how long to leave it before takin a pillion??

[Tom C RX50]

Heya, just a quick question, me and my friend were discussing riding with a pillion, and he is getting a 400 soon. I advised him not to take a pillion untill he has got used to the bike to ride alone yet, as I have never taken a pillion I cannot speak from experience.

I was wondering if you could shed some light on the topic and give some advice and guidance. Thanks, Tom
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**FOR SALE** Aprilia RX50, full system gianelli exhaust, 70cc MK big bore, MK pro race filter, 20mm Dellorto carb, aftermarket sticker set, small plate, carbon look indicators, new rear tyre, years tax and mot, new chain and sprockets, very fast bike. 1200 ono **FOR SALE**

[ZaphodBeeble]

I think you should definitely get used to the power and weight of a bike before taking a pillion. You need to get used to the clutch and throttle response mainly I reckon, it will help when taking corners at slow speed. Anything above 20mph and you don't really notice the difference with a pillion. It's always the slow speeds that cause the most bother.
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Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

[PsychoHippy]

I agree totally with Zaphod - he will need to get used to the slow control and balance of his new bike before he tries taking a pillion for the first time.
He will also need to remember that a pillion is very rarely expecting you to accelerate or brake suddenly (unless they ride), so he will need to learn to make his riding smooth - roll the power on gently and squeezing breaks gently. Riding properly with a pillion generally means trying to think a few seconds ahead of your normal riding, it's a skill that can and should be learnt.
For me, the most important thing was making sure that the pillion knew not to fidget, and to have a good way of letting me know to slow down or stop.
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[ZaphodBeeble]

The only thing that really bothers me with a pillion is a back seat rider. The kind of pillion that likes to take the corners themselves and lean for you. Argh it's so annoying. Make sure you tell your pillions to sit there like a sack of spuds!
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Current bike: VTR1000F Firestorm. Previous: Firestorm (written off) - XJ600 Divvy - NSR125 - DT125 and a load of offroaders.

[PsychoHippy]

[yambabe]

As a pillion of many years until I passed my test recently, another good way to stop a rider-pillion leaning further than you want or an inexperienced one leaning the wrong way is to have them sat with their arms in between you and the palms of their hands flat on your back. With the hands in this position, they tend to follow your movement better.

Personally I have no desire to carry a pillion, and am looking at replacing my seat-pad on the back with a rack so I have more room for shopping! Did you know that on a full licence your insurance will also be less if you are not insured for pillions?
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[JeffT]

ah but if I take pillions it means i get to see my missus dressed in leather

[yambabe]

Eyes in the back of your head then, seeing as she'll be sat behind you?

Just imagine how much better the view would be if she was riding her own bike, leaning over the tank with her arse in the air, and you could be riding behind.......
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[ZRX61]

[mr.z]

Took a passenger 5minutes after first sitting on a bike, i'm still allive, so is the pillion in question..

Generally you'll cope... might be a crap idea but you can allways turn arround and go home.

Read previous threds on pillions on here for info...

If you have a good passenger then the main thing is the way the bikes handleing will change, breaking and accelerateing will be different.

Sensible thing is obviously get used to the bike, dont ride like and twat and show off to mates, its not that hard, read up first, take it easy.
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[Will87]

Depends on his riding skill. My dad bought a brand new triumph trophy and rode i 60miles back home with me as a pillion. It's about taking it easy.

[ZaphodBeeble]

[bazza]

[JodieWodie]

I rode my CG from July last year, and only took a pillion in January this year.
I needed to get used to riding and staying upright with just me on it first !

I recently got an FZR600, and took a pillion today, (a couple of days after getting the bike), but I practiced, practiced on the new bike first, (almost all weekend), to get used to the clutch, brakes, gear changes, and to learn how it took corners etc...

All bikes are different, all people are different, I say do it when you feel ready.
Do NOT rush these things.
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[Tom C RX50]

heya cheers guys, i didnt apreciate the rather out of order post tho, rather pointless, if your not gunna give advice then why bother, be a twat and posty stuff in fights and flame wars for all i care.

My mate has been riding a 50 and is going to a 400, and i wanted to know how long he shud leave till takin a pillion safely and confidently. I appreciate the 'positive' and helpfull responses, more would be welcome
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**FOR SALE** Aprilia RX50, full system gianelli exhaust, 70cc MK big bore, MK pro race filter, 20mm Dellorto carb, aftermarket sticker set, small plate, carbon look indicators, new rear tyre, years tax and mot, new chain and sprockets, very fast bike. 1200 ono **FOR SALE**

[NY_Sniper]

hey i went from a 50 to 400 i took a pillion on my first ride legally had a day fannying about up n down the street only thing u need to do is tell the pillion to go with the bike and not to try lean it either way also when he gets rid of the pillion the bike will feel much lighter and quicker just be careful really take some one whos bin pillion b4 and take it easy if u dont like it dont do it till u feel confident to do it
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[jamie192]

[mchaggis]

Get a 25kg sack of spuds (or maybe even two) and secure it onto the pillion seat. That'll probably give you an idea to begin with. Everything happens more slowly and you need to do everything much more deliberately and smoothly. I've little experience of pillions, but too much experience of loading the rear of the bike beyond what is perhaps sensible.

The front wheel will be seem very light and you'll want to jack up the rear of the bike to compensate for the weight. Of course, it'll then be too stiff when you're only one-up, and if you don't change it back you'll need to keep your wits about you going over bumps while canted over.

I have it on good authority that a sports 400 is painful enough to ride (if you're as much as 6'), and that going pillion upon it is even more tortuous. Good luck.
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[Dave H]

I've just taken my first pillion and would echo all the advice above. The bike will respond more slowly so you need to anticipate things a bit better and be very smooth with throttle, gear changes, cornering and braking.

Also, make sure the pillion does not try to get on or off the bike until the rider is ready.

[ZaphodBeeble]

[ZRX61]

[Jamie_ducati]

[Dom_]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Errr, on the road legally about 9 months before my test.

Carrying a pillion comfortably is mainly about riding smoothly. With a fair jump in the style of bike (from small light 2 stroke to heavier larger 4 stroke) it will probably take a bit of time for him to be riding smoothly, and for things like gearchanges to be smooth.

Scaring a pillion is not an achievment.

All the best

Keith
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[jamie192]