoCZ]

Don't let the pillion to put her feet down from the pegs, tell her not to even try.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[RhynoCZ]

[talkToTheHat]

Brief pillion with exactly what you expect them to do.

Expect bike to be tricky to balance at low speed.

Have clear hand signals for "i need a comfort break soon" and "stop now", such as "smack me in the thigh" and "keep smacking me in the thigh until I stop".

Impress rules that prevent crashing are absolute. "Don't touch my arms, hands or the handlebars whilst I am on the bike." My pillion forgot this rule exactly once and swing on my elbow trying to get off the bike, nearly fell in the mud when I dropped my hand off the bars to avoid pulling the bike over. I didn't need to tell her off.

Falling asleep or daydreaming is great (mine went into daydream mode when it started raining, aided by extra smooth riding) until you have to stop in a hurry and pillion becomes rucksack.
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Bandit. does. everything.